NSX or M5?
- Thread starter Rococo
- Start date
My Corvette was a 99 C5 Coupe.
I've driven an M5, and no it's not a sports car. It's a sport sedan, yeah, nice torque, yeah, but not at home in twisties.
E39 M3 is a better compromise for luxury and sports.
Believe me, I have a driven the M5 ... hard!, a co-worker and good friend has an ML55, 00 M5, 02 C5 ZO6 and we've switched cars before. The M5 is extremely smooth and I can nearly push it to the extreme of the NSX, but not quite. Thats what I've been trying to post in my last few posts in this topic, that is my experience with the M5 and NSX! I still say go for the M5 for the practicality issue. For the all out sports car ... NSX all the way!
I recently flew to Houston to celebrate the delivery of my son's new M5 and I was very impressed with the car. It has amazing performance and all the luxury one could ask for. As has been pointed out, an M5 is not a "sports car" and it is inappropriate to compare it to an NSX. However, among sports sedans that can carry four adults in comfort, it has no peer and I would think any enthusiast would make room in the garage for one. If you look at the various categories and types, there are lots of desirable cars out there, our beloved NSX being one. Is it necessary to knock everything that doesn't have the same qualities of an NSX?
No one here is knocking the M5. I see a lot of praise here. It's just a different kind of car - a big, heavy, powerful luxury sports sedan. If you want to drive cross-country with your family, it's a great car.
I've ridden in the M5 on the racetrack. Their handling is better than you would expect from a 4000-pound behemoth. But it's definitely not a sports car.
Is this report on the internet? Or do you remember exactly where you got this information? I would REALLY like to quote the information directly for personal reasons
Thanks
Mike
------------------
1994 Red/Black NSX #418
I was thinking the same thing. I know this is an NSX forum, but you guys are making it seem like there is no other car worthy to the nsx.
I don't understand how you guys can even consider talking smack about the M5. It's one of the fastest sedans (if not THE fastest) on the face of this planet, and it DOES handle well for a car of that bulk. You can have all of this performance with the feature of seating 5 comfortably as well. Seems like a good deal to me.
WTF??? Where the HELL does that come from? That's one of the most ridiculous comments I've seen on nsxprime in a long, long time. Find me ONE comment here where anyone is "talking smack" about the M5. All I see is a bunch of people saying what a great car it is. Sheesh.
However, the M5 is a different kind of car than the NSX. One is a great luxury car. The other is a great sports car. I have a tough time understanding why anyone who is looking for a big luxury car would consider a two-seat sports car - and I have a tough time understanding why anyone who is looking for a two-seat sports car would consider a big luxury car. And I think that is the gist of the comments here - if you're looking for a sports car, why are you considering the M5? And the flip side is just as valid - if you're looking for a luxury car, why are you considering the NSX? Decide what kind of car you want, and get it.
Sorry, I don't see this as talking smack. The opinion of the posts is going to differ no matter who says it in regards to other cars. It appears most of us believe its a good car, but its totally different as far a characteristics. But is still a well engineered piece of work. I have driven one as well and liked it, but its not an NSX, not that the M5 is a piece of trash. This is an NSX forum and while I may not know all the facts about Bimmers the record of them within the marketplace does and I don't think anyone in this forum would turn one down if offered, unless they make a another styling mistake out of it like they did the 7 series, but thats just my opinion.....
I feel I can pretty acurately post on this topic. I recently sold my '00 M5 and I currently have a '00 NSX. I put over 25K miles on the M5, so I have enough experience to speak about the car.
In a straight line stock for stock, the performance from both cars is almost identical. In the corners there isn't any contest, the NSX wins hands down. Someone said that the NSX puts down more horsepower, this is simply not accurate the M5 is significantly more powerful & heavy. The BMW is much more luxourious and has many more features than the NSX (Navigation, rain sensing wipers, etc..)
I will reiterate what a bunch of people have already stated the M5 isn't a sports car, it is way too heavy. It is an impressive car in every regard though.
