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530i performance and competition
530i now has a 255 hp engine, with maximum torque of 220 lb-ft, 0-60 is 6.6 seconds with automatic transmission
whereas some of the cars in competition that cost thousands less have better numbers like
Acura TL - 270 hp and 238 lb-ft, with 6.3 seconds for 0-60
Audi A6 3.2 - 255 hp and 243 lb-ft, with 7.1 seconds for 0-60
As you can observe, both the card have more torque and same or more HP. Acura has better 0-60 numbers as well. This raises a few questions in mind
1. BMW 5 is called the utlimate driving machine, why doesn't its specs make it stand out from the competition, atlest for 530i? I do understand that it has sharper handling, other high technology features like Active roll stabilization, but in terms of numbers the competition seems to win with cars that cost thousands less, esp Acura TL
2. Both 330i and 530i have same engine, yet 0-60 numbers are 6.3 and 6.6 (from BMW website). Shouldn't 5 series additional weight lead to more difference in numbers?
3. There is a $6k difference between 530i and 550i with similar options. Is there a huge difference between the two in terms of performance to justify the upgrade? I have driven 530i (and not 550i) and it did feel fast and exciting to drive. 550i though has 0-60 which is 1 second less than 530i and 550i does have the specs that make it stand out from competition.
| | Reply » 530i performance and competition |
1. I think you would find the perfectly balanced RWD E60 to be able to outrun a TL in the twisties.
2. The 530 manual is listed as 3472 lbs vs 3417 lbs for the 330. It is surprising that only 55 lbs separate these cars. Manual sprints from the factory are 6.4 (530 manual) vs 6.1 (330 manual). Row your own gears and the different of the Acura disappear!
3. My E39 was a 540i6 and yet I went with the 530 this time. Even after taking a 530 and 550 home over a weekend, I choose the 530. YES, the 550 is a hoot to drive, much quicker than my old 540i6. If you live in a place where you are able to wring it out, but all means get one!
| | Reply » 530i performance and competition |
> . My E39 was a 540i6 and yet I went with the 530 this time. Even after taking a 530 and 550 home over a weekend, I choose the 530. YES, the 550 is a hoot to drive, much quicker than my old 540i6. If you live in a place where you are able to wring it out, but all means get one!
I mostly do city driving with occasional long road trips in the summer. I do not go to race tracks or other places where I can push the car to its limit. Perhaps, it indicates that I am not a true performance user but I do appreciate performance and excellence.
Also, 530i has good gas mileage, about 25% better than 550i - atleast with auto transmission.
Given all this, should I upgrade to a 550i? What other questions should I ask myself to help make a decision?
Are there other examples in the forum of people trying both 530 and 550. How have been the experiences?
| | Reply » 530i performance and competition |
Quote: 530i now has a 255 hp engine, with maximum torque of 220 lb-ft, 0-60 is 6.6 seconds with automatic transmission
whereas some of the cars in competition that cost thousands less have better numbers like
Acura TL - 270 hp and 238 lb-ft, with 6.3 seconds for 0-60
Audi A6 3.2 - 255 hp and 243 lb-ft, with 7.1 seconds for 0-60
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Just some thoughts:
1. TL never had 270 hp. It was just a false advertising from Acura. They used loopholes in testing procedures to come up with higher hp numbers. The real (2006) hp is 258 with 232 lb-ft torque.
2. You forgot about significantly more powerful G/M35 from Infiniti with 280hp/270lb-ft torque.
3. For US market 6-cyl 5-series BMW are and always have been somewhat underpowered. That's why I never considered 6-cyl 5 series. On the other hand the UDM is not about sheer power. 5-series BMWs are the best handling generally affordable 4 door cars and this combination sells very well.
| | Reply » 530i performance and competition |
> For US market 6-cyl 5-series BMW are and always have been somewhat underpowered. That's why I never considered 6-cyl 5 series. On the other hand the UDM is not about sheer power. 5-series BMWs are the best handling generally affordable 4 door cars and this combination sells very well.
Some more thoughts
1. Is there any talk/speculation about BMW coming up with Bi-turbo engines in near future like for 2008/09 model? Thus making 530 a 535 with 50 more HP to 305, a 20% increase
The link below indicates it is making a debut in 3 series
http://www.caranddriver.com/article....ticle_id=10753
It looks like BMW and Benz want to move to turbo engines in future to make the vehicles more gas efficient, as the gas prices are shooting up steadily.
Although, next revision for 5 series (assuming normal product life of 7 years) should be in 2011, does it look likely that as early as 2008, 5 series would get turbo engines?
Makes one wonder if one should hold off on purcahsing a 5 series for the time being, in view of expected major revisions in near future.
| | Reply » 530i performance and competition |
Quote: | 2. The 530 manual is listed as 3472 lbs vs 3417 lbs for the 330. It is surprising that only 55 lbs separate these cars. Manual sprints from the factory are 6.4 (530 manual) vs 6.1 (330 manual). | The 5 series uses significant amounts of aluminum to lower its weight. The 3 does not.
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530i performance and competition