swajames

It's hard to say there can ever be a loser with two cars like this but at the end of the day I think that particular match - 535 vs 545 - was won and lost in the first few hundred yards. From a standing start to the first bend the V8 will have always have the acceleration advantage. I don't think the result have been any different with a driver switch. All either had to do was mash the pedal to the metal, and whichever car got ahead the other would struggle to pass as on the move they're going to be pretty evenly matched. Whether you're Stig or JC the race was over by the end of the first straight - either one would have accelerated faster in the V8, there's no driver skill required until the corners. Had the diesel got ahead, the V8 would equally have struggled to have passed. It's simply an illustration of each car's respective strong point - from a standing start a 535 (factory or DMS) will struggle against the V8 (be it a 545 or 550). On the move, the diesel's torque will level the playing field. So, based on the race, advantage V8.

As I said, there's no loser here - except in one respect. I think it's fair to say that the 535 engine is unsurpassed amongst its peers. The BMW V8, on the other hand, is a tremendous engine but is it truly best in its class? Maybe, maybe not. Based on the engine - advantage 535.

Result - lets settle the sibling rivalry by declaring a draw.

znod

The 545i has always won its class in magazine comparos--including acceleration, feel, and handling--at least in the big 3 US mags. Back to your court. Looks like deuce to me.