What is the max speed to a 94 525i?

[Unregistered]

in mph please.

[winfred]

357.63 mph

[632 Regal]

please confirm

[winfred]

you are thinking about the top speed of the 95 with the wide grill, it lets too much air into the engine compartment, at anything over 347.73 the hood blows off, so they installed a electronic limiter for safety

[632 Regal]

Thanks!

[Unregistered]

my friend has a 1994 e34 525i and he claims is can go 160 mph. i dont think it can. what is the max speed even with the speed governer?

[Partizan5]

and even without the governer the 525i would not have nearly enough power to do 160(even though it does have the speed-enhancing narrow grill :)

[Paul in NZ]

http://www.bmwm5.com/models/e34/alper.jpg
and its only got one letter and one number :)

[Robbo]

And what about the Bi-turbo?

[MarkD]

my friend has a 1994 e34 525i and he claims is can go 160 mph. i dont think it can. what is the max speed even with the speed governer?


The limiter is set around 130, but I don't know how easily it can get to that speed. I can remove that obstacle.

Mark

[G Feller]

I have heard from an extremely reliable source that a '95 6-speed 540 with Mark's chip will also do 160. This person went that fast in his.

Naturally on a [cough] closed course with a professional driver, etc.

Gorgeous pic!

And yes, the exotic variants of the E34 are very very fast. :D


http://www.bmwm5.com/models/e34/alper.jpg
and its only got one letter and one number :)

[Brandon J]

I know of a slightly tuned 525i that went 167...uhem...

And another with the stock M50tu and a performance chip that easily went up to 135mph.

And yet another 525i with M3 cams that went 147mph.

[DueyT]

I have heard from an extremely reliable source that a '95 6-speed 540 with Mark's chip will also do 160. This person went that fast in his.

Naturally on a [cough] closed course with a professional driver, etc.

Gorgeous pic!

And yes, the exotic variants of the E34 are very very fast. :D
One could work some generic numbers for various models of E34. Lets look at a late model E34, say a 540i. Even with a wide grill, with 255/40ZR17's in the back, a 2.93 diff, and in 5th gear (1.00, vice 0.83 in 6th), a redline of 6800rpm would yield 172.6mph -- 160.0 mph should occur at 6303 rpm.

Since the gearing would theoretically work for 160, the only question would then be having enough ponies to push the air and rubber that fast. If an M60B40 were chipped, for example, it should be pushing levels of horsepower that would be not too far off an S38B36/S38B38-powered M5. Probably reasonable to think it could do 160 on a suitable surface (such as a decommissioned runway, etc...like they used for the E39 M5 review on "Top Gear") http://www.dodge-charger.com/Charger/BoardImages/cheesy.gif

How about the 525i? Let's take a known....3.8 M5 that without limiter can push 165-170 (vice elec lim. 150): 340 net HP produces 170 mph. OK, air resistance is a second order function and power required is the square of the speed increase (or decrease as the csae may be.) Rolling friction and driveline losses are a hybrid between first and second order functions; linear for static(non-slipping/skidding) friction and second and some third order forces for lubricants between gear teeth, bearings, etc... So let's call frictional/driveline forces 2nd-order as well, so we'll use a blanket approximation that power-required for speed "X" is proportional to the square of the velocity. I'll use 192 hp for an M50 in a 525i and thus...
_________
\/ 192 / 340 x 170 mph = ~ 128 mph.

That sounds about right for what I've heard for stock 525i's...

Cheers,
Duey

[ScottyWM]

But if you push it out of the plane ass-end first..... you might make it!

[632 Regal]

My brain doesnt absorb as good as it used to.

[Bob UK]

in mph please.

[deathray]

92 525i with approx 18 psi boost, aem ems overseeing, 9.0 compression, big exhaust, map conversion, should let me get up into the 160mph range with the right gears without too much problem

[Brandon J]

92 525i with approx 18 psi boost, aem ems overseeing, 9.0 compression, big exhaust, map conversion, should let me get up into the 160mph range with the right gears without too much problem
Or just swap in an S38 ;)

[DueyT]

Bandon, what gears do you have in the diff?

[Tiger]

Bi-Turbos are based on 535, not 525 but it can go 180MPH.

