10-18-2016, 09:42 AM
It just comes down to how the motor is balanced. ~250ft-lbs feels like nothing when you're steaming up 340hp as the RPMs climb. My GTI makes 280ft-lbs at 2k but only 235hp so it has "tons of torque" and "no power" because it falls on its face after 5k. My buttdyno estimates my M3 is making 260hp and maybe 200ft-lbs because of my mods, and the sensation is similar to Jake's S54 on a lesser scale.
That being said, back when I had the Miata and the M3, I'd drive the Miata for a few days, then get in the BMW and feel like I was going to rear end the person in front of me just letting off the clutch because I had gotten used to getting around with double-digit figures.
We had a neighbor with a 6-speed M6 and he always complained the V10 made less torque than the E39 M5 V8. That may be true on paper, but the "meager" amount of torque it's producing lower in the RPM range is more than sufficient to get you up to 4k+ where it starts steaming towards that 500hp peak output and the overall driving sensation is definitely not what I would describe as "lacking torque."
That being said, back when I had the Miata and the M3, I'd drive the Miata for a few days, then get in the BMW and feel like I was going to rear end the person in front of me just letting off the clutch because I had gotten used to getting around with double-digit figures.
We had a neighbor with a 6-speed M6 and he always complained the V10 made less torque than the E39 M5 V8. That may be true on paper, but the "meager" amount of torque it's producing lower in the RPM range is more than sufficient to get you up to 4k+ where it starts steaming towards that 500hp peak output and the overall driving sensation is definitely not what I would describe as "lacking torque."
Now: 07 Porsche Cayman S | 18 VW Tiguan
Then: 18 VW GTI Autobahn | 95 BMW M3 | 15 VW GTI SE | 12 Kia Optima SX | 2009 VW GTI | 00 BMW 540i Sport | 90 Mazda Miata | 94 Yamaha FZR600R | 1993 Suzuki GS500E | 2003 BMW 325i | 95 Saab 900S