what handles better i6 or v8
09-01-2009, 05:02 AM
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The thing I don't understand here is why. I could understand if there were millions of dollars at stake and these cars were Formula 1. Otherwise, in the real world, both are superbly well handling cars. When you consider their size, weight and capacity, they are astonishingly well handling. The only exception to all of this is PolePosition's 550 which probably handles a lot worse because the 50/50 weight distribution is disrupted by his gallons of carbon fiber 
09-01-2009, 08:06 AM
#32
I started this post and I think people miss the point because they start comparing actual models v. models.
I was talking an I6 that weighs 400 pounds lighter like 530/528 v a 550 that is 400 pounds heavier-with the exact same suspension setup-stock sport suspension.
I am basically saying everything equal in two cars-would the 200-400 pounds make a real difference.
Nobody will know this in handling unless you track your car.
It is clear weight matters though since the z4 feels MUCH faster than a 530 since it weighs 300 pounds less but otherwise has same engine and gearing.
So weight matters-who know how much shape of engine also coes into play with how it is distrubted over the axles
I was talking an I6 that weighs 400 pounds lighter like 530/528 v a 550 that is 400 pounds heavier-with the exact same suspension setup-stock sport suspension.
I am basically saying everything equal in two cars-would the 200-400 pounds make a real difference.
Nobody will know this in handling unless you track your car.
It is clear weight matters though since the z4 feels MUCH faster than a 530 since it weighs 300 pounds less but otherwise has same engine and gearing.
So weight matters-who know how much shape of engine also coes into play with how it is distrubted over the axles
09-01-2009, 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Diamond' post='994915' date='Sep 1 2009, 12:06 PM
I started this post and I think people miss the point because they start comparing actual models v. models.
I was talking an I6 that weighs 400 pounds lighter like 530/528 v a 550 that is 400 pounds heavier-with the exact same suspension setup-stock sport suspension.
I am basically saying everything equal in two cars-would the 200-400 pounds make a real difference.
Nobody will know this in handling unless you track your car.
It is clear weight matters though since the z4 feels MUCH faster than a 530 since it weighs 300 pounds less but otherwise has same engine and gearing.
So weight matters-who know how much shape of engine also coes into play with how it is distrubted over the axles
I was talking an I6 that weighs 400 pounds lighter like 530/528 v a 550 that is 400 pounds heavier-with the exact same suspension setup-stock sport suspension.
I am basically saying everything equal in two cars-would the 200-400 pounds make a real difference.
Nobody will know this in handling unless you track your car.
It is clear weight matters though since the z4 feels MUCH faster than a 530 since it weighs 300 pounds less but otherwise has same engine and gearing.
So weight matters-who know how much shape of engine also coes into play with how it is distrubted over the axles
) It would ride lower and make the ride seem softer, due to more weight on the springs. If you put 550 springs in a 535 it's going to feel harder and will ride higher than before. Both of these would probably be detrimental to the handling of the cars, the 550 would be more 'boat like' and the 535 would have a higher center of gravity and ride harder. This is why the suspension setups are different for these models. If it was a marginal difference I am sure BMW would not have different parts for each.You can feel the difference a few hundred pounds makes if you put a heavy load in the trunk or carry some decent sized passengers you don't need to track your car to feel that.
09-01-2009, 09:02 AM
#34
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Originally Posted by Brit_in_NJ' post='994933' date='Sep 1 2009, 09:20 AM
Ok if you took the EXACT same suspension in a 535 and put it in a 550 (or 545 ) It would ride lower and make the ride seem softer, due to more weight on the springs. If you put 550 springs in a 535 it's going to feel harder and will ride higher than before. Both of these would probably be detrimental to the handling of the cars, the 550 would be more 'boat like' and the 535 would have a higher center of gravity and ride harder. This is why the suspension setups are different for these models. If it was a marginal difference I am sure BMW would not have different parts for each.
You can feel the difference a few hundred pounds makes if you put a heavy load in the trunk or carry some decent sized passengers you don't need to track your car to feel that.
