My New STi vs my old M5 - Page 2 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

chunpng · 6th March 2004, 08:35

Steve,

Somehow my mind floats this image of you drifting in your Subie, singing " Get me to the church on time....."

Have fun, both with car and martimony, and congrats, on both counts.

CP

mikhail · 6th March 2004, 08:47

congrats! Wish all the best!

M Cinco · 6th March 2004, 16:11

I didnt hear you discuss the variable differential thats adjustable from the interior of the car.... a guy i work with has one and told em about it you can split power delivery upto 30/70 or either 50/50 or 40/60. either way are you framiliar with this or is this an option your car doesnt have..???? hope your happy with the car, my 30 grand or more has to go to the bmw though.

thebishman · 6th March 2004, 18:00

The maximum amount that the DCCD will allow in 'open' mode is 40/60 front/rear.
I also have a '04 STi and it is an absolute blast. I use it purely as a track car, hence only 2000 miles in 9 months. The only 'mods' I have done so far is to get a 'track' alignment, and install the Japanese market STi springs, (lower and firmer). Handling now probably equals the EVO. I also run Pilot Sport Cup tyres on the original wheels. Grip is huge. It is the only car that I've driven so far on the track that if I can see my exit point on the corner, I simply aim for it and floor the throttle; the car will just get me there; pretty amazing.
For approx. $2500 one can easily coax about 375 hp from the car, which is substantial from a 4 cylinder. I run 100 octane 'racing' unleaded to minimize any chance of 'pinging', especially during the summer months. Brakes are excellent but were prone to fade until I replaced the fluid with Motul 600; no problems now. I will probably go with larger 18" wheels/tyres if I keep the car this track season; (the Lotus Elise is very tempting!!).
Highly recommended!!

Steve Beswick · 8th March 2004, 22:22

Hi Tyson, long time no talk to. You never called me back from my calls a few months ago ! Wish you would have called me when you were in Studio City, would have loved to see the GT2.

Thanks, Chunpng, Mikhail, and all you other guys on my marriage. I hope this one lasts !!!! This'll be my third try !!!

MCinco, yeah, I discussed the DCCD in my previous post, (getting the rear end out), although in normal driving it doesn't seem to make much difference. I hear reference to having the balance toward the rear gives a few more mpg, but it doesn't seem to work for me. Of course, I never get good gas mileage no matter what I drive.

And you, thebishman, you lucky sob, having your M5 and the STi for the track. Things are turning around for me, so an E60 may just be coming my way for '05. But thanks for the track insight, where did you order the springs and what were the specs on your track alignment? I saw the review on the Praxis air suspension for $3500 + install and it seemed really cool, a lowere budget version of the ACS M5 suspension (1/2 price).

And rvacha, I loved my M5 and miss it, but I've had soooooooo many cars, after 2 1/2 years, I was ready for something different no matter what. I just surprised myself and bought a Subaru ! Now, instead of a bunch of middle-aged white guys waving at me, I've got a bunch of 20 year-old Asian kids hootin' and hollerin' !!!!!

thebishman · 9th March 2004, 19:05

Steve,
I haven't owned the M5 for a long time. I've been thru' an E46 M3, a 2002 996TT, and now the STi in the last 3 years.
The springs I purchased from Rallispec. If I remember, they're about $300 and cost $150 to fit at the Subaru dealer. $450 total cost and handling much more 'track worthy'. Ride around town far more 'busy', but I only really use this car for track weekends. One can certainly spend a great deal more on an adjustable suspension; however, how much more performance one could expect over the STi 'Pinks' I'm not sure, (plus it may be very difficult to recoup most of your money on the more expensive setup when you trade cars).
thebishman

Adam · 9th March 2004, 21:19

Glad you like the STI steve, i was in one last year and the handling was excellent!

all the best
adam

01M5 · 5th April 2004, 05:42

Steve-what's the latest with your STi? How are you still liking it?

Yesterday I drove one. It was a real surprise and I agree with
much of what you said. It's a lot of car for the money. I don't
think it's my style though. That huge wing in the rear view mirror
kept bugging me.

gsfent · 5th April 2004, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01M5

That huge wing in the rear view mirror
kept bugging me.

01M5
If the wing is the only thing you don't like, it would not be hard to swap it out. There are a lot of folks with just the wrx that have the small wing who want the big wing. Swap trunk lids with wings attached from a car with the same color and you can prob get a few $$$ to go along with it. Much more subtle, like a great german car we all admire. No german stealth saloon, but great b4b car!!!
Regards,
Jerry

Steve Beswick · 5th April 2004, 21:00

Hey Guys,

I have almost 2000 miles on my STi now, and it gets faster every day. The AWD handling is incredible, both wet and dry. I like the big rear wing, a little boy-racerish, but according to specs, it really works. After driving it for a few weeks, you don't even notice it in the rear view mirror. Raced a few M3's and haha, are they surprised when I wipe their butts. A few Carerra's have also bitten the dust, but I'm not taking any Turbos or 360's on until mods are done. Then . . .well, we'll see !

The mods are so cheap, Vishnu tuning has a $3500 kit that increases the hp to about 450. Praxis has a suspension system similar to the M5 ACS, but half the price, another $3500. And that's where I stop the mods. STi's with the Vishnu kit are turning the 1/4 mile in the mid-high 11.0's, not too shabby.

Mileage is around 17.5 in the city and I averaged 23 last week on the drive to SF with the cruise set at 100 mph. Not bad, as my M5 was averaging about 12 in the city and about 19 highway.

So . . . I still have the E60 M5 on order, but I may just buy an FX45 for the wife, get a little car for the track and stay with the Soobie.

Best to all you M5er's !

Steve