SFC_Miller

The following link has performance data for most productions cars including 0-60 and 1/4 mile ET for the 2004 545i (manual).

http://www.ssmoparmuscle.com/speedcomp.htm

Enjoy

JDN

I am surprised that the 545 auto is listed as significantly faster to 60 mph than the 6-speed.

ch7656

I noticed that too...I'm scratching my head over that one...maybe SMG? Would that make numbers make more sense??

SFC_Miller

I'm not a drag racer, but I also thought it was odd that the auto was faster than the manual. The test results for the 545i manual were published in the May 2004 Car and Driver, and the 545i auto results were published in the April 2004 Road and Track. The Road and Track article didn't state if the 545i had and SMG, it only stated "the automatic transmission did it's job well."

Also, the Car and Driver data seems strange due to the 545i manuals 1/4 mile trap speed of 103 mph but an ET of 14.1 seconds. While Road and Track reported a 1/4 mile trap speed of 103.3 mph and ET of 13.8 seconds for the 545i auto.

Any drag racers out there care to comment on the .3 difference in ET with almost the identical trap speed of 103 mph?

JDN

Not to me. The shift on the SMG in sport mode at high revs is slick. Put it in D1 for starters and batten down the hatches or do the paddles which I prefer. Embarrassed a Thunderbird yesterday and kept my bumper on an SVT badged (whatever that means) Mustang although did not gain on him in the first two gears. Did not go beyond that because of safety conditions. Since he was in front, naturally he hit it first which is a small advantage.

SFC_Miller

JDN,

SVT (Special Vehiles Team) is Ford's current performance division.

You probalbly were running against a 1999-2002 SVT Mustang Cobra (320 HP) not a 2003 SVT Mustang Cobra (390 HP). In any case the 545i weighs about 400-500 lbs more than the Mustang Cobra. I believe you could beat him off the line due to 545i near perfect 50.9/49.1 weight distrubution and the Cobra's problem with wheel spin.

(1999-2002) Ford Mustang Cobra SVT 5.4 13.90 3425 lbs
2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra 4.6 12.90 3665 lbs


Guess you can tell I'm a former 5.0 mustang gear head.

Here are the specs on the 1999-2002 SVT Mustang Cobra

Price: $28,000
Miles Per Gallon: 17/26 mpg
Curb Weight: 3425 lbs
Layout: Front-Engine/RWD
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Engine
Type: V8
Displacement: 4601 cc
Horsepower: 320 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 314 lb-ft @ 4750 rpm
Redline: 6800 rpm
Performance
0-60 mph: 5.4 sec
0-100 mph: 13.4 sec
Quarter Mile: 13.9 sec @ 102.4 mph
Skidpad: .88g
Top Speed: 149 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph: 123 ft
Slalom Speed: 62.7 mph

objekt

I really don?t know much about streetracing and dragster type of performance but find it amazing the way really big and heavy cars today(compared to in the classic days of sportscars) seems to do very well in these lists (eg. Maybach 57 and BMW 760 iL - even with the fantastic engines these cars have it?s impressing 0-60 numbers)

best
objetti

browellm

I presume there weren't any corners involved then If there had been you'd have murdered him.

JDN

Gee, thanks, SFC Miller. I believe you are exactly right. I was surprised (at the time) that I did not have to let up to keep from over running him. Somewhat dangerous anyway consitdering the fact that had he applied the brakes sharply, I would have had my hands full. I also had about 200 pounds of gear in my trunk. All it took to set this guy off was seeing the E60 pull up behind him.

A similar situation happened with the Thunderbird. He took off "full blast" ahead of me. I didn't react, but as luck would have it, we were both at the pole position for the next light. I got his attention before the light changed, gave him a smile and pointed forward. That one was easy. The SMG is fast off the mark.

I rarely had this reaction from other cars to the E39. This was a three-lane (US 19 out of Tampa). Wonder if debadging had anything to do with it?

Rudy

Probably thought you debadged a 6-cylinder car and was most likely embarrased as hell when he realized you debadged the big kahuna!