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Physics lesson required ... (more) (archive)
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Posted by Ian T on February 05, 2001 at 16:25:58:

In Reply to: Re: is M3 going to be faster than M5? posted by dirtMerchant on February 04, 2001 at 22:32:47:


The M3 has pulled a few 4.7s and BMW always adds a few tenths to it's numbers, just look at the 330ci's, 330xi's, etc. The M3 is faster in 0-60, but the M5 has way more torque, accelerating anywhere past 60, the M5 should pull away slightly.

Oh dear. One thing you need to understand is that acceleration is related to the TORQUE AT THE DRIVEN WHEELS not torque at the flywheel. The M5 has longer gearing than the M3 hence the torque at the wheels in most gears is not much more than the M3 (despite the engine torque difference).

That aside (and disregarding gearing) try plotting 0-60 time against:

a) Power to weight ratio
b) Torque to weight ratio

Guess which approximates a curve and guess which gives you a nice scatter graph.

My own opinion is that there will be little to separate the two in a straight line.

Ian.

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