E46 318i valvetronic Vs E39 '01 525i

[walrus_lord]

Was out on the OKR this morning - 10am. My friend was tailing me in his E39. Traffic was moderate.He started to tailgate me closely and decided to give it a go.Was on 2nd in between traffic and when there was an opening, floored it and he follow suit. We floored all the way to but he was at least 5 cars behind.Stopped at a trafffic light and he was behind me. When it turned green, I floored - 1st, 2nd ,3rd to 4th - still 3 cars behind - but can see that on 4th he was trying to close in - no opportunity as there were traffic.We concluded later that on low to midrange, the valvy had the advantage...anyway i was smilling all the way! B)

 

[Fuhrer]

its also a bigger and heavier car...

 

[walrus_lord]

What's the power to weight ratio? Not to mention that the e39 has a taller gear ratio....

Also i was on 18", he was on 17".

 

[E46Fanatic]

tsk tsk.. racing Patrick's E39 eh? 7 years ago the both of you were already going at it with your Dohc Vtecs, and now still re-living old times with your bimmers .. hehe

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Which E39 is this? It can't be a 528i?!! Chester is one of 'em weirdos who had both the E39 525i and E46 325i later and he can testify to the fact that the E39 feels far heavier with taller gearing...

 

[Ade]

Was there a heavier one in the E39 that added to the overall weight of the E39?.....maybe can try swapping drivers?....hehe

 

[samhun]

Double.V 525i slower than Valve.T 318i?? Possible or Impossible?

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Originally posted by samhun@Aug 5 2005, 12:02 PM
Double.V 525i slower than Valve.T 318i?? Possible or Impossible?

From my experience driving a valvy, it doesn't feel a lot less powerful than my E46 325i at low to mid-range. That's the beaut of the valvy and extra displacement, it has nice, smooth and progressive low to mid-range! unlike my stock ex-E36 318i which was just nice and smooth...

 

[supergripen]

i concur that low to midrange torque is quite good giving a spirited getaway.. but once u reach the upper reaches of the rev range it all starts to crumble.
wish bmw cud beef up top end..now that'll be something!!! :nyehehe:

 

[k3nny]

my experience with the valvy is that once it enters the 4th gear, all is gone.

In fact, ive mentioned before, the ratio between the 3rd and the 4th is spaced very far apart.. hmm meaning...


Like normally 2nd to 3rd would make the revs drop from 6500rpm to 5000rpm and continue climbing so you're still pulling hard but 3rd to 4th will make the revs drop from 6500rpm to 4000rpm which is alot.. and the car feels sluggish from there..

I hope i explained what i meant right?

On a drag, ive managed to keep up with an auto stock Accord Euro with the 2.4l K24 i-VTEC but once i enter 4th, he pulls.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Originally posted by k3nny@Aug 8 2005, 03:41 AM
my experience with the valvy is that once it enters the 4th gear, all is gone.

In fact, ive mentioned before, the ratio between the 3rd and the 4th is spaced very far apart.. hmm meaning...


Like normally 2nd to 3rd would make the revs drop from 6500rpm to 5000rpm and continue climbing so you're still pulling hard but 3rd to 4th will make the revs drop from 6500rpm to 4000rpm which is alot.. and the car feels sluggish from there..

I hope i explained what i meant right?

On a drag, ive managed to keep up with an auto stock Accord Euro with the 2.4l K24 i-VTEC but once i enter 4th, he pulls.

Interesting insight! I didn't wanna say this earlier cos dunno how the valvy fellas will re-act but I find the higher rpms in the valvy to be unduly harsh and breathless and that's where the 6-potters really shine! The E46 325i develops a second kink past 5,000 rpms and sings so sweetly and purposefully up to 6,500 rpms. From E46Fanatic's evaluation of the E90 325i, this is enhanced further by another 1,000 rpms to a redline of 7,500 rpms. Incidentally, the E46 325i also has a problem of strong 3rd gear followed by a rather staid 4th gear...

 

[walrus_lord]

JPB, dun worry. Facts are facts...

It is true that the 4pot valvy runs out of steam from early 4th to 5th due to the gearing ratios...

So what I tested was on 1st, 2nd, 3rd to 4th. And that;s where I was able to capitalise the power window of the valvetronic.

Also, I think all BMW cars coming from UK are underpowered due to the very strict emission control requirements. So eg, if the 525i comes with 192Bhp on paper, BMW cars in UK would experience a power degradation of -10BHp or so....(i think); and this coupled with the taller ratios in the 5er, it simply couldnt keep up.. IF we were to test it on the highway, I would have been creamed big time :beaten:

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Originally posted by walrus_lord@Aug 8 2005, 06:31 AM
JPB, dun worry. Facts are facts...

It is true that the 4pot valvy runs out of steam from early 4th to 5th due to the gearing ratios...

So what I tested was on 1st, 2nd, 3rd to 4th. And that;s where I was able to capitalise the power window of the valvetronic.

Also, I think all BMW cars coming from UK is underpowered due to the very strict emission control requirements. So eg, if the 525i comes with 192Bhp on paper, BMW cars in UK would experience a power degradation of -10BHp or so....(i think); and this coupled with the taller ratios in the 5er, it simply couldnt keep up.. IF we were to test it on the highway, I would have been creamed big time :beaten:

UK specced M54 engines are only rated at 189 bhp, I think...

 

[E46Fanatic]

Yea I heard WL's valvy gave Marco's UK spec E46 325i a good run as well. Based on this, the E39 is heavier and has taller ratios. Quite possible for the UK spec E39 to be slower than the valvy. Also a lot of re-badged 523i's (2.5 ltr) coming is as 525i's from grey importers.