The Competition Discuss the competition to the BMW 5 Series here. Mercedes, Audi, etc...

545i VS. Chrysler 300C w/Hemi

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Old 01-11-2005, 01:23 AM
  #21  
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Have to agree with ISUK, every cars' got it's target market. The 330C is a good value for money easy cruiser. The E60 goes above and beyond in easy cruising, handling, soundproofing and refinement. You get what you pay for...therefore the E60 is also good value for money.
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Old 01-11-2005, 05:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Don Juan' date='Jan 10 2005, 07:28 PM
I really don't think so. The quarter mile acceleration the bimmer has better mph. Anyway it depends who drives it and besides not everything is straight line performance. At 130mph you can start saying bye bye?

For example C&D? test results they have:

BMW 545
Engine type: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 268 cu in, 4398cc
Power (SAE net): 325 bhp @ 6100 rpm
Torque (SAE net):330 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed manual
Wheelbase: 113.7 in
Length/width/height: 190.6/72.7/58.0 in
Curb weight: 4000 lb

Zero to 60 mph: 5.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.2 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 23.5 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 6.0 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 14.1 sec @ 103 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 150 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 156 ft
EPA fuel economy, city driving: 17 mpg
C/D-observed fuel economy: 16 mpg

2005 CHRYSLER 300C HEMI
ENGINE
Type: V-8, iron block and aluminum heads
Bore x stroke: 3.92 x 3.58 in, 99.5 x 90.9mm
Displacement: 345 cu in, 5654cc
Compression ratio: 9.6:1
Fuel-delivery system: port injection
Valve gear: pushrods, 2 valves per cylinder, hydraulic lifters with electronically controlled cylinder deactivation
Power (SAE net): 340 bhp @ 5000 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 390 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Redline:5700 rpm
ACCELERATION, Seconds
Zero to 30 mph, 2.0
40 mph: 2.8
50 mph: 4.1
60 mph: 5.3
70 mph: 6.8
80 mph: 8.8
90 mph: 11.0
100 mph: 13.4
110 mph: 16.1
120 mph: 20.1
Street start, 5-60 mph: 5.6
Top-gear acceleration, 30-50 mph: 2.8
50-70 mph: 3.4
Standing 1/4-mile: 13.9 sec @ 102 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 130 mph
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Not sure how they came up with the 5.5, 14.1 numbers for the manual 545, but trap speed of 103 looks right. R&T tested an auto 545 and got 5.3, 13.8 at 102.7. The two cars are definitley on par in a straight line. But not even close in pretty much every other category. I don't think BMW is worried that the 300 will steal too many customers.
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Old 01-11-2005, 07:03 AM
  #23  
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I don't think anyone should compare the 300C as a competitor, but I do think there is the possibility of potential E60 buyers opting for a 300C instead or vice versa.

I also see nothing wrong with starting threads like this. It sparks conversation, both good and bad, for the 5 series and it's competition.

I'm a car guy, who particularly favors BMW, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate what the other brands have to offer. I don't care whether it's American, Japanese, cheap, expensive, whatever. If it has something special, than I'm interested. To me the 300C has that special something

As for reviews, I personnally have never driven it, but every review I have seen (excluding Top Gear) has been positive.

I also would be surprised if some of the negatives that have been posted, would actually be noticeable in back-to-back driving by the majority of E60 owners.

So for me, yes, I could have easily picked a 300C instead of the 5'er. In fact, after seeing the SRT-8 versions that are coming out, it could very well likely be my next car with some change to boot
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Old 01-11-2005, 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by ISUK' date='Jan 11 2005, 02:48 AM
It is always interesting to see which cars people compare to the E60. There will always be subjective opinions such as the competition offers more HP for less money or greater equipment levels or fully functioning electronics etc. These arguements seem to come from people who appear to be insecure with their purchase of an E60 and wonder whether they should have gone for something cheaper or "better value" in their opinion. These people seem to be constantly worried about new models coming along from other manufacturers that may appear to be better in some areas than their E60 on paper.

There will then be some extreme counter arguements that it is a BMW and this fact alone should prevent criticism.

