I try to tell myself I like all good cars. I try to remain unbiased, and enjoy a solid product by any auto manufacturer, but I remain steadfast in my conviction that a BMW is tough to beat.....
I just got home from my parents house. The reason for my trip over, to check out my dad's latest purchase. Arriving at the folks crib, parked in the dirveway sat a 2005 Nissan Maxima SE. As our fair city is situated a mere 20 minutes from the Nissan manufacturing plant, it will probably be a while before any of you see one.
It was beautiful. 18" chrome sport wheels shod with fat Z-rated rubber, xenon projector lenses, high quality leather upholstery, cool sunshade windows in the roof, indash six disc changer, navigation screen with a faux idrive commander, yada yada yada. The damn thing even has a switch on the dash to fold in the side mirrors (I've only seen such on a SUV prior to this), a passenger laptop interface, and automated seats and a heated steering wheel that move when you enter and exit the vehicle. Like i said, it was beautiful.
So i decided to go for a spin. Firing up the 3.5 liter V-6 and engaging the 5-speed tiptronic transmission, i was immediately impressed with it's silent power. Cruising down the interstate at a good clip (around 85 or 90mph) the engine almost yawned at me turning only 2400 RPM. Exiting the interstate, I was also impressed with the car's ability to exhibit only a mild rate of body roll as i purposely didn't slow down to a proper off ramp speed. Using a backroad to bring us back to the house, I had the oppurtunity to really "put the car through the paces", and it passed with flying colors.
So why bore you all with such a story. Because, upon entering my lowly 1995 "///M2.8" and making my way back to the house, I had ten times the fun on a simple trip through town. Now i know, I'm comparing a "sporty coupe" to a sports sedan, but in ten years shouldn't the Japanese be able to close the gap a little bit?! I don't even want to go into the time two weeks ago when I took my unlcle's new 350z for a spin!
They are fast, i was supised to find out first-hand that they are not as fast as my brother's '91 300ZX twin turbo (you can see where my famlies loyalties are, there are 3 freakin maxima's in my immediate family! ), but I was speaking more of the driving experience. They are so numb. There is no pedal feel, the steering is like a cadilac, it just redamndiculous!
Originally posted by CiscoKid@Apr 25 2004, 07:00 AM i raped a 350z a few days ago... it was BAD! I really think he was trying too, but he couldnt keep up, maybe he just sucked at driving
Hmm.. I don't think he was trying.. unless you're hiding something about your 325i! The 350Z is quite capable and certainly not a Maxima either. Too bad they aren't FI'd from the factory.. maybe we'll see one one of the days. =) Makes me miss my Z32TT.
we were at this light and he peeled out next to me... and i guess that was a que... then we both went and i got in front of him, then i was swirving in and out and lost him... and about 30 secs later he did the ricer driveby and turned off
Originally posted by nosuchsol@Apr 25 2004, 06:14 PM The 350Z is quite capable and certainly not a Maxima either.
Yes they are. I didn't mean to let on like they drove the same albeit they share the same powerplant. Oversteer was something i unfortunately had no chance to induce because my uncle was in the car with me the whole time (it had less than 100miles on it, not yet broken in).
Eventhough they are both quick (particularly the Z) there is no perception of speed. I can appreciate smooth, confident, and unruffled, but i tell you, these damn cars are numb!!
I hate numb cars, where the power steering makes it feel like its turning itself. I like the E30's cuz it isnt like a huge thing, but when I go to my moms E36 318i Conv, feels a whole lot dif.
__________________ I hate: people who haven't died yet that I hate. L337 Co-Founding Assistant Executive Director Product Maker of Sunset Sig's Inc. 2000 BMW M Coupe - Dakar-II - S52 "You gotta fix the nut behind the wheel before you fix the bolts on the car"
Yes but at least an e36 will communicate what the tires are doing in reference to the road not to mention give you a little force feedback with the clutch pedal and of course in BMW fashion, treat one to the most appropriate brake feel of almost any car barring a Porsche or Ferrari (never driven a McLaren but I'm sure it would also feel "just right") :P
Yes but at least an e36 will communicate what the tires are doing in reference to the road not to mention give you a little force feedback with the clutch pedal and of course in BMW fashion, treat one to the most appropriate brake feel of almost any car barring a Porsche or Ferrari (never driven a McLaren but I'm sure it would also feel "just right
Understood.
__________________ I hate: people who haven't died yet that I hate. L337 Co-Founding Assistant Executive Director Product Maker of Sunset Sig's Inc. 2000 BMW M Coupe - Dakar-II - S52 "You gotta fix the nut behind the wheel before you fix the bolts on the car"
Originally posted by torque0@Apr 26 2004, 08:13 PM after driving my moms '96 Audi A6, steering in my e34 seems to require extreme force... But i still like it more.
That's what i'm talkin about, man!
Like i said i'm reluctant to be biased (good place to be that, though-lol), but it's like BMW consistently makes cars that deliver that "perfect driving experience"!
My old Porsche had the same type of unassisted/assisted steering, and BMW still has that un very late model cars!
I read a statement recently made by Helmut Panke that read, "we are going to continue to build cars that define us as the ultimate driving machine....ANY new components or technologies considered for implementation that may compremise that will be rejected on this basis alone." (not exact quote, but really close).
I was like, THAT's WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!
then i was like, dude it must suck to be named Helmut!
hmmm i highly doubt you could even keep up a 350Z- not unless your spoolin a turbo under your hood. They are fast cars. Dont get my wrong i love my BMW but it just cant hang with the Z.
__________________ Alpine White 328 IS, Pioneer Head Unit, Jensen Band pass box, debaffled air box w/ K&N filter, supersprint exhaust. clear corners and side markers, More to come....
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), but I was speaking more of the driving experience. They are so numb. There is no pedal feel, the steering is like a cadilac, it just redamndiculous! 
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