Just my .02: When did 0-60 in the low-mid 5 second range become slow?

I think it's easy to get spoiled by cars like the 335i that are relatively small, and whose engines lend themselves well to forced induction, but in the grand scheme of things, 0-60 in 5.5 seconds is really pretty fast for a midsized sedan. I've mentioned this before, but you start to hit a wall with perfomance with diminishing returns. A 300hp 6AT GS 350 can hit 0-60 in 5.5 seconds, but a 400hp 8AT 550i can only scratch about a half second off that time. Does that half second really matter (talking about numbers, not feel or power delivery)?

I think we all get easily caught up in the numbers, which are things we never actually see in day to day driving. BMW does a good job of making their cars feel faster (whether it's turbos or louder interiors), but I think Lexus does a pretty square job of keeping their cars near the top of the pack in terms of performance.

 

How fast a car gets to 60 depends on the powertrain and launching technique no? I recall a WRX getting to 60 in the mid 5's with only 220hp.

 

while i agree with you that it's not slow at all

but few years ago, people were asking the same thing "when did 0-60 in low 6 becomes slow?". things are always evolving. with more and more cars capable of sub 6 0-60 and more cars entering sub 5, that's just going to be the case.

btw, 01 gs430 vs 335? i guess it's drivers' race. car vs car the gs430 is no match 0-60. now mid range pickup, the gs430 is going to shine

and back to original topic, man that's fast

 

The new 3-series is actually not small at all. The dimensions are identical to the E39 5-series, and--boat-like F10 aside--I suspect few would disagree that the 5 is a midsize car.

I'm 6'5", and with the front seat set to my ideal driving position (WAY back and down, just able to floor the clutch pedal), I fit in the backseat moderately well--better in fact than I fit behind my 5'10" wife in her RX350, much better than I fit "behind myself" in the new GS. I wouldn't want to sit back there for 5 hours, but 30 minutes would be no problem. That does not describe a small car to me.

 

Inline 6 Turbocharged engines = <3

 

How's that work? It weighs the same as the E9X and puts up better handling numbers. I can't comment on the steering as I haven't driven an F30 yet.


Besides 0-60 times, (which is silly my E92 does ~70mph in 2nd gear alone) the surprising thing is the 1/4 mile is a 13.3 at 104 from an AUTO. AND it gets 33mpg on the highway. Is Lexus and Infiniti paying attention here?

I can't wait to see the DCT


Sorry, I understand you like the GS, and I'm not wanting to be mean here, but you're wrong. Even though they are different classes of cars and the 335 is much newer, the GS430 is outclassed in ALL performance metrics. The 335 makes more power, has a better transmission, better suspension, better brakes, better handling, gets better mileage, has a lower CO2 rating, and I think it weighs a bit less too.

Mid-range nothing, the 335 will walk a GS430 stock for stock no contest and in ANY part of the power-band. The 335 makes 300ft-lbs of torque at 1600 rpms and will dyno 270whp bone stock. (Gs430s are happy to make 230-240 at best).

 

Just to point out, the 3825lb 2013 GS350 has better handling numbers than the M-sport equipped 2012 335i which is 300lbs lighter at 3586lbs :

2013 GS350 braking 60-0 105feet, skidpad 0.91g, MT figure 8 25.7sec @ 0.70g
2012 335i braking 60-0 106feet, skidpad 0.90g, MT figure 8 25.7sec @ 0.71g

The weight gains of the newer BMWs are out-of-control when a car a full size larger can match the handling of the M-sport equipped 335i. Either that, or the new Lexus GS350 F-sport handling is truly world-beating.

 

Bean, I think Henry's comment was in regards to Och and not defending the GS 430. Reviews have been stating how the 3 series again is getting softer, bigger, comfier, more luxurious with less emphasis on sport. Its still of course sporty but this is no E36. Times and companies change for the market.

In regards to the engine,we can say the same thing. The LFA makes 552hp from a 4.8 V-10 with no forced induction. The GS 450h gets 31 MPG average while still being a mid 5 second car. Lets just enjoy the new powerplants, BMW has done an amazing job with boosted turbos in regards to performance.

 

I'm missing the better handling numbers. Looks pretty identical to me. Very respectable, especially considering it's a Lexus (nicer on the inside IMO and is more reliable). Not world-beating though. Car will be over $50k too. Yikes.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see anywhere in that 335i test that mentions the car being equipped with the M Sport package.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...5i_first_test/

 

It's an M-sport 335 all right . An M-Sport+ to be exact.

From the same link you provided :

 

No. That's the new "Sport Line" package. The M Sport package has yet to be released (expected in July 2012), but can be previewed here:
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=628998

The performance mods of the M Sport package are much more extensive than those of the Sport Line package.

 

Nope the as-tested car already came with M-adaptive suspension. The only thing it didn't have are the M-sport brakes which are optional to the M-sport package and just feature larger rotors(calipers remain unchanged). For all intents and purposes, the test car has the M-sport package in term of performance mods. The exterior styling mods aren't going to improve its performance envelope.

 

The EPA #'s tell a lot about the car. Strongly indicates laggy throttle response and long waits for downshifts.

 

103.9 mph trap speed isn't all that much faster than the previous 335i, if faster at all.