M3 Opponents

[igor@af]

Let me post a quick follow-up.

For a little less than $37,000 (including title, tax, registration, and everything else), I got the following:

• 10-year award winning engine series VQ. The Z has VQ35DE that outputs 287hp.
• 18 inch high quality wheels
• electronic brakeforce distribution
• vehicle dynamic control
• Limited slip diffs
• carbon fiber drive shaft, which is not only light, it also has a safety advantage of taking on the shock in case of a frontal wreck stopping the engine way before it gets to the cockpit
• extremely quality leather bucketseats
• all the electronic amenities you need (anti fogging side view mirrors, dimming rear view mirror, electronic seat adjustments, etc.
• front and rear strut bars that seems to do wonders for vehicle stability - you got to drive it to feel it.
• 53:47 weight distribution which is apparently better than pure 50:50 because weight transfer during breaking (and cornering) will lead to 50:50.
• considerable amount of support under the car for further stability, according to a professional Japanese tech, the Z has the biggest stabilizers that he has seen on a mass production car.

I will stop here for now

[TexasF355F1]

I do not see how you can say that your money is better spent buying a "German" quality car over a Japanese one

I was just simply stating for my personal use, and my own money. I wasn't saying a german car is better than a japanese one. I was just saying that I prefer the BMW over a Honda, Nissan, etc. I hope this clears things up.

[igor@af]

oh I understand that that is your opinion, I am just trying to figure out why you prefer the German cars to Japanese.

[TexasF355F1]

Well I just do. I guess the easiest way to explain it, is it's kind of like why some people love Chevy and hate Ford and vice versa. I like german cars, their design and comfort better than japanese cars. I guess there's no way to factually prove my position. Its just what I like and dislike.

[igor@af]

Have you driven the Z?

You should give it a try, just out of curiousity's sake.

The 6 speed short throw shifter is very nice!

[TexasF355F1]

No, I haven't, but I'd like to sometime. I bet its a fun car to drive. Of course I've still got about 2 years left of college and I don't want to start test driving anything b/c then I'll want a new car even more. And I don't think my parents would like me selling my truck and getting a bank loan to get a new car that I don't need, haha.

[Ringo]

[*]carbon fiber drive shaft, which is not only light, it also has a safety advantage of taking on the shock in case of a frontal wreck stopping the engine way before it gets to the cockpit

Making the drive shaft out of carbon will make it more rigid, it will snap the U-joint and the driver is gonna get a belly full of transmission output shaft.

[vortech]

carbon fiber disintegrates when faced with any direct blow. Its not a metal driveshaft-----its CARBON FIBER. Carbon fiber is the way to go----most carbon fiber driveshafts can take up to 3,500 lbs of torque, additionally they are almost vibration free, allow the rear tires to hook better because of its torsional strength, limit the shock to your tranny-----and lastly are 100% safer and better than any metal driveshaft. You really are clueless RINGO

[igor@af]

Vortech, appreciate your post

[tomlong]

Carbon Fiber drive shafts also let your engine wind up quicker due to the lower weight. It would have similiar effects as the light weight flywheels. The carbon fiber driveshaft results in a lower rotational mass so the engine does not work as hard to turn the driveshaft. This also means you will get more rear wheel horsepower compared to someone using a metal one.

[AC Schnitzer M3]

How about vortech, you just don't come back to this Thread, why don't you go over to the Ford one

[igor@af]

Originally posted by AC Schnitzer M3
How about vortech, you just don't come back to this Thread, why don't you go over to the Ford one

That is just rude... just because vortech knows so much technical info?
Isn't that partially why you visit AF?

[Ringo]

Originally posted by vortech
carbon fiber disintegrates when faced with any direct blow. Its not a metal driveshaft-----its CARBON FIBER. Carbon fiber is the way to go----most carbon fiber driveshafts can take up to 3,500 lbs of torque, additionally they are almost vibration free, allow the rear tires to hook better because of its torsional strength, limit the shock to your tranny-----and lastly are 100% safer and better than any metal driveshaft. You really are clueless RINGO

Igor said they stop the engine way before it gets to the cockpit, and you say they disintegrate on impact. So which one of you two is clueless? Or maybe you're the one not following along with your finger!

[TexasF355F1]

That is just rude... just because vortech knows so much technical info?

True, but its pretty rude that Vortech constantly tells people how clueless they are. Not everyone knows everything about cars and he shouldn't downgrade people just b/c they don't know as much as he does. We're all here to learn things we may not already know.

[NSX]

Originally posted by igor@af
oh I understand that that is your opinion, I am just trying to figure out why you prefer the German cars to Japanese.

hm..it may be the type of feel to the car as well;
Traditionally, German cars have specialized making supreme touring sedans and coupes. Even the luxury brands of Japanese automakers [and even American manufacturers] have said European bred sport suspension, European comfort, etc.. No doubt they are comparing themselves to the Mercs and the BMWs.

Also, my driving instructor said German cars have more of a stiff feeling to them; where as Japanese cars are softer, and more easy to drive. I'm not sure on this point, but I'm pretty sure about my previous point.