CTS-V vs. E39 M5

Which would you rather have for track duties and regular roads...?

'05 Cadillac CTS-V (400 HP)

vs.

'98-'03 BMW M5 (400 HP)

The only real argument for taking the CTS-v over an E39 M5 is new car smell and a warranty.


Otherwise the M5 shits over it in terms of quality, handling,styling, performance (Though not quite as much as the other areas) and comfort.

Bmw M5

E39 M5 > CTS-V

The E39 M5 was an amazing car. The interior and exterior styling were amazing. The engine was fantastic. The transmission is probably the best I have ever used. It is such a smooth, beautiful car. By far it is one of my favorite sedans in existance. Besides hp numbers, the E39 M5 is an entirely different beast then the CTS-V is.

I have never driven a CTS-V, but I have been in a ride in one. The V cars are a very good effort by GM, but I would still have a hard time buying one over a used M5, M3, or an S4. Maybe over a C55 AMG. They still need to work on refining the CTS-V to comepete with the likes of BMW.

BTW, BMW is now the biggest premium car brand in the world, beating out Benz in 2004.

I would expect the M5 to be a better car, being that it's so much more expensive. It would make for an interesting race

Well the CTS-V is now around 50k or so and used M5's are anywhere from 30k-50k. I found one M5 w/28,000 miles for 36k. I think that's a bargain!

That M5 you found is a bargain! However, that new car smell is nice! A new M5 will run you close to 100 grand.

Apparently that very smell is supposed to be carsonogenic (sp) as well. Off topic, but I could have just saved a life :p

what's carsonogenic?

what's carsonogenic?

It's what happens to those people who watched too much TRL.
:lol2:

A cancer causing agent I think...

A cancer causing agent I think...

That is correct...he spelled it wrong

carcinogen = noun...A cancer-causing substance or agent.

woot I rawk.
Btw the cts-v is american..
American luxury performance doesn't exist ;)
I mean it's GM vs bmw.. hmm.. hard choice :)

I'll take the CTS-V, it's slightly faster in a straight line, and there is no replacement for the sound of a pushrod American V-8 IMO. In case you were wondering how well they handle have a look at this: http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/video/topgear.html

If you have 15 mins or so to waste watching a movie devoted to the E39 M5, I highly suggest watching this.

and you guys thought I loved BMW too much...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2561436981143338282&q=bmw

If you have 15 mins or so to waste watching a movie devoted to the E39 M5, I highly suggest watching this.

and you guys thought I loved BMW too much...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2561436981143338282&q=bmw

The M5 looks nicer but the V series has Z06 engine right? Luxury and Power...how can you go wrong?

This might be chocked up to preference, the caddy is larger than the bimmer

It used to have the LS6 Z06 engine (C5), not the new 500hp LS7 (C6). The LS6 had pretty nearly the exact same power that the E39 had (~400hp). The CTS-V now uses the slightly less powerful LS2 from the C6 Vette (not the Z06). Powerwise, they are pretty much exactly the same.

I might be wrong about this because I can't find stats on interior space for the E39 anymore, but the CTS isn't that much bigger then the new 3-series, and the 5-series is a great deal bigger then the 3-series. So unless I actually see some data I call bs on the size issue. I've sat in both, and Im pretty sure the 5-series is a larger car.

Luxury and Power? Where do you think Cadillac got the idea for the CTS-V from? (answer: BMW's M5)

The CTS-V is still a bit too rough around the edges to really compete with the M5. There are really no major flaws with the M5, nothing to make you completely turn away from it. The CTS-V uses an aweful transmission, cheep interior materials, and doesn't look good. As a track car, the CTS-V might win against the E39 M5 (even though I still think the M5 should handle better), but as a road car, which really is the point of these cars (being the luxury cars that they are), the M5 absolutely blows the CTS-V away.

The CTS-V is still a bit too rough around the edges to really compete with the M5. There are really no major flaws with the M5, nothing to make you completely turn away from it. The CTS-V uses an aweful transmission, cheep interior materials, and doesn't look good. As a track car, the CTS-V might win against the E39 M5 (even though I still think the M5 should handle better), but as a road car, which really is the point of these cars (being the luxury cars that they are), the M5 absolutely blows the CTS-V away.

I have to agree with him on this one

I'll take the CTS-V, it's slightly faster in a straight line, and there is no replacement for the sound of a pushrod American V-8 IMO. In case you were wondering how well they handle have a look at this: http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/video/topgear.html
But how does it compare to an M5 :p

M5 for sure.... more room, probably just as quick.....


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