Why do they try? (or, another Maxima bites the dust!)

First of all, nobody is denying anyone the right to brag about their cars. Second of all, where did you see me mentioning anything about Audi or their messageboard? Where's the correlation? That's not even an issue here.

I mean, duhhhhh....of course your M5 is going to beat the **** out of a Maxima and both parties probably even know it, but you have to give the guy some credit for even THINKING of pursuing it. I think it's great to have someone push you and your M5 to get used to its performance capabilities and test out your driving skills.

Not "worthy"? How else would you claim bragging rights for being a winner in a race if some "less worthy" opponent didn't throw the proverbial glove in front of you? You're going to tape a mirror to the side of your car and race yourself?

I truly often wonder how many times one of your M5's has been humbled in a race and that hasn't been discussed. Would that have made you a "less worthy" opponent?

I can tell that a majority of the participants on this board have never before owned anything with 400 horses on tap before. I grew up in the 60's and 70's and had the opportunity to own something with 425 ponies and almost 500 ft lbs of torque, and racing on Friday nights and weekends was a very common occurence. But I never called anyone I beat a "less worthy" opponent, and I did appreciate the effort they made because in the end, it did make me look like the hero. Did I brag about it? You betcha, and I always looked for rematches because I knew that same guy probably did some more work to his engine and the next time would give me a harder time, which always then became a test of driving machine and driver skills.

Personally, I am still waiting to hear a race story of an E39 M5 vs. another E39 M5, or an E34 vs. the E39 M5. Considering that the two like models would have the same capabilities, it would be factually a test of driver skill. Something to think about....hmmmmmm

There probably would be differences in the U.S. between the two models, but I had a feeling in general that the weight of the E39 might not give it that much of an advantage. I also get the impression from reading E34 posts that the E34 is a bit more nimbler and the 6 cylinder engine probably winds up a bit faster although gobs of torque from the V8 will pull away on more challenging hills and such.

Thanks for sharing that---it sounds like you guys had an awesome time. If you get a chance, I'd like to hear the results in dry weather if you so endeavor at some point. I am also wondering if there have been any similar races here in the states or if anyone has ever thought about that. Don't worry---I'm not trying to embarass anyone, it would just be a very interesting point to see exactly how different the two cars are dynamically. As Raymond mentioned, an Autobahn cruise would be interesting as well, maybe to test out the torque of the 6 vs. the 8, or maybe if there is sincerely an aerodynamic advantage there, etc. Raymond, I hope you get lucky and find one soon!

SD455?? Did it have the Ram Air? Nice car though. Respectable. Was kind of light though, wasn't it (an advantage)? I had the '68 Hemi RoadRunner, and the car was about 3,800 pounds, and you are right about "rolling races"---I wouldn't be much of a winner, since with a 3.55 rear and a 4 speed it was difficult to fly out from second in a cruise, and I would have to downshift to first to get the peak torque and HP to necessary levels---that's where I would lose---by losing time on the downshifts. Yep, the smaller cars would win that one. Plus the hemi had so much power it was difficult to control the traction sometimes; torque steer would move it into the other lane.

From you are saying about the M5, I am gathering as highly probable, as I have heard pretty much the same from a lot of owners. The E39 I hear is a rocket from around 70mph onwards (not that its slow in all other speeds mind you), but is certainly faster in the latter ranges than anything else out there. I have been with Kelvin on several occasions and I can say that for a fact.

Raymond, I love the throwing star wheels. It makes the car look so much more sportier (than the turbine wheels) without compromising its elegance. And it certainly looks like its in great shape. Engine detail really clean. Spend more time on this one than the family, eh?

Kelvin, myself, and several other M5 owners are getting together on Sunday for what is referred to as a "Spring Epicurean Road Rally" in upstate New York, sponsored by a famous restaurant called the Depuy Canal House. It's NOT a race, but more of a scenic excursion along some of the most beautiful roads along the Hudson ever experienced. By the way, if anyone wants to join in, I think I may need a navigator, as my better half bagged at the last moment due to family stuff. Blue Max, you wanna come along? I think I might be able to register you as well, but you gotta tell me soon. We can talk bicycles.

I think somewhere along the way, either after or during the rally, Kelvin had suggested we do severaltests of the various cars, if others are willing as well as my S4 (we all know the outcome of that one already, don't we?), so if that happens, we'll be posting pictures, comments, as well as results.

It would be good to see how the other half of the world functions with the M cars, so I would be looking very much forward to your posts. Doesn't anyone own the E28 M5 anymore????? Thanks!