does the 545i feel less powerful than you expected
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From: New Jersey but moving ASAP
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.
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From: Weston, Florida
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!]
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!]
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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!
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From: USA
My Ride: BMW
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.
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.
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
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.
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.
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From: Weston, Florida
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.?
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.?
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From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
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 
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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.
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.
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From: Frederick Maryland
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?
anyone?
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From: Los Angeles, USA
My Ride: MY05 545i Jet Black with Auburn interior. SMG, Logic7, Sport Package, Comfort Seats, Navigation.
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.
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.
