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| 06-03-2012, 12:33 AM | #1 |
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Lieutenant Colonel
 
352
Rep 1,772
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Test Drive
Decided to go the the BMW special vehicles drive day at Lakeside Raceway and must say a big thumbs up to BMW Australia for sponsoring such an event, as well as Brisbane/Westside BMW.
Vehicles driven included new M5, M3, 650i coupe and convertible, and 750i sport. 3 groups of 6, each group split into either Track, Road Drive, and Motorkhana. Other than the traction control being on at all times we were pretty much left to our own devices as to how hard we pushed the cars. On the track 2 people each in their own car would be following the instructor who would lead in an M3. So their were 2 each of M3, M5 and 650i coupe and each person would get a go in all of them. The 650i was very surprising in how it accelerated and handled for such a big and heavy car but ultimately the understeer would be felt quite often. The M3 felt extremely agile, very raw and connected, the DCT changing gear intuitively, and the sound especially the blipping on the downchange was incredible. The M5 however, wow! We have heard it before and yes I agree for a car this size and weight it should not be cornering this well. Sitting inside the car it felt huge, the seats were in a different league, sumptous, thick, comfortable. The M5 felt like a tank. Down the straight it had easily +20km/hr on the M3 and was a match in the corners. I also felt that I had more support from the seats in the corners. The DCT in this car was brutal and for those who have been listening to the car on their computers it does no justice whatsoever. I was taken back by how loud it sounded on the track, deep bass, gurgling, and then the awesome down changes. The sound was addicitve and so I found myself down changing unecessarily. Unfortunately, from a youtube video and a test drive with the sales person sitting next to you, it would be unlikley that you would hear the car's true potential. The synthetic sound? Would not have an inkling had I not known about it. At the end of the day there is just huge respect for these M cars. Most people who own them would never get close to the cars abilities. To buy one of these cars and not experience what it can do on a track would be a shame. As each corner got faster and faster I began to realise how much further I could push the car than I realised. To be honest I wasnt missing out on much by not having the traction control off. Some pictures of the day. Unfortunately I didnt take that many and only a few vids which dont do justice (dont know how to upload the vids). |
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