BMW quote 0 to 62mph in 6.5secs for the 535d. Autocar get 0 to 60mph in 6.0secs and Auto Express get 5.8secs.

Therefore if BMW get 0 to 62mph in 5.8secs for the 545i then the 0 - 60 has to be around 5.2secs.

So is the 545i the quickest e60?

I'm sure I read somewhere on this forum that the 535d was quicker around a race track than the 545i. Is this true? Anyone driven both and care to comment?

 

There is more to it (the track) than 0-60 times. The 535D has huge torque.

 

The 545i 6sd manual is probably the quickest E60 in 0 to 60mph so far.


If you chip the 535d or 530d properly their is still alot of potential in those turbos and could surpass the 545i in sprints.

 

the torque on the 535 may allow it an advnatage off the line maybe 0-40, but the 545's horspower will allow it to pull longer into the rev band.

Remember torque is rotational force. HP is ability to apply said power over time. More HP means more time to apply available torque.

 

That's true. And there is a lot of people doesn't understanding the relation between torque an hp. To get it clear for me I had a lot of help from this equation: (Torque x Engine speed) / 5,252 = Horsepower. This means that an engine with a certain amount of torque at a certain rev always has the same amount of hp at that certain rev, regardless if it's a diesel, 2.0L or 5.0L engine. Maybe this was clear for everybody here except for me.. doh.

In the case chipped 535d and 545i the 535d has the same amount of hp and a lot more torque. Then it should be faster. But not as well sounding. I hate the idle sound of my 530d... But I love the sound when you're making a hard from standstill acceleration; it's like a jet-plane!!

 

empty post..

 

I'm not sure that's true, if you compare the performance of a similarly rated diesel and petrol engine the petrol enginged car is quicker from a a standing start but the diesel is quicker in gear. I assume that is because the diesel power is more accessible because it's produced lower down the rev range?

Anyway the original post mentioned about track times for the 545i and 535d...that was in a German magazine and the 535d was quicker. It's all about accessible power which is also why the 535d is quicker in real world driving...i.e. accelerating in traffic from 20 mph. Now I've driven a powerful diesel I'm not sure I would ever go back to a petrol engine.

 

i agree with never going back' the power is great fun i cant ever see me changing my 535d sport it's totally put the fun back in driving. also im not so sure about chippping it yet there's aready so much power I think it would make it to dangerous you all most certainly end up in someone's rear end
for those out there who haven't tried it if you get the chance to try a 535d sport give it a go and your see what i mean. but saying that a racey drive is not for every one

 

I have tried both.

The 545's V8 has a great, rich sound and wonderful performances in terms of acceleration. For a petrol engine, it delivers very well also in terms of response at low regimes. The handling is simply fantastic and a lot of fun.

The 535 sounds a bit tractor-like at idle, but from 1,500 rpm onwards it is simply astonishing in terms of acceleration and seamless progression (almost "electric"), you can't really describe it unless you try. Acceleration from standstill, and pick-up merging into motorways will simply blow your mind: you will find hardly any other car that can compete! The handling is very good, but the front felt a little heavier than the 545 I tested (perhaps due to different tires).

I can't tell you about the performance figures, but surely they are two incredible cars and virtually on the same level in terms of desirability, yet very different one from the other. I think, at the end of the day (if you leave aside the financial aspects, which are in favour of the 535, both in terms of purchase price and maintenance), it is largely a matter of personal taste: some like brunettes, other prefer blondes!

 

I have tried both.

The 545's V8 has a great, rich sound and wonderful performances in terms of acceleration. For a petrol engine, it delivers very well also in terms of response at low regimes. The handling is simply fantastic and a lot of fun.

The 535 sounds a bit tractor-like at idle, but from 1,500 rpm onwards it is simply astonishing in terms of acceleration and seamless progression (almost "electric"), you can't really describe it unless you try. Acceleration from standstill, and pick-up merging into motorways will simply blow your mind: you will find hardly any other car that can compete! The handling is very good, but the front felt a little heavier than the 545 I tested (perhaps due to different tires).

I can't tell you about the performance figures, but surely they are two incredible cars and virtually on the same level in terms of desirability, yet very different one from the other. I think, at the end of the day (if you leave aside the financial aspects, which are in favour of the 535, both in terms of purchase price and maintenance), it is largely a matter of personal taste: some like brunettes, other prefer blondes!
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Very interesting comments

I would love to own a 545 but just couldn't justify the running expense. But as you say it is all down to personal taste so I'll take a 535d with a blonde bent over the bonnet