Well, a guy I work with rolled in this morning in a 2002 BMW M3 (tip for your next car, check with your local credit unions if they have any vehicles for sale. I just checked my Credit Union's website today and they have a ton of nice cars and trucks for sale all from people who couldn't keep up the payments).
I got a chance to take that $60k car for a ride and let me tell you all something. That car is worth every single penny. The weight balance is unreal; it just handles out of this world. It didn't drive like a typical front engine/RWD car. So, I just wanted to see how bad my Altima would get burnt by the M3.
I got butt rapped like I didn't think was possible. You'd figure 240 vs. 333 hp and 246 vs. 262 lbs/tq wouldn't have been that bad, but that M3's power band is MUCH more generous than we see. We top off right around 6100 if memory serves, but that M3 pulls hard all the way to redline (8000). In 3rd and 4th gear it was an illuistration just how important a wide powerband really is.
As a side note, I've always been a big fan of Inline 6 engines, and the Altima is really the first time I've done anything with a V6. I've never been much of a fan of the V6 design, but after comparing engine bays and overall ride quality, there is no comparison. Even from a theoretical perspective, the Inline 6 is just such a better design. Oh well, I'll be jelous, but I still have 24k I don't have to pay that he does, haha!
yeah, they reach their max hp at 5300 rpm, those cars were born to run on a track. you can laugh at him and told him he should have waited for the CSM (sp?) version of the M3 released later this year... they have 360 hp. pretty miraculous that BMW massaged almost 30 more hp outta that engine.
Yeah dude, that is incredible what they are getting out of that 3.2 I6. I think he got the car for a little under what the blue book value was, but another 30 hp? Damn!
At the track here at 2100 feet above sea level last week a M3
2002 vintage ran consitent 13.9-14.1 quarters. The Altima runs
14.6-14.8 I guess at speed that's several car lenghts, but less than a second in the quarter! Stillen has a supercharger for the 350Z as soon as they retro fit it to the Altima we will have a M3 killer!
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