The Numbers... Torque, etc. Not that dissimilar.. (archive)

Geez FLY2LOW, from your post I'd assume you were describing a fiat Lada or something. The 850i 6spd with chip, exhaust and diff is not THAT far off the M5:
(1) Same Gearing. The new e39 M5 and a 3.15 LS equipped 850 6spd have the same forward gear ratios and rear differential ratios,
(2) Same Weight. the 850's unladen weight is only 176lbs heavier(approx. 4,200lbs vs. 4024), and
(3) Same Power (+=20ft/lbs) and displacement (5.0L). a Conforti equipped 850i 5.0 liter produces approximately 348 ft/lbs of torque at 4,200 rpm with the e39 M5 producing 368 ft/lbs at 3,800.

Yes, they are different, and in the end, the 850 not nearly as fast or VANOS equipped M5. But, let's not sell it quite so short just yet. If you punch one with a 3.15 and LS rear and chip it will jump like a scalded dog and bring you to 60mph in about 5.7 seconds. Considering the shorter rpm of the 850 being 6,000 vs. the M5's almost 7,000, there's a 0.5 shift delay penalty taking up most of the difference.

By the way, regarding the "old" looking interior... have you seen it with factory wood and the matching M5 knob? Hard to tell from new BMW styling.

I have a car with a similar performance with the M5 and also an 850i, both 6 sp. These are my honest subjective opinions:

Negatives:
1) The V12 doesn't have as much torque as the M5. The engine feels so sluggish and revs so slow. You punch the accelerator all the way down, the car still does not take off.
2) Accelaration is much slower. You'd be disappointed.
3) "Old" interior.
4) $$$ for gas.
5) Backseats are for your kids' pokemon dolls.

Positives:
1) The car is still a magnet. A lot of people still think that it is a brand new BMW (Mine is a 91).
2) The gear box (with syncrho) is better.
3) The car has a better rigidity, somehow the car is more predictable at turns for non-professional drivers.
4) The car has a lot of potential for engine tuning and much cheaper than the E39 M5.

PS: E31 fellas: Please, this is not a flame. I am just trying to give my opinions. I love my E31 too :).

'00 E39
'91 E31

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