getting beaten by a diesel... was fun!

[Adam230K]

So I was in the 545i cruising along and I noticed this 335d hastily converge onto my right rear view mirror, passing me briefly so I could see the 335d badge on the back. We stopped at the next set of lights and waited in anticipation. The manner in which he pulled past me to get to the lights suggested to me that he was the type of driver that would be up for a bit of fun if challenged so the inside me thought why not?! I've always wanted to benchmark the V8 against these twin-turbo'ed diesel pieces of automotive innovation.

As soon as it turned green I planted my foot down and listened to the V8 soundtrack roar its way into the horizon, I got the jump on him too, but seconds later that fantastic diesel engine continued to confirm to me what a great piece of kit it really is and started to edge its way past me (something I knew was going to happen) and couldn't help but let out a big laugh. We slowed again at the next set of lights, and we looked over to each other and both laughed in acknowledgement, the lights turned green and we set about our daily drives without any further enterprise.

Now I know on paper, 333bhp vs 282bhp means that I should start to pull past him if we continued into comfortable tripple figure mph, but it honestly looked like he would've kept on pulling away from me regardless.

This is the type of thing I enjoy, people who have similar performance machines built in very different ways testing them in a very civil and safe manner.

 

[DJM]

Good story...thanks!

 

[wemorgan]

A colleague has a 330d. The performance and economy balance is also very impressive indeed. Dare I mentioned it on this forum, but one day I can see myself driving one of those cars.

 

[trapperjohn]

Life is all about enjoyment. Roll with your pleasure and stick with this forum.

Double winner. (Hate that Win Win phrase)

 

[BTB 500]

I would assume that quite a few of these cars are chipped/remapped (easy with a turbodiesel), and putting out a bit more power than standard spec.

 

[fuzzer]

a DMS 335d will do 0-60 in 4.9. Its amazing

 

[trapperjohn]

^ Strap back, that has to be fun.

 

[kwakdonut]

It's all about torque v horsepower. We all know a smaller engined diesel can kick out as much torque as a larger engined petrol so off the line there wouldn't be much in it although, most of the time, the larger petrol will win.

Just as an example, my E320 CDi has a rated torque figure of 500Nm. This is very similar to some of the AMG cars available! So, in an ideal world, I would be able to stick with an AMG off the line at least for a few yards!

 

[Palfrem]

Had a 330D.

Rock hard, filling loosening, bone jarring, ride. RFTs don't help either.

Great engine and auto box though.

 

[A210AMG]

Lots of 335d and 535d's when I was on the bmwland forum were remapped. Lots went the DMS route and the 535's were under 6 seconds to 60.

Very rapid, in a lighter 335 its going to be a quick motor.

 

[Gucci]

Doesn't surprise me to hear the diesels performing so well. So much research and development have gone into these engines in the race for better fuel economy over the petrol variants. I was astonished by a 530d last year I travelled in. Times have certainly changed - my V50 D5 is great fun to drive! Ehh? A diesel? A Volvo? Fun?

How long before we talk about the "astonishingly fast and entertaining Prius?!" Sounds daft but don't forget the Tesla exists already. Only a matter of time.

 

[st4]

Adam, your car is heavier and is not 330bhp, its the 286bhp engine. The later Valvetronic engine, which the E39 did NOT have was 286bhp. I would know, I had an X5 with the valvetronic engine, it was first introduced in the E65 7 series, then the facelifted E53 X5 4.4i which I had. Unless you have tuned your car, it will not make in excess of 300bhp. Sorry.

Given the mass advantage of the 335, superior torque and same peak power its a surprise you were ahead at all.

 

[Howard]

I think Adams borrowed a later model E60 545 off someone .... he isn't talking about his old 540.

 

[fuzzer]

So I was in the 545i cruising along

this might have given it away

I think Adams borrowed a later model E60 545 off someone .... he isn't talking about his old 540.

 

[st4]

Am hungover mate and done a full days work...

I'd still wager a 335d is faster than a 545i. My mate has one, and it does not feel an awful lot quicker than my own car.

 

[Bellow]

If petrols could run the same level of boost....
Or rather, when they did - they made nigh on 1000hp / litre.

Anyway, power will alwayswin over torque.

The Romans had their chariots pulled by horses not elephants. For good reason.

 

[aussiemt44]

could of been worse, iv seen things like this done with a cora that looks like its ready for the scrap yard,an also pug 205 gti,both these cars are heavly turned, an both these car do track days,you would hang your head in same if u were seen to be eaten by them,an u woudnt be telling the story,well i woudnt but thats me,

 

[Howard]

I was a passenger in a 911 GT3 a couple of years back , we came off a roundabout ( on the way to Bognor for breakfast ) and the little Pug 205 1.9 on the inside lane put his foot down ....

And began to pull away ..... once we'd sped up a bit we pulled away from him , but it was shocking.

Stopped at the next roundabout and the driver told us it was nitroused up

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Years ago I had a chipped Golf MK4 Gt Tdi 130 by Van Aaken, between roundabouts in Bracknell a Boxster 2.5 couldn't keep with me, we both saw the funny side of that.

 

[flango]

A relatively tame remap on a 335d will put out about 350 bhp. BMW have just done a Police Interceptor version of this car with different turbo's on to get even more boost, it is reputed to be over 450 bhp and sub 4 second 0 -60

South Yorkshire currently have one on trial and I saw it up against the Evo x's they have and it was right up there with them, so beware if you stray into South Yorkshire and are going a bit quick