Finally, w/r/t chrisn - It would be interesting to hear a recap where you (chrisn) think MSP is "clearly ahead" of the M5 and what/where the M5 could/should answer that challenge in the next editions. An EV putting an ICE on the defensive -- on any perf metric -- is an interesting turn for the industry. If you think there's no such cases of the MSP being ahead, well that would be a short post. Heh.
1. Novelty. The new new thing is always cool. Being the first kid to have one is cooler.
2. Smooth delivery of significant power from a standing start without breaking a sweat.
3. Quiet. Always composed and quiet. (Although road/wind/tire noise dominates when cruising beyond 60MPH, so at freeway speed with cruise control, I'm not sure if significant--- in my Volt, I can't tell if ICE is running by sound alone).
4. Air suspension.
5. Economy (cheaper to drive, but not in CA for many PG&E people unless you get sep meter for charging)
Apart from #4, I don't see how the M5 can respond. I don't expect to buy the next generation M5 (assuming Tesla does their part).
One idea would be to have a 0-10MPH only booster motor on one or both front axles/wheels of M5 or other ICE car. You'd have tiny motor(s) and battery that would have one purpose in life: to get the car from zero to 10MPH in a buttery smooth way without having to stress the ICE (not necessarily super fast). Economics might not work out as an efficiency feature (and 0-60 times might be less just using ICE), but this alone would go a LONG way toward giving the M5 a more "EV drive" feel to it. Call it "Silky EV Start" and charge $3K for it.
From a roll, the M% shifts are so fast and smooth and the TQ so flat and never-ending, that it feels very EV-like. And, you know what? I like (LOVE!) the engine/exhaust noise when pushed hard. Also, compared to the E60, the F10 is very economical. Getting 23MPG on HW compared to ~18MPG.
I have never been in a production MSP, so can't comment directly, but my sense is that the "gadgetronics" of the M5 are better / more refined. B&O stereo with pop-up tweeter, lane departure, blind spot detection, collision detection, six-camera parking assist, side view cameras, forward camera that reads speed limit signs (as in OCRs them), deep iPhone/apps integration (Pandora, MOG, Yelp, Google, iTunes), BMW Assist, Heads up display, ventilated massage seats, powered soft close doors, no hands auto trunk opener, steering-tracking headlights, multi-adjustable performance parameters, four zone climate control, heated wheel, FOUR cup holders!...can't remember anything else. Anyway it has a lot of junk that is fun to have.
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Lastly, I am indeed sorry (to chrisn) if they believed that the troll comment was a personal attack, it was not. I don't know chrisn, I wouldn't pretend to know anything about them.
No apology needed. I'm not offended.
I arrived late (mid-way at this point I guess) to this thread, but by the time I arrived, it seemed clear that the point of the thread was to see if the MSP could best the M5 around the track (could vary by track). I think a fair baseline assumption is that both cars would be stock and would be driven to the track and back under their own power (potentially after charging the MSP).
As we all struggle to explain the weird behavior observed by Cottonwood, many suggested that he should start at 100% SOC and re-test. Perhaps, but I still contend that real-world "point" if any, of being able to go around the track quickly and without a limp mode would be the ability to do so without burdensome and potentially unrealistic preparations (arrive in time to reach 100% range extend charge before going on track-- which might imply arriving not just the NIGHT before, but perhaps the day before if fast charging facilities were not available).
I always thought the difference between a "troll" and a "provocative [jerk]" is that the former says things that he doesn't believe and sometimes pretends to be someone he's not. I'm clearly trying to be provocative, but I honestly really want to find the answers to the same questions as you guys do.
The "data" so far has raised more questions than provided definitive answers. Let's all keep digging. Sooner or later, you all will have your cars and the answers will become clear.
