Here in So Cal, we have many racing venues. Most locally Willow Springs Raceway and Buttonwillow Raceway. Up north we have Laguna Seca (Mazda Raceway), and Sears Point (Infenion). Not to mention numerous autocrosses. I have had the opportunity to experience these tracks in various cars, mainly Porsches. I was wondering if anybody has run thier 5 series cars, and if they had any lap times which I could view as a reference to see how well these cars do.

Here in So Cal, we have many racing venues. Most locally Willow Springs Raceway and Buttonwillow Raceway. Up north we have Laguna Seca (Mazda Raceway), and Sears Point (Infenion). Not to mention numerous autocrosses. I have had the opportunity to experience these tracks in various cars, mainly Porsches. I was wondering if anybody has run thier 5 series cars, and if they had any lap times which I could view as a reference to see how well these cars do.

Well, I autocross my 92 525i (it's stock). Courses differ, so I'm sure my run times wouldn't be an effective point of reference. Fun stuff, though. Sorry I'm not much help.

EDIT: Here's an in-car video clip - my buddy tried to hold my digital camera on video mode while holding on, so it's not the greatest quality. This was the only run I hit a cone, right near the end. Let me know what you think.

EDIT: Here's an in-car video clip - my buddy tried to hold my digital camera on video mode while holding on, so it's not the greatest quality. This was the only run I hit a cone, right near the end. Let me know what you think.

Link?

Link?

jeesh - so demanding...

http://www.icuncs.com/archive/incar.MPG

sorry bout that :D

I track my 525i. Since the tracks close to you are a long way from where I am lap times aren't going to be that useful. With the suspension/tire mods I've done the car is pretty darn fast on a tight technical track where there aren't long straights. In the general case I'll have the lowest power to weight ratio at the track, but if there are a lot of turns it still does very well against more powerful cars that aren't being driven as smoothly or as consistantly.

In the wet, where one can't put a lot of power down, it does even better. There's a good kill story here from a track weekend at Barber Motor sports, but I'll skip it...

did an open track day at sebring and the car did pretty well. i also do a considerable amount of autocrossing and for a big car it is very nimble. Don't have any times to help you out with but the e34 is a pretty good platform IMO.

Try this:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=372480 (Forum link)

Ha, I just posted this same question in the track/autox section y'day.

Yes, I have taken the Dinan vessel out to a couple auto-x events and just returned from Pahrump, NV where we did some lapping at Spring Mountain. (PICS CAN BE SEEN HERE) (http://www.wildyoats.com/bmw_events_&_trips.htm)

It's definately interesting being out there with such a heavy vehicle. I am crying for suspension.

We are very excited in Utah as Larry H. Miller (Utah Jazz owner) is building a world class track in Tooele (about 15 mins out of SLC). It should be done in some months. Visit the details here: http://www.millermotorsportspark.com/

"Such a heavy car"? Compared to what? A Lotus Elise (~2000lb/190HP) or a Porsche Boxter (~2800lb/228hp)? Staying with the BMW family the comparison probably should be against the M3's. A look at the weights shows the E39's to be fairly close to an M3's weight.

Weight
E36 M3 3175lb
E46 M3 3415lb
E39 525 3417lb
E39 530 3461lb
E39 540 3737lb

The exact weights may not be strictly correct since I don't have an authoritative source of information on the E39's handy at the moment, but I don't think they'll be far off. Unless one is comparing an E36 M3 against and E39 540 (562lb diff) there's just not that much difference in the weights. The power to weight ratio is quite a bit different between the 525/530 and M3, less so for the 540.

Anyway you look at it, 300 lbs is a significant difference. In the other thread I was comparing my E34M5 to my E30. The difference there is 1000 lbs. Uber significant difference.

Weight is not the only issue, of course, but I think the E34 platform can be fast and has been extremely impressive in race trim.

Here you go gent's:
http://www.bmwm5.com/articles/usa2003/204.jpg

"Such a heavy car"? Compared to what? A Lotus Elise (~2000lb/190HP) or a Porsche Boxter (~2800lb/228hp)? Staying with the BMW family the comparison probably should be against the M3's. A look at the weights shows the E39's to be fairly close to an M3's weight.

Weight
E36 M3 3175lb
E46 M3 3415lb
E39 525 3417lb
E39 530 3461lb
E39 540 3737lb

The exact weights may not be strictly correct since I don't have an authoritative source of information on the E39's handy at the moment, but I don't think they'll be far off. Unless one is comparing an E36 M3 against and E39 540 (562lb diff) there's just not that much difference in the weights. The power to weight ratio is quite a bit different between the 525/530 and M3, less so for the 540.

Sorry man, you are way off indeed.