If you require a sedan with a reasonable size back seat there is no better choice in my opinion than the M5. I found it was too small for me when I wanted to go out with the whole family and when I was by myself I would much rather drive the NSX.
In a straight line stock for stock, the performance from both cars is almost identical. In the corners there isn't any contest, the NSX wins hands down. Someone said that the NSX puts down more horsepower, this is simply not accurate the M5 is significantly more powerful & heavy. The BMW is much more luxourious and has many more features than the NSX (Navigation, rain sensing wipers, etc..)
I will reiterate what a bunch of people have already stated the M5 isn't a sports car, it is way too heavy. It is an impressive car in every regard though.
If you require a sedan with a reasonable size back seat there is no better choice in my opinion than the M5. I found it was too small for me when I wanted to go out with the whole family and when I was by myself I would much rather drive the NSX.
Originally posted by Number9:
That was me and I specifically said "my NSX" puts down more RWHP (and it does).But otherwise, I concur with you.
--twc
I missed that the first time I read through it. I am not sure what you car is putting down, but I had mine dynoed after I got it and it was putting down 352RWHP. My NSX has the 9PSI CTSC on it and it doesn't currently put as much power to the ground as the M5 did.
Number9
Guest
- Joined
- 25 November 2000
- Messages
- 704
Very nice. My local dyno shop specializes in BMWs and the stock M5 plots they've accumulated average about 336 peak RWHP with torque falling off from about 300 to 250 from 5k to 7k. If you assume 15% driveline loss, those numbers are what you would expect given the engine rating. Yours was probably on the high side of the distribution. My Zanardi is running 360 RWHP with the 9-lb CTSC kit and both it and my Dinan M3 have better power-to-weight ratios than the M5, whether you assume 336 or 352 RWHP.
That said, the M5 is a great car for a different purpose though I've only driven them and not lived with them - hence I can't speak to the reliability, although both my M3s have been significantly worse than both my NSXs.
--twc
i feel the quick need to rant...
recently ive been seeing some posts that are without redemption;
where did you get the alleged "anti-bmw" attitude in this thread? did you read the thread? are you baiting us? this may be a little over-reactive and cumulative response on my part, but some people need to read and respond accordingly or piss off...
recently ive been seeing some posts that are without redemption;
where did you get the alleged "anti-bmw" attitude in this thread? did you read the thread? are you baiting us? this may be a little over-reactive and cumulative response on my part, but some people need to read and respond accordingly or piss off...
Not to go too far off-tangent, but to consider a few other high-powered luxo-mobiles (all slushboxes IIRC):
- Jag S Type R
- Audi S6
- Benz E55
A recent test (EVO?) had the Jag being more "usefully quick" than the M5. The Bimmer is quicker with a good driver who really "works it".
Then there's this study -> http://www.finestsedan.com
An even bigger off-tangent, the latest Ferrari GT car (575M, successor to the 550 Maranello) lapos their 1.86 mi Fiorano road course in a little over 90 secs. By comparison, the F40 record is 1:29.
As an aside, the new 575M (515 hp/434 t pushing 3800 lbs) and F40 (478 hp -- MUCH lighter car) have near-identical acceleration (12.25 sec quarter-mile) and top speed (202 mph).
As an aside, the new 575M (515 hp/434 t pushing 3800 lbs) and F40 (478 hp -- MUCH lighter car) have near-identical acceleration (12.25 sec quarter-mile) and top speed (202 mph).
cojones,
and your point is?
I do not understand if you say that the M5 is similar to the 575M and the F40 to the NSX (less hp but less wight too).
In that case you are also saying that the difference are minimal and I do not think that on the track between M5 vs NSX we would have the same result (very small difference) as with 575 vs F40...
Anyway, I would take the F40 over the 575M anytime...
and your point is?
I do not understand if you say that the M5 is similar to the 575M and the F40 to the NSX (less hp but less wight too).
In that case you are also saying that the difference are minimal and I do not think that on the track between M5 vs NSX we would have the same result (very small difference) as with 575 vs F40...
