Fascination with 0-60 times

[landshark]

I've been shopping for a new 3-Series (highest priority) and other BMWs (new 5 and maybe pre-owned M3) and luckily found this board. It looks like there's quite a bit of enthusiasm for a great brand and its cars.

While perusing the site, I noticed many are very concerned and fascinated with a car's 0-60 times.

How important is this?
Do any of you actually have equipment that accurately tests your car's 0-60 times on the street while zipping from light to light?

From the two test drives I've taken in 330 coupes, I've been more enamored with the handling. That's what really makes these cars amazing, in my opinion. My experience makes me think that the 0-60 ability is less important than the handling or even passing ability on the highway.

Thanks in advance for all the helpful advice. I look forward to being a positive contributor on this site.

 

[jrt67ss350]

For a car that will be a daily driver, you are right - handling is probably more important provided that the car also has sufficient power. Take it from me - I have an '87 325 that has pretty good handling abilities but is not a straight line rocket as well as a '67 Camaro that is a straight line rocket but lacks in the handling department. Both cars are a blast to drive, but for different reasons. The brute power of my Camaro makes it a thrill to drive, but the crappy brakes and old suspension tech limit its capabilities. The decent amount of power and superb handling and braking make the BMW fun to drive daily. It is more suited to be a daily driver than my Camaro is (I drove the Camaro as a daily driver for about 7 years before I got my BMW). But, you still have to have decent power - I find my '87 to be much more fun to drive than the E36 318i since it's torquier but also has the handling ability.

I think that's why the M3 is such an awesome car - it blends plenty of power with incredible handling - IMO it's probably the ultimate BMW.

I don't know if I made a point or not, but it sounded good to me!

 

[flashinthepan]

Landshark,

I think you get a nice combo with the 330, the M3 even a more aggressive performance combo. I am extremely happy with the overall abilities of my 330 & its a heavier/slightly slower convertible.

I like it !!

Hey its a Miata beater !!....

 

[MrElussive]

landshark, 0-60 time and 1/4 time are the most realistic statistics to measure a car's performance. Horsepower, engine size, and number of cylinders don't mean anything until you see what the car does on the 0-60. 0-60 is much more popular now than 1/4 mile because 0-60 is a very good real-world way of comparing the acceleration of cars. Most people aren't racing to the 1/4 mile, but getting to 60mph is much more realistic...such as mergin onto the highway or basically just getting up to speed.
If you feel the 330 suits your power needs, then go for it...the 330Ci is such an amazing car because it is such a wonderful blend of acceleration, handling, and braking...neither of these characteristics overwhelm the others (meaning, the car is not way too fast for its handling, for example). The 330Ci is a beautiful and well-rounded car that you just cannot go wrong.

 

[Akakubi]

landshark, 0-60 time and 1/4 time are the most realistic statistics to measure a car's performance. Horsepower, engine size, and number of cylinders don't mean anything until you see what the car does on the 0-60. 0-60 is much more popular now than 1/4 mile because 0-60 is a very good real-world way of comparing the acceleration of cars. Most people aren't racing to the 1/4 mile, but getting to 60mph is much more realistic...such as mergin onto the highway or basically just getting up to speed.
If you feel the 330 suits your power needs, then go for it...the 330Ci is such an amazing car because it is such a wonderful blend of acceleration, handling, and braking...neither of these characteristics overwhelm the others (meaning, the car is not way too fast for its handling, for example). The 330Ci is a beautiful and well-rounded car that you just cannot go wrong.

0-60 and 1/4 mile are totally useless numbers. They are in fact pure marketing figures designed to show the uninformed customer the car's "benefits". They way testers get this kind of data, cannot be safely achieved on the street. Like the magazines did on the 330Xi or Evo VIII dumping the clutch at 6K RPM and getting the 5.7sec or 4.5sec 0-60 times respectively. Total BS. Unless you abuse your car, the data is useless.

Much better number are 5-60MPH, or rolling start, where real life conditions are simulated. And also 30-70, or 50-70MPH, like for passing and merging. That's where you can really see the car's potential, not in the 1/4 mile--0-60mph numbers.

Pay attention to the skidpad, braking, and other handling data instead. That will show you better how fast and safe the car will really be.

 

[frolf]

skidpad, slalom, braking, and 30-50/50-70 times are what i look for. and curb weight.

 

[Andre]

...Total BS. Unless you abuse your car, the data is useless....

True, but these figures are useful for comparison purposes, since these magazines abuse all the cars they get hold of

 

[Akakubi]

True, but these figures are useful for comparison purposes, since these magazines abuse all the cars they get hold of

But you have to remember, that an AWD car will most often beat a more powerful RWD and especially a FWD car on a 0-60 run even having less HP numbers simply due to more traction off the line. Also, if that AWD car happens to be Turbocharged, dropping the clutch well above the "lag" range will generate instant power. Now try that same car from 5-60MPH run vs a RWD N/A car like BMW and you'll see a completely different story - a real world kind of story when you just press the pedal down. A Turbo car will lag terribly for a while until the boost kicks in, an N/A AWD car will be at disadvantage due to excess weight and power delivery loss. That's when you can see which car would perform better. That's why I'd take the "rolling" numbers anytime over "standing" ones.

