What can 325i beat?

[rsjet]

I'm thinking of getting a 95 325i automatic. What do you think it can beat in terms of street racing? I want to know when to attempt a "race" and when to sit back and watch them. Also, is there any specific way to race automatics? Thanks

[Celsdogg]

i am not sure what a E36 325i can beat, but i am sure it can run with most any make and model. i hope someone has a better answer for you on this tho. . .

my E30 325i's auto gearbox had a sport mode which does really well. that keeps it in 3rd gear, which is a 1:1 ratio. i can take off in that, or drop it in while im already in drive and i pretty much take off. . .still wish i had a manual tho . . .

not sure if the e36's auto gearbox has anything like this. . .

[buymeabmwm3]

I don't recall the exact performance figures, but i think the 95 automatic will do 7.5 or 8 seconds to 60. Which isn't exactly a lightning bolt. You would get beaten by just about anything remotely sporty, except the odd MR2 or Miata, and even many sedans like Maximas or Accords. My one suggestion though is that you should try to get a later model year. The 95, if I remember right, had a bunch of probs that they fixed with later models. Go 96 or 97 if possible. If you want faster, for cheaper, you could go the E30 route (like '87-'91 325i, or 87-93 325i convertible). These are quicker, same engine but lighter. The only concern is that they are a little older. Good luck with your buy. No matter what you choose though, all bimmers are lots of fun to drive. A Maxima may be faster, but 325's are way more fun on a daily basis.

[rsjet]

The E36 automatic does have some sort of manual mode...It has a button that lets you choose A or M (im guessing Auto or Manual). I heard that it does something like keep you at that gear or below? Any ideas? Also any more input on how well my 325i would do . Thanks

[buymeabmwm3]

It does have a manual mode, but its still an automatic transmission. If you really want performance go with the manual transmission, its lighter overall, has more gears, and less driveline losses. When performance figures are given for automatics, typically the testers are using the manual mode of the automatic. BMW's 'sport' mode holds gears longer and allows for higher revs than a traditional automatic.

[rsjet]

im still looking to hear of any specific models i can beat (i ended up getting a 95 325i auto)

havent raced yet cause i want to know when to just pass or when to go for it.

any other ideas?

[BLU CIVIC]

the only way to find out is to actually race some people aint finding out anything by sitting behind the computer

[Celsdogg]

haha, thats true, you internet junkies. . .

[polar]

yeah, my advice is to slam down the gas pedal and see what happens...but if you are really serious about street racing then you really should have got a manual transmission. you need the control to be able to feel the power and get it when you need it.

i find 325's to be a little sluggish before about 3000rpm with the automatic transmission. that said, do you want to race for 20 seconds, or is it going to be something a little longer, because once the 325 hits about 3000rpm it really pulls hard. off the line...well, i usually put mine in manual mode and just go from there, but then again i use my car for cruising and touring, not short street battles.

get a K&N airfilter or a racing filter setup, a supersprint (or equivalent) exhaust, and that should give you a bit more power.

i guess it all depends on who you are racing. if dude beside you has a tricked out civic that only has the stickers on it and not the parts in it, you'll probably beat him. if he's got the mods and the stickers, you'll most likely lose.

why not just buy an M3 and then you know you can beat everything but porches?

[rsjet]

I have also noticed that it is sluggish before about 3000 rpm. But once I hit that then I feel like it would fly by most other cars (i.e. start race at speed ! ) Or just hope that im not too far behind when my power kicks in.

As for manual mode...will that make it pull harder off the line? Cause i think i've tried it and it doesnt seem to really help. Maybe im doing it wrong?

And as for buying an M3.....if I had an extra 10 grand lying around....I would have an M3.

[buymeabmwm3]

Here are some cars I thought of that you might be able to beat that you wouldn't expect: Chevy Monte Carlo SS, Lexus IS300, every other Lexus cept the SC430, MB C230 Kompressor, Merc Marauder, Celica GTS (toss up), in fact any Toyota, Acura 3.2TL typeS (maybe). Not sure how fast the E36 325i is, but I'm basing this off a guess of 7.5 sec 0-60 time.

[Filehorse 525i]

Two things: (1) The other posts are right in that you really need a manual transmission if you're serious about street racing, and (2) unless you're willing to spend major $$$ to turn a 325i into something is was never really meant to be, go buy a Honda. You can satisfy that boy-racer hunger for a lot less money.

The 325i is engineered to handle like it is running on rails an do it at high speeds. And, it will cruise at 100+ until you get tired of driving that fast and will do it long after the typical street racer has coasted to a stop on the shoulder of the road. It was never engineered to compete with the stoplight-to-stoplight crowd.

As Richard Petty is credited with saying, "Speed is money. How fast do you want to go?"

[rsjet]

I didnt buy a BMW just to race....but you can't deny that you enjoy the feeling of victory every now and then...so it's the best of both worlds.

As for the cars that I can beat....NO Way in hell can I beat a Type S...my mom has one and it would cream my car...also...I don't think I an take an IS300 cause they run with the 330i I believe.

All others...probably I can beat them

but this is cause I have an auto...not a manual

[Filehorse 525i]

There is unquestionably a sense of satisfaction in putting someone to bed without their supper. There is also a sense of satisfaction in knowing that they want to beat you because you're driving a BMW. They know there's a difference between big wood and brush.

It's not just about speed; it's also about driving.

[makeminebmw]

There are far too many posts like this! Listen bro, maybe you should stop watching F&F so much - it's screwing up your head! Seriously, as someone said earlier, the 325 or any BMW is not made for street racing. They're better suited to autocross or racetracks. Street racing maybe fun, and all of us have probably done it before, but real racing is on a closed course where it's much safer and enjoyable (and legal). If you want straight line 1/4 mile type speed, then you should have bought a Z28 or Mustang GT. These cars are out of the box much faster, cheaper and easier to modify. BMW is called the ultimate driving machine because they extract so much driving pleasure for those who appreciate the finer points of driving (unfortunately, too many people buy them as a status symbols). In your case, I think you bought the wrong car for what you want. Not trying to bash you here guy, but nobody should be buying an automatic 3 series with street racing in mind. It's just not designed for it.