I raced my 530dA against a old 540iA. We did it a couple of times from stand still. It amazed me that when I started in DS mode (1st gear) I didn't have a chance on him. But when I teased the engine (held the break and reved the engine) and started in M2 (2nd gear) my car was a car lenght before him up to 120km/h. (this race was when my engine had 218hp, now it's remaped to 265hp and 560Nm)

 

I normally drive DS on highway (aggressive driving) and D in city.

 

I had at one time about five different sources (three web sites, one magazine and one old BMW missive) that were all consistant with those figures. All but one source spoke to the coupe. The only source that included the Cabrio indicated differences where appropriate and specified SAME when listing final drive ratio for Coupe and Cabrio. No other source article, or spec list ever contradicted the figures so I have to assume, lacking anything to the contrary, that the ones I am using are correct.
[/quote]


Check this page out. Look at "Modelle und technische Daten (PDF, 155k)." I think maybe it indicates that the Step rear-end for the 650i coupe and cabrio, respectively, are 3.23 and 3.46 at least in Germany. On the other hand, the gear ratios given correspond to what is given for the SMG in the US. But, I don't think the SMG rear-end would be higher than 3.0 in Germany. Anyway, I ended up confused trying to figure out what the German says.
[/quote]

What u say could NOW be true for 650 as I have not done any research on it. My info is for 645 '04 and '05. And one very minor point I forgot. I validated the calculated RPMs versus speed on my 6er all the way through 100 MPH using at least two different tranny gears for each one 1000 rpm data point. My own tach/mph comparisons match the 3.46 far closer than the 3.23, albiet, not too far off the 3.38 of the 545. Futhermore, by clocking / measuring on I95 my speedo 60 mph times and by constantly going up against DoD radars I have calibrated my Speedo/odo error to +/- 1 mph to further take out as much of the error budget as I can within reason. I am confident I have a 3.46 butt, but cannot say for sure about anything else I published as I cannot personally validate my claims.
[/quote]

Thanks cd for all the trouble you went to in answering my question--way more trouble than it deserved. I was being so persitent because I would swear that the old 6er brochure said 3.38. I didn't want you to be wrong, but my recollection was so strong. OK, here's another way to check it out. Get under your car and ...

 

Nice one. How is it installed? Can this be available for my e61? I am going to look for the part number...

About the Sport button, i drove a MB E for a couple of days that had it too. It changed the suspension to sport mode. Very nice and quite noticeable!
[/quote]
I suppose anything is possible, but it would be some pretty serious cutting to get the holder insert in place. Just not worth it IMO.

 

I had at one time about five different sources (three web sites, one magazine and one old BMW missive) that were all consistant with those figures. All but one source spoke to the coupe. The only source that included the Cabrio indicated differences where appropriate and specified SAME when listing final drive ratio for Coupe and Cabrio. No other source article, or spec list ever contradicted the figures so I have to assume, lacking anything to the contrary, that the ones I am using are correct.
[/quote]
Check this page out. Look at "Modelle und technische Daten (PDF, 155k)." I think maybe it indicates that the Step rear-end for the 650i coupe and cabrio, respectively, are 3.23 and 3.46 at least in Germany. On the other hand, the gear ratios given correspond to what is given for the SMG in the US. But, I don't think the SMG rear-end would be higher than 3.0 in Germany. Anyway, I ended up confused trying to figure out what the German says.
[/quote]

What u say could NOW be true for 650 as I have not done any research on it. My info is for 645 '04 and '05. And one very minor point I forgot. I validated the calculated RPMs versus speed on my 6er all the way through 100 MPH using at least two different tranny gears for each one 1000 rpm data point. My own tach/mph comparisons match the 3.46 far closer than the 3.23, albiet, not too far off the 3.38 of the 545. Futhermore, by clocking / measuring on I95 my speedo 60 mph times and by constantly going up against DoD radars I have calibrated my Speedo/odo error to +/- 1 mph to further take out as much of the error budget as I can within reason. I am confident I have a 3.46 butt, but cannot say for sure about anything else I published as I cannot personally validate my claims.
[/quote]

Thanks cd for all the trouble you went to in answering my question--way more trouble than it deserved. I was being so persitent because I would swear that the old 6er brochure said 3.38. I didn't want you to be wrong, but my recollection was so strong. OK, here's another way to check it out. Get under your car and ...
[/quote]
Well, that WAS next

 

Well, that WAS next
[/quote]Right, you'll need to take your sunglasses off to see better. So, get under your car and ... But, wait, maybe not. Can we even see our driveshafts? I have been under, but I never looked for my driveshaft.