Let me give you a little background on this question. This issue was raised on the 3-Series (E46) board about the factory claimed 0-60 time of the new 323i. The old 325i (1994) with the 2.5 engine produced 189 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque @4200 rpm. The official 0-60 time was 7.8 seconds for a 5-speed car. The new 323i with the Double VANOS 2.5 liter engine makes 170 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque @3500 rpm. The official 0-60 time is 7.1 seconds for a 5-speed car. The 323i weighs about 70 lbs more than the old 325i (This is according to the original post. I was expecting a larger weight gain with the new body). <p>The explanation offered by several people on that board is that the hp spec of the 323i is intentionally reported low by 10%, i.e. the car actually makes 170+17=187 hp. Also, the hp rating of the 325i was reported high by 1%, i.e. 189-2=187. Therefore, bith cars have about the same horsepower and the difference in 0-60 times is due to different final drive ratios and better torque characteristics of the new 2.5 engine. They claim that a BMW factory rep has verified this practice of under-reporting the power spec of BMW engines as a way of giving customers more than they expect.<p>If this claim is true, the new 328i engine must make 212 hp (193+19). Otherwise, the 300 cc of displacement would only account for 6 hp (193-187).<p>Is this a bunch of crap or you know this BMW practice to be true? If this is true, do they do the same with peak torque figures? How come the 2.8 BMW engine with supposedly significantly more hp than the Audi 30V (212-190=22) cannot make more torque than the Audi engine (206 vs 207 lb-ft). I doubt that any of this stuff is true, but would like to know your opinion. <p><br>

Peak HP isn't good as a predictor of 0-60 time.<p>The Audis seem to be geared quite tall, so the 0-60 time is lower than one would expect. It also explains why the 2.8 quattro feels slower than it is.<p>The BMW final drive is quite a bit lower. For instance, the M3 with 240 hp gets to 60 faster than a 305 hp Mustang Cobra and hits the 1/4 faster too. This is mostly attributable to the final drive ratios. Performance freaks swap the 3.27 rear end of the Cobra for a 3.73 or a 4.11 rear end.<p>The gear ratios are chosen by the manufacturer to deliver a particular aesthetic. The BMWs feel sportier (more responsive) because of the shorter gearing. The Audis feel more like cruisers.<br>In the case of the Cobra, Ford decided to make the car more like a daily driver than a dragster.

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<br>All engines are different, for example, any particular A4 1.8T. One might make 147hp, the other might make 153hp. Its all in production tolerances. Usually the manufacturers state the least or lower amount, and usually for insurance purposes.<p>Ned

consentration of modified cars here. I know there have been a couple, but can't think of any off the top of my head. I've heard of plenty of instances where owners were given a hard time about it, but that's all I can think of.

Regards,
Rodney

'99 A4 1.8tqms