I think this is as definitive a test as there is going to be.
Same track, same day, same weather.
The only variable is the driver, and they took care of that by getting drivers that know their respective cars as well as anyone.
I can't imagine any other test that will be as compelling.
For the CTS-V to win, it had to win decisively, which it did not.
I'll stick with the M5 for now.
I wouldnt buy that caddy even if the M5 lost worse. Structure and quality of materials used for these cars is hands down for the M5 and I didnt read anything about that. Most likely because this article was about performance, and even then, a supercharged 6.3 litre, obviously you are going to get crazy amount of power! I will stick to buying M cars and I sure can bet the next gen M5 will take the horsepower race.
I think this is as definitive a test as there is going to be.
Same track, same day, same weather.
The only variable is the driver, and they took care of that by getting drivers that know their respective cars as well as anyone.
I can't imagine any other test that will be as compelling.
For the CTS-V to win, it had to win decisively, which it did not.
I'll stick with the M5 for now.
Except for the fact they mention that Henericy has been part of the CTS-V driving it alot. Auberlin hadn't driven an M5 for 2 years per the article. As good as he is, it would still take more than the laps they got to get the most out of it. Therefore, on a more familiar track with more laps, the M5 could probably match the CTS-V times.
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Except for the fact they mention that Henericy has been part of the CTS-V driving it alot. Auberlin hadn't driven an M5 for 2 years per the article. As good as he is, it would still take more than the laps they got to get the most out of it. Therefore, on a more familiar track with more laps, the M5 could probably match the CTS-V times.
Sorry guys; but the CTS-V has got my attention. The M5 is a great car, but it is far from perfect. The SMG trans is slow shifting, and the reliability has been horrible. The I-Drive is a joke in complexity. Also, the resale value of the E60 M5 is not close to the retained values of the E39 M5. Looking at just the pictures, the CTS has a better interior than the M5 IMHO.
I have no doubt that the next M5 will have superior performance than the CTS-V.
But do any of you think of the value of the CTS-V? A new 2009 M5 can easily cost over 100,000 dollars. What will the new F10 M5 cost? I am guessing close to 120k.
Prices have not been released on the CTS-V yet, but most estimates are between 65-75 thousand dollars. The money saved could be spent on mods that will spank the current or for that matter, the future M5. But for the time being; 30 thousand dollars less for virtually the same performance as the current M5 is a bargain.
Also, from a patriotic standpoint; I do not have a problem from supporting an American car company.
A new 2009 M5 can easily cost over 100,000 dollars. What will the new F10 M5 cost? I am guessing close to 120k.
If anyone is currently paying over 100k for a new M5 in the USA, they did not do their due diligence on getting fair pricing. With gas prices being what they are, you can get pretty good deals on the M5. If you read what they are writing on M3post, the new M3s are going for more than the M5, if you can believe that.
It's difficult to erase/forget over 20 years of crap with the introduction of one model. No, the CTS-V had to score a decisive victory in my opinion in order to get bimmerphile converts. IMHO, many who get the Caddy probaby would not have gotten or are unhappy with the M5 in the first place; they complain about how difficult iDrive is to use, how lurchy the SMG is, how small the gas tank is, how low the torque is compared to the class.
Bimmerphiles would wonder how anyone is not able to master the iDrive, how much faster SMG is when compared to a stick, how easy/docile it is to drive on the low end, but still complain about the small gas tank.
I congratulate Cadillac for producing a car, that on first impression, is comparable to the benchmark. But, time will tell if that initial impression will be durable.
Man, just looking at the picture of the CTS interior is a lesson in complexity for me. Can you say space station?
Watching Michael Knight and KITT when I way young was way cool then, but I prefer my analog face watches over the latest Casio DataBank these days.
Sorry guys; but the CTS-V has got my attention. The M5 is a great car, but it is far from perfect. The SMG trans is slow shifting, and the reliability has been horrible. The I-Drive is a joke in complexity. Also, the resale value of the E60 M5 is not close to the retained values of the E39 M5. Looking at just the pictures, the CTS has a better interior than the M5 IMHO.
I have no doubt that the next M5 will have superior performance than the CTS-V.
But do any of you think of the value of the CTS-V? A new 2009 M5 can easily cost over 100,000 dollars. What will the new F10 M5 cost? I am guessing close to 120k.
Prices have not been released on the CTS-V yet, but most estimates are between 65-75 thousand dollars. The money saved could be spent on mods that will spank the current or for that matter, the future M5. But for the time being; 30 thousand dollars less for virtually the same performance as the current M5 is a bargain.
Also, from a patriotic standpoint; I do not have a problem from supporting an American car company.
I had an 04 CTS-V and it was a fun car. However, what finally drove me to BMW and the M5 was the quality of the car over time, very poor engineering, and finally, the warranty policies of GM. For GM's sake I hope they get it right this time (build quality, customer service, and ultimately warranty policies).
The issues with BMW and their warranty policies here on the board is a stark contrast to my experiences over years with GM. The local GM dealer would want to take care of the issue but GM corporate would be fighting them. With BMW we tend to see the opposite, a dealer that screws up but BMW corporate steps up and takes care of the issue. BIG difference IMHO.
Again, for GM's sake I hope they get it right! Personally I would not consider the CTS-V until 2010 to see if they really did.
Sorry guys; but the CTS-V has got my attention.... Prices have not been released on the CTS-V.... the money saved could be spent on mods that will spank the current or for that matter, the future M5.
Fair point. For bimmer power junkies (myself included), we are sitting around hoping for maybe 50 extra ponies in the F10. The Caddy is already there, and with what will likely be a big torque advantage. For the cost differential, strap a blower and some other mods (beefier rear?) on the Caddy, and the car may well cover the post-F10 generation M5 in terms of power.
Of course, we are only talking power and torque. There is much more in a car to consider.
^^It already has a blower. For a couple of grand in mods, people will be making >650 HP in the V. However, given the results of the R&T test, I am holding onto the M for now. V should have been faster in a straight line.
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