[Wolfman]

Just wondering what Hong Kong E90 drivers prefer, torque or horsepower? Ideally I would have both, but I prefer torque, it gives you that quick accelerating ability to get away from traffic, and with the steep grades on mountain roads, it can really haul your car. I also like the G-force of you getting pressed into the seat, it makes you feel the car can really go. Also hp may be good for top speed, but it's not often you can reach top speed in Hong Kong. My 335i back in the states can do 400Nm or about 295 lb ft, which is great. But the 335d, wow, that car almost have supercar level of torque, with 576 Nm or 425 lb ft, more then the M3! Shame diesels aren't available here. I maybe wrong and you like hp better, but I would love to know.

[phawx]

I think what you mean is low- and mid-end usable torque right? I'll just be a smartass here and say that horsepower and torque are actually correlated, since torque x RPM = energy (hp, depending on units used), so that's why high revving engines like the K20A in the FD2 civic type R produces such "reasonable" max HP (225hp I think?), because the revs go up to 8,600 rpm even with very little max torque.

Back to your question though, I think in HK there's no doubt low-end torque is what's required. On the track a lighter car and high revving engine (to squeeze out high end HP) might be the way to go, but with narrow HK roads and the constant need to overtake and zip through traffic, you can't even really build up revs... well, at least not without attracting unwanted attention from our great HK Police Force.

I think the 335i torque is more than enough, and as enticing as the 335d's torque prospects are, it might be a bit overkill for HK?

[Renus]

As phawx said, 335i's torques are enough, I think now seeking for hps for 335i would be more reasonable, of course increment in both would be ideality ^ ^.

[Wolfman]

Yes, phawx, thanks for the clarification but I already know the what torque and hp means, haha! Just for layperson term, peak horsepower is only what the engine can perform at sustained top speed, not that useful for Hong Kong driving, so torque at low rpm seems more useful I agree.

Speaking of 335d, I don't believe in overkill, haha, more torque, the better, especially to cutoff those #$%^! red minibuses and blast away from tailgaters.

[phawx]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Yes, phawx, thanks for the clarification but I already know the what torque and hp means, haha! Just for layperson term, peak horsepower is only what the engine can perform at sustained top speed, not that useful for Hong Kong driving, so torque at low rpm seems more useful I agree.

Speaking of 335d, I don't believe in overkill, haha, more torque, the better, especially to cutoff those #$%^! red minibuses and blast away from tailgaters.

Yea I figured you knew, I was just bored at work ^___________^

Take those damn minibuses and cabs to the cleaners!!! But then wouldn't chipping the 335i do the job equally as well? I think there's still a mentality of "stinky and drone-sounding" towards Diesels in HK though? Or it might be a government tax thingy (as much as I'm tempted to use the words scam) that's limiting diesel power to commercial vehicles...

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by phawx

Yea I figured you knew, I was just bored at work ^___________^

Take those damn minibuses and cabs to the cleaners!!! But then wouldn't chipping the 335i do the job equally as well? I think there's still a mentality of "stinky and drone-sounding" towards Diesels in HK though? Or it might be a government tax thingy (as much as I'm tempted to use the words scam) that's limiting diesel power to commercial vehicles...

Yeah, I suppose chipping can enhance the torque, although would'nt bmw nullify the warranty if you do modifications to it? Then again, since bmw warranty in HK is only 1 year (what the dealer told me), not much good to keep the warranty is there?

As for why there is no diesel, I mention in a earlier thread it's because the gov wants to keep the tax revenue from the petrol cars. Yeah, that sucks. Maybe we should petition the gov for it, haha.

[superdx]

I like to let minibuses and taxi's overtake me, and then put the shifter in DS and just smoke them, even in my 323

They're just way too aggressive, especially at night when there's not much traffic, need to show them their machine is no way up to taking corners and speeds that they would "like" to think they can do...

[Heartware]

A 335d are able to reach 750nm
While a 335i is around 580-650nm.

On our Airfield event, the 335i will smoke 335d anytime because the you use the full RPM range.

The 335d will lose power past 4500rpm. while the 335i top out at 6800rpm.

Just remember to keep you self in the power range. 3000-5500 and you'll be fine.
If you want to minimize the lag, just change out the DP to ones with highflow cat. DP.

[m3forever123]

Of course Heartware, 335i will beat the 335d on a track. But the above posts were talking about driving on regular roads, where you may not be able to reach high rpm. In that case, the 335d may be more attractive.