I believe bringing money into this conversation would only makes sense if we were discussing which car is a better buy or a better value. That was not the question that the original poster asked. Yes, any 5-series car is a BETTER car than TL, but not all of them are faster than TL. I personally would never buy 525 or 530 because they are NOT faster that TL or G35. On the other hand BMWs cost more and there are people willing to pay more for them, so they are probably better cars. In the same sense I'd rather buy BMW 550 than more expensive S500 or 750Li. Nevertheless the big Benz is a better (not faster) car that any 5-series including the M5.

 

A 5-series may be a better HANDLING car, and more enjoyable to drive, but if we talk about quality, I'd argue otherwise. My friends had a new tranny (auto) under warranty, and just had two window regulators go out (out of warranty). That was $550 EACH! And now the side airbag warning light is on. What's the cause? A "corroded" wire in the door. Cost to fix, well if you don't mind waiting two weeks we can order an entire new door wiring harness for only $380?! LCD display in the instrument cluster has lost about half the pixels. That will cost you $1000. (My sister's Mini did that too.) Two other freinds X5's lost trannys. Ouch.

You've got to admit that Toyota/Honda aren't suffering stupid quality problems like these nearly as much as the germans. (And I'm a HUGE german car fan.)

 

Noooo, BMW has better quality than a Acura for sure. I think you're just referring to the bad reliability of a BMW. BMW has way better quality materials, and just look at the interior can prove it. But that doesnt neccessarly mean they have the prettiest interiors

And thats surprise about tranny failure. Never knew that about a BMW. But is it worst than the Honda/Acura auto tranny failures?

 

Thats more reliability. Yea, the reliability has really gone down the tubes on most of the german manafacturers besides Porsche. Although they now are cramming more technology into their cars thanever, a lot of things Toyota/Honda don't offer.
They do have better quality materials though, and the fit and finish generally feels better.

 

No, its is nothing like the Honda/Acura failures. GM actually supplies the auto transmissions to BMW and they are quite robust, but there will always be some that fail.

 

Really? I didnt know mid 12's @116 is comparable to high 11's in the 120's.

I also didnt realize that better than 1.00 G's on the skidpad isnt better than what the new m5 pulls.


M5 = impressive, not a 911 turbo competitor.

 

Are you sure you talking about 911 turbo not one of GTs. 911 turbo is about as fast as M5 and has oly 2 doors.

 

I drove the 545i and it DEFINITELY felt like a mid-13 second car.

 

A 911 TURBO, is not a mid 12 second car.


FYI THE GT2 is a 911 turbo, as is the GT3.

Anyways.. 11.8@119 is what I have sitting here for a 2003 911 Turbo.

 

The GT3 is naturally aspirated. No turbo.

The 911 Turbo is AWD. The GT2 has the same engine, but is RWD. The GT2 is a 911 with a turbocharged engine, but it is not a "911 Turbo" but rather a 911 GT2.

11.8 at 119 is pretty quick for a 911 TT. Low 12s at around 115-117 is what I typically have seen.

Here is a link to a thread with some good video links of E60 M5 vs. 996 TT. The results vary.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=63013

There are a number of threads from 6speedonline as well, including several involving the same M5 trying to find the right settings.

When they got it right, the M5 walked the 996 TT:

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/s...threadid=38160

 

Thanks for the clarification, I knew I made a too general statement after it was too late to edit.

I saw that video of the 996TT (Or should i say 911 because they're one and the same) and just when I saw it the first time I think it's a load of BS.

We'll have to wait and see the average m5 numbers that come out, but based on what is being put out there by BMW for times and traps the 911/996 should still beat the M5.

Thankfully when the new 911 comes out some time in the next year it will be a no contest.