Try 4817 for a E39 540i
and 5042 for a E39 M5

Try 4817 for a E39 540i and 5042 for a E39 M5

These don't look right at all. We may be comparing apples and oranges here. The numbers above must be the maximum load that you find on the door sill plate. My M5 is ~3800 lbs with all fluids, a full tank and no passengers.

These don't look right at all. We may be comparing apples and oranges here. The numbers above must be the maximum load that you find on the door sill plate. My M5 is ~3800 lbs with all fluids, a full tank and no passengers.

I only call em as I see em. See for your self :D (sorry, I was off 7 lbs on the M5) From the plates as you stated. I wasn't aware these are max "loaded" weights listed.


http://photos2.ebizautos.com/794/673539_40.jpg

http://carad.ebayimg.com/i5/02/a/04/4c/ca/eb_4.JPG

Here you go gent's:
http://www.bmwm5.com/articles/usa2003/204.jpg


man i love that car...

Here you go gent's:
http://www.bmwm5.com/articles/usa2003/204.jpg
what site do i go to, to see more of that

I autoX my car, don't expect to be competitive or anything. It's just fun.

If you're trying to be competitive, don't buy a 5 series for it for god's sake.

Sorry man, you are way off indeed.

Try 4817 for a E39 540i
and 5042 for a E39 M5
Those numbers are the max recommended vehicle weight (GVWR)(car + passengers + trunk contents).

Now that I'm at home I can check my numbers, and according to my E39 manuals get curb weights for '00-'02 E39's w/manual transmissions of:

525i - 3450
530i - 3494
540i - 3748

I'm seeing two different weights for the E39 M5 (3792 & 3949). I don't have a clue as to which is correct (or even if either is), but something about that much sounds right.

I'll stand by the M3 numbers.

Here you go gent's:
http://www.bmwm5.com/articles/usa2003/204.jpg

Thats hands down the coolest thing I have ever seen. :buttrock :buttrock :buttrock :buttrock :buttrock

Just checked the ownership papers on my cars.

97 E39 540 - 3900 lbs
92 E34 525iT - 3860 lbs

Damn that wagon is a fat pig!

Wow, I didnt realise how heavy the E34 wagons were. Heavier than the E39's even. Ya that Dinan 540 is sweeeet.

650 ponies :redspot Try www.kindel.com/bmw/fast_fives.pdf Maybe a mod can park it somewhere because it is a great article and got me to buy my S/C 540i. :)

I autoX my car, don't expect to be competitive or anything. It's just fun.

If you're trying to be competitive, don't buy a 5 series for it for god's sake.


I won my BMWCCA Auto-X class last year, Leading this year, and pretty much every autocross there are the same 3-4 guys that beat me (out of 35-50). One is a national champion in a Boxster S on Hoosiers, One is a supercharged M Coupe on 285 Hoosiers all around, and the other two are track-prepped E36 M3's on R compounds.

650 ponies :redspot Try www.kindel.com/bmw/fast_fives.pdf Maybe a mod can park it somewhere because it is a great article and got me to buy my S/C 540i. :)


Have you ever had yours on a dyno?


E34nication - PICS????

525i - 3450
530i - 3494
540i - 3748
I'll second these numbers, as they are what's in my manual too.

370rwhp(5.8 psi) on bad crank sensor and old belt drive Powerdyne.Just got the new Powerdyne gear drive unit and will dyno shortly.

jeesh - so demanding...

http://www.icuncs.com/archive/incar.MPG

sorry bout that :D

#1: the crack in your dash is very annoying.. lol
#2: "shit damn damn damn". "you got owned" :rofl

Jimmy - Impressive. Can't wait to see the new numbers!

Ya got a real looker there, too, BTW.

Have you ever had yours on a dyno?


E34nication - PICS????


http://mars.floridadrift.com/photography/motorsports/bmwpca/IMG_7841.JPG
http://mars.floridadrift.com/photography/motorsports/bmwpca/IMG_7848.JPG

I haven't run it with the new suspension yet... mainly because it hasn't been installed and is currently collecting dust. So I have been running with Eibach Pro-Kit springs, RD Sways, RD Stressbar, worn OEM 108k mile shocks, and shitty mis-matched tires... hopefully with the new sus and some decent tires I will be able to shave 2-3 seconds and get up there with the big boys.

#1: the crack in your dash is very annoying.. lol
#2: "shit damn damn damn". "you got owned" :rofl

#1: Yes. yes it is.

#2: Yes. yes I did.

I track my E34 M5 regularly and it has a Dinan suspension (mostly), R compounds. Times are approximate best laps. These cars definitely need more spring and camber to really be quick.

Laguna Seca: 1:52
Buttonwillow: Config. 13 CCW, 2:23
Sears: 2:03
Thunderhill: Bypass, 2:15 (I think)

If the car had about 3 degrees negative up front and a GC suspension it would be pretty darn quick. I am actually getting the tire to roll over on the sidewall :eek: under heavy cornering loads. That is running 17x9" wheels with 255/40/17's. I need to run the front bar on full stiff while I decide on whether I just go to GC suspension. The fact I would switch from Bilstein's to Koni may actually give me a better daily ride.

