[malter2.0]

Originally Posted by KneeDragr

Im sorry but that is a bad comparison. I own a Corvette GS as a weekend and track toy, and it would make a very poor every day driver in my area. There are many many things a 3 series will do better and more comfortably than a Corvette.

As far as economy goes I get about 15mpg driving it rather hard, but if you baby it you are lucky to get low to mid 20s. People on here are getting low to mid 30s with their 328i driving in eco mode.

Bottom line, do NOT get a Corvette if power AND economy are priorities, and certainly dont get one to drive every day if you live in a large metropolitan area.

I wasn't the one who mentioned power and efficiency. I was telling him if these are the only two attributes he cares about, he might as well get a vette. Anectodal evidence is pointless. Just because you get 15mpg, doesn't mean everyone else does. Cars have quite clear and regulated mpg rating.

[FOUR FLUSHER]

I'm currently driving a 528 loaner with all the gadgets. What a let down. The 4 banger is sweet even in this bloated beast. But forget about the "ultimate driving machine". I've been driving Bimmers since 1970 and this thing is basically a great Cadillac. My 2010 328 lease is up in a couple of months and if the new 328 is anything like the 528 (flat no fun to drive), I'll have to consider a "dated" 335 coupe or a 135. Maybe BMW has just lost it, trying to appeal to us over stuffed Americans.

[gianlifts]

Originally Posted by FOUR FLUSHER

I'm currently driving a 528 loaner with all the gadgets. What a let down. The 4 banger is sweet even in this bloated beast. But forget about the "ultimate driving machine". I've been driving Bimmers since 1970 and this thing is basically a great Cadillac. My 2010 328 lease is up in a couple of months and if the new 328 is anything like the 528 (flat no fun to drive), I'll have to consider a "dated" 335 coupe or a 135. Maybe BMW has just lost it, trying to appeal to us over stuffed Americans.

give the 328 a shot, you'll never expect to see how well it performs. Trust me, I test drove the 2011 328, and it's a completely different car in my opinion.

[KneeDragr]

Originally Posted by malter2.0

I wasn't the one who mentioned power and efficiency. I was telling him if these are the only two attributes he cares about, he might as well get a vette. Anectodal evidence is pointless. Just because you get 15mpg, doesn't mean everyone else does. Cars have quite clear and regulated mpg rating.

Yep.

Corvette 17/24
328i 23/33

i.e. the Corvette is much less efficient despite a much lower drag. Give it a rest, its not a car that should be mentioned with the word efficient. Its a no compromise sports car.

[KneeDragr]

Originally Posted by Elk

I get 6-7 MPG at the track (Corvette Z06), but regularly see 36+ highway cruising and 25+ mixed driving, such as commuting.

The Z06 and base get 3-5mpg better mpg than a Z-51 or GS because of its gearing. So my low to mid 20s is pretty accurate for my model.

[Elk]

Originally Posted by KneeDragr

The Z06 and base get 3-5mpg better mpg than a Z-51 or GS because of its gearing. So my low to mid 20s is pretty accurate for my model.

Huh, the GS is both slower and burns more gas.

The final drive is the same, and 5th and 6th are very close. The lower gears are indeed a bit more aggressive.

However, the GS has better EPA numbers of 16/26; the Z06, 15/24. Bigger engines will do this.

Back to your regular cushy, luxury car programming . . .

[ric124]

[francis_william]

Originally Posted by malter2.0

I have the same problem and Im excellent with recognizing cars.

BMW does not have a single naturally aspirated engine anymore. It's pathetic.

Last proper M5 was E39.
Last proper M3 was E46.
Last proper 3 series was E30.

Now it is all one giant homogenization of all series. Cars are so complex now that you will need to depend on the dealer for everything (old news, but worth noting again).

I think this is one of those automotive eras where it is time to load up on few last good models, just like late 60s early 70s mopars are now.

E46 M3
E39 M5
E92 M5
E28 M5
E36 M3
E30 M3

maybe you are not that "excellent with recognizing cars." after all....
BMW is easy.... can you recognize all the front facial of Audi's A4, A5,A3,A6 in a distance? If you can,well u can claim your-self expert.


maybe E92 is not a M5 but a M3 after all...

[hanman]

same for me i keep thinking its a 3 like mine when i see them on the road

[malter2.0]

Originally Posted by KneeDragr

Yep.

Corvette 17/24
328i 23/33

i.e. the Corvette is much less efficient despite a much lower drag. Give it a rest, its not a car that should be mentioned with the word efficient. Its a no compromise sports car.

ok, let's play that game.

Corvette 17/24 426hp, 6.2L V8
335is 17/24 320hp 3.0L I6TT

similar weight, corvette on top of that much wider tires with bigger rear diameter. id say we don't give it a rest. it is very efficient car.

[KneeDragr]

Originally Posted by malter2.0

ok, let's play that game.

Corvette 17/24 426hp, 6.2L V8
335is 17/24 320hp 3.0L I6TT

similar weight, corvette on top of that much wider tires with bigger rear diameter. id say we don't give it a rest. it is very efficient car.

