fishskis

After all the speculation about the performance difference between the 545 and the 550 before the 550's introduction, I am interested in the actual difference(s). I don't recall seeing any comprehensive reports from anyone who has made the switch from the 545 to the 550.

I was one of those who always thought that the performance difference would be minimal. I had ordered a 545 in the spring, then reconsidered when I heard about the forthcoming 550; I stayed with the 545, and I love it.

Is there anybody out there who has upgraded and can report?

Thanks.

Bimmer32

Are are the stats from Car and Driver Mag (C/D):

545i
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

The 750i
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with
manumatic shifting
Wheelbase: 117.7 in
Length/width/height: 198.4/74.9/58.7 in
Curb weight: 4505 lb
Zero to 60 mph: 5.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.1 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 23.6 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 5.9 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 13.9 sec @ 103 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 148 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 164 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.88 g
EPA fuel economy, city driving: 17 mpg
C/D-observed fuel economy: 15 mpg

Based on the C/D test, using simple algebra, and given that the 550i adds 100 lbs, solve for X:

550i
Curb weight: 4100 lb
Zero to 60 mph: 4.91 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.9 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 21.5 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 5.4 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 12.65 sec @ 103 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 150 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: ***

Traveling at 100 mph, one would travel 145 feet per second. Hope I'm not misleading anyone. 5280 ft/mile.

znod

Are are the stats from Car and Driver Mag (C/D):

545i
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

The 750i
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with
manumatic shifting
Wheelbase: 117.7 in
Length/width/height: 198.4/74.9/58.7 in
Curb weight: 4505 lb
Zero to 60 mph: 5.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.1 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 23.6 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 5.9 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 13.9 sec @ 103 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 148 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 164 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.88 g
EPA fuel economy, city driving: 17 mpg
C/D-observed fuel economy: 15 mpg

Based on the C/D test, using simple algebra, and given that the 550i adds 100 lbs, solve for X:

550i
Curb weight: 4100 lb
Zero to 60 mph: 4.91 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.9 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 21.5 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 5.4 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 12.65 sec @ 103 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 150 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: ***

Traveling at 100 mph, one would travel 145 feet per second. Hope I'm not misleading anyone. 5280 ft/mile.
[/quote]
Very good Grasshopper. I haven't seen the C&D results for the 750i. Are they brand new or did I doze too long? I am going to apply my questimation skills soon.

There was at least one recent post dealing with 550i first impressions. It was fairly comprehensive, but I don't recall if the poster had previously owned a 545i. Try a topic search in this discussion on 550i.

Bimmer32

Below is the 750i link . . at your service

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?se...article_id=9832

znod

Below is the 750i link . . at your service

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?se...article_id=9832
[/quote]
Thanks much. For the 750i, the crudest of calculations gives: 330/360 (6) = 5.5. BMW's claim is 5.8. So, what we see is pretty much par for the course. Given the same sorts of about .3 discrepancy between BMW and the 545i, then the 550i will be exactly 5.5 - .3 = 5.2 to 60. I guess I won't do any regressions after all for 0 -60. I'll get back to you on the 1/4.

znod

Thanks much. . For the 750i, the crudest of calculations gives: 330/360 (6) = 5.5. BMW's claim is 5.8. So, what we see is pretty much par for the course. Given the same sorts of about .3 discrepancy between BMW and the 545i, then the 550i will be exactly 5.5 - .3 = 5.2 to 60. I guess I won't do any regressions after all for 0 -60. I'll get back to you on the 1/4.
[/quote]OK, my advanced calculus says 13.45 sec. at 104 mph.

Bimmer32

Thanks much. . For the 750i, the crudest of calculations gives: 330/360 (6) = 5.5. BMW's claim is 5.8. So, what we see is pretty much par for the course. Given the same sorts of about .3 discrepancy between BMW and the 545i, then the 550i will be exactly 5.5 - .3 = 5.2 to 60. I guess I won't do any regressions after all for 0 -60. I'll get back to you on the 1/4.
[/quote]OK, my advanced calculus says 13.45 sec. at 104 mph.
[/quote]

OK, my guess are just based on C/D's future test of the 550i. By the way, that's a nice shot (angle) of the bimmer (your avatar pics). From that size, it's look like an awesome poster. Is it in your gallery? I've been so busy and mostly lazy to take good pics of my own . . . but one of these days . . .

SergeyM

Are are the stats from Car and Driver Mag (C/D):

545i
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

The 750i
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with
manumatic shifting
Wheelbase: 117.7 in
Length/width/height: 198.4/74.9/58.7 in
Curb weight: 4505 lb
Zero to 60 mph: 5.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.1 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 23.6 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 5.9 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 13.9 sec @ 103 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 148 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 164 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.88 g
EPA fuel economy, city driving: 17 mpg
C/D-observed fuel economy: 15 mpg

Based on the C/D test, using simple algebra, and given that the 550i adds 100 lbs, solve for X:

550i
Curb weight: 4100 lb
Zero to 60 mph: 4.91 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.9 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 21.5 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 5.4 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 12.65 sec @ 103 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 150 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: ***

Traveling at 100 mph, one would travel 145 feet per second. Hope I'm not misleading anyone. 5280 ft/mile.
[/quote]

Quater mile in 12.65? No way. It would need 100 more horses.

znod

Thanks much. . For the 750i, the crudest of calculations gives: 330/360 (6) = 5.5. BMW's claim is 5.8. So, what we see is pretty much par for the course. Given the same sorts of about .3 discrepancy between BMW and the 545i, then the 550i will be exactly 5.5 - .3 = 5.2 to 60. I guess I won't do any regressions after all for 0 -60. I'll get back to you on the 1/4.
[/quote]OK, my advanced calculus says 13.45 sec. at 104 mph.
[/quote]

OK, my guess are just based on C/D's future test of the 550i. By the way, that's a nice shot (angle) of the bimmer (your avatar pics). From that size, it's look like an awesome poster. Is it in your gallery? I've been so busy and mostly lazy to take good pics of my own . . . but one of these days . . .
[/quote]I have two albums--one having to do with "Silver Gray/Drei Tint/Mods" and the second having to do with "Just Washed and Waxed." The photo is the first one in the first album. Thank you for the compliment. I have noticed your mini me. And, yes, posting does take time. Check my sig to get to the albums fast if you want.

Quater mile in 12.65? No way. It would need 100 more horses.
[/quote]
He was using advanced math. Maybe he meant 13.65.

fishskis

Thanks for the replies, but to be honest, that is not what I was looking for. I have done the math too. Numbers can be misleading; for example my e46 M3 convertible smg has very similar acceleration and handling numbers as my 545, but they are very different cars.

I am interested in how the FEEL of the two cars compares. Is there anybody out there who has driven both (for more than a test-drive)?

Thanks.