I was at a a local BMW dealership, and was discussing M coupes with a salesperson. We were talking about the 2000 M coupe, which is rated at 240 hp. I told him that after I drove one a while ago, it felt quite a bit faster than my S2k because of the extra torque of the M engine. He said it also felt faster because the BMW hp rating is at the rear wheels, while the Honda hp rating is only at the crank.

Is there any truth in this? He went on to say that all BMW cars are rated that way...Can anyone confirm or deny this?

-Bryon

 

I don't think it's true. But I've heard the claim made that BMW tends to underrate their engines. I really don't think they are claiming wheel HP in their specs, though.

 

Are there any M enthusiasts out there that happen to know for sure?

 

I'm not a BMW expert but afaik - they don't quote rear wheel hp. An M Roadster owner told me something interesting - he said that even though BMW says it puts out 315 vs. 333 hp in the M3 coupe/conv.the output is pretty much the same. BMW just didn't want the M3 guys getting bent out of shape for having the same power available for less $$$.

This is right from him - not BMW so take it for what it's worth...

lig

 

I know of a guy (this story is from another M coupe owner) that has a 1999 M coupe, rated at 240 hp, that dynoed his car stock, and got 255 rwhp! I know that sometimes you can factory-freak engines, but damn, thats a lot. You would need N20 or FI to get those kind of numbers on our car...

 

255 at the wheels?!? yikes!

wish my s2k was freaky like that... I've read that BMW and Porsche tend to understate the performance numbers and hp ratings of their vehicles - but they don't quote hp at the wheel. if they did, I'd be driving a 330ci :-) unfortunately I don't have the $$$ for an M3.

lig

 

After doing a bit more searching, and reading posts from the bimmer enthusiasts, I have found that on average a stock M coupe will lay down 225 to 230 rwhp. I guess it just comes down to underrating the engine, or that the M has a lower loss due to the drivetrain.

 

I wonder what the new M3's put out at the wheels... gotta be pretty impressive!

seeya...

 

Yes BMW understated the horsepower output of the S52.

No, the M roadster has a more restrictive intake and exhaust due to space issues which results in the decrease in horsepower.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bryons2000
[B]I was at a a local BMW dealership, and was discussing M coupes with a salesperson.