Ok

328i 240hp/2.0L = 120hp/L
LS3 430hp/6.2L = 70hp/L

So you lose, again, its engine is much less efficient. Actually one of the least efficient powerplants available. For instance the Ford 5.0L makes as much power as the 6.2L LS3.

Sorry, I love my Vette for what it is, but you are wrong, its neither a good family DD nor a efficient car. Its a great weekend and track toy. Its a really bad substitute for a person considering a 328i and honestly, you will only look like a fool for arguing it. Its a different car for a different purpose.

And it doesnt help your argument that you post numbers for a different, outdated model. That really shows that you know you are wrong and are grasping for straws because the truth is evident even to you.

[KneeDragr]

Originally Posted by Elk

Huh, the GS is both slower and burns more gas.

The final drive is the same, and 5th and 6th are very close. The lower gears are indeed a bit more aggressive.

However, the GS has better EPA numbers of 16/26; the Z06, 15/24. Bigger engines will do this.

Back to your regular cushy, luxury car programming . . .

Since you dont spend a lot of time on the Corvette forum I will suggest you simply look there if you would like to know the truth. A LOT of people have switched between different models of Corvettes for various reasons, and have real world results.

Yes the GS is slower and gets worse fuel economy. Its still a bargain at only 5k more than the base model, if you intend to track it that is.

[Elk]

Originally Posted by KneeDragr

Yes the GS is slower and gets worse fuel economy. Its still a bargain at only 5k more than the base model, if you intend to track it that is.

The GS is an excellent buy and a superb car, I did not intend to imply otherwise. My only surprise is that your street mileage is so low.

As I recall, you even get the Z06 brakes and the charm of replacing six pads per front caliper. Fun, yes?

We need to let this go and get back to the recognizability of the F30.

At times, I cannot tell various BMW sedans from each other without a great deal of effort. I appreciate that the experts similarly have difficulty.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by FOUR FLUSHER

I'm currently driving a 528 loaner with all the gadgets. What a let down. The 4 banger is sweet even in this bloated beast. But forget about the "ultimate driving machine". I've been driving Bimmers since 1970 and this thing is basically a great Cadillac. My 2010 328 lease is up in a couple of months and if the new 328 is anything like the 528 (flat no fun to drive), I'll have to consider a "dated" 335 coupe or a 135. Maybe BMW has just lost it, trying to appeal to us over stuffed Americans.

If you want any new BMW that is sporty like the old days, you need to look at the 328i sport line, all the other lines are really bland. The sport line can be a bit expensive at $50K+ for an extry level sedan. Stepping up to the 5 series, adding the m-sport package and active stabilzer bars to the 535i will improve performance quite a bit, but again, now you are talking about a $70000 car. BMW is certainly going to make you pay if you want to play.

[ric124]

Originally Posted by The X Men

If you want any new BMW that is sporty like the old days, you need to look at the 328i sport line, all the other lines are really bland. The sport line can be a bit expensive at $50K+ for an extry level sedan. Stepping up to the 5 series, adding the m-sport package and active stabilzer bars to the 535i will improve performance quite a bit, but again, now you are talking about a $70000 car. BMW is certainly going to make you pay if you want to play.

Must be a fully loaded 328i sport. I got my 335i sport with (see my signature) for $48k i guess with tax makes it $50k

[3PedalMINI]

well im glad im not the only one that has issues. I can differ audi's with ease except for the A6 and A8 that gets me every time. with the new A4/A5 coming out this may get even harder.

i would be pissed if i was a 5 series/7 series owner that everyone mistakes a 3 series for the 5 and the 5 for the 7. i hope BMW/Audi gets away from the extreme similarities through the series.

[malter2.0]

Originally Posted by KneeDragr

Ok

328i 240hp/2.0L = 120hp/L
LS3 430hp/6.2L = 70hp/L

So you lose, again, its engine is much less efficient. Actually one of the least efficient powerplants available. For instance the Ford 5.0L makes as much power as the 6.2L LS3.

Sorry, I love my Vette for what it is, but you are wrong, its neither a good family DD nor a efficient car. Its a great weekend and track toy. Its a really bad substitute for a person considering a 328i and honestly, you will only look like a fool for arguing it. Its a different car for a different purpose.

And it doesnt help your argument that you post numbers for a different, outdated model. That really shows that you know you are wrong and are grasping for straws because the truth is evident even to you.

You are not serious are you? You lost all credibility when you compared specific output of force fed vs naturally aspirated engine. Apples to oranges. Turbo cars will always have higher specific output per liter. That's given. That's why in my previous post I noted total HP, not per liter output.

Not to mention that F30s stellar gas mileage is just boosted by narrower, lower roll resistance tires. Why not put 19" 295s on the back and 18" 245s on front and see how it changes that 23/33mpg rating?

What you are arguing is utterly stupid. Entire automotive world acknowledges that vette is VERY efficient car in terms of gas mileage. There is NOTHING in its class (or even with smaller engine) and tire setup that comes even close to matching its fuel economy.

Also, quit using strawman argument. I never said anything about vette being a good family car. I'm comparing power and efficiency because that seems to be the only thing user Carnook stated as relevant to him.