teej

So I normally track my old porsche but the weather was too cold for me to handle a 2 hour drive to thunderhill with no heat or defrost (read: open windows) so I opted to take my m5 for the first time to the track - some observations that might be relevant for those thinking of driving on a track:

1/ the horsepower is intoxicating. I run completely stock but the ability to just power down helped me track down a bunch of cars on the track. If anyone knows thunderhill, i was hitting 125 on the front straight before braking for 1. (the mix of cars ranged from EVOs to Caymans to Volvos to Corvettes)

2/ this car is HEAVY and it will let you know it (my comparison is my porsche that weighs 2000lbs), though the weight is beneficial in spots (downhills and long wide out drifts). the car is very predictable. the weight is an issue for brakes though - i did get fade, more than i expected

3/ tall drivers are a tough fit with a helmet - i am 6-4, had a few head bumps going over the crest of hills and was sitting in a modified position

4/ the stock clutch is too weak for hard "track-use" - In the morning i was using 2nd through 4th for shifting but the heat buildup actually made the clutch slip a little so I opted to keep the car in 3rd or 4th afterthat and everything was fine for the rest of the day. now my stock clutch should be near the end of a respectable life anyways (37k miles on original clutch) but i was still surprised by the slipping

5/ the pedals are tough to heel/toe, esp if you have more narrow shoes. I had my regular race shoes on that suit me fine with my porsche, not so with the m5

6/ yoko advan sports are pretty decent on the track - no excessive noise, firm sidewalls, built heat quickly and didnt shred. the weight however pushed the tires to the limit - i was losing tire towards the end of 20 minute sessions esp when I was trying to get an extra 10th out of the car.

7/ the heated seats rock when the outside temp is 38F and you have front windows open

Overall a decent car and it helped me make up my mind where I am going to spend money on it first:
- brakes and pedals
- suspension
- then speed

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'03 Imola Red M5 #2<-- daily drive, Dinan S2, 3.45 diff, full leather, CF dash trim
'67 Mustang Fastback <-- restomod, 302 high output ~390hp, coilover suspension, 4wheel disc, Tremec 5-speed
'66 Porsche 912 <-- autox, track days, mostly stock with SC brakes and suspension and it's been on a diet
'06 Volvo xc90 <-- the eat and drink in family car, some suspension and exhaust mods

Gone:
'03 Imola Red M5 #1 <-- guardrail >> car, in M-heaven now

DRM

Thanks for a very good report. 'Can't wait to get mine on the track. All of the issues you described for a stock car have been greatly improved/solved in an S3 configuration. Weight will always be there; it is a big sedan, after all. 'Will just make sure my brake fluid is up to snuff and she'll be good to go.

Thanks again for taking time to post your impressions.

Dan

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Dan
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Daily Driver
'02 M5 (Chiaretto Red Metallic w/black napa full heritage leather/wood trim/leather Euro cntr console/BSW speakers and sub) Sig series Dinan S/C'd S3 package/ Dinan S3 clutch-flywheel/Dinan high capacity oil cooler /Dinan forged aluminum wheels/Dinan SSK/Dinan - Brembo BBK/Stg 3 Dinan - JRZ suspension/monoballs/275-35-18 RA 1's all around
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The "Predator"
'02 996TT w/X50 (slate grey metallic w/full natural grey leather, small carbon package, aluminum trim pieces, exterior color painted wheels, etc, etc).
EVOMS Stage 4 (640hp/615tq)
PSS9 w/F&R H&R sways and EVOMS F&R shock tower braces
Sachs clutch and Porsche SSK
Toyo RA-1's 245/18 fronts; 305/18 rears

Lawaia

Great post teej!
My upgrade path has been planned to focus on brakes, suspension, drivetrain then power, pretty much exactly as you described.
Then again, our one and only track has since shut down so no more organized tracking for now.
But it still is going to be fun upgrading and getting ready for the new track (if any) does decide to open up here.

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'02 M5 Sterling Gray / Black
UUC EVO3 w/DSSR
Supersprint Cat Back Exhaust

okindao

Thans for the description. I am looking forward to taking my new beast to the track and have heard simialr reports of weight, cluchs and brakes.

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Dennis

2002 M5 Imola Red
1997 993 c2 Triple Black Porsche Cab

drabe

I replaced the stock brakes with StopTechs and they were fine on the track (Mosport) I run GCs 550/425---car is great on track and on the street.

trj

I had the same experience this past fall. I drove the M5 instead of the Boxster and it took me a bit to get used to the weight of the M5. All your observations were spot on to what I experienced. (With the exception of the helmet hitting the roof!) Overall I thiink I'll stick with a P-Car for the track. I prefer the lightweight feeling of the car.

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Tom Jacobson

'00 M5
911SC Cabriolet
Boxster-track car
Some stupid minivan

Kin Mak

A set of ultimate pedals migh help with the heel toe.

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BMW E46 M3 SMG Carbon Black/Cinnamon
BMW E39 M5 Avus Blue - SOLD

KinMak.com - Loads of Photos - Elara Online

TeXJ

^lol it just hit me your steering wheel is on the right side. I thought something was a little weird looking, lol.

kcwrx02

teej,

which group did you race with? i've been to T-hill before (once) with UnlimitedLaps.com. They don't have another trackday until June but I'll be getting married around that time so no $$ for new tires, brakes, clutch, or anything else I'll need after the day.

Thanks for the details. I want to see how much different this car is around the track vs. my wrx. I could hit the front straight at your speeds but couldn't corner to save my life...Could have something to do with the P-Zero Nero MS...

beastunleashed

Toyo RA-1s next time?