I looked at the 03 test with Perf. Pkg. It was actually 5.6, not 5.5. Also, although the quarter is the same (14.3), the trap speed is 97mph, one less than the new car. The 0-100mph time is identical in both cars, 15.3.

 

Putting the cars against each other is not my intention either. Hell, a good driver with a 6 speed manual 530 would probably keep up with me anyways. The next 530 should be a great car, but I was simply questioning the times.

Do you really feel a torque robbing step would keep up with a manual though?

 

In either comparison, neither a new 330i nor a new 530i is likely to outperform or outaccelerate any 545i (even with the steptronic). The V8 simply has superior torque to the inline 6 ==> the R6 develops 255hp (or 258hp depending on which magazine you read) and 220 lb-ft of torque, whereas the 4.4l V8 develops 325hp and 330 lb-ft of torque; the 545ia has a curb weight of 3748 lbs, so the torque/weight ratio is 11.36 lbs per lb-ft of torque whereas the 330i has a curb weight of 3450 lbs, so the torque/weight ration is 15.68 lbs per lb-ft of torque (38% worse than the 545i; the 530i would be close to the 330i since the curb weight of the present car is 3483 lbs with either SMG or auto and 20 lbs lighter with manual). Unfortunately, the step would not "rob" enough torque from the 4.4l V8 to make any 330i or 530i outperform a 545i.

As between the new 330i and the new 530i, this would be an interesting comparison as the two cars are apparently within 50lbs of each other. Thus, driver weight and ability would make a difference in any race.

 

R&T published a 545 automatic at 5.3 sec 0-60, 13.8 sec quarter @102.7. So, the 530 could under the right conditions hit 6 sec or under. Remember, the heavier the car, the longer 0-60 even with the same hp-weight ratio.

 

I was suprised too when i get the magazine last weekend.. 0-60 in 5.6 second.. unbelievable!

 

In either comparison, neither a new 330i nor a new 530i is likely to outperform or outaccelerate any 545i (even with the steptronic). The V8 simply has superior torque to the inline 6 ==> the R6 develops 255hp (or 258hp depending on which magazine you read) and 220 lb-ft of torque, whereas the 4.4l V8 develops 325hp and 330 lb-ft of torque; the 545ia has a curb weight of 3748 lbs, so the torque/weight ratio is 11.36 lbs per lb-ft of torque whereas the 330i has a curb weight of 3450 lbs, so the torque/weight ration is 15.68 lbs per lb-ft of torque (38% worse than the 545i; the 530i would be close to the 330i since the curb weight of the present car is 3483 lbs with either SMG or auto and 20 lbs lighter with manual). Unfortunately, the step would not "rob" enough torque from the 4.4l V8 to make any 330i or 530i outperform a 545i.

As between the new 330i and the new 530i, this would be an interesting comparison as the two cars are apparently within 50lbs of each other. Thus, driver weight and ability would make a difference in any race.
[/quote]


Correct. No claims that the 545i would be bested. Simply trying to gauge relative speed of the new 530i.

 

Well, either way Car & Driver also has a street start time of 6.0 seconds for the 545i so who knows?

Not that i would, but i could get an 07 or 08 E90 330i or M3 (M4?)


By the way +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Road & Track's side bar to the road test of a 530i
(Not a full test)
0 to 60mph in 5.3 seconds 1/4 mile 13.8 @ 102.7mph as Wolverine posted

Motor Trend's article "545i vs.STS"---------------------------------------------------

0 to 60mph 5.4 seconds (steptronic) 1/4 mile 13.7 @ 102.1mph


Car & Driver's article "545i"-----------------------------------------------------------

0 to 60mph 5.5 seconds (6spd manual) 1/4 mile 14.1 @ 103mph

Street start 5 to 60mph 6.0 seconds


06 INFINITI M45 (Also Car & Driver) sport auto 0 to 60mph 5.6 seconds 1/4 mile 14.2 @ 101mph

Street start 5 to 60mph 5.7 seconds (WTF?)

================================================== ===
FYI * I'm not saying one is better than the other, just passing along the magazine's stats.

 

0-100mph is the best indication of overall power as a very powerful car may struggle to get off the line but once moving will blitz the lower power cars.
0-60mph is as much a test of driver ability as performance.
30-70mph through the gears is another good indicator.

 

The Car & Driver results are most likely inaccurate (they need to recalibrate their accelerometer). Automobile Mag tested the same 330i and its performance was measured exactly 0.5 seconds slower across the board (6.1s to 60mph and 14.8s to 1/4 mi). Motor Trend also estimates 0-60mph at 6.3sec. All of the major mags estimate the 545i in the low to mid 5s (5.5sec being the worst). It is highly unlikely that this 330i will accelerate to within 0.1s of the 545i.

 

here are some more...

BMW 530i 1/4 mile


BMW 330i 1/4 mile