Phantom Mark

You guys should also heed my initial post.......

That vid was a vid of entertainment, not a defined and definitive test worth anything, else they would not have spent the whole time cocking around going sideways ( Badly I might add ) wasting valuable tenths around the track.

Top gear is tongue in cheek and purely entertainment with a hint of truth thrown in for good measure.

I cant honestly say which is best.......that vid its too phony to really compare them properly, however the way the 545 pulls away at the start seems ominous, that said there is still a LOT you can do as the drive to improve acceleration technique even with an auto, even from a standing start, especially in the pouring rain, I saved over a second 0-60 practising with my Gtech Pro RR for my Quarter mile and 0-60 times !!!, knowing how ham fisted JC is it wouldn't surprise me if he just gunned it where the stig woulda probably done the right thing with his right foot

craigm1841

I want to see a JB3 535i vs the M5 (i know the m5 will kill in the corners)

better yet. Take 1500 bucks, mod the 535i and compare it to the M5

BetterMakeWay

+1 I also came to realize this about an year ago. And all i had to do is THE MATH, i mean really pencil and paper...

pigapumbu

Like I said, for me I wanted to try out a diesel car at least once. I have now and for me its not worth it Unless I spend 90% of my journey on motorway. If its just for normal day to day town use, I would stick with a petrol car and I intend to do so once the car needs to be changed.

cheers

Dr Dave

i would never go back to petrol, and ive owned a brabus and an M5 its diesel for me every time, i could not do without that huge wave of torque and the MPG, you need to check your car out or your driving style if your getting 21 in town, i never get less than 35 in town.

BetterMakeWay

I get also 21, and i feather the throttle all the time (not a heavy footer)

pigapumbu

really? Hmm.. I think once a car is not performing according to the given fuel figures my the manufacturer, its going to be hard to sort out. I doubt BMW service centers will have the knowhow. Instead all I will get is the usual "we can't seem to find anything wrong and 21mpg is within acceptable parameters".

No, my personal view on the matter would be, back to petrol (again I stress only for BMW cars since the fuel consumption difference between petrol and diesel cars are really small) once my 535d has given enough service to me. I am not blasting the car at all. Not even been on sport selection, no full throttle. In town the cruise is used all the time between 30~40mph and motorway, its cruise 95% of the time max at 75mph.


Taken from my BMW UK Brochure,
Petrol 530i (mpg)
Urban:26.2
Extra Urban:50.4
Combined:37.7

Diesel 535d (mpg)
Urban: 31.4
Extra Urban:52.3
Combined: 42.2

Price of diesel here is roughly 13% more expensive than petrol. If the chart above shows the diesel to be 13% better fuel consumption, then its on a winner. If not, ..... the choice is yours.

cheers

Dr Dave

good points there, cant argue with figures.

my figures are baised on my cars being re-mapped though so i expect that makes a difference.

the reasons i chose diesel were
torque
longevity
re-saleability
economy
enviromental impact (over petrol)
tuneability
availability of "alternative diesel fuel" ie: bio/red/cooking oil/etc
strength of engine.
i consider these to be plus points over petrol, but i appreaceate you could say on the flip side that petrol engines are quieter (on tickover) slightly smoother, cheaper fuel (presently),cheaper to buy. slightly quicker (equivilent model)

horses for courses.

Dr Dave

i think as you mentioned that in town between 30 - 40 mph you use the cruse control?? mine wont come on at those speeds? and cruse uses far more fuel as its stopping and accelerating all the time (in town anyway?)

Phantom Mark

Mine works from 25mph.........

You talking about the stop start cruise control option tho Dave ?

Mine is boggo standard CC