Was driving on NJ garden State parkway yesterday going to Long Beach Island from New York City and was playing around with a Burgundy Red LS 430. He was an older gentleman, with his wife. He was rather perturbed when I was following him quite agressiveley with my Black E34 525I. I was expecting to lose but was quite impressed with the 5ers performance. The LS would speed up with the thrust of the V8 engine it ws and I would stomp on the gas and would be on his tail. I did this a couple of times and just watching the expression on his face was pure joy. He was pissed that a 1994 525I was keeping up with him. He would do this routine repeatedly and I wouls just catch up. My wife said that he is an old man and leave him alone but again, he does have that V8 under the bonnet. I don't really drive the 5 anymore since my wife does but it was magic once again...Reminded me why I bought the car back in 1994. Cheers...:clap: :clap: :clap:

Very impressive, but keep in mind the weight difference, I would not be surprised if it was 1,000 lbs, to be honest...

Sweet run ;) Not kill :az:

Wow, impressive! I wonder how an E36 M3 would do on the HWY against one of those monsters?

Lexus = 3955
BMW = 3400

Not that big a diff;) Maybe the guy driving it was fat:)

Hmmm, I thought Jer had an older 5er and it was closer to 3000 lbs... :dunno

Originally posted by sirtiger
I am no expert in the E34....I have driven 92 525 & 535 auto (when my uncle bought it new).

Accrd to the edmunds,

94 530 is a V8 3.0L @ 3627 lbs
94 525 is a I6 2.5L @ 3483 lbs

I think in the auto, 525 is not fast but almost accepatable. There is some weight feel but it corners really nice as with most BMWs. Perhaps some mods can help... what is the mileage on the car u r looking @? I wish I can offer more insight.....

From This Thread (http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=111392) in the 5er forum.

The M50 E34s don't have over-drive either, straight through in 5th. My car is essentially the same as manny (dunno if his is chipped), and I LOVE the top end pull.

Well done Manny!! M50 Power :buttrock ;)

Nice job. I woulda thought you woulda got smashed. :dunno

wow, abkos qouted me here. :)

Was was driver trying really hard? Did you have mods in your car?

Not a kill but you claim u kept up well with him. The LS is a heavy boaty car but its really quite fast @ 40+ mph. I have cleanly beaten a newer E39 530 (not sure if it is a manual or auto) in a straight line. The 530 is superior in twistes and a bit from standstill. Make no mistake, the LS can really haul ass with its V8.

I just don't believe a 525 can push up against a LS430/400. As quoted, the 525 isn't lighting fast in my experience but I can't see it outrunning a LS in spirted driving down the GSP. The only way a 525 can outdo a LS is mods or the driver is an idiot.

There are too many factors to speculate... I can relate a similar story.

Yesterday I had a run-in with a Deville (Northstar power) riding on 19s.

He was trying to be a dick and weave around me (poor planning on his part got him in some shitty places in traffic). Several times I'd see him punch it. Even with his head start, I matched him and put him in his place every time, I wasn't impressed with his V8 power. I didn't even downshift or go WOT. It was a series of short runs from 75-95ish... I know he was giving it hell after I blocked him the first time, but he couldn't do a damn thing about it.

Whatever. I know I pissed him off something fierce, but that's not my problem now is it.

To think, it all happened to the melodious tunes of the Kottonmouth Kings :)

[/hijack]

Well I agree that this was more of a spirited jaunt on the Garden State Parkway, mind you I was in my 94 5er not the M coupe. Sirtiger is right, the 525 was not meant to kick the LS 430's behind but was still impressive enough to keep up with the bigger Lexus. Beieve me I have driven all the generations of the LS models since my parents have owned all of them. They are impressive cars. I was still pretty impressed with the result though. I was ready to get squashed and was expecting to anyway, although it didn't turn out that way...Who knows what have happened if I was driving the M Coupe???

can't compare the M coupe... It would pounce on any Lex model out there...its a different breed...

ls 430 has a 4.3 liter 32v V-8 with VVTi good for 0-60 in low to mid 6s. It really opens up on the highway. It has a drag of only .26 so it is slick at high speeds.

Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
ls 430 has a 4.3 liter 32v V-8 with VVTi good for 0-60 in low to mid 6s. It really opens up on the highway. It has a drag of only .26 so it is slick at high speeds.

Drag coeficient is one thing, but take under consideration the slushbox and the gear ratios:az: Is it just me or will most people agree that an auto will lose on the highway to a manual when it comes to the same cars? With a 5-spd you stay in your powerband more.

Autos suck...........:mdrbig

I had a 99 528I, my sister has an 02 430, my dad has a 93 LS 400, My 99 528I automatic will not keep up with either. from a stand still or a roll on.

no way a 528 auto can keep with with either 430 or 400. a 528 may handle better in twisties. As I said earlier, I stomped all over a new e39 530 recently but not on the turns.

Its so smooooooth going well over 100mph... if it was a M car, modded car, or another BMW 8 cyl... then it may be interesting.