In the 3/29/04 Road and Track they test the 530i. They also say a few words about the 545i including a 0-60 time.



"BMW 545i

Why did we test the 530i and not the $55,000 V-8-powered 545i? Well, the BMW's inline-6 engine is the bread and butter of the manufacturer. The V-8 adds an extra 325 lb. to the test weight as well as 100 horsepower, giving it a more substantial, powerful feel. Tested at the drag strip, the 545i pulled off a 0-60-mph time of 5.3 seconds and reached the quarter mile in 13.8 sec. at 103.3 mph. The optional front 18 x 8 and rear 18 x 9 wheels definitely improve the looks of the car, filling out its fenders nicely. That extra rubber also seems to improve the ride quality and overall cornering performance. Engine power is delivered smoothly with only the slightest of engine vibration coming into the cabin. The automatic transmission does its job well. The conclusion? If it's a gunfight, you've got to have a .45. ? Shaun Bailey"

 

When I saw that at the bookstore yesterday, I was rather impressed, but something I'll probably have a hard time replicating.

Would a manual transmission be able to produce a better time?

 

It sound too good to be true. In the Swedish car magazine Auto Motor och Sport, they tested a 545iA. Result was 0 - 100 km/h ( 0 - 62 mph ) in 6.4 sec!

It seemed like a winter test from the photos ( didn?t say in the text ). Maybe they had traction problems explaining the bad time. The car was fully loaded with options. The BMW sales brochure says 0 -100 km/h in 5.9 sec for the automatic!

 

I think the E60's 0-60 time is the real thing because Road and Track tested a 645Ci automatic (which weighs 3792 lbs vs. the E60 automatic's 3748 lbs) also tested 0-60 in 5.3 seconds.

This test was done during a comparision test between a 645Ci and CLK500, which the 645 won.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?se...umber=1&preview

 

The e39 540i does something like 5.7-5.9 in a 0-60 run. The 545i is lighter and more powerful, so faster runs should be expected.

 

Also note there is a slight difference between 0-60 mph and 0-100 km/h. It takes less time to get from 0-60 mph than 0-100 km/h.

 

The step 545I has to be in the high to mid 5s 0 to 60. The manual 530i does it in the mid to high 6s and the step in the 7.1 secs. <_<

 

If Road and Track says they got that time, I believe it. I think they are a pretty reliable source, they have test a few cars in there day. They probably have some of the best testing equipment out there.