X5 Rally Cars with S54 M3 engines...Sounds amazing...enjoy.

[Green Dragon]

Ran across these videos watching e53 X5 rally cars. Looks like quite a few teams are going with the M3 engines and kick'n ass. The cars still weigh about 4200lbs, so my *possible* S54 swap is becoming more a reality. More research to come...... until then here are some sample vids. The second vid is crazy cool.

BMW X5 Rallysprint Villariezo - YouTube

Rally sprint Villariezo 2012 X5 - YouTube

[JCL]

Not much in common between a Dakar rally car chassis and an E53. They just have a plastic E53 look alike shell. Didn't understand your comment that they were doing well either, as they got beat by a Peugot 206 and a Seat Ibiza.

[Green Dragon]

JCL,

I said nothing about their chassis being the same. My reference was to the 4200+ lbs that the M3 engine is moving. Empty weight is ~4180lbs, once you add gear, passengers, etc you above 4200lbs. Power to weight ratio was the only think I was looking at.

As far as the Peugeot 206 and a Seat Ibiza. I know nothing about them. They might not have anything in common their respective road going versions either. Maybe a better power-to-weight ratio. Sure the hell aren't stock. I don't know and frankly don't care.

The "X5 "shell" powered by the M3 motor in a highly modified chassis" finished well I thought. 3rd in a two stage race out of 26 teams isn't anything to cry about. Sorry to disappoint you.

I though the videos were cool. My opinion. Thanks for sharing.

[JCL]

I was only commenting on the relevance of using an M3 engine in your E53 based on the fact that a race car used one.

I think there is a parallel comparison that could be made, between three generations of RAID off road racers, and their road-going equivalents (using the word equivalent rather loosely). The X5 is about ten years old. They were superceded by the X3 CC, which was lighter and faster. Did much better. The X3 CC was now been replaced by the Mini Countryman All Road. Again, lighter, faster, more competitive. While these are all race versions of street cars, which not much in common, it does suggest that the best way to be competitive is to start with a more competitive vehicle, ie lighter and faster, and not just bolt hp into a heavy platform.

[Green Dragon]

Tell that to BMW. That's what they do. Bolt more HP's into heavy platforms. Until CFRP or what ever variant becomes the norm, that's the name of the game. They seem to just get heavier and /or more HP's. You can nit-pick at exceptions, but generally that's it. Its a simple general equation which I know you understand.

I agree with you on the evolution of the X-Raid Cars. I'm aware of the changes over the years and the reasoning behind those changes. They have to stay competitive in their respective segment.

The parallel you drew makes sense in racing, but does not have to apply to a street car. I'm not racing or being competitive. It's an easier compromise to bolt in more HP's than to strip a car of its comforts. I'm not interested in driving a mini cooper or striped out X5. The wife sure as hell won"t let me bolt in an S54 into her X3. Guess I'll work with the platform I have and love every minute of it in any direction I choose.

The only parallel I was drawing, was an M3 motor moving a similar platform of similar weight and doing well (in my opinion). I'm not trying to be competitive in a desert racing circuit.

Now go eat a Snickers Bar!