545i vs. M3 Convertible Performance???
01-11-2005, 09:43 PM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2002 M3 Convertible SMG Silver/Black
2005 545i ED Jet Black/Beige
I am selling my '02 M3 convertible, and getting a 545 (w/sport package). How do you think they will compare, performance-wise? The test results (acceleration, skidpad etc.) seem pretty close; but what about real world? Do you think I'll miss the M?
Thanks.
Thanks.
01-11-2005, 10:50 PM
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Bracknell England
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On a warm sunny day you will miss the M3 very much, the accelartion is about the same, but the comfort in the 5 is a lot better, raw speed the M3 has it but I love the 5.
I had the same concerns about 9 months ago as I also had an 02 M3 Cab, but the wife wanted a bit of comfort.
I had the same concerns about 9 months ago as I also had an 02 M3 Cab, but the wife wanted a bit of comfort.
01-11-2005, 11:41 PM
#3
Senior Members
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Sweden
Posts: 965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I drove 3500 km on the German autobahn last summer together with my friend.
He was driving his M3 convertible and I my 545iA.
As you already said the acc. is pretty similar. But at medium to high speed the 545 always had an advantage due to better torque.
The fun ( for me! ) ended at 256 km/h, when my speed limiter kicked in, and the M3 continued towards 270 km/h
He was driving his M3 convertible and I my 545iA.
As you already said the acc. is pretty similar. But at medium to high speed the 545 always had an advantage due to better torque.
The fun ( for me! ) ended at 256 km/h, when my speed limiter kicked in, and the M3 continued towards 270 km/h
!
01-12-2005, 03:31 AM
#5
Members
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 04 545i Titanium Silver/Black, Sport, Premium, L7, Cold
So I also had an M3 Cab! ('02 E46)... some of my thoughts (not in any particular order):
- Loved it for six months out of the year - the other six months the soft top would creak so much I'd be pulling my hair out.
- The ride is stiffer and tighter in the M3 (even compared with the 545i sport).
- For highway travel, with the top down, the M3 cab wins hands down. But for the rest of the time, the luxury of the 545 is king. (The M3 is still really just a 3-series for luxury and build quality/materials.)
- It's a much smaller car so there's no getting around that.
- But weight-wise, both are within lbs of each other (E46 cab = 3781, E60 545iA = 3748).
- Around town for spirited travel, the 545iA sport is a lot more fun than I thought. Handles exceptionally well for it's size. M3 cab 6-sp get's off the line much quicker though.
- Build quality and higher end materials used in 545. More convenience items.
In summary, around town in good weather = M3 Cab, all other times = 545i Sport.
Do I miss my M3 cab? Yes.
Do I regret buying the 545? NO!
Do I regret trading in my M3 cab? Kinda.
But if I could only have one car (which was the case), I'd choose the 545i again.
- Loved it for six months out of the year - the other six months the soft top would creak so much I'd be pulling my hair out.
- The ride is stiffer and tighter in the M3 (even compared with the 545i sport).
- For highway travel, with the top down, the M3 cab wins hands down. But for the rest of the time, the luxury of the 545 is king. (The M3 is still really just a 3-series for luxury and build quality/materials.)
- It's a much smaller car so there's no getting around that.
- But weight-wise, both are within lbs of each other (E46 cab = 3781, E60 545iA = 3748).
- Around town for spirited travel, the 545iA sport is a lot more fun than I thought. Handles exceptionally well for it's size. M3 cab 6-sp get's off the line much quicker though.
- Build quality and higher end materials used in 545. More convenience items.
In summary, around town in good weather = M3 Cab, all other times = 545i Sport.
Do I miss my M3 cab? Yes.
Do I regret buying the 545? NO!
Do I regret trading in my M3 cab? Kinda.
But if I could only have one car (which was the case), I'd choose the 545i again.
01-12-2005, 04:06 AM
#6
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2002 M3 Convertible SMG Silver/Black
2005 545i ED Jet Black/Beige
Thanks everyone; great comments....
Kt, though I have always loved convertibles, personally, I do not like the top down on the highway for long distances, so I won't miss that. And yes, the top's squeeking gets a bit annoying. And while I love the M3, the rough ride is something I think I may not miss. As for off the line, I have SMG, and I have always felt a bit of a initial lag from a standing start. Maybe I am just growing up, but I am looking forward to a little softer, more luxurious ride.
Incidentally, I live in L.A., so for me it is nice about 11 months a year (past 3 weeks excepted). The sunroof will have to suffice. I suspect I will miss it on occasion, but I am really looking forward to picking up the 5 in Munich in a few months.
BTW, am I the only one who is shocked that the 545 actually weighs less than the M3?
Kt, though I have always loved convertibles, personally, I do not like the top down on the highway for long distances, so I won't miss that. And yes, the top's squeeking gets a bit annoying. And while I love the M3, the rough ride is something I think I may not miss. As for off the line, I have SMG, and I have always felt a bit of a initial lag from a standing start. Maybe I am just growing up, but I am looking forward to a little softer, more luxurious ride.
Incidentally, I live in L.A., so for me it is nice about 11 months a year (past 3 weeks excepted). The sunroof will have to suffice. I suspect I will miss it on occasion, but I am really looking forward to picking up the 5 in Munich in a few months.
BTW, am I the only one who is shocked that the 545 actually weighs less than the M3?
01-12-2005, 04:28 AM
#7
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: -04 530D
Originally Posted by fishskis' date='Jan 12 2005, 04:06 PM
BTW, am I the only one who is shocked that the 545 actually weighs less than the M3?
[snapback]78398[/snapback]
I thought that it was typo! Had to check.Skaffa
01-12-2005, 05:40 AM
#9
Members
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Westchester, New York
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 BMW 545I
Titanium Silver Metallic / Black Leather / Poplar Grain Wood Trim /Automatic
Cold Weather Package / Heated Rear Seats / Xenon Headlights / Sirius Satellite Radio
Leather Selector Lever w/Wood Inlay / Wood E-Brake Handle / Red Rear Reflectors / BMW All Weather Mats / BMW All Weather Trunk Liner / LoJack Anti-theft System
Welcome Aboard!
01-12-2005, 06:10 AM
#10
Members
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NC, US
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Maximum25' date='Jan 12 2005, 10:40 AM
Welcome Aboard!
[snapback]78421[/snapback]
I raced an M3 yesterday off a stop light with my 545. I caught the guy by surprise so I got off the line much quicker, but on the onramp to i540, he was able to do about 5mph faster on a tight curve. When we got to the top of the ramp, in 3rd gear i was doing about 90mph and he was able to accelerate from 90 to 120 much faster than me. I slowed down at about 115 because I was done, I could not catch up with him. M3 is definetely faster and handles better based on this experience...
Pablo