znod

As far as I know, you have never claimed that the SMG's are faster than the Steps. As I recall, you have consistently been skeptical of the SMG's relative straight-line ability compared to the Step.

znod

Good results. Finally, some facts about the cars side by side. Your results are more or less consistent with what we would expect. Maybe your car is a bit extra fast or your bud's car is a little slow, but, again, your overall results seem to be in the right direction. I may have to get the next 5XXi configuration.

znod

But, continuing my argument, on another thread, I posted the results of some smallish-sample matched-pairs t-tests (didn't have nonparametric software avabilable). Early next week I will have nonparametric software and will let you know if my parametric and nonparametric results are consistent. Below are my t-test results.

For 30 matched pairs, the 1/4 ET means for C&D, MT, and R&T were 13.073, 13.013, and 13.128, respectively. My hypotheses are:

a. Null: MT mean >= CD mean/rejected at 0.08 level. Thus, cautiously accept MT mean < CD mean.
b. Null: RT mean <= CD mean. Can't rejected. Thus, can't conclude RT mean > CD mean.
c. Null: RT mean <= MT mean/rejected at the 0.08 level. Thus, cautiously accept RT mean > MT mean.

Note that the most reasonable interpretation is that MT tends to provide the fastest 1/4 mile results--which, of course, implies, very cautiously, that the 550i 1/4 ET's from RT and CD are likely to be slower than 13.5--assuming the 550i manuals are faster than the 550i Steps/SMG's.

Advantage 545i.

grogan545

I took delivery of my 545I in november 2003.I must have received one of those special engines also.I think Znod and I have been very close in our acceleration numbers.I can,t speak for Znod but I think my cars performance was helped by a very agressive" break in"and by my experimenting with various starting methods.My car requires different starting methods depending on the weather conditions.Also I think my many years experience at the drag strip allows me to get the most from my car.

My absolute best 0-60 time was obtained in cold weather(26F)and low humidity an uncorrected time of 4.78.I have had many 0-60 times of less than 5 secs,most in cold dry weather,but I have had some 4.90s in close to standard weather conditions(about 60F).My absolute best 1/4 time uncorrected is 13.19 at over 106 mph.I recently had a run of 13.35 at 106,0 with an ambient temp of 68F.Along with other weather data Znod indicated that this equates to a corrected time of 13.24.

I think that most 550I ownwers would have a hard time besting Znod and myself in a 1/4 acceleration race due to our vast experience and experimentation with our cars.Having said that I believe if I buy a 550I and spend as much effort and time as i did with my 545 I will be able to best my 545 times,although I think it would be very close with the 0-60 times due to traction problems with the 550.

Just a note but my car is completely stock with the original air filter and spark plugs.I do not remove my spare tire for my test runs.

swajames

Znod, with such a limited data pool for the 550 at this point it's probably too soon to try to draw any meaningful conclusions or comparisons. Bottom line though is that with a roughly 10% HP and torque increase, only 55lbs weight increase (that's about 1.5% difference) and what I assume is the same gearing the only credible conclusion is that over time the 550 has to be and should be consistently faster - probably not by much but faster. As you would expect it will be close but the advantage over time and on an apples to apples basis has to be to the 550. Someone as experienced and as dedicated as you to 0-60 testing would, I suspect, be quicker in a 550 than you in a 545. You and Grogan545 do, however, have the best 545 results we've ever seen

EBMCS03

Crap! Time to get a 550!!!!!

znod

And, note that g-man and I think our cars weight about the same since he doen't have the sprort package; I have comfort seats, etc.

znod

I agree with all you say and indicated doubt because of my "small sample" above. And, as indicated, my conclusions are cautiously drawn where appropriate. At this point, I think we have considered all we "know." And, my agruments are based on all we know; remember they are "just for fun." Time will tell though. As of now, no one has exactly refuted my "for-fun" arguments, although we have one case where a 550i actually beat a 545i in a race. To date, besides this case, the only other counter argument apparently is "it ought to be 'this' way, not the way your arguments imply." You can't hang me for something I didn't say. I never said my arguments would hold up as additional data are obtained. But, we shall see.

Ricracing

Znod knows this thing!

But a BMW engine must be driven some +30 k miles before it'll give the best.

No way the old 4.4 could be faster than the new 4.8...

Once again Znod knows the tricks...

If one is looking for the best dragrace times using better "slik" tyres is the old way.
Also one could go for a differant aspectratio, whitch is really hard to change.

This leaves us with a bit smaller radious rear tyres (and low pressures) and the
knowledge of using the disapearence of DSC and some glue on the track...

znod

How true. Just wait until I get 30k. I only have 10k.