Cyrus

How well can you drive your M5?

Forget straight line driving, how are you at cornering at high speeds?

How much of the potential are you getting out of your M5?

I for one car say I get more out of my 325i Touring than my M5, I am not very good at getting the best out of the M5 at all. I think its because I dont understand the lmits of adhesion or how to drive it smoothly.

Are there any websites which can guide you through how to be a slightly better driver?

AndyE

Don't blame yourself for not knowing the limits of adhesion, I know this might make me sound like an old bore, but getting the best you can out of the e34 M5 is hard because you can't feel what's going on at the front wheels. It's beautifully balanced and the brakes and power are superb though, so you stand the best chance of sorting out your adhesion issues when you find them!

Of course, the public road isn't a great place to learn due to the ramifications of a mistake, so try a trackday or two. Buy some instruction if you like.

I know I'm far from the fastest or best driver, and I know I've got far more to learn than I have learned already.

I would like to think I could drive mine fairly quickly, lots of laps of the Ring helped a great deal, as well as small trackdays in the UK. Practise is the key.

illjah

I reckon i fall somewhere between totally crap and mildly dangerous with regard to driving skill. I am however always very aware of my surroundings and any feedback from the car (yes andy, i know its limited due to the lack of a rack & pinion!).

I feel I'm still learning the M5, and until my suspension is sorted I can't really get the most from it. I used to be able to chuck the 535i about better, had better control when sideways on roundabouts, but the suspension on that is knacked now as well, so can't do that any more.

I'm definitely planning some track days to help me improve - but gotta get the car running sweet before I do.

Also this wet / cold weather doesn't inspire my confidence, altho it does make getting the back end out easier!

I'll definitely be up for some M5 meets at some track days before we all head over to the 'ring next year.

I also want to have a go at one of those drift days, as that looks fun too!!

Mmm-Five

If you do plan a track day then wet weather should be a prerequisite as it will allow you to feel the car's dynamics at much lower & safer speeds. The wet weather also allows you to play for more than an hour without having to buy new tyres!

__________________
"If you're not producing skidmarks you're not trying hard enough"

2006 e86 Z4MC (überkart)
1990 e34 536i (ex-überbarge-zwei)
1994 e34 538i (ex-überbarge-eins)
http://mmm-five.net/

AndyE

Definitely agree with Tony. I'm sure like me, he's raped a set of tyres in half a trackday on a dry concrete surface!

Mmm-Five

More than 'a set' unfortunately (more like 8 sets), hence my cutting down on gooning airfield days and increasing the circuit days with proper circuit rubber which last 3 events before they need replacing.

__________________
"If you're not producing skidmarks you're not trying hard enough"

2006 e86 Z4MC (überkart)
1990 e34 536i (ex-überbarge-zwei)
1994 e34 538i (ex-überbarge-eins)
http://mmm-five.net/

Infinicar

Good post.

I consider myself a 'good' driver. Lots of track days and lots of laps of the 'Ring have made me a much more experienced 'on the limit' driver.

However - one of the differences between being good and very good is confidence. Over confidence and over enthusiasm, which in itself breed contempt and complacency can be the undoing. I found this out at the 'Ring.

Last visit I had enjoyed several excellent laps. Had some great comments from cars following, cars being followed and passengers I had take around.

I then get tangled up in a 'race' with a Z3M Coupe. 2 Passengers. Itching to pass him, but he wasnt having any of it. Adenau Bridge - wrong gear, wrong line (I attempted to slot in infront of 3 Audi TTs which I really should not have tried to do until after the corner), too much power too early - and goodnight Vienna. This was as aresult of over confidence/enthusiasm and not paying enough attention to what I should ultimately be doing which was keeping the car on the track......

The M5 saloon is a better car than the Touring for tracks, but in general it is too heavy for a good track day car. The flipside to this is that there is plenty of power, plenty of feedback and being heavy you will always tend to err on the side of caution for fear of its massive intertia carrying it somewhere where you dont want to go. The diffs are good, very controllable although some Ive been in have been a bit tired....

Its definitely somthing that you gain experience with over time (and as part of this knowing your road is also a big big help!) - but just be patient with it. When you get it right (cue AndyE picture at the Ring with the trail of smoke from his inner rear!) its awesome!!!

Cheers
Paul

illjah

Yeah but your 325i is dropped on the deck!!! Has it got any springs in it or do the arches just rest on the tyres?

farrell

Cyrus
Books explain the science & theory.

As Andy (Mr Rack & Pinion )Eccles correctly pointed out, experience of circuit driving over & above what you can acheive on the public highway is priceless.
In addition ,driver training & a good thrash round an airfield circuit is all valuble as finding & exceeding the limits & will allow you to make more appropriate driving decisions.

The thing with powerful cars is also knowing when not to use the power.

Funny thing I heard but cant vouch for it is that a bunch of Guys learned the Nurburgring on Gran Turismo on PS2 I think.
They toddled off to the Ring to give it some bling & the rest as they say, is history... I think there was a finale Heli-ambulance ride involved in it somewhere.

Theres no substitute for experience which reminds me of one of my favorite jokes...

A Daddy Bull & his son are sitting at the top of a hill over looking a herd of cows....
The son Bull says to his Dad " Lets run down to those cows & F*ck one of them..."
The Daddy Bull pauses for a moment & then turns to his son & says
"No Son, lets walk down there & F*ck ALL of them.."


Farrell

Mmm-Five

Sorry, this is the best I could muster - no-one seems to want to take photos of barges at most of the tracks I go to, or they're just to slow with the cameras to catch me sliding round the corners!




BTW - this is how safe airfields are when you have a 'moment'...


And when you get it 'right' (1.8mb mpg)

__________________
"If you're not producing skidmarks you're not trying hard enough"

2006 e86 Z4MC (überkart)
1990 e34 536i (ex-überbarge-zwei)
1994 e34 538i (ex-überbarge-eins)
http://mmm-five.net/