I won my BMWCCA Auto-X class last year, Leading this year, and pretty much every autocross there are the same 3-4 guys that beat me (out of 35-50). One is a national champion in a Boxster S on Hoosiers, One is a supercharged M Coupe on 285 Hoosiers all around, and the other two are track-prepped E36 M3's on R compounds.

That's not car, that's driver.

Don't try to make a case for 15 year old family sedans being the ideal competition race car.

I track my E34 M5 regularly and it has a Dinan suspension (mostly), R compounds. Times are approximate best laps. These cars definitely need more spring and camber to really be quick.

Laguna Seca: 1:52
Buttonwillow: Config. 13 CCW, 2:23
Sears: 2:03
Thunderhill: Bypass, 2:15 (I think)

If the car had about 3 degrees negative up front and a GC suspension it would be pretty darn quick. I am actually getting the tire to roll over on the sidewall :eek: under heavy cornering loads. That is running 17x9" wheels with 255/40/17's. I need to run the front bar on full stiff while I decide on whether I just go to GC suspension. The fact I would switch from Bilstein's to Koni may actually give me a better daily ride.
my friend just ran a 2min flat at buttonwillow last weekend. it was so pimp! (lancer evoVIII with 295's)

I would agree that it is definitely not ideal. However, if I sacrificed the car to make it a track car and trimmed it to 3200lbs or so it would be quite quick with 330hp. It is a nice way to get to and from the track and carry's all my gear without a hitch. Put the child seat back in when I get home and I am good to go. That 350z must have been wondering why he couldn't pull me on the straight at Buttonwillow last week. I am sure he figured I must have had a V8 under the hood. :) Right now it isn't worth much and owning one car is cheaper than owning two no matter how you look at it. For now, with the oppressive house payment a track car is not in the near future.

my friend just ran a 2min flat at buttonwillow last weekend. it was so pimp! (lancer evoVIII with 295's)

Which insanely fast turbo-Japanese car was that? Navid? That configuration is my favorite but much better for a nimble car. I am also quite sure that Evo was heavily-modified versus even my car. Through the esses and cotton corners I can't hang with those guys period.

Was this at the NASA event in HPDE? Because nobody ran a 2:00 flat. The fastest was a 2:05 or maybe a 2:04 by this criminally fast S4. I love it when you don't have to lift to let someone pass.

www.mylaps.com do a search under Buttonwillow.

For now, with the oppressive house payment a track car is not in the near future.

Werd, I've got a HUGE nut too :(

370rwhp(5.8 psi) on bad crank sensor and old belt drive Powerdyne.Just got the new Powerdyne gear drive unit and will dyno shortly.

My car should be ready around The 4th of July. Maybe we could dyno on the same day again.

Greg S.

That's not car, that's driver.

Don't try to make a case for 15 year old family sedans being the ideal competition race car.


I'm not saying it is ideal but it can be competitive... more so on a real track as opposed to an autocross course. Looking through my Roundel magazines there is a guy with an e34 m5 that consistantly does very well in the CCA races.

Looking through my Roundel magazines there is a guy with an e34 m5 that consistantly does very well in the CCA races.
I think that is an E28 you are referring to.

My car should be ready around The 4th of July. Maybe we could dyno on the same day again.

Greg S.

Sounds good. :buttrock

I think that is an E28 you are referring to.


The one I am referring to was an e34 m5. I usually don't read about the club races but I remember reading that this guy hadn't raced the car in a year and a half or something and the guy writing the article was saying how surprising it was for him to come on and run the car and win the first race. It also went on to say that he finished 3rd or something (I would have to dig out the article) in the second race while nursing a dying clutch.

The one I am referring to was an e34 m5.
I must have mis-read the article.

There is also an e28 m5 that shows up in those articles frequently.

My car should be ready around The 4th of July. Maybe we could dyno on the same day again.

Greg S.

I can't wait to see the finished car. :buttrock

I'm not saying it is ideal but it can be competitive...

So can a Yugo if Schumacher is behind the wheel.

So can a Yugo if Schumacher is behind the wheel.

i'd like to see that.

http://www.classicscars.com/wspr/results/imsa/imsasc1994.html#2

Oh my, would you look at that. The less than ideal M5 family car lays the smack down. They won the championship that year.

http://gto-racing.nexenservices.com/GT/BMWM5imsasupercar/GT_BMWM5imsasupercar.htm

I can't wait to see the finished car. :buttrock


I'll give you a call when it's done. Would you like to take it for a drive? :D I'm pretty sure I'll be staying in Redondo again.

Greg S. :redspot

Would you like to take it for a drive?


Is the Pope Catholic? :redspot