Drove an RD Sport M5 today
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 14
From: Cali
Drove an RD Sport M5 today
One of the unique pleasures of my job is the cars I get to drive.
Today, it was a Racing Dynamics M5 with headers, exhaust, suspension,
and 21x9 + 21x10.5 forged one-piece wheels. I wish I had the battery power
to make a short video... and another driver so I could film it. I had the car for
a few hours so I could photograph it for the new RD media & website update.
The "power" mode DOES make a noticeable difference - it should, as it bumps
the engines' horsepower to 500. The V10 sounds strange to me, but sounds
better as you put some revs into it. It has a weird pulse at idle with the louder exhaust... almost a putt.... putt... putt sound. The SMG transmission
takes a bit of getting used to with it's slow gear changes in regular Drive
mode, but rifle-shot quick changes in "power mode" with the hammer down
and paddle shifting. The car is deceptively fast driven this way.
No noticeable body roll... the car goes well, but does not have the low-end
torque of (for example) the supercharged Mercedes AMG cars.
Looking forward to driving the M6-based Fisker Latigo and the Ferrari 599 next...
Here's a quick shot:
Today, it was a Racing Dynamics M5 with headers, exhaust, suspension,
and 21x9 + 21x10.5 forged one-piece wheels. I wish I had the battery power
to make a short video... and another driver so I could film it. I had the car for
a few hours so I could photograph it for the new RD media & website update.
The "power" mode DOES make a noticeable difference - it should, as it bumps
the engines' horsepower to 500. The V10 sounds strange to me, but sounds
better as you put some revs into it. It has a weird pulse at idle with the louder exhaust... almost a putt.... putt... putt sound. The SMG transmission
takes a bit of getting used to with it's slow gear changes in regular Drive
mode, but rifle-shot quick changes in "power mode" with the hammer down
and paddle shifting. The car is deceptively fast driven this way.
No noticeable body roll... the car goes well, but does not have the low-end
torque of (for example) the supercharged Mercedes AMG cars.
Looking forward to driving the M6-based Fisker Latigo and the Ferrari 599 next...
Here's a quick shot:
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 21
From: California
As a BMW enthusiast, I have to tell you though. Unless things have changed in the last couple of years, for the purpose of marketing in North America, Racing Dynamics and RD Sport are considered two separate companies.
But yes. A modified M5 is always a treat to drive around with.
Jon
But yes. A modified M5 is always a treat to drive around with.
Jon
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,001
Likes: 1
From: D2'sville
The 21" RD-SPORT wheels look great on the car, very atheletic! One of the times when a 5" lip would do more harm than good!
After a few runs in a e60 M5 last summer I can honestly say I have a newfound level of respect for the SMG tranny. Its much faster and aggressive than the motor actuated F1 systems (ie, Maserati).
After a few runs in a e60 M5 last summer I can honestly say I have a newfound level of respect for the SMG tranny. Its much faster and aggressive than the motor actuated F1 systems (ie, Maserati).
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Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 14
From: Cali
As a BMW enthusiast, I have to tell you though. Unless things have changed in the last couple of years, for the purpose of marketing in North America, Racing Dynamics and RD Sport are considered two separate companies.
But yes. A modified M5 is always a treat to drive around with.
Jon
But yes. A modified M5 is always a treat to drive around with.
Jon
Electrodyne (Racing Dynamics' original US importer) copyrighted the
name "Racing Dynamics" a number of years ago; the founder of the
company is not permitted to use his own name in the USA.
Some pretty strange irony there... stubborn parties on both sides and
WAY too much money spent on lawsuits that would have been better
spent on product development. Technically, this car is an "RD Sport" car,
but the exhaust tips and other components all say "Racing Dynamics" on
them and are manufactured (for the most part) in Italy.
Suffice it to say that RD Sport is making a concerted effort to reorganize
and streamline US distribution of the Racing Dynamics products; I've seen
the new exhaust & bumpers for the 3-series coupe & sedan (as well as the
ECU upgrade for the 335i... +85 rwhp) as well as the new 7-series trunk &
roof spoiler... the new products look great!
Richie: how goes?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 19,103
Likes: 2
From: Netherlands
I'm actually quite familiar with the history of Racing Dynamics & RD Sport...
Electrodyne (Racing Dynamics' original US importer) copyrighted the
name "Racing Dynamics" a number of years ago; the founder of the
company is not permitted to use his own name in the USA.
Some pretty strange irony there... stubborn parties on both sides and
WAY too much money spent on lawsuits that would have been better
spent on product development. Technically, this car is an "RD Sport" car,
but the exhaust tips and other components all say "Racing Dynamics" on
them and are manufactured (for the most part) in Italy.
Suffice it to say that RD Sport is making a concerted effort to reorganize
and streamline US distribution of the Racing Dynamics products; I've seen
the new exhaust & bumpers for the 3-series coupe & sedan (as well as the
ECU upgrade for the 335i... +85 rwhp) as well as the new 7-series trunk &
roof spoiler... the new products look great!
Richie: how goes?
Electrodyne (Racing Dynamics' original US importer) copyrighted the
name "Racing Dynamics" a number of years ago; the founder of the
company is not permitted to use his own name in the USA.
Some pretty strange irony there... stubborn parties on both sides and
WAY too much money spent on lawsuits that would have been better
spent on product development. Technically, this car is an "RD Sport" car,
but the exhaust tips and other components all say "Racing Dynamics" on
them and are manufactured (for the most part) in Italy.
Suffice it to say that RD Sport is making a concerted effort to reorganize
and streamline US distribution of the Racing Dynamics products; I've seen
the new exhaust & bumpers for the 3-series coupe & sedan (as well as the
ECU upgrade for the 335i... +85 rwhp) as well as the new 7-series trunk &
roof spoiler... the new products look great!
Richie: how goes?
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