[ryan roopnarine]

this narrow grille 525i has no problem, given a fair amount of road to get up to speed on, and the kickdown engaged conservatively, to get up to 215km/h...or the 135 (minus speedo correction) on 87 gas and no chip...125 is a little low on the estimate, the gearing in the 25 is a little taller than your 540.....wonder what it'll do when i get mark's chip???


One could work some generic numbers for various models of E34. Lets look at a late model E34, say a 540i. Even with a wide grill, with 255/40ZR17's in the back, a 2.93 diff, and in 5th gear (1.00, vice 0.83 in 6th), a redline of 6800rpm would yield 172.6mph -- 160.0 mph should occur at 6303 rpm.

Since the gearing would theoretically work for 160, the only question would then be having enough ponies to push the air and rubber that fast. If an M60B40 were chipped, for example, it should be pushing levels of horsepower that would be not too far off an S38B36/S38B38-powered M5. Probably reasonable to think it could do 160 on a suitable surface (such as a decommissioned runway, etc...like they used for the E39 M5 review on "Top Gear") http://www.dodge-charger.com/Charger/BoardImages/cheesy.gif

How about the 525i? Let's take a known....3.8 M5 that without limiter can push 165-170 (vice elec lim. 150): 340 net HP produces 170 mph. OK, air resistance is a second order function and power required is the square of the speed increase (or decrease as the csae may be.) Rolling friction and driveline losses are a hybrid between first and second order functions; linear for static(non-slipping/skidding) friction and second and some third order forces for lubricants between gear teeth, bearings, etc... So let's call frictional/driveline forces 2nd-order as well, so we'll use a blanket approximation that power-required for speed "X" is proportional to the square of the velocity. I'll use 192 hp for an M50 in a 525i and thus...
_________
\/ 192 / 340 x 170 mph = ~ 128 mph.

That sounds about right for what I've heard for stock 525i's...

Cheers,
Duey

[Javier]

My car manual gives 230 km/h for manual 225 Km/h for automatic (About 144/141 m/h).

[George M]

I don't know where all the posters are getting these inflated top speeds from. I raced a 94 525i in my '01 Saturn SC2 5 speed the other night on I-75. From about 80 mph on in 5th gear my Saturn pulled the 525i hard. I believe the top speed of a 525i is about 97-99 mph..depending on state of tune, weather conditions etc. Keep in mind it is a pretty heavy car with a relatively small docile motor. I know my Saturn will break a hundred and I pulled him hard in top gear.
HTH,
George

[Elohist]

where do you guys find the specs for older BMWs? hp, 0-60stock, etc? right now im looking to buy a 92' 525i 5spd.

[Dick Schneiders]

I have had my 1991 525i up to 110 and it was still increasing in speed. It took awhile to get there, but it was certainly not pulling hard or lagging when I decided to shut it back down. I haven't tried it in my wife's 1991 525i, yet. Perhaps my car is a lot faster because of the aftermarket air dam, side skirts, and rear wing. Also, her car is white and I know that a black car is several mph faster.

I am surprised at your numbers here. When I was younger and just bought my new 1986 GTI I took it out and topped it out at 118. I would be very surprised if the 525i was slower than the VW. After all, these cars are made for cruising the Autobahn at very high speeds.

Dick Schneiders


I don't know where all the posters are getting these inflated top speeds from. I raced a 94 525i in my '01 Saturn SC2 5 speed the other night on I-75. From about 80 mph on in 5th gear my Saturn pulled the 525i hard. I believe the top speed of a 525i is about 97-99 mph..depending on state of tune, weather conditions etc. Keep in mind it is a pretty heavy car with a relatively small docile motor. I know my Saturn will break a hundred and I pulled him hard in top gear.
HTH,
George

[G Feller]

It's all here:

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/other/Models.htm



where do you guys find the specs for older BMWs? hp, 0-60stock, etc? right now im looking to buy a 92' 525i 5spd.

[Elohist]

thanks

[George M]

of course I was kidding Dick...poking some fun. Most know the 525i is not a fast car...why I took some whimsy with the answer...and why others posted such high speeds...not what it was designed for..a small luxury sports cruiser..will probably do about 125 or so....like most other regular cars...nothing extraordinary. Would say my 1.9 liter DOHC Saturn is about as fast...have driven both...much less weight, more aerodynamic etc.
Cheers,
George

[G Feller]

It's not even really how fast they are, just that they LOOK so intimidating.

:)


of course I was kidding Dick...poking some fun....

