[XutvJet]

It will never be lag free. Also, 3rd gear in the M235 is a bit taller overall than the STI. Lastly, a 6mt M235 traps 107-108mph in the 1/4 mile. An STI does 103-104mph. That's a significant acceleration difference.

[Wheelwright]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

It (M235i 6MT) will never be lag free.

No, it won't. That's not the point: the real issue is that M235i 6MT has evidently more lag then even 4-cylinder turbocharged cars from VW and Ford: those cars should theoretically exhibit much more lag but they don't because they blow away M235i 6MT in 30-50mph acceleration test which is specifically designed to test engine lag because it starts in high-gear (3rd) at low-revs (around 2000rpm).

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Also, 3rd gear in the M235 is a bit taller overall than the STI.

No, it is actually shorter in the M235 (see below) which means in 3rd gear its engine revs higher than in the STI which should give it an advantage in acceleration but doesn't.

Here are the gear ratios for Subaru STI:
1st gear: 3.636
2ns gear: 2.235
3rd gear: 1.521

Source: http://www.pr.subaru.ca/Content/7907...5STI_PG_EN.pdf

Here are the gear ratios for M235i:
1st gear: 4.11
2ns gear: 2.32
3rd gear: 1.54

Source: http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...fications.aspx

[XutvJet]

The Ford and VW cars run tiny turbos. They spool much quicker but they also don't have the upper rpm lungs either.

As for the gear ratios in M235 vs the STI, you're missing one very important detail.....final drive. The STI has a very deep 3.90 FD. The M235 has a 3.08. Big difference. The STI will barely do 83mph in 3rd. The M235 will be deep into the lower 100s.

[Wheelwright]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

The Ford and VW cars run tiny turbos. They spool much quicker but they also don't have the upper rpm lungs either.

I disagree with this explanation: Golf R and Focus RS can't have "tiny turbos" because their small engines come close to pushing 300hp. Also Golf R was considered very laggy by many publications.

Originally Posted by XutvJet

As for the gear ratios in M235 vs the STI, you're missing one very important detail.....final drive. The STI has a very deep 3.90 FD. The M235 has a 3.08. Big difference. The STI will barely do 83mph in 3rd. The M235 will be deep into the lower 100s.

Good point which I unfortunately overlooked.

[Wheelwright]

Today I discovered that my initial measurements appear to be wrong for the following reasons:
1) inherent manual measurement error/bias
2) significant delay between when actual 50mph is reached and when its corresponding 50mph speed warning sounds

I figured out how to utilize DashCommand app to more accurately time 30-50mph pass (I don't think Torque PRO supports this). Here are the steps for anyone interested:

1) Inside DashCommand go to 0-60 option and click "EDIT"
2) set min as 30 and max as 50
3) Turn off accelerometer in DashCommand options
4) Drive at exactly 29mph (look at DashCommand's digital mph display to keep track of your speed)
5) Floor it

For 3rd gear 30-50mph pass I got between 2.7 and 3secs
For 2nd gear 30-50mph pass I got 1.9secs

I will soon try to run those tests on more flat terrain to normalize the results (I will use googlemaps elevation api).

For reference I used BAFX ODB2 bluetooth adapter.

I hope this adapter has sufficient refresh rate to feed accurate realtime data (or failing that DashCommander can compensate properly via GPS).

Good to know my car seems to be putting down its advertised power, given my history (and the car being of the first months of production) I was starting to think I was cursed with a lemon.

[Boosted_six]

Seems like a strange thing to obsess about...

Take the car to a 1/4 mile track and look at your trap speeds.

That will settle the score

[SquireGlig]

^ this

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Boosted_six

Seems like a strange thing to obsess about...

Take the car to a 1/4 mile track and look at your trap speeds.

That will settle the score

Totally agree. Look at the trap speed. So what if some other car has better gearing for a 30 to 50mph contest. The M235 would run past the STI, Golf R, and DEFINITELY the Focus ST as the speeds exceed 60mph.