Re: 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds? Conservative!!! (archive)

The complete automotive resource for buyers, sellers, and owners like you.

I agree, these are not drag cars. But everyone has experienced the highway on-ramp. From an almost dead stop to hitting the brake to blend in with traffic going 80mph within a few hundred yards is a fantastic and, in my opinion, safer experience than sweating it trying to merge into traffic exceeding your speed. There have been a number of occasions that having the ability to quickly accelerate has saved my neck (and various auto and human body parts).

I will probably go with a free-flow exhaust when mine wears out (131,000 miles and still looks new--no rust, etc.) and the Jim C. chips. Not looking for a sports car, but if I was just looking for a big lumbering car I would have bought a Cadillac. (OK, so the STS isn't a lumbering car, but it is still built in Detroit. I would rather my car be built by a Bavarian beer drinker than a Detroit crack-head).

: 6.1 from BMW literature is about right in my experience, and may be a little conservative. BMW has been in the past with its printed literature.

: I think the 6spd's performance surprises many people. The 850 in general is always talked about as a 6.5 to 6.9 second car. Possibly because most test reviews were of the autobox. I was told to expect 0-60's of about 6.5 to 6.7 for the 6spd. In reality, G-tech meters have always put mine easily at 6.0 to 6.2 without abusing the car.

: Since installing a lower gear ratio (3.15), sticky 285/18/40 rear tires, and a free flow exhaust the car is noticeably quicker across all speed ranges, including off the line. I would conservatively expect to have dropped 1-2 tenths of a second for possible 5.8 times. With revised engine management chips I may get some added HP (depending on who you talk to) good for consistent 5.7's. Once the chips are in I'll post some figures.

: [And yes, I know... "these are not drag racers," "buy an M3 if you want a stoplight racer" ... etc, etc, etc. Mine's a sports car. I don't track it or race it on the street. But I do like the fact that it absolutely pins me to my seat when I'm in the mood. To each his own.]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.