M5 top speed

[TeamFL1]

I read some artical that saids that the New M5 can reach close to 200mph...but it is gover to 155... maybe 170? if 155 why don't we buy some other car???? i know its hard and scarey to reach 180 at the highway and you and others might end up killed. why don't exotic cars get govermented. I think we can change that restriction? am I wrong?

[DinanM3_S2]

BMW, like all German carmakers excluding Porsche limit all of their cars to 155mph (except the 2.5L and 3.0L which are limited to somewhere aroung 132mph). Most people who own cars like the M5 shouldn't by any means be going over 155mph on the Autobahn, and I believe that the German Government subsidises car makers to limit their car's top speed, however yes, BMW engineers claimed that the E60 M5 is capable of around 205mph, which I believe.

Realistically there is no reason for a car to have such a high top speed. F1 cars average around 160mph. In a drag, the fastest stock cars only hit around 115mph, and on a track most cars won't hit 155mph. So really, the only places anyone would ever hit above 155mph would be possibly on a track (but not too often) and on long stretches of Autobahn, where the incredibly high speeds these cars are capable of just arn't safe in anyone's (even an very experienced driver) hands.

Porsches and Exotics are not governed because a) these cars really are designed to go 200mph + (unlike the 4-door M5) and therefore are more likely to ever need to hit those speeds and b) higher top speed sells more sports cars. There is a big differerence in purpose between the M5, which is really only a very fast sedan, and say a Porsche 911, which is actually a sports car, and is more stable at high speeds. Most people who but the M5 don't only want the high speed and acceleration, but also the room of a 5-Series and the luxury feel. If you want an all out sports car, you should probably get a 911 or a Viper.

The top-speed limiters are programmed into the engine management software, and can be removed by purchasing a performance chip. An example of this is my car, which has Dinan Software that removes the limiter.

[feenix z]

Dont take it personally, but there IS reason to hit 200mph. It's called bragging rights and it's what the sports car industry is built on.

[Antiburn]

Yea its bragging rights but where the hell do you expect to do 200mph if you live in the US. Other then salt flats or a runway roads are 2 shitty to do those kinds fo speeds. It sorta is a dumb idea that the car can do 200mph when the most your need in the US is 100. Over that your usually just racing somebody.

[feenix z]

who said you have to GO 200mph? You just have to tell the guy beside you at the stoplight you can do those speeds. Owning fast cars is kind of a you-know-what waving contest. Thats why i'm not a supercar guy, i dont like to brag.

[dsp888]

To answer your question
The M5 will top out at about 185 without the limiter, and yes your moderator is correct there is almost no place where that should be done.
That being said, it is not only about top speed but how you get there and what you can do along the way. This translates to torque and handling which results in a mind rush much more powerful than acceleration.
I have more fun going through the gears than the few times I have gone white-knuckle at warp speed.

[MioCLK]

The 155mph limit is just what automakers put on paper. Ever heard of Manufacturer's claim?
Automakers in Europe will be happy to get rid of that 155mph upon requests. Some, such as AMG, offers a factory-option, backed up by full manufacture waaranty which raises top speed to 186mph (300km/h) on its 55 kompressor and 65 biturbo models.

[crayzayjay]

Originally Posted by DinanM3_S2

I believe that the German Government subsidises car makers to limit their car's top speed

I don't think that's the case. I think the manufacturers do it to appease the Green party in Germany.


ps. didnt know the 2.5 & 3L's were restricted in the US. They aren't in the UK or anywhere else in Europe afaik.