Re: e46m3 vs m5, 0-60 market issues (m) (archive)

These are two totally different cars. The M5 is much larger yet more powerful (I'm talking about area under the torque curve as well as max HP), a completely different driving experience. I would not buy the cars for the same reason at all, and .3 seconds 0-60 would not factor at all into any decision given the much LARGER differences in other areas (luxury, size, comfort, handling, road feel, etc.)

As well, when you compare a torquey V-8 to a 6 cylinder on the road or the track, there's a hell of a lot more to performance than 0-60 times.

Concerning the meaning of .3 seconds difference in 0-60 times, 0-60 on the same day on the same road between two cars might mean something (although I would contend not much, 0-100 or 60-100, or even speed through a set of corners is much more meaningful). But comparing the 0-60 times of two cars as stated by manufacturers or in different tests (or on hearsay) is ridiculous, it hardly tells you anything.

A comparison test between the two cars, including quarter mile times, 60-80 anjd 80-100 acceleration (both in gear and through the gears) along with timed runs through the same piece of road or on a track, now that would tell you something.

I would expect a decent Euro mag, like Car or Evo to do such a test, they delve a lot deeper into performance than a superficial 0-60 comparison. These magazines (particularly Evo) are awesome when it comes to comparison tests.

And even if the M3 was faster, the M5 is (as far as I can tell) both a more luxurious car, and a car designed for a different market.

: Motor Trend has the m5 at 4.7 for 0-60 and the car listed for $71,000.

: .3seconds is considered (by Road and Track) as a signficant difference in 0-60 sprints.

: Even if the new m3 was technically capable of going 5.0 or less, how could BMW possibly put it on the market tuned to go that fast given a 45-50K price tag?
: Consumers would read the numbers as the m3 and m5 being statistically equal performers, at least as far as the 0-60 sprint.

: My opinion, e46m3 will be tuned to go at least .3 to .4 slower than the m5. So I will be very happy with a 5.0 or 5.1 reading.

: If anyone sees the marketing issue differently, please advise.

: rca 328i automatic (7.2 sec)
: steel blue

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