My experience while driving the Beast at 168mph (indicated)... - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

OC M5 · 21st August 2008, 04:46

I had an interesting experience last week on a trip down through San Diego to El Centro, CA on Hwy 8.

I had previously been able to get my car up to 165mph (indicated) on an open road before having to slow down.

I had read on the forum about the speed limiter kicking in at 168 (155 actual) and wanted to see for myself. Deep down I had hoped that they had forgotten to program my car with a limit. I realize I can have the ECU reprogrammed, but am afraid of the constant temptation to go faster.

After reaching the flat at the base of the mountains separating the coast from the desert, the road runs relatively straight and flat. You can see for several miles and traffic was scattered and light. With the onboard protection of my V1, I finally had an opening of a few miles and decided to make a run.

Indeed, the limiter prevented me from getting to an indicated 170. I kept it there for 10 seconds or so. Very stable. The rush of adrenaline was incredible. I can’t imagine the rush of going 200+… Well, actually I can, because what happened next nearly gave me a heart attack. I noticed the shadow of propeller blades washing over the front of my car. I have previously had the experience of receiving a speeding ticket paced from a CHP aircraft several years back, but at a more reasonable speed in the 80’s.

I had heard that they have a few helicopters in addition to the small airplanes. Surely the thought of being arrested for speeding and having my vehicle impounded would compare with the rush of driving near 200. I let off the throttle and tried not to hammer the brakes, all the while scanning the horizon for any awaiting CHP vehicles. Nothing. I was well behind the helicopter above and could now see it. To my relief it was not a CHP helicopter, but rather a low flying Apache helicopter. He quickly made an abrupt turn to the north and disappeared.
I am absolutely convinced he was screwing with me. I was dripping sweat and decided to slow down.

Being arrested is never a good excuse to miss a business meeting.

Gadgetman · 21st August 2008, 04:51

I could only imagine my M5 at those speeds. I'm currently braking her in.

///E63M6 · 21st August 2008, 08:53

ive gotten my M6 at 170 then the limiter kicked in down here on I95

ideliver · 21st August 2008, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC M5

Being arrested is never a good excuse to miss a business meeting.

But it sure would be memorable...nice story

basil · 21st August 2008, 17:21

It is a strong testament to how great the M5 is when these speeds can be reached with a sense of confidence. Recently I've been quite surprised at comments from a couple of Ferrari 360 and 355 owners that told me that their cars don't feel all that stable at high speed. I thought that was one of the highlights of these cars.

Indeed, with the proper roads and lack of traffic the M5 doesn't give the driver any reason to slow down from say, 140mph+. It's a true Autobahn burner in every sense of the word.

MDrive · 21st August 2008, 18:40

I've had my M5 to an indicated 270kph (168.75mph) it felt fine and wanted to go harder if the limiter was diabled.

A fellow Aussie M5 owner has had his machine delimited and had his at an indicatd 320kph (200mph).

Just goes to show haw great these cars are at speed.

LI-M5 · 21st August 2008, 20:01

i didd 178 and crapped my pants the whole way from 160 to 178 !

defenetly a rush !!

once only once !!

07 GRAY BEAST · 21st August 2008, 20:07

I have also hit a 170 indicated speed and left it there for quite some time. has anyone actually had a gps in the vehicle while the speedo indicates 170?? Just curious to see what the real speed is due to bmw's optimistic speedos.

CHRISBURNS · 21st August 2008, 20:26

Excellent, so the 'Beast' can almost outrun an apache gunship, now that is cool

CHRISBURNS · 21st August 2008, 20:39

[quote=basil;1396165] Recently I've been quite surprised at comments from a couple of Ferrari 360 and 355 owners that told me that their cars don't feel all that stable at high speed. I thought that was one of the highlights of these cars.

Basil I have had a 360 MOD F1 on the limiter in 6th with the speedo showing an indicated 203mph, prob around 180 in real money but I thought it was unreal how stable the car felt. Its was a bit of a moment though because I was looking at the road ahead, as you would be at those speeds ! and all of a sudden felt the car missing, instantly I thought oh no game over / this is not good but then quickly glanced at the clocks and the rev counter was in the red and bouncing off the limiter. I then had the thought of the Le Mans car that went airborne and decided that I needed to lift of very slow and steady but at an indicated 180/185 she went a little light on me and gave a tiny shake of her bum. I nearly shat my pants

Needless to say it was all fine but it sure was quick and to reply to your post, I would say the 360 was just glued to the road at big speeds, don’t forget they are all panelled under the floor to ensure good aerodynamics at high speed.

OC M5 · 21st August 2008, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07 GRAY BEAST

I have also hit a 170 indicated speed and left it there for quite some time. has anyone actually had a gps in the vehicle while the speedo indicates 170?? Just curious to see what the real speed is due to bmw's optimistic speedos.

I have read that 168-170 indicated it 155 actual. I beleive some members have used the onboard nav GPS to verify this. I thought I had seen some directions on how to do this in some thread.

The car feels very stable at that speed. However, even in very light traffic, you aproach those going the speed limit as if you were running 100mph into a brick wall. You can make up a lot of ground between you and the car in front of you in a few seconds.