iversonm

Let me clarify when I stated this in my PM. There are two ways to rationalize ED:

1. I got a big discount on a car, and took a trip that I was going to take anyway.
2. I payed normal price for the car, and got a free trip to Europe.

Both of these reasons have a benefit.

I wasn't trying to dissuade you from ED. I've done it twice now, and it was a fantastic experience each time. However, my intent was to suggest that you buy a car through ED if you want to go to Europe.

Heelsonwheels

Since you weren't coming out of a vette, you shouldn't miss it. C6 and up are very nice, fast etc..my friends had alot of electrical issues. But I'd love a Z06. Anyway, the 550 power is very good, the added features and room is a big plus...yes the sport package is a must IMO.

wees75

[quote name='swajames' date='Dec 14 2007, 05:06 PM' post='506677']
100%.

Obviously I have made myself misunderstood and I apologize for that!

The 997 and the 550 are 2 different awesome propositions and they do not compete in any way (i fully agree). The question was about acceleration and my answer was they are comparable. This is what we were trying to check when we put the 2 cars together on a straight road (we were not racing.... only trying the cars and for several runs). try it yourself!


by the way... the weight difference is not 800lbs (see below) and based on the facts from BMW and Porsche websites the 550 has a slight advantage in acceleration between 80 to 120 km/h.... (again no comparison between the 2 cars... only acceleration)


Carrera 997 S

Manual Tiptronic S
Max. Power (DIN) 261 kW (355 bhp) 261 kW (355 bhp)
Max. torque 400 Nm 400 Nm
Top speed 293 km/h 285 km/h
Acceleration from 0 - 100 km/h 4,8 s 5,3 s
Acceleration from 0 - 160 km/h 10,7 s 11,6 s
Flexibility 80 - 120 km/h in 5th gear 6,1 s 6,2 s
Unladen weight (EC directive) 1.495 kg 1.535 kg

http://www.porsche.com/middle-east/_dubai_...aturesandspecs/


BMW 550

Top speed (km/h) 250
Max. output in kW at 1/min 270 (367 bhp)/6,300
Max. torque in Nm at 1/min 490/3,400
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h (in s) 5.2
Acceleration 80 - 120 km/h in 4th/5th gear (in s) 5.1
Weight in kg Unladen weight EU 1,735

http://www.bmw-dubai.com/agmc/en/

swajames

Nope, not quite....

The 997 S manual is 3131 lbs per Porsche USA, 550i manual is 3946 lbs per BMW USA so there's the 815lbs difference. For the Tiptronic S and Steptronic it's around the same differential.

As for your acceleration numbers again they're off too. Taking the manual as an example (and using 0-60 rather than 0-100km/h) the official time for the 997 S is 4.6 and the official time for the 550i is 5.4. Both will test quicker than official specs but the average magaizine test for 997 S on the 0-60 has been around 4.3 to 4.4 seconds based on many US test results, whereas the magazine tests in the US on the 550 have validated the the 5.2 number that you quoted (but this is not an official BMW time as you tried to suggest...)

For reference, some of the US magazines achieved the following 0-60 times: 4.1 (Car & Driver, November 2004), 4.2 (Motor Trend, Jan 2005), 4.3 (Motor Trend, Jan 2006). The fastest was Road and Track with a claimed a 3.9 in March 2005 though that seems a little optimistic based on other tests and the same magazine recorded 4.4 in an earlier test.

One final point is that on an apples to apples measurement scale the the 550's power output is 360 compared to the 997 using the same scale (you used different scales which distorts the results a little).

studavis

Keep in mind, my comments were specfically targeted at my stable of the 964, and 993, not the newer 997. Published times for my 993 are 0- 60 in 3.8 seconds. I have never been able to get under 4 with it, but have never had the car at sea level. The 550i will run with my 964, but not in front. The 964 has 285 hp, weighs 3,252 pounds, and makes 60 in 5.2 seconds as published by Porsche, with a 3.6 lt motor.

lawguy

With all due respect, that 0-60 figure isnt correct. I thought the auto magazines listed it as 5.0 seconds.

That aside, I'm not a Vette fan. No arguing that for the money, you get great performance, but they're not my cup off tea, with one exception. The C6 Z06 is truly an amazing car.

studavis

If we stipulate that the most comprehensive source would be BMW's own numbers, and then roll out the various auto magazine reviews, I would have respectfully disagree with you counselor. BMW's own site lists the fastest 0 - 60 time at 5.4 seconds with the manual, 5.5 with the auto slushbox, and a TBD with the sport tranny. Even if the sport tranny is 10% faster than the manual, which I doubt, you are still in the 5.2 to 5.3 range. Car and Driver in November 2006, pegged the autobox at 5.2 seconds. Edmunds scored the manual box in their review at 5.6 seconds.

lawguy

I cant quarrel with you there - BMW's numbers would certainly suggest themselves to be the most reliable. However, I always wonder why they're a good bit slower?

Its interesting to me that the numbers can vary so greatly. The new Car & Driver "road test" table (p.124) lists the 550i as 0-60 in 5.0, which in my experience, seems correct, only by previous comparison. I had a G35 6MT coupe, which C&D rates at 5.5, and I do think the 550i feels much quicker. Then again, I dont know how anyone can really judge which is .5 quicker between two cars.

The most interesting stat I'm pondering involves the new M3. The BMW Magazine which just arrived (dated 3/2007, for 3rd quarter) states that BMW rates the new 414 hp M3 at 4.7 in a 0-60, which seems slower than I would have expected. Yet, C&D's own road test on an M3 with 1500+ miles clocked the car at 4.4. Again, the difference of .3 likely doesn't mean much in terms of real world "noticeability" (my own made up word), but its significant in terms of the car's hierarchy in the automotive world.

Just interesting how the numbers all vary. Then again, as Mark Twain once said, there are 3 kinds of lies: lies, damn lies and statistics. People can always use statistics to prove nearly any point.

iversonm

Realize that each test is not done in a consistent manner. BMW posts numbers that are usually conservative, and they seem to be worried about how each of their models compares to each other.

C&D typically has numbers on the low side, but they do spend time worrying about temperature correction, etc.

BrianTx5

BMW CCA, BMW Car Club of America, has a Membership Rewards Program available to members. Members who buy a new or CPO, Certified Pre Owned, BMW from a BMW dealer are eligible for an "allowance" as they call it. The allowance is a check from BMW NA and the amount varies depending on the model of car and if you buy new or used. For example a new 5 series allowance is $1,000. One restriction is that you must be a member of BMW CCA for a full year to be eligible. More information is available on their website.