BMW 135i Performance and AC Schnitzer ACS1 3.5i compared

Transcription

1 Sport Auto 8/2008 BMW 135i Performance and AC Schnitzer ACS1 3.5i compared 1-Series Student Take your pick: visually, both the ACS1 and the Performance 135i have their particular charms Tuning is learning. With the Performance line, BMW is entering the sporting aftersales market. The works-tuned 135i is taking on the establishment the ACS1 3.5i by AC Schnitzer Not that the relationship has been characterised by constant sparring. More by little digs, careful watching in extreme cases, the giant has occasionally tried to throw a spoke in the wheel of the supposed small guy. It s just like real life, this particular relationship between tuners and manufacturers. A relationship with explosive force, which in the case of BMW is now changing from the occasional cooperation to direct competition. BMW Performance is the name under which the Bavarians are uncompromisingly taking the fight to the tuning scene. In the form of tuning components of the first water. But not in the form of sportily enhanced accessories or the preconfigured M package as an equipment range for the new car. This is about multilayered, almost lovingly arranged components as individual after-market touches. At first these are offered for the 1-series and 3-series, but further packages will certainly follow. Which will certainly set the stone rolling slowly at first in the direct exchange of blows between manufacturer and tuner. But it will pick up enough speed to clear the ring for the direct duel between BMW Performance and AC Schnitzer in the medium-weight class BMW 135i Coupé. The first round begins rather timidly with a mutual stand-off. But the two opponents are fully geared up for the contest to come. Visual refinements, aerodynamic improvements are present everywhere. The Schnitzer 1-series, known as the ACS1 3.5i, follows the tactic of setting additional accents to the standard M-pack version. In the rear in the form of an elegant skirt insert. Then the powerful spoiler corners add a touch of strength. The visually imposing design finishes in a subtle rear wing and a delicate rear spoiler which protrudes a long way to the rear. You can't miss the after-market additions to the Schnitzer BMW, but on the Performance 135i, they look more cosmetic. Its muscular fibres are finer. With a new front skirt, below which delicate spoiler corners of carbon fibre come to a taper. The waist is decorated with side skirts with an indicated air inlet. And the rear is positively delectable. With a neat rear spoiler and rear end brilliantly integrated into the styling lines, both made of carbon fibre of course. So the winner of round one? A question of personal taste. Like the preference for the wheel designs on offer. Although the Performance 1-series makes do with the 18 mixed wheel set offered as standard, the Schnitzer youngster stands on 19 and is fitted with 225 mm wide shoes all round. Which is already a clear indication that the ACS1 3.5i has something up its sleeve in terms of driving dynamics. Complete Range: As well as the skirts and wheelarch extensions, the Performance package includes a sonorous rear silencer, a suede steering wheel with display and switch lights, short shift, 18 wheels and Recaro bucket seats. The cost of tuning: Front skirt, side skirts, carbon diffuser 2023 Euro Rear spoiler and front splitter in carbon 865 Euro 18 wheel set 2915 Euro Sports springs, anti roll bar 1200 Euro Perforated brake discs 380 Euro

