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I also think the BMW numbering has confused many, should it be a 328i? Why not 325i as 25i is used in the 1-series. Same is applying to many of the models, why a 640d and not a 635d, when you have a 535d?
The other factor I see in comparisons, we tend to look at HP, rather than performance. It used to be more simple, but since the diesel has come of age, HP, Nm and revs make for a different sort of mix. Power curves may be very different for a pertol and diesel, but getting to 100mph may be near identical. Torque is not some 'miracle' power maker in isolation, no more than HP is.
We still need to look at the 0 - 60, 0 -100 dash as that does give us a feel for performance, even if in-gear increments are often used to discern driveability.
Just been looking at the 5-series saloon, as an example, of two different petrol engine designs. The 528i with the 2.0 turbo and the 530i with the 3.0 NA engine. I know the engine output isn't the whole picture, as engine weight and gearing have a part to play as well, but note the 528i is the faster car on paper. Wonder what the feel of the delivery is like in each model and which feels more muscular?
528i
Top speed (mph) 155 (155)
Acceleration 0-62 mph (sec) 6.2 (6.3)
Acceleration 50-75 mph in 4th (sec) 6.2
Max output (kW/hp/rpm) 180 / 245 / 5000-6000
Max torque (Nm/rpm) 350 / 1250-4500
530i
Top speed (mph) 155 (155)
Acceleration 0-62 mph (sec) 6.5 (6.6)
Acceleration 50-75 mph in 4th (sec) 7.0
Max output (kW/hp/rpm) 200/272/6100
Max torque (Nm/rpm) 310/1600-4250
HighlandPete
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