Got a question...

[4DSC]

Howdy, I just have this question that hopefully some of you can help me out with. Two of my friends have been arguing whos car can handle better. One drives an 06' BMW 330i Auto(no sport package), and the other drives a 98' Nissan Maxima SE Auto(modified suspension) The Maxima's suspension mods include Tokico Illumina adjustables with Eibach springs, rear sway bar, front stabilizer bar, and some other minor things. I checked out their skidpad and slalom records in mags and they aren't that far apart at all. I was hoping to set-up some cone challenge for both of these cars to see which can out do the other since around NY where I live, there aren't any real road courses. Anybody got any ideas on a proper way to test these cars out in the handling department? Thanks.

[drftk1d]

have someone knowledgable drive both of them, give an opinon.

where are you in ny

[TheStang00]

my mustang outhandles all!!!!!!!!

[flatlander757]

I'd guess the Maxima would be better for handling than the BMW, probably because the 3 series isn't exactly performance oriented, more for a low budget luxury car.

[drftk1d]

Originally Posted by flatlander757

...the 3 series isn't exactly performance oriented, more for a low budget luxury car.

[-The Stig-]

Originally Posted by drftk1d

Yeah, I have to agree... the 3 series isn't performance oriented? Um, the 325, and the 330s are fairly sporty for a comfy reardrive coupe/sedan.

Letes not forget the M3 is based off the 3 series. I suppose that's not all that performance oriented.

[CBFryman]

still, if the stock maxima's skid pad was close to the 3 series then with the listen suspension mods skid pad would probably be in favor of the maxima, however this is assumeing the traction loss was due strictly to the cars inability to either accelerate more or to properly distribute force over all 4 tires to give optimal traction...if the skid pad's limiting factor was the tires suspension will some where in the jack squat to the hill-o-beans area if the tires where not upgraded to a stickier compound.
but actual handleing aspects in real world driving have more to do then just what lateral G's a car can pull. responsiveness to driver input, feed back, and rebound play major roles as well. a car that can pull over 1 lateral G on the skid pad may have a hughe delay to driver input and may have little feed back or the suspension may not rebound to set up for another curve (in an S curve situation) or for more lateral acceleration.
heed drftk1d advise if you want a true answear.

[clawhammer]

Go to an auto-x challenge, but there you're introducing other factors, most importantly driver skill.

[4DSC]

Sorry for the late response, been waiten for responses at the CP, but forgot I never subscribed to the thread.

Originally Posted by drftk1d

have someone knowledgable drive both of them, give an opinon.

where are you in ny

That wouldn't be such a bad idea, but these hard headed guys won't stop there. They need visual proof, and the Auto X idea below wasn't too bad, but I really have no clue how that sport works since I notice the FWD Mini MG's rule there, and a place like that might not be the best place for these cars. I may be mistaken. I live in Brooklyn by the way.

Originally Posted by TheStang00

my mustang outhandles all!!!!!!!!

Not my Four Door Sports Car...

Originally Posted by flatlander757

I'd guess the Maxima would be better for handling than the BMW, probably because the 3 series isn't exactly performance oriented, more for a low budget luxury car.

Hehe, yea right. My Beamer buddy should see this.

Originally Posted by CBFryman

still, if the stock maxima's skid pad was close to the 3 series then with the listen suspension mods skid pad would probably be in favor of the maxima, however this is assumeing the traction loss was due strictly to the cars inability to either accelerate more or to properly distribute force over all 4 tires to give optimal traction...if the skid pad's limiting factor was the tires suspension will some where in the jack squat to the hill-o-beans area if the tires where not upgraded to a stickier compound.
but actual handleing aspects in real world driving have more to do then just what lateral G's a car can pull. responsiveness to driver input, feed back, and rebound play major roles as well. a car that can pull over 1 lateral G on the skid pad may have a hughe delay to driver input and may have little feed back or the suspension may not rebound to set up for another curve (in an S curve situation) or for more lateral acceleration.
heed drftk1d advise if you want a true answear.

In stock form, yes the skid pad is fairly close with the 330i at 88g, and the Maxima trailing not too fair behind at somewhere around 86g even with it's cool rear minivan suspension they started putting on in 95'. I've been driven in both cars under extreme conditions. Basically, the BMW fish tails, and the Maxima understeers. Thats all I could tell from the passenger seat. Both cars take speeds at fairly the same speeds, but seems the BMW driver is a bit more dedicated and experienced. I know one thing though, the suspension set up and technology the BMW boasts is lightyears ahead of the Maxima. Hopefully soon enough I can get to test drive both, but Im sure they won't take my word for it because each is sticking to the idea of one being better than the other, until they can physically see one getting outhandled by the other. Yes, the easiest way would be for someone who knows there stuff to test drive both, but that really won't be happening. Maybe Auto X is the only available option for these two

Originally Posted by clawhammer

Go to an auto-x challenge, but there you're introducing other factors, most importantly driver skill.

Well if one beats the other there, that might shut them up even though there may still be a chance that the victor won't be the one with the better handling car in reality. Hey, thats good enough for me. In summary, would you be able to describe how Auto X works? I know there are a bunch of cones set up, to mimic maybe a track and see what car can set a better lap time? Am I right? Thanks.

[TheStang00]

Originally Posted by 4DSC

Not my Four Door Sports Car...

heh... sarcasm on my part...

[4DSC]

Originally Posted by TheStang00

heh... sarcasm on my part...

Oh, thanks for the compliment then.

[street_racer_00]

How are you guys planning to guage who's car handles better? Our max's are at a disadvantage being FWD and all...I have no idea how a max with a built suspension handles, but when I drove my brother-in-law's E46 3 series, it handled aeons better than my max.

[BP2K2Max]

the stock 4th gen maxima is said to slalom at the same speeds as a 540i from the same years. it's not impossible that with almost $1000 in suspension mods that it would handle better than the bimmer. it could still come down to who's the better driver and who can pick the best lines through curves.

[TheStang00]

but wouldnt a 3 series handle better than a 540

[BP2K2Max]

what i'm saying is that just cuz it's a bmw don't think it's gonna automatically be the fastest or best handling. stock vs stock i'd give it to the bmw, but with mods it's a different game.