I prefer to take the approach that the E60 model I chose was the best car available for my requirements at the time I purchased it. Things move on and if I were going to buy an E60 again I'd go for the 535d which wasn't available when I bought my car. The only reason I'd do this is because I have been so impressed with the performance of the 530d I've got a desire to have even more power. I guess the same will apply to 545i owners when the 550i hits the streets. Other cars such as the new Audi A6 have been launched since I bought my E60 but I'm not worried by that at all. There will always be new models hitting the market.

You could compare any number of cars to the E60 and find certain aspects of them that are better but? yet the whole package falls well short of what the BMW offers. Most European auto manufacturers have given up trying to compete in this prestige sector because they don't have either the engineering skill or brand cachet to out BMW, BMW. Mercedes usually fall short of BMW in any subjective driving test in the motoring press so I cannot comprehend how their "budget" division Chrysler are ever going to have a serious E60 competitor in the shape of the 300C when the E class which is more expensive, has a higher standard of engineering, is more technically advanced and wears a more prestigious badge fails to do the job. I doubt if the board in Stuttgart would consider the 300C as their groups main rival to the E60.

Top Gear on the BBC recently did a test of the 300C against the Jaguar S Type and the Holden Monaro coupe from Australia in a "muscle" car V8 shoot out. The 300C was praised for it's low price and straight line speed but that's where the positive feedback stopped. The interior cabin quality, handling and braking performance were all panned. The summary was good value for money for such a large car but steer well clear if you are looking for good handling.
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Well said!
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Old 01-11-2005, 10:03 AM
  #25  
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I saw a Chrysler 300 being used as a Toronto taxi. Taxis in N. America are not the nicest form of transportation, they are usually poorly maintained. It takes the exclusivity out of the car when you see it being used that way.

I think the interior of the 300 is poor, it looks like an old man's car, not sporty at all. Chrysler used old technology (Hemi) and created an engine based on displacement, not refinement.

However, the 300C is a good thing for car buyers. It is about time that Detroit focused on the car instead of trucks, and the price on the vehicle is good. I think it will spur more competition and bring more value to buyers of all luxury cars.

There will always be cars faster than a 545, but in it's class (E500, A6 RL, GS) it is still the best.
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Old 01-11-2005, 10:18 AM
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another silly compairison on this board. Remember, we are 5 lovers.

We don't hate other cars, we just prefer different things than other can provide.
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Old 01-11-2005, 11:55 AM
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I believe that the E60 or BMWs are used as police cars in other countries. That may take away from the "image"of the car as well, but if you like it, buy it. I think this kind of conversation is good for the auto industry and this forum. I like the looks, I don't trust Chrysler (quality, reliability, service, etc.). Be it 38k or 54k, I still dont want to pay the 38k if I won't love the car I am driving. You DO get what you pay for, so the 38k pricetag has some drawbacks. You can bet that Chrysler is not taking a loss on this model, so they had to cut corners somewhere...materials, ECU suppliers, manufacturing, something. They were smart with their approach...big engine, nice looks (different as well), and key Mercedes components, but I just prefer the 5. I enjoy the individuality of BMW (both interior and exterior), I enjoy the prestige, but I enjoy the drive most of all. Its been three years since I sold my 3 series, and I can still remember what that felt like. I miss BMW and I can't wait to get my 5!
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Old 01-11-2005, 12:09 PM
  #28  
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To me, if i couldn't afford the 545i i would go with the 300c simply because i need a sedan.

But the 300c is kinda ghetto and yes the reliability is questionable, maybe i'd go for a new M45 instead.
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Old 01-11-2005, 01:29 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by bmwin14rsm' date='Jan 11 2005, 08:18 PM
another silly compairison on this board.? Remember, we are 5 lovers.?

We don't hate other cars, we just prefer different things than other can provide.
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That said, can we have these kind of stupid discussions about other POS cars over at RF?
Thank you!
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Old 01-11-2005, 02:09 PM
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No ambiguity there then Iceman (you are obviously a great Chrysler fan ). I agree totally with you. My attempt to put the same point across in a more subtle manner must have failed.
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