[kobechrome]

The 325 isn't that fast - from a HP perspective, us 325 owners are just average cars on the road... maybe even a little below average. From everything else though and if you consider the whole package, I wouldn't even consider buying another car.

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by kobechrome

The 325 isn't that fast - from a HP perspective, us 325 owners are just average cars on the road... maybe even a little below average. From everything else though and if you consider the whole package, I wouldn't even consider buying another car.

In the US perhaps. In Oz, the 325 is above average. I can certainly thrash the pants off most cars in traffic light derbies...

[porscheneer]

Not enough, 255 is not even enough for a car that is so heavy!

[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by ic

I understand the current E90 doesn't have enough hp for striagth line acceleration, but I can't understand why V6 help (provided that other factors are the same)!?

V6 Natural Aspired engines usually get better torque than Inline 6 assuming same displacement.
And, of course, we are talking about straightline accel. (what else) and that is what the engine power is for
997 TwinTurbo is 3.7s and faster than a more powerful Ferrari , just because 997 is much lighter.
Sedans are always heavy and this is why we have M3 power.
Having said that, I am very happy with my 330i because I am not using it for street racing with more powerful cars; I only need a car that can overtake a speeding highway truck with ease .

[ward]

then why do big rigs use straight sixes quite often, but never V-6's

[bos]

Originally Posted by cntlaw

V6 Natural Aspired engines usually get better torque than Inline 6 assuming same displacement.

What's the basis for this claim?

[ward]

Originally Posted by bos

What's the basis for this claim?

misinformation????

[bos]

Originally Posted by ward

misinformation????

That's about what I was thinking .

Some reasons why inline 6 is great.
http://www.autozine.org/technical_sc...3.htm#Inline-6

And, for those who haven't seen it yet, there's a wealth of other info on that site.
http://www.autozine.org/technical_school/tech_index.htm

The reason for the popularity of V6 has nothing to do with its torque, but this:

Straight-six engines are nearly impossible to be used in front-wheel drive cars as well. Even a car as wide as Volvo S80 has to introduce the world’s shortest gearbox in order to make space for the 2.9-litre straight-six mounted transversely in the engine compartment.

[ic]

Originally Posted by cntlaw

V6 Natural Aspired engines usually get better torque than Inline 6 assuming same displacement.

What the claims based on?

Originally Posted by cntlaw

997 TwinTurbo is 3.7s and faster than a more powerful Ferrari , just because 997 is much lighter.

Although it is unrelated to my question "why you think V6 has better torque than I6", 997TT will be faster than F430 (around the same as 599GTB claimed by their own manufactor) is NOT because 997TT is lighter (actually 997TT is heavier than F430). In fact, it is because of other reasons such as (but not limited to) the new turbo has very low end torque and flat for a wide range.

BTW, super cars like this should be measure 0-160km/h or 200km/h or higher or something like 1/4 miles to have a better referrence of striaght line performance because initial traction plays an important roles of 0-100km/h especially for Porsche with less hp.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Dizzy330i

(Aside: Why am I getting involved?)

Italy: You mean to say that an SVT Lightning with a 5.8s 0-60 and a 13.9 quarter can beat a C6 (Stock) Vette with a 4.1s 0-60 and a 12.6 quarter? Is there something I'm missing?

I agree that the lightning is quite a powerful machine, and certainly a lot of effort has gone into the tuning. However, I don't know if the point RPM was trying to make is this one, but: The e90 is not designed like the lightning. It's completely designed to be a comfortable, complete car with the added benefit that it can change into a sports car at the drop of a foot (and a gear, perhaps), and at the turn of the wheel. Which brings me to my main point: The e90 is a car with the steering feel and handling of a sports car, right from the get-go (read: std. equip.). It has respectable performance, but it's also not a muscle car. And great though its handling may be, it's not a featherweight Lotus.

As it goes, different tools for different jobs. The lightning is designed to be a well-handling truck. It's designed to be an awesome performance truck, in fact. But again, not a car.

Another thing, the 330i has 255hp not 245. Don't shortchange me 10 horses. =)

Good recap, and I agree with you and your conclusion.

T

[ed328ci]

The E90 325i has been tested, by Car & Driver, to be faster to 60MPH and 1/4 mile than the E46 330i. That's fast enough for me, given cost constraints. If cost is not a factor, I would buy an E60 M5.

Ed

[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by ic

What the claims based on?

Although it is unrelated to my question "why you think V6 has better torque than I6", 997TT will be faster than F430 (around the same as 599GTB claimed by their own manufactor) is NOT because 997TT is lighter (actually 997TT is heavier than F430). In fact, it is because of other reasons such as (but not limited to) the new turbo has very low end torque and flat for a wide range.

BTW, super cars like this should be measure 0-160km/h or 200km/h or higher or something like 1/4 miles to have a better referrence of striaght line performance because initial traction plays an important roles of 0-100km/h especially for Porsche with less hp.

Thanks for your analysis.
Treated that I had said that casually, not worth an analysis, and guess no one here is interested to read what a grandmother's E90 owner talking about 3.7s cars and whatever V6 or L6 have better torque.
Have a nice day.

[ic]

Originally Posted by cntlaw

Treated that I had said that casually, not worth an analysis, and guess no one here is interested to read what a grandmother's E90 owner talking about 3.7s cars and whatever V6 or L6 have better torque.

Haha...I guess most interested topics are "leasing vs financing", "xi vs i", "BMW vs other brands", "325 vs 330", etc...