Would say my 1.9 liter DOHC Saturn is about as fast...have driven both...much less weight, more aerodynamic etc.

[632 Regal]

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/pics/crash39.jpg

All 4 survived if you wondered.

[G Feller]

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/pics/crash39.jpg

All 4 survived if you wondered.

[MarkD]

this narrow grille 525i has no problem, given a fair amount of road to get up to speed on, and the kickdown engaged conservatively, to get up to 215km/h...or the 135 (minus speedo correction) on 87 gas and no chip...125 is a little low on the estimate, the gearing in the 25 is a little taller than your 540.....wonder what it'll do when i get mark's chip???


Should do better, that's for sure. I mailed it on Saturday, you should see it in the next week.

Mark

[deathray]

Or just swap in an S38 ;)

Yeah but I want to beat the Ricers at their own game, and I figure that turbo will be the most cost effective way for me to smoke my dads SLK-32 AMG. (I figure I need about 450 at the wheels to really take that one, might need a bigger turbo.....

[BennyM]

I distinctly recall getting my chipped 525i up to 135mph (for real) on a loooong deserted road and it still had rpms to spare. I obviously didn't factor in the spedo error since I was focusing all my attention on the horizon, but I'm thinking it can still go over 128mph.

BennyM

[George M]

hey G Feller...here's a Saturn that will not only looks a lot faster than your 540 slug but can easily outrun it.
LOL,
George
http://www.saturnperformance.com/profiles/view.asp?id=grumpy4869

[DueyT]

I distinctly recall getting my chipped 525i up to 135mph (for real) on a loooong deserted road and it still had rpms to spare. I obviously didn't factor in the spedo error since I was focusing all my attention on the horizon, but I'm thinking it can still go over 128mph.

BennyM
Don't forget Benny, I had a couple of assumptions in there too, what with all the math I was using to try and confuse 632 Regal. ;)

Chipped you're probably pushing 205-210 and that makes...
___________
\/ 210 / 340 x 170 = 134 mph.

Again, a rough order of magnitude...but not too bad. My gut feel is a 525i can do high 130's with a long enough straight away.

Hey, when is the E34 Club mtg at Bonneville? :)

Cheers,
Duey

[Scott E]

You will need a bit of altitude to achive this speed though

[ryan roopnarine]

Should do better, that's for sure. I mailed it on Saturday, you should see it in the next week.

Mark

[James]

Or just swap in an S38 ;)
I am Thinking of getting a performance rebuild on my 89 525i, but I figure If I am going to do something that drastic I might as well upgrade the engine. How much would it cost for a s38 engine swap?
Thanks,

James
89 525i 284k miles w/ orig. eng/tran

[MicahO]

:)

[Paul in NZ]

I have heard from an extremely reliable source that a '95 6-speed 540 with Mark's chip will also do 160. This person went that fast in his.

Naturally on a [cough] closed course with a professional driver, etc.

Gorgeous pic!

And yes, the exotic variants of the E34 are very very fast. :D

according to brunos site there is up to 53 HP difference between a 540 and a 3.8 m5..top speed =Horsepower rules :) If it were a euro m5....no contest

[G Feller]

I know all those numbers . . . didn't mean to suggest that a 540 6-speed is in anywhere near the same league as an M5. I meant only that a chipped 540 6-speed has around 305 ponies and will do 160 (a fine M5 will do still more).

Bottome line, I'm under no illusions - not looking to race an M5 (or a WRX for that matter, or anybody but the ******* I may need to pass at a given moment).

Cheers!


according to brunos site there is up to 53 HP difference between a 540 and a 3.8 m5..top speed =Horsepower rules :) If it were a euro m5....no contest

[robert g]

i did 135mph this weekend in my 94 manual 525i loaded down and it got there fast

[Paul in NZ]

I know all those numbers . . . didn't mean to suggest that a 540 6-speed is in anywhere near the same league as an M5. I meant only that a chipped 540 6-speed has around 305 ponies and will do 160 (a fine M5 will do still more).

Bottome line, I'm under no illusions - not looking to race an M5 (or a WRX for that matter, or anybody but the ******* I may need to pass at a given moment).

Cheers!

hey me neither...im just a little pained that i spoke off the cuff so quickly..As you say a chipped 540 and certanly an Alpina bi turbo would give 160 a nudge.....