Vehicle: 2012 BMW 650i
Odometer: 7,262
Date: 04/24/2012
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: $101,375 (as tested)
Specifications:
Drive Type: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Eight-speed automatic with console and paddle shifters
Engine Type: Twin-turbocharged direct-injected V8, gasoline
Displacement (cc/cu-in):4,395/268
Redline (rpm): 7,000
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 400 @ 5,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 450 @ 1,750
Brake Type (front): 13.7-inch ventilated steel discs, single-piston sliding caliper
Brake Type (rear): 13.6-inch ventilated steel discs, single-piston sliding caliper
Steering System: Hydraulic-assist, recirculating-ball power steering
Suspension Type (front):Independent multilink, coil springs, self-adjusting variable dampers, lower control arms, self-adjusting, active, stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent multilink, coil springs, self-adjusting variable dampers, self-adjusting, active, stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): 245/35R20 (95Y)
Tire Size (rear): 275/30R20 (97Y)
Tire Brand: Dunlop
Tire Model: SP Sport Maxx GT DSST
Tire Type: Asymmetrical summer performance
As Tested Curb Weight (lb): 4,547
Test Results:
0-30 (sec): 2.1 (2.7 w/ TC on)
0-45 (sec): 3.4 (4.1 w/ TC on)
0-60 (sec): 5.0 (5.7 w/ TC on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 4.7 (5.3 w/ TC on)
0-75 (sec): 6.8 (7.6 w/ TC on)
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.0 @ 109.0 (13.6 @ 108.1 w/ TC on)
30-0 (ft): 29
60-0 (ft): 117
Slalom (mph): 64.9 (64.2 w/TC off)
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g): 0.89 (0.88 w/ TC on)
Db @ Idle: 52
Db @ Full Throttle: 67.4
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 66.5
Db @ 70 mph w/top down: 69.3
Acceleration The default mode (Normal/Drive) hesitates slightly from a dead stop. Each successive mode makes the car slightly quicker (Sport, Sport+ and DS and manual). Once underway, the power comes quickly (perhaps due to gearing) and seems to carry all the way to the 7K(?!) redline. I "beat" traction control with a two-footed non-wheelspin launch with Trac off. Upshifts are both fast and smooth, as are matched-rev downshifts. (Still auto-upshifts in Manual mode).
Braking Comments: Only after realizing this car weighs 4,500 pounds did 117 feet from 60 feel appropriate (grew to 120). Mild distance fade and susceptible to surface conditions/undulations. The car remains flat and arrow-straight, however.
Handling Comments:
Slalom: With ESC off (in Sport), slightly delayed initial steering response, and the car grows increasingly tail-happy, especially off-throttle. Going in with maintenance throttle or trying to catch each slide, I always felt like I was a step behind. It requires a slow-in/fast-out technique to maintain rear bias and grip throughout. The active suspension is disconcerting and doesn't offer expected seat-of-the-pants feedback. With ESC on (in Sport+), I could be less concerned with the loose rear end and focus on car placement. Also, it was simple to whack the throttle to the mat and let traction control take care of things.
Skid pad: With ESC off (in Sport), the 650 feels well-balanced between under/oversteer. It's easy to hold to the line. Steering, however, is rather numb and the throttle response is a little lazy to use as yaw controller. With ESC on (in Sport+), I couldn't detect any intrusion at all, hence the near-identical numbers.
