hada64 said:
My brother has a M5 also. Drove it about a year ago. Will be interesting to see the camparison. Has about 390hp but is heavier. Is a sweet car no doubt, but also 70K. Will post when can get some direct comparison.
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Horsepower is 394 unchipped (mine is chipped and rates about 405), and 368 lb-ft of torque with a very flat curve (again, chipped is about 375 lb-ft peak). 0-60 times are quoted at 4.8, but many M5Board.com drivers report times in the low to mid 4 seconds when tracked and measured.
The M5 comes in just over 3900 lbs with a full tank of gas and one passenger. Quarter mile times are between 13.2 and 13.5 depending on which article you're reading. Top speed chipped is 185, and it will do 185 any time you have the road and room.
So all in all, even though the M5 is a heavy sun of a gun, it sure goes like crazy. Jeff took me for a ride this afternoon (lunch, actually) and, while I'm sure he'll post his impressions of the differences, here are my impressions:
1. The M5 is far superior in terms of power smoothness.
2. The GTO is far more "brutal" with power delivery (a good thing sometimes!).
3. The M5 feels gentler during slides; power rolls the rear end very smoothly and predictably.
4. The GTO is far more intense with wheel spin; it kicks out easy, fast, and hard.
5. The M5 exhaust is quieter than the GTO, but they both have a very nice throaty sound.
6. The fit and finish of the GTO are nice for what it is (no offense intended).
From all accounts power will be MUCH easier to get into the GTO than the M5, the price per horsepower is a lot more reasonable. I look forward to seeing what Jeff does with the GTO, he’ll most likely get it above the power/speed level of the M5.
One thing I see is that the GTO needs wider rear tires and additional negative camber on the rear wheels. Once the rear end traction is taken care of I’m sure we’ll see better 0-60 times for the GTO.
Anywho… coming from a die hard German car enthusiast, I must say that the GTO is quite a fine car!
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Beccara