 

[Average Jae]

either way you cut it, numbers are numbers. having a quick 0-60 times, while the chances of you actually reproducing hte numbers will be near impossible w/out maxing the car out, but shows which car is faster than another. since the test conditions are similar.. ie dropping hte clutch at the max output level.

i gotta disagree w/ your argument about the turbo since the turbo doesn't matter, but it's the torque curve/ horse power curve that matter at a given rpm. if the car's at a low torque rpm point, it just won't go whether you have a n/a or a turbo.. (thus the beauty of a manual, you actually get to control your power, thus your n/a vs turbo argument.

i do agree that 0-60 is a pretty artificial way of measuring perf, but if you get a car that pulls 60 in 5 secs vs 7 secs, even w/ less than professional, clutch burning start, you'll most likely get to 60, 2 secs quicker in the first car.

issue w/ 50-70 times that i have is the fact that they usually measure it in the top gear.. but if you really want to accel quickly, wouldn't you downshift first?

anyway, my take on the whole numbers thing is worth less for me since, the nubmers are good to know, but i know i won't push my car to the limits.. it's just nice to know that it's there if i ever need it. btw, i prefer better handling over quick launch numbers, i remember hearing bimmers are the ultimate driving machine, not the fastest to 60 machine.. so there's my long rant

 

[QuickCivicGuy]

1/4 trap speed and slalom are the two most important factors to everyday drivers

The trap speed shows how powerful the car is and the slalom shows how usable the cars overall grip is in transitions

Skidpad = useless, ET = useless........power is power and slalom ability shows the cars balance....power and ability are what most people care about

 

[Akakubi]

1/4 trap speed and slalom are the two most important factors to everyday drivers

The trap speed shows how powerful the car is and the slalom shows how usable the cars overall grip is in transitions

Skidpad = useless, ET = useless........power is power and slalom ability shows the cars balance....power and ability are what most people care about

Beg to disagree. 1/4 mile does not indicate a car's power potential. Several things are involved in 1/4 mile numbers. Again, drivetrain and gearing are also the variables. A high HP car with tall gearing may be slower than a less powerful one with better suited gearing for this particular run. 1/4 does not show every day engine flexibility and ability to pass cars on the hwy at cruising speeds.

Slalom is very important, I agree. They should also include Wet vs Dry performance figures, s that we can really see how car could handle in various conditions.

 

[MrElussive]

I guess I am speaking for myself, then...but for me, the most important measure of acceleration is the 0-60 time. That is a good way for me to get a sense of the acceleration a car offers. And yes, you do have to do perfect driving and very hard driving...but that driving is nothing that is considered "abuse" to the car. But even if it is (although I don't believe it is abuse), by comparing 0-60 times you still know what cars have better acceleration.
For example, when I was trying to decide between the G35 Coupe and the 330Ci, I test-drove both models in stick shift, several times. Every single time I drove them both, the G35 Coupe felt noticeably faster, in every gear. This is evident in that the 0-60 for the G35C is 5.5 seconds and the 0-60 for the 330Ci is 6.4 seconds. It is a whole 1-second difference in 0-60 and I felt that difference whether I was starting fast from a stop or whether I just randomly punched it while driving around up to speed.

 

[flashinthepan]

0-60 -

For regular neighborhood guys, this is the acceleration gauge, everything else is important too, but for non-professional minded people, its nice to know this spec. I test drove the G35 it is quicker and felt quicker IMO, but I will say the Bimmer feels more solid and comfortable (to me anyways), I like them both !!!

(I liked my Prelude 10 years ago, thought it should get honorable mention..lol)

 

[Bryan330i]

Here is a good way to test or good way to look at the numbers. Look at the whole package.
I think it all is important when looking at performance, like any statistical test, they need to have a standard way to compare.


This is for the 911. I think I would want all of this infomation.

Do it all right and 60 mph hits you in the face in 4.12 seconds, and the quarter mile is over in 12.23 seconds, just as you shift into Fourth gear at 116.46 mph.

Our test Porsche didn't like the slick skidpad surface either. It recorded a lackluster .81 g, but it did set the pace in the slalom by a nose, and it ran through the lane change maneuver quicker than any car we've ever tested. Its viscous all-wheel-drive system, big tires and short wheelbase provide staggering agility.

 

[MrElussive]

The 911 Turbo OWNS. And it should be a 1/4 of 12.1 seconds. [???1]

 

[Akakubi]

I hear ya! 911 TT is one insane car. My friend is seriously considering one, with the X50 package... I want to test drive that thing for sure....

 

[Bryan330i]

I sure would like a 911. I like the review for what it is, quick, to the point, and hits upon what I think are important or interesting performance points and numbers.

 

[mikev]

low numbers mean NOTHING 0-60is not a real world figure. if you believe your car is fast because it does 0-60 in 5.5 secs then thats good. its a respectable speed but take this both the Renault Clio V6 and the E34 M5 do 0-60 in around 5.5Secs. however on the way to 100Mph the M5 manages to find 4 car lengths on the clio which would run out of go even before my E30!!! it just show how deceptive figures can be. if i wanna know how fast a car really is i ask for 0-100 (the Scooby Doo is a fine example of this)

 

[Big Daddy]

I like the total feel of my M roadster when I drive her by the seat of my pants, heehee!

 

[frolf]

Slalom is very important, I agree. They should also include Wet vs Dry performance figures, s that we can really see how car could handle in various conditions.

100% agree