[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by bos

What's the basis for this claim?

i was trying to refer to low end torque, dont worry about it.
To be honest, I bought a BMW has nothing to do with whether its engine is a Inline 6 or a V6.

[a burrito]

Originally Posted by cntlaw

V6 Natural Aspired engines usually get better torque than Inline 6 assuming same displacement.
And, of course, we are talking about straightline accel. (what else) and that is what the engine power is for
997 TwinTurbo is 3.7s and faster than a more powerful Ferrari , just because 997 is much lighter.
Sedans are always heavy and this is why we have M3 power.
Having said that, I am very happy with my 330i because I am not using it for street racing with more powerful cars; I only need a car that can overtake a speeding highway truck with ease .

I dont understand.?

[ItalyBMW325]

Originally Posted by Dizzy330i

(Aside: Why am I getting involved?)

Italy: You mean to say that an SVT Lightning with a 5.8s 0-60 and a 13.9 quarter can beat a C6 (Stock) Vette with a 4.1s 0-60 and a 12.6 quarter? Is there something I'm missing?

I agree that the lightning is quite a powerful machine, and certainly a lot of effort has gone into the tuning. However, I don't know if the point RPM was trying to make is this one, but: The e90 is not designed like the lightning. It's completely designed to be a comfortable, complete car with the added benefit that it can change into a sports car at the drop of a foot (and a gear, perhaps), and at the turn of the wheel. Which brings me to my main point: The e90 is a car with the steering feel and handling of a sports car, right from the get-go (read: std. equip.). It has respectable performance, but it's also not a muscle car. And great though its handling may be, it's not a featherweight Lotus.

The stats on the Lightning are more in-line with a Mustang GT, a real American muscle car: 0-60 in 5.2s, quarter in 13.8s. Oh and .87 on the skidpad. And even though the Lightning gets a respectable .85 on the skidpad it's still not the e90's .89 and certainly not the vette's 1.0.

But I'm splitting hairs with numbers. This, of course, cannot take into account the specific intangibles that every car/truck/scooter has. And I would argue that this is the MOST important quality to be determined at test-drive time.

As it goes, different tools for different jobs. The lightning is designed to be a well-handling truck. It's designed to be an awesome performance truck, in fact. But again, not a car.

Another thing, the 330i has 255hp not 245. Don't shortchange me 10 horses. =)

I was talking year for year...

2002 Lightning vs 2002 Corvette..

You cant compare new vs old since Ford wimped out and did not make the 500 HP beast they were going to.. Now if they did I believe that one was tested in the low 12's.

By no means was I comparing the Lightning handling to a E90. Burrito made a comical statement. About 215 vs 255 (oops ). And calling the E90 a "High Performance" vehicle is comical to. i love my BMW but would never call it High Performance.

[h_curtis]

If you want to be responsible to the rest of us, you may want to consider a Prius. I really don't want you running into me at 180+ mph. If you do and I survive you may need more than one attorney, because I will have a few of my own.

As for your parents, I feel for them to have to look after someone that doesn't seem to appreciate what is given to them.

Enjoy

[Romulus]

only on the internet does a question about the power of one particular car turn into a debate of completely unrelated cars.. I won't be suprised if someone brings a political argument into this soon.

[cralmandi]

Get the Bugatti

At the moment, the Bugatti Veyron appears to have it all:
A W-16 engine that can produce 1,001 horsepower
A top speed of 250+ mph (400+ kph)
A zero-to-60 time of three seconds
A zero-to-180 time of 14 seconds
A price tag somewhere in the $1.2 million range

[Hornet]

215hp? How about 150hp?

BTW

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by ItalyBMW325

I was talking year for year...

2002 Lightning vs 2002 Corvette..

You cant compare new vs old since Ford wimped out and did not make the 500 HP beast they were going to.. Now if they did I believe that one was tested in the low 12's.

By no means was I comparing the Lightning handling to a E90. Burrito made a comical statement. About 215 vs 255 (oops ). And calling the E90 a "High Performance" vehicle is comical to. i love my BMW but would never call it High Performance.

Oh, now it's "year for year"?
C'mon.

REPOST:
I don't know where or why you're moving this argument to.

Also, now you're making a move to get into a debate over what meaning of "high performance" we should use.
Your points are argumentative, not seeking discussion or conclusion.

The debate will rage because people like you will continue to make outrageous commentary.
The 3 series BMW is a performance vehicle, and with a sport package even more so. When you start throwing in comments and comparisons with things like a Lightning or a Z06, the waters get muddied very quickly, and any clarity sought is once again blinded.

Yes, I know what the Lightning is and the "claim" is that it is "designed" to handle "like" a car. But, even as you say, at the end of the day, it doesn't. "like a car" can mean anything, which car? The Lightning is an American creation of big power in a straight line. Yes, it is lowered compared to other trucks, but no way does it compete in OVERALL performance with a
Corvette, and even less so the Z06.
Your last claim with the "surprised" comment, goes to negate your insistance on the Lightnings supremecy.
But, let's leave that topic alone, as it's going way off the point.

My position on the 325 vs. 330 issue is clear.
The 3 series is one fine automobile. One should choose a vehicle based on their needs and expectations.

T

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by bos

That's about what I was thinking .

Some reasons why inline 6 is great.
http://www.autozine.org/technical_sc...3.htm#Inline-6

And, for those who haven't seen it yet, there's a wealth of other info on that site.
http://www.autozine.org/technical_school/tech_index.htm

The reason for the popularity of V6 has nothing to do with its torque, but this:

Great info. Many thanks.