UUronL

I just got April's Car and Driver magazine. They tested a 6 speed 330i and it ran 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds. Quarter mile in 14.3 @98mph.


The 330i has the same gearing and final drive ratio as the 530i. So, weight should really be the only difference in the performance between these two. Are we looking at a sub-6 second car with the 06 530i?

Other interesting info: I saw in Road and Track that BMW estimates the 330i will get to 60mph in 6.3 seconds. The estimate I saw for the 06 530i is 6.4 seconds (I can't remember who published this, I want to say I saw it on a BMW site).

The curb weight listed for the 06 330i by C&D is 3450lbs. The weight listed for an '04 530i is 3756lbs.


Does anyone know how much lighter the 06 530i is supposed to be? This car should be faaaast.

Guest

They also tested a 03 330i with the performance package 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds street start was 6.4 seconds.



Look at Car & Driver's street start 5 to 60mph that's probably closer to the real deal.

heezy545i

The 530 with the R6 engine should have some pep, but I doubt it will be a sub 6 second car from 0-60. The current 545 has been timed at 5.7 from 0-60 so I just don't see it.

UUronL

Car and Driver tested the 545i at 5.4. So I do see it. They always have great times though.


The street start (5-60) on the '06 330i is 6.0. That's nearly a half second faster than the 03 330i. Says a lot about the R6 engine. You have a point about the 5-60 being closer to reality since most of the time, we're not going to be hammering the car the way a magazine tester would. With that said, 0-60 is still a valid metric to compare a car's performance relative to other models and a measurement of absolute performance even if one must disrespect the car to achieve it.

EBMCS03

Car and Driver tested the 545i at 5.4. So I do see it. They always have great times though.
[/quote]

Their test track is donwhill

UUronL

Car and Driver tested the 545i at 5.4. So I do see it. They always have great times though.
[/quote]

Their test track is donwhill
[/quote]

Quoted from Car and Driver regarding its test methodology:

"Acceleration - Elapsed times from 0 to 60 mph and through a quarter mile distance using full-throttle acceleration. Test vehicle is loaded with driver, full tank of fuel, and 10 pounds of test instrumentation. With manual transmission cars, wheelspin or clutch slip or both are used at the starting line to make best use of the engine's power characteristics and the vehicle's traction. All upshifts are lift-throttle with the clutch disengaged. With all transmissions, various shift points are tried to maximize performance. The redline is never exceeded. Time, speed, and distance are measured using a Racelogic VBOX GPS-based velocity sensor. All performance results are corrected to standard atmospheric conditions."


I've been reading this magazine since I was a kid, their science is generally pretty solid.

Iceman

What also gves them a better mpg...

heezy545i

Motor trend tested a 545i step at 5.3 from 0-60, but I've yet to see another mag equal or better this time. Haven't been up on the articles, but I've seen manuals and SMGs in the 545 form get poorer times. So go figure.

Either way, I should be in a 330i by end of fall
(not trading in my car though)

heezy545i

1/4 mile times and trap speed are better measurements to go by though.

UUronL

I'm starting to see a trend. This will either turn into a 3 series vs. 5 series or a 545i vs. '06 530i discussion, but that's not my intention. I'm simply excited about my planned purchase - should be placing an order this weekend for an '06 530i. Regardless of the actual tested times, it will be plenty quick for me.


The 545i automatic's final drive ratio is 3.38:1, which should provide better acceleration in every gear compared to the manual's final drive ratio. If the step shifts quickly enough, it could easily best both manuals. Same would be true for the 530i, but the gearing provides even more of an advantage to the step.