rai

Well after I got all psyched out about the 330i with its C&D road test:

0-60 5.6s
0-100 15.3s
1/4 14.3@98 mph

I thought maybe another test could be even better (or worse).

Well R&T has a test also with 6-speed MT

0-60 6.2s
0-100 16.9s
1/4 14.9@94.1 mph

I'm scared to read any other tests for fear these aren't the worst times.

I know it's not that big a deal since it's not a drag car, but psychologically a mid-5 sec 0-60 is a lot better than a low 6-second 0-60 as we know from various S2000 tests, the slowest S2000 test I've seen also happens to be a test the S2000 was beat by a Mustang and a 350Z in a comparo

To take this slow time into account, the same mag R&T had a A4 quatro 2.0T with only 200hp and 207-TQ at: 0-60 6.4s and 1/4 14.9@94.2 mph

QUIKAG

14.9 at 94mph is pretty weak. It would suck looking at Accord V6 tail lights in your $40k+ BMW.

rai

that's OK time for the A4 which is +100 lbs (curb weight), and down 55hp to the 330i.

vroom

Now I'm the one typically jumping in pompusly pontificating about how handling is the thing blah, blah, blah. But in the segment the 3 series plays in now, that's not really very good, and the comment about the Accord - werd.

koala

Magazine racing is pointless. The S2000 shows times from 13.8 to 15.0

I could do 14.8 in my stock RSX-S, magazines had a hard time getting out of the 15's.

There are too many variables (altitude, air temp, humidity, etc)

PedalFaster

Are these automatics? BMW says the new 3-Series should be faster than the old one, which makes sense -- it's only a bit heavier, but considerably more powerful.

rai

These are 6-speed MTs. The temp was 83 degrees and the humidity was 42% with 350 ft altitude...

The gearing could be better (I'd guess) here are the speed in gears :

1 39mph
2 68 mph
3 102 mph (7000 rpm)
4 130 mph (6600 rpm)
-->standard suspension
5 130 mph (5400 rpm)
6 130 mph (4560 rpm)
-->sports suspension governed to 150 mph.

engine rpm @ 60mph = 2100

final drive 3.15:1

SpeedxRacer

Magazine racing is as valid as word of mouth racing. They are also human drivers and they are publishing what they got. I dont see anything wrong at all comparing magazine times.

kumar75150

most magazine drivers suck ass

y2ks2k

I don