1965 BMW 2000 CS Review and Performance Comparison

BMW 2000 Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1965 BMW 2000 CS is a powered by a Petrol Straight 4. This variant of the BMW 2000 CS is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 1965. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 1966 AC Cobra 427.

This particular BMW 2000 has a 1991cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the BMW Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol Straight 4's include the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce

The 2000 shares its Petrol Straight 4 engine configuration with the likes of the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce and the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the 2000's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1150 kgs (2535 lbs) places the BMW 2000 CS in a similar weight category as the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo and the excellent 2020 Toyota Yaris GR RS, give or take 50kg.

The BMW 2000 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 1991cc 8 valve, Straight 4 engine produces around 120 bhp (89 kW) @ 5600 rpm which is comparable to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) and also the 2020 Toyota Yaris GR RS (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated Straight 4 throws out 123 lb-ft (166.7 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Toyota Yaris GR RS (107 lb-ft) or the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1965 BMW 2000 in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 1999 BMW X5 4.4 V8 (129.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 2000.

The BMW 2000 has a power to weight ratio of 104.3 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 1965 2000 CS means you're competing with the 1999 BMW X5 4.4 V8 (129.3 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 1991 Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3 8v (129.1 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The BMW 2000 CS generates around 106.9 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 1967 Alfa-Romeo Spider Duetto 1750 Veloce (131.9 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2001 BMW 3 Series 330ci E46 (131.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The BMW 2000 CS can accelerate 0–60mph in 10.40 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 10.7 secs. Acceleration rivals to the BMW 2000 CS include the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (10.40 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (10.40 secs).

The Straight 4 engine of the BMW 2000 CS ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 1993 Toyota T100 3.0 V6 (10.50 secs) and the 1978 Alfa-Romeo Giulietta 1.6 (10.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the BMW 2000 CS and the Vauxhall-Opel Manta GT/E 1.9 8v

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1965 BMW 2000 can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.36 secs with a trap speed around 78.4 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Vauxhall-Opel Manta GT/E 1.9 8v (17.38 seconds @ 78.4 mph) and a close race between the Triumph TR7 2.0 8V (17.38 seconds @ 78.3 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 1965 version of the BMW 2000 CS has a maximum speed of 110mph.

Top Speed of the 1965 2000 equals the Alfa-Romeo 8C 2900 B Lungo (109 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 1965 BMW 2000 CS then there's the slightly slower the Alfa-Romeo 8C 2900 B Lungo (109 mph) or how about the impressive Triumph TR7 2.0 8V (109 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1965 2000 Rivals List.
• 1965 2000: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of BMW
• Compare the 1965 BMW 2000