E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

does the 545i feel less powerful than you expected

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-12-2004, 04:27 PM
  #11  
Members
 
ZC ED545's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New Jersey but moving ASAP
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

After driving my SMG with sport mode off for 1000 miles during the break in period I was not very impressed. However, as soon as I hit the Sport Button - bang - that thing could move. The SMG is awesome and the car has tons of power.
Old 10-12-2004, 04:28 PM
  #12  
Contributors
Thread Starter
 
wassy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Weston, Florida
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by vpbmp' date='Oct 12 2004, 07:16 PM
I noticed the same thing initially but after about 2-3k mi the car felt more

natural. I owned 2 540i's before. IMO, I think the combination of the

following 545 characteristics produce a sensation of less power,when it

obviously has more.

? ? ? more powerful motor making fwd motion seem more effortless

? ? ? lighter car-front aluminum sub frame

? ? ? more sound insulation

? ? ? enough electronics and steering control to produce a feeling of

? ? ? having an "inertial damper" on board


? I now have 12k mi and the car does give a? great kick when floored

at a stoplight. [I get tired of kids w/ souped up Hondas tryin to race!]
[snapback]44043[/snapback]

that is what I am thinking.. that is why I said, it might be just as fast, or faster, i just don't feel it!
Old 10-12-2004, 05:17 PM
  #13  
Members
Senior Members
 
Lomag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
My Ride: BMW
Default

I think the more silent and enclosed feel of the cabin makes it seem like the car is going slow and/or is not quick. I find myself going 50+ even on local roads when possible and it feels like i'm not going so fast.

Although, even with the steptronic, put it into DS mode and you can take off, especially on the highway. You really feel the power in shifting from regular drive to DS mode and punching it going uphill.

One thing you could do is test drive a similiarly rated car from a comeptitor like the E500 and see what the power in that car feels like. But hey... you could always get the M5 if you need more power.
Old 10-12-2004, 05:20 PM
  #14  
Senior Members
 
wolverine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Well, the 545 should feel significantly more powerful than the 540 - lighter car with 11% more HP. Plus the car mag's show a significant improvement in 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. Are you comparing cars with the same transmission?

I drive a 6sp, and I can tell you it hauls butt. A friend of mine has an Audi RS6, and after taking my 545 for a ride he guessed it had 400 HP. My car's engine also seems to have loosened up quite a bit after 5000 miles.
Old 10-12-2004, 05:42 PM
  #15  
Contributors
Thread Starter
 
wassy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Weston, Florida
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Lomag' date='Oct 12 2004, 08:17 PM
I think the more silent and enclosed feel of the cabin makes it seem like the car is going slow and/or is not quick. I find myself going 50+ even on local roads when possible and it feels like i'm not going so fast.

Although, even with the steptronic, put it into DS mode and you can take off, especially on the highway. You really feel the power in shifting from regular drive to DS mode and punching it going uphill.

One thing you could do is test drive a similiarly rated car from a comeptitor like the E500 and see what the power in that car feels like. But hey... you could always get the M5 if you need more power.?
[snapback]44058[/snapback]
I did notice in Sport Mode, it seems more Torquee!
Old 10-12-2004, 05:43 PM
  #16  
Super Moderator
 
Rudy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Posts: 17,310
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Default

Originally Posted by 530iii' date='Oct 12 2004, 08:05 PM
Personally i am leaning towards the SMG! It's nice to have a hand free while driving
[snapback]44037[/snapback]
Don't forget about the free foot that you can plant on the dead pedal. Helps a ton with cornering!



Originally Posted by wolverine' date='Oct 12 2004, 09:20 PM
Well, the 545 should feel significantly more powerful than the 540 - lighter car with 11% more HP.? Plus the car mag's show a significant improvement in 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.? Are you comparing cars with the same transmission?

I drive a 6sp, and I can tell you it hauls butt.? A friend of mine has an Audi RS6, and after taking my 545 for a ride he guessed it had 400 HP.? My car's engine also seems to have loosened up quite a bit after 5000 miles.
[snapback]44059[/snapback]
My comparisons were from two 540i six-speeds vs. the current 545i SMG. I'm almost certain the car has gained in power just as you describe wolverine.
Old 10-13-2004, 03:00 AM
  #17  
Contributors
 
ULtraPLanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Frederick Maryland
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by wassy' date='Oct 13 2004, 01:03 AM
I will say it is fast, indeed, but somewhere I am losing the Holy Cr*p feel.

anyone?
[snapback]44022[/snapback]
I would say "yes" I have lost that Holy Cr*p feel but I think I am just used to it now. I can see the passenger getting their head snapped back when I punch it so I know the feeling is still there. I think I just know what to expect and when to expect it.
Old 10-13-2004, 03:06 AM
  #18  
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I felt the same when I drove 540 long time ago .. but I think that it due to size of E39 540 >> I mean when ever you drive smaller car you feel it is faster ... while 545 is some how larger
Old 10-13-2004, 03:17 AM
  #19  
Contributors
 
Flowerfred's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Herts, UK
Posts: 2,013
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hey, I got a 316i as a loaner a little while ago. My 530d feels like a drag racer again..
Old 10-13-2004, 07:23 AM
  #20  
Senior Members
 
speedracerF4i's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: MY05 545i Jet Black with Auburn interior. SMG, Logic7, Sport Package, Comfort Seats, Navigation.
Default

I am stepping up from a 328i, so the 545i felt like a Ferrai when I test drove it. The 530i felt about the same though.

I agree that the teutonic silence of E60 will mask your sense of acceleration. Try playing your Grand Turism with hi-fi dolby surround sound, I bet that the cars will feel faster than from just listening the TV speakers alone.

The last culprit could be the additional gear found in E60s. Now the gear ratios are closer together, so there is less ratio-differential shock. So down shifting a gear from a 6-speed will feel less power than 5-speed gearbox.


Quick Reply: does the 545i feel less powerful than you expected



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:41 AM.