2 Rear silencer Front sports seats Sports steering wheel 920 Euro 3100 Euro 990 Euro Manufacturer: BMW Performance is original BMW accessories and available from the dealer network Round two: The inner values. Here too the training methods are similar perfectly finished carbon fibre applications everywhere on the dashboard and doors. Also the front seats transform into identical sport seats which are well worthy of their name. Almost like racing buckets, the Recaro s get absolute top scores in terms of ergonomics and side support. The Schnitzer seats are fully upholstered in leather, the Performance crew partly in Alcantara, which goes some way at least towards explaining the huge price differences. What is unexplained however is the high seating position in the Performance BMW. Even after extensive searching, we could not find an option for manual height adjustment. In contrast the Performance steering wheel with its fine gimmicks, comfortable suede trim and two freely programmable switch series running into the upper steering wheel crown are convincing. Between them twinkles a small display which indicates the engine temperature, has a stopwatch function and even shows longitudinal and transverse acceleration values. Although with a brave drive, the latter are difficult to read. Because you turn the steering wheel when cornering, and the display then moves out of your view. But nonetheless a nice toy. Like the neat suede-trimmed gear lever. Its stumpy tip protrudes from the centre tunnel, engages firmly after a very short travel because of the short shift. In the end this means that the interior finish looks like works tuning. The well-padded Schnitzer steering wheel looks great but does not feel quite so good to hold. The selection travel in the ACS1 3.5i is standard, but there is a smart pedal set and fine handbrake handle. But that s enough of the skirmish. Such beauty accessories have their charm but don t touch on driving dynamics. They are a good introduction to the real modifications to follow, which are trumpeted at full volume. Most emphatically by the Performance derivative. From the first spark, its twin tail pipes emit give a powerful roar which only mutes again after the final spark. You would not have believed this white beauty could have such a deep voice. Whether it s growling at the bottom of the rev range or giving a frivolous scream in sixth at around 6,000 revs the Performance 1-series has perfectly mastered the vocal range. In contrast even the fundamentally sonorous tones of the AC Schnitzer back box sound slightly flat. But the car from Aachen is not trailing behind. It knows its true strengths and these lie firstly in its engine power which draws tears of joy to your face. Of course even the standard 135i is thrust forward with some force at 306 HP and 400 Nm. So there's something almost wicked in the Schnitzer 360 HP and 500 Nm. 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, 200 km/h in It flies like a thing possessed, and its small turbo lag can be forgiven. In view of the performance differences, it was evident from the outset that the ACS1 3.5i would put the standard car in the shade dynamically. But there are other virtues than simply powering straight ahead. Negative acceleration for example, which is just as much part of a comprehensive tuning package. In this respect AC Schnitzer relies on the use of special brake pads. Comfort suffers slightly, which on gentle deceleration is expressed in a squeal. However the brakes respond more precisely and more quickly. At the first stop from 100 km/h, the Schnitzer BMW was winning. With the system warmed up however, the Performance 1-series skilfully takes over. It is fitted with standard brake components, except for the perforated after-market discs on the front which can carry a higher thermal load. Both on the tenth full braking from 100 km/h and on braking from 200 km/h, the challenger actually provides better deceleration values.

3 A situation which the Schnitzer 1-series does not accept. In the last round it mobilised it forces once again. In a task for which it was specially designed driving dynamics at maximum performance. It outclassed the Performance 1-series on the short circuit by over 1.5 seconds. Partly due to its extra power but also because of the extensive modifications to the suspension. It steers in pointedly and directly, with neutral to slight oversteer at the limit. It is an excellent driving machine but requires a skilful hand. Whereas the Performance 135i in the limit area keeps faith with the standard vehicle. It tends to push the front axle, and even with slightly sharper springs and anti-roll bars, the times remain unchanged. In the 18 metre slalom, the conservative suspension set up helps it remain on track more easily, safely and finally more quickly. But the suspension changes don't bring excessive hardness. What however is harder - as the first direct exchange of blows between manufacturer and tuner shows beyond doubt - is the fight itself. This applies or rather will do in the future: In the end, there are rumours that even BMW Performance is planning performance upgrades. AC Schnitzer-like: as well as the performance increase to 360 HP and the fitting of a strut brace, the ACS1 3.5i has carbon applications in the interior, 19 wheels, a sonorous rear box, visual retouches and also Recaro's. The cost of tuning: Front spoiler/rear spoiler insert 710/730 Euro Roof wing/rear spoiler 593/698 Euro 19 wheels 4222 Euro Raising suspension 2835 Euro Performance upgrade rear silencer 6152 Euro Rear silencer alone 850 Euro Sports steering wheel 1256 Euro Manufacturer: AC Schnitzer Neuenhofstrasse 160

4 Technical Data AC Schnitzer ACS1 3.5i BMW 135i Performance SPAX* Engine 6 cylinder turbo 6 cylinder turbo Valves 4 per cylinder DOHC 4 per cylinder DOHC Bore x stroke 84.0 x 89.6 mm 84.0 x 89.6 mm Capacity 2979 cm³ 2979 cm³ Compression/charge pressure 10.2:1/1.1 bar 10.2:1/0.6 bar Power 360 HP at 5950/rpm 306 HP at 5800/rpm Torque 520 Nm at 3000/rpm 400 Nm at 1300/rpm Power/capacity HP/L capacity HP/L capacity Power transmission Rear wheel drive, 6 speed Rear wheel drive, 6 speed Brake diameter front/rear 338/324 mm 338/324 mm Tyres Michelin Pilot Sport 225/35 R 19 all round on 8.5 wheels Bridgestone RE 050A 215/40 R 18/245/35 R 18 on 7.5/8.5 wheels Length x width x height 4360 x 1748 x 1408 mm 4360 x 1748 x 1408 mm Tank capacity 53 litres 53 litres Base price 38,950 Euro 38,950 Euro Test car price 74,960 Euro 62,408 Euro Measurement Values Weight Vehicle fully loaded 1535 kg 1516 kg Weight distribution front/rear 51.9/48.1 % 52.4/47.6 % Weight to performance 4.3 kg/hp 5.0 kg/hp Acceleration 0 40 km/h 1.7 s 1.7 s 0 60 km/h 2.4 s 2.5 s 0 80 km/h 3.7 s 3.9 s km/h 4.8 s 5.2 s km/h 6.8 s 7.3 s km/h 8.6 s 9.3 s km/h 10.8 s 12.3 s km/h 14.2 s 15.8 s km/h 17.7 s 20.1 s Flexibility in 4/5/6 gear from 80 km/h 100 km/h 2.1 s/2.5 s/3.1 s 2.4 s/2.8 s/3.4 s 120 km/h 4.3 s/5.0 s/6.2 s 4.9 s/5.7 s/6.8 s 140 km/h 6.4 s/7.5 s/9.3 s 7.6 s/8.9 s/10.7 s 160 km/h 8.7 s/10.2 s/12.6 s 10.4 s/12.4 s/15.1 s 180 km/h 11.4 s/13.0 s/16.2 s 13.8 s/16.5 s/20.3 s Top speed 294 km/h 250 km/h Driving dynamics Short circuit Hockenheim min min 18 metre slalom 67.5 km/h 69.7 km/h Braking distance From 100 km/h (cold/hot) 37.8 m / 36.9 m 38.4 m / 35.6 m Deceleration (cold/hot) 10.2 m/s² / 10.5 m/s² 10.0 m/s² / 10.8 m/s² From 200 km/h (hot) m m Deceleration 10.4 m/s² 11.1 m/s² Test consumption Minimum consumption 12.3 L/100 km Super Plus 10.8 L/100 km Super Plus Maximum consumption 32.2 L/100 km Super Plus 27.8 L/100 km Super Plus Average consumption 16.1 L/100 km Super Plus 13.2 L/100 km super Plus * The sport auto index SPAX is calculated from the power to weight ratio and the acceleration (power to weight in kg/hp km/h in s/2 = SPA

5 Measurement conditions: Air temperature 24ºC Asphalt temperature 31ºC Air pressure 1022 mbar Sport Auto Evaluation (objective) AC Schnitzer ACS1 3.5i BMW 135i Performance Short circuit Hockenheim min min 6 Slalom (18 m) 67.5 km/h km/h km/h (acceleration test) 4.8 s s km/h (brake test, hot) 36.9 m m 8 Weight to power ratio 4.3 kg/hp kg/hp 7 Price performance ratio* 125 Euro/HP Euro/HP 10 Total (max 60 points) Sport Auto test (subjective) Driving pleasure 8 7 Everyday suitability 8 8 Maximum 10 points each * based on the base price of the vehicle including performance upgrade Lap time short circuit Hockenheim To say that the clear time advantage of the ACS1 3.5i is only justified by the extra power, would only be half the truth. The Schnitzer derivative is also better set up on the corners than the BMW 135i Performance, but the actual measurement values do not reflect this clearly. The extremely direct steering behaviour and neutral to oversteer behaviour of the ACS1 3.5i show their effect, while the Performance 1-series tends to understeer. On the other hand, the Schnitzer rocket needs a skilful hand to keep it on the track. --- Speed transverse acceleration --- Brake deceleration --- Top speed before braking point AC Schnitzer ACS1 3.5i min BMW 135i Performance min Winged fleet: both 135i s are decorated with a striking rear, sophisticated tail pipe and rear skirt variants. Summary The trend is clear: manufacturers want a bigger piece of the after-market cake. With the Performance programme, BMW is now taking up the challenge direct. But the manufacturers have not yet penetrated the final niche. Because there is nothing yet to touch the driving dynamic qualities of the AC Schnitzer ACS1 3.5i. It s a specialist made by the experts and intended for experts, illustrated by the figures, even in comparison with the M3. In the end, a manufacturer cannot go that far to the extremes. But the ingredients of the BMW 135i Performance are undoubtedly not just beautiful to look at but also of extremely high quality and also attractively priced. At the end of the day, victory just goes to the AC Schnitzer.