Top Ten cars I hate being stuck behind in traffic!

[cawimmer430]

Stop trying to justify your pussy behavior Wimmer...

Pussy? I had the 118i of my sister maxed out at 235 km/h. What has your 530i reached in the US? 

Who's the pussy now?   

[dazzleman]

Pussy? I had the 118i of my sister maxed out at 235 km/h. What has your 530i reached in the US? 

Who's the pussy now?   

Haha, you're right.  I've only reached 100 mph, which is around 150 km/hr.

[cawimmer430]

Haha, you're right.  I've only reached 100 mph, which is around 150 km/hr.

Take a vacation in Montana. 

[dazzleman]

Take a vacation in Montana. 

That's what I need to do.  It was very difficult to get the car up to 100 mph on these roads in the northeast, and I couldn't keep it at that speed for more than a minute or so.  Plus, I have the problem that if I got busted at that speed, I'd probably get arrested rather than just ticketed.  So Montana is the best option....

[Eye of the Tiger]

But Montana has had speed limits for over 10 years now.

[dazzleman]

But Montana has had speed limits for over 10 years now.

I don't care.  It's physically possible to go a lot faster there and maintain that speed without constant obstructions as we have in this part of the country.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I don't care.  It's physically possible to go a lot faster there and maintain that speed without constant obstructions as we have in this part of the country.

Northern Maine is closer for you.

[dazzleman]

Northern Maine is closer for you.

That might work.  It's probably about 8 hours for me, right?

[Eye of the Tiger]

That might work.  It's probably about 8 hours for me, right?

About 5 hours to where I'm at, and if you go 3 hours north of here, you'll be in the middle of bumfuck nowhere.

[rohan]

I hate getting stuck behind anything built between 1988 and 1995- they always stink.  A lot. and it doesn't matter if you roll up your windows or turn off your airflow- it still gets into the car somehow.



It should be illegal- oh wait- it is.

[Onslaught]

I hate getting stuck behind anything built between 1988 and 1995- they always stink.  A lot. and it doesn't matter if you roll up your windows or turn off your airflow- it still gets into the car somehow.



It should be illegal- oh wait- it is.

My car doesn't stink at all.

[MX793]

Pussy? I had the 118i of my sister maxed out at 235 km/h. What has your 530i reached in the US? 

Who's the pussy now?   

Methinks your speedometer was a bit optimistic (typical for German cars).

[cawimmer430]

Methinks your speedometer was a bit optimistic (typical for German cars).

I have a navigation system that also displays your current speed. When I am doing 160 km/h it says I am doing 155 km/h. If I drive 200 km/h the navigation system tells me I am driving 195 km/h. If I was driving 235 km/h maybe I was actually doing 230 km/h. Either way the 118i has a high top speed. 

[MX793]

I have a navigation system that also displays your current speed. When I am doing 160 km/h it says I am doing 155 km/h. If I drive 200 km/h the navigation system tells me I am driving 195 km/h. If I was driving 235 km/h maybe I was actually doing 230 km/h. Either way the 118i has a high top speed. 

GPS systems aren't all that accurate either.  I can tell you right now that it's not physically possible for a 118i to hit 145 mph.  It doesn't have the power or the aerodynamics to pull that off.  Per Wikipedia, the 127 hp versions of the 118 tap out at between 200 and 210 km/h and newer models with the 140 hp motor max out at 210 km/h even.  These jive with what I would expect from a car with that body shape and power output.

[cawimmer430]

GPS systems aren't all that accurate either.  I can tell you right now that it's not physically possible for a 118i to hit 145 mph.  It doesn't have the power or the aerodynamics to pull that off.  Per Wikipedia, the 127 hp versions of the 118 tap out at between 200 and 210 km/h and newer models with the 140 hp motor max out at 210 km/h even.  These jive with what I would expect from a car with that body shape and power output.

We have the 143-horsepower 118i which officially does 210 km/h max. according to BMW. Why then does the tachometer show 235 km/h when I am maxing it out? 

I'll take a look at some older issues of Auto Motor und Sport and see how fast they clocked the 118i at.

[280Z Turbo]

I hate getting stuck behind anything built between 1988 and 1995- they always stink.  A lot. and it doesn't matter if you roll up your windows or turn off your airflow- it still gets into the car somehow.



It should be illegal- oh wait- it is.

What an odd thing to say.

[MX793]

We have the 143-horsepower 118i which officially does 210 km/h max. according to BMW. Why then does the tachometer show 235 km/h when I am maxing it out? 

I'll take a look at some older issues of Auto Motor und Sport and see how fast they clocked the 118i at.

Unless you were traveling down a hill, or had a really stiff tailwind (or some combination), a 140 hp car with hatchback aerodynamics isn't going to be able to reach those kinds of speeds.  For a car with the 1er's size, weight, and aerodynamic characteristics, you'd need 142 hp just to reach 135 mph (218 km/h).  But, a 142 hp car is only going to be putting maybe 120-125 hp to the ground due to drivetrain loss.  With that much power available, a car like the 118 hatch is only going to be able to go about 130 mph (210 km/h), which aligns exactly with BMW's official claimed top speed.

[rohan]

What an odd thing to say.

You live in Michigan- are you going to tell me you don't get stuck behind these stink bombs fairly regularly?  I know there aren't many in AA but up north they've gotta be just thick as theives. 