Anyway, I would take the F40 over the 575M anytime...
Originally posted by gheba_nsx:
cojones,
and your point is?
Anyway, I would take the F40 over the 575M anytime...
Its an off-tangent point... so its not necessarily related.
The F40-575M example merely illustrates how a OLDER sportscar might be matched or even eclipsed by a NEWER non-sportscar (GT car in this case).
Which doesn't necessarily make the "sportscar" inferior, but just an indication of how far the "state of the market" has come.
BTW, I'd take the F40 too. Just like I'd take the NSX over several newer cars.
Ok, but I also consider the 575M "someway" a sport car! I think you have very high standard if you do not consider it a "little" sporty
BTW the Pagani is MUCH more a sportcar, I agree!
BTW the Pagani is MUCH more a sportcar, I agree!
I am not sure where the confusion is coming from on this topic. The NSX is an exotic, mid engined sports car. Thus, it only seats two people at most(as you obviously know). If you have kids and need a four door car to transport the kids, then get the M5. If you have driven the M5 and think it is more pleasurable to drive than the NSX, then buy it and don't look back.
The M5 is a great car and posts great performance numbers. No one is disputing that.
The M5 and NSX are two great cars. I am sure most people would be extremely happy to own either one. It really all comes down to what you like looking at, and what you think is fun to drive.
It seems to me like you need a four door car and are wondering if you are going to love your M5 as much as your NSX. This is a hard question to ask on this forum. Why? Because the people that have owned/own the M5 still own the NSX or they sold the M5 and bought an NSX instead. Thus, you may want to go to the BMW forum and post a thread that asks if there are any former NSX owners. I think that is the best plan. Then, those guys can tell you what they miss about the NSX. I am not saying you are in the wrong place. I am simply saying that you may want to get on that BMW forum as well.
Hope that helps Roc!
[This message has been edited by Edwardo (edited 03 May 2002).]
The M5 is a great car and posts great performance numbers. No one is disputing that.
The M5 and NSX are two great cars. I am sure most people would be extremely happy to own either one. It really all comes down to what you like looking at, and what you think is fun to drive.
It seems to me like you need a four door car and are wondering if you are going to love your M5 as much as your NSX. This is a hard question to ask on this forum. Why? Because the people that have owned/own the M5 still own the NSX or they sold the M5 and bought an NSX instead. Thus, you may want to go to the BMW forum and post a thread that asks if there are any former NSX owners. I think that is the best plan. Then, those guys can tell you what they miss about the NSX. I am not saying you are in the wrong place. I am simply saying that you may want to get on that BMW forum as well.
Hope that helps Roc!
[This message has been edited by Edwardo (edited 03 May 2002).]
My opinion is that you have a dedicated car for each purpose. You will never make a 4 door sedan perform like a sports car. It has too much weight and isn't meant to do what you want your NSX to do. The NSX however is not the greatest at carting customers around either. Believe me, I've tried it and I cringe when I watch them STRUGGLE to get out of the passenger seat. They claw at whatever they can get their hands on, the window or otherwise. Face it, the NSX doesn't do everything well either. I got tired of trying to make a slow (sedan) car fast and a fast car (NSX) suitable for daily use. Anyway, it's just my $0.02
Kevin
Kevin
I find it funny the opinions about the build quality of the NSX vs. BMW. In my opinion the new 2002 M-5 is a excellent car, tight, powerful, and nimble. I must say that any BMW built in 1991 is not any comparison to a NSX built in 1991. I was just at the BMW dealer and fell in love with the new 7 series. I thought the trunk was well thought out for golf clubs, four bags will fit in there.I also drove the M-5 as well. When I left to drive home, in my 1992 NSX, I did not recognize any difference. My 10 year old NSX performed just as well as a new BMW IMO. I can say, with confidence, if I had driven a 1992 BMW to an Acura dealer to test a new NSX I would not have felt the same driving away in my 10 year old BMW.
Similar threads