) It would ride lower and make the ride seem softer, due to more weight on the springs. If you put 550 springs in a 535 it's going to feel harder and will ride higher than before. Both of these would probably be detrimental to the handling of the cars, the 550 would be more 'boat like' and the 535 would have a higher center of gravity and ride harder. This is why the suspension setups are different for these models. If it was a marginal difference I am sure BMW would not have different parts for each.You can feel the difference a few hundred pounds makes if you put a heavy load in the trunk or carry some decent sized passengers you don't need to track your car to feel that.
09-01-2009, 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Brit_in_NJ' post='994933' date='Sep 1 2009, 09:20 AM
Ok if you took the EXACT same suspension in a 535 and put it in a 550 (or 545 ) It would ride lower and make the ride seem softer, due to more weight on the springs. If you put 550 springs in a 535 it's going to feel harder and will ride higher than before. Both of these would probably be detrimental to the handling of the cars, the 550 would be more 'boat like' and the 535 would have a higher center of gravity and ride harder. This is why the suspension setups are different for these models. If it was a marginal difference I am sure BMW would not have different parts for each.
You can feel the difference a few hundred pounds makes if you put a heavy load in the trunk or carry some decent sized passengers you don't need to track your car to feel that.
) It would ride lower and make the ride seem softer, due to more weight on the springs. If you put 550 springs in a 535 it's going to feel harder and will ride higher than before. Both of these would probably be detrimental to the handling of the cars, the 550 would be more 'boat like' and the 535 would have a higher center of gravity and ride harder. This is why the suspension setups are different for these models. If it was a marginal difference I am sure BMW would not have different parts for each.You can feel the difference a few hundred pounds makes if you put a heavy load in the trunk or carry some decent sized passengers you don't need to track your car to feel that.
All bets are off then!! 
09-01-2009, 11:50 AM
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Flyingpuck Can I ask what the legendary V-9 is? Dan here on the left coast!
Originally Posted by flyingpuck' post='995106' date='Sep 1 2009, 03:17 PM
But what if it had the legendary V9 engine?? All bets are off then!!
All bets are off then!!
09-01-2009, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by DTD' post='995141' date='Sep 1 2009, 12:50 PM
Flyingpuck Can I ask what the legendary V-9 is? Dan here on the left coast!
09-01-2009, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by flyingpuck' post='995106' date='Sep 1 2009, 03:17 PM
But what if it had the legendary V9 engine?? All bets are off then!!
All bets are off then!! http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/05/28/bmw-5...potted-in-cali/
09-01-2009, 01:17 PM
#39
Clearly you need things spelled out for you. WHen comparing a 535 and a 550 with sport suspension and saying they both have the same stock sport suspension does not mean they are at the same spring rates and settings. Seems obvious you would have understood that. Wow you must be a really rigid thinker.
So a sport 530 with sport suspension and ars v 550 with its sport suspension and ars (no msport or anything)
that is the type of comparison I mean.
So a sport 530 with sport suspension and ars v 550 with its sport suspension and ars (no msport or anything)
that is the type of comparison I mean.
09-01-2009, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Diamond' post='995197' date='Sep 1 2009, 05:17 PM
Clearly you need things spelled out for you. WHen comparing a 535 and a 550 with sport suspension and saying they both have the same stock sport suspension does not mean they are at the same spring rates and settings. Seems obvious you would have understood that. Wow you must be a really rigid thinker.
So a sport 530 with sport suspension and ars v 550 with its sport suspension and ars (no msport or anything)
that is the type of comparison I mean.
So a sport 530 with sport suspension and ars v 550 with its sport suspension and ars (no msport or anything)
that is the type of comparison I mean.
Since everyone else was speculating I took your "exact same suspension" and put forward my theory but yes they are not the same because of the different setups. Edmunds has tested both the 535 and the 550 and came up with two numbers that indicate handling.
For the 550
Slalom (mph): 64.9
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0 .87
For the 535
Slalom (mph) 65.3
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.89
If these numbers are accurate then the difference in suspension rates I think has made up for the few hundred pounds in weight although yes the 535 is the better handling car.
End of discussion