[cawimmer430]

Unless you were traveling down a hill, or had a really stiff tailwind (or some combination), a 140 hp car with hatchback aerodynamics isn't going to be able to reach those kinds of speeds.  For a car with the 1er's size, weight, and aerodynamic characteristics, you'd need 142 hp just to reach 135 mph (218 km/h).  But, a 142 hp car is only going to be putting maybe 120-125 hp to the ground due to drivetrain loss.  With that much power available, a car like the 118 hatch is only going to be able to go about 130 mph (210 km/h), which aligns exactly with BMW's official claimed top speed.

But how come when I push it hard the tachometer needle goes to 230-235 km/h. I don't think wind has anything to do with it in this case as I have often drive "230 km/h" with the 118i.

Could it be that BMW claims 210 km/h but the car is actually faster? 

[MX793]

But how come when I push it hard the tachometer needle goes to 230-235 km/h. I don't think wind has anything to do with it in this case as I have often drive "230 km/h" with the 118i.

Could it be that BMW claims 210 km/h but the car is actually faster? 

Unless that car is making a lot more power than BMW claims, it's not physically possible.  I did the math.  A car with the BMW's aerodynamics will need 150 hp at the wheels (which is over 170 hp at the motor) to go 230 km/h.

[Vinsanity]

Methinks your speedometer was a bit optimistic (typical for German cars).

+1. Same with the GPS.

[hounddog]

Unless that car is making a lot more power than BMW claims, it's not physically possible.  I did the math.  A car with the BMW's aerodynamics will need 150 hp at the wheels (which is over 170 hp at the motor) to go 230 km/h.

What did you base the aerodynamic drag friction on?

My wifes 06 330 convertible would go 145 with the top down.  145 was where the governor kicked in.  It would have easily done 150-155 with the top down judging by the how obvious the governor was.

I am not saying you are wrong, but I would like to know about the variables you used.

And, for what it is worth, I have had the wifes X5 up to 120ish.  But being as big as it is I did not have the courage to go any faster, even if it is not governed higher.  I do not know where the governor is, but in an larger suv, that is plenty fast.   

[Laconian]

145 with the top down.

I have had the wifes X5 up to 120ish

   Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? 

[hounddog]

Retired. 

No longer have to behave.

[cawimmer430]

Unless that car is making a lot more power than BMW claims, it's not physically possible.  I did the math.  A car with the BMW's aerodynamics will need 150 hp at the wheels (which is over 170 hp at the motor) to go 230 km/h.

Ok, but what about aerodynamic efficiency? Or maybe the 6-speed automatic has a high ratio in the last two gears that enable a high top speed?

I just can't believe the 118i is going "210 km/h" when the tachometer is showing 235 km/h. When you drive at high speeds a lot you get a feel for them. I know what 200 km/h feels like and I would certainly know what 235 km/h feels like. When I am traveling at 235 km/h it definitely feels like 230 km/h+. The size of the car has little to do with it since the 1-Series is a pretty solid vehicle.

[CALL_911]

You went 145 mph with the top down? I have a hard time believing that.

Also, I agree with what Laconian said.

[hounddog]

I did, it did it effortlessly.  Well, until the governor kicked in.  Why is that so hard to believe?  Is it the wind, or that you do not think it could do it with the top down? 

If it is the later, I can find the video where some military guy has a mustang convertible well over 140 on the autobahn.

I am now just as much a private citizen as anyone else on this board, and therefore, entitled to just as much leeway as everyone else.  If anything, considering my vast training in high speed driving, and former certified instructor status, I am a far safer fast driver than most of you. 

[MX793]

Ok, but what about aerodynamic efficiency? Or maybe the 6-speed automatic has a high ratio in the last two gears that enable a high top speed?

I just can't believe the 118i is going "210 km/h" when the tachometer is showing 235 km/h. When you drive at high speeds a lot you get a feel for them. I know what 200 km/h feels like and I would certainly know what 235 km/h feels like. When I am traveling at 235 km/h it definitely feels like 230 km/h+. The size of the car has little to do with it since the 1-Series is a pretty solid vehicle.

When I ran the numbers, I took into account the aerodynamic efficiency.  A 118i has a drag coefficient of 0.29 and a frontal area of approximately 23 sq.ft.  I also factored in rolling resistance (assuming that with a driver and some fuel, it weighs about 3000 lbs).  It's a very simple calculation to determine how much horsepower is required to overcome wind resistance.  I don't even need to consider gearing for this.  Regardless of how it's geared, the fastest a 118i could ever hope to go is roughly 210 km/h.  At that point, wind resistance equals the maximum amount of power the car has and it cannot go any faster.  It has reached terminal velocity.

Next time you take it up that fast, have someone run a stopwatch with the mile (or km) markers on the highway and see what that tells you.

[hounddog]

My question is where are you getting the 0.29 number?  Along with; what did you use for the rolling friction numbers? 

Please do not feel that I am not trying to prove you wrong, or embarass you or anything of the sort, I am just interested in the math. 

[CALL_911]

My question is where are you getting the 0.29 number?  Along with; what did you use for the rolling friction numbers? 

Please do not feel that I am not trying to prove you wrong, or embarass you or anything of the sort, I am just interested in the math. 

http://www.yenra.com/bmw-1-series/

"Together all of these characteristics facilitate further advantages such as optimal traction even when fully loaded and on hills. The drive and suspension concept is further enhanced by a particularly stiff body and excellent aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of just 0.29."