The All-New BMW M5 Breaks A WORLD Record

But not in anything you'd expect. No, it's not the world's fastest sedan and no, it isn't winning any MPG contests. So, what did it?

The BMW M5 is now officially crowned king of the drift.

The M sedan drifted for a jaw-dropping 51 miles. That means it took 322 laps on the skid pad to achieve the record.

What makes this particularly notable is that this M5 was completely unmodified. Something tells me it may need a new set of rears after that ;)

BMW's press release follows:

BMW Performance Driving School Sets Guinness World Drift Record With BMW M5 Sedan

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - May 14, 2013… The legendary BMW M5 Sedan shattered the Guinness World Record for longest sustained drift at the BMW Performance Center near Greenville, South Carolina on Saturday, May 11, 2013, with BMW Performance Center Instructor Johan Schwartz behind the wheel. The record-breaking attempt generated over $20,000 in charitable donations benefitting The BMW Charity Pro-Am.

The M5 exceeded the previous record set in February in Abu Dhabi by 47.71 miles. A total of 322.5 laps were completed around the 841-foot (circumference) Performance Center skid pad, providing a total distance-travelled of 51.278 miles. The M-DCT transmission-equipped 2013 BMW M5 Sedan was an unmodified car from the BMW Performance Center school fleet which began the record attempt with a fresh set of Continental ContiSport ultra-high performance tires (sizes 255/30/20 front, 295/30/20 rear).

Saturday‘s drift record attempt signaled the kick-off to a week of events leading up to the BMW Charity Pro-Am. Over $20,000 was raised for the BMW Charity Pro-Am which benefits over 150 different charities. Public attendees to the record attempt enjoyed drives in new BMW vehicles including the M6 Coupe, and many received a “hot lap” ride from one the BMW Performance Center Instructors. Test drives of the game-changing BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle® on the off-road course were also available. Additional information on the BMW Charity Pro-Am can be found at https://www.bmwusfactory.com/charity-golf/. http://www.bmwusa.com/performancecenter.

Satriani1 - 5/15/2013 11:29:41 AM

-1 Boost

"All new BMW M5" is another misleading title. The 2014 M5 is not "all new". It is just a minor facelift, not 'all new'.
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2014-bmw-m5-facelift-shows-up-online/

The previous record in Abu Dhabi was 2.29 miles set in competition by Fredric Aasbo in a Toyota Supra -- competing against several cars under the pressure of a multi-round competition.
http://tinyurl.com/bwpcb8s

The BMW M5 driver's effort appears to be a solo run without competition. He exceeded the previous 2.29 mile record by 47.71 miles. Obviously he had too much time on his hands to set a meaningless solo record.

Several other cars, tires and drivers probably can break that record -- if a competent driver could be found who was interested in wasting his time drifting for 52 miles.

Agent00R - 5/15/2013 8:14:30 PM

+2 Boost

Satriani.

Please note it was the 2013 M5 that set the record.

Satriani1 - 5/15/2013 11:48:49 PM

0 Boost

If it was the 2013 M5, then how could it possibly be an "All-New BMW M5"? The 2013 M5 is mostly the same M5 that first went on sale in November 2011. It's not even the 2014 facelifted M5.

In any case, Autoblog explained that BMW watered down the track surface: "Despite that accomplishment, we're pretty sure that professional drifter Vaughn Gittin, Jr. isn't impressed. The way Guinness defines "drifting" can also describe a donut, which is effectively the kind of drifting that's been done for these last three records. BMW went even further by watering down the surface of the track, reducing the skill required and the need to change tires during the effort. On the other hand, you can't drift a car for long in a straight line, but perhaps there should be some clarification or classifications added to the milestones."
http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/bmw-sets-guinness-record-for-longest-drift-with-new-m5-w-video/

TehShibbs - 5/15/2013 6:28:50 PM

+2 Boost

I thought there was a record much longer than 2.x miles set by am AMG car not long ago?

bmwcs - 5/15/2013 8:17:08 PM

+2 Boost

I think your right, I read on another site a Mercedes C63 drifted around 46 miles.

Yonder7 - 5/16/2013 10:47:54 AM

+2 Boost

I am an MB Fan. When C63 got that record , I did not bother to read the details cause I know the power and structure of those tank like cars. But I am not Blind. The main reason cause I do not like BMWs is cause as Engineer, torque engines as AMGs will endure forever and wont break as often as High RPM Engines. But now that BMW is switching to torque monsters as this Outstanding M5 machine, I feel confident to take any BMW M any day. Please, we can be fan of specific brands but we can not deny the achievement of the others. This record means Great things for BMW: 1: most of the cars will break the engine in less of 5 miles (if you are drifting), 2: Cooling system needs to to be supreme to achieve a record like that, And last but not least, 3: The car structure and power-train combo needs to be very resistant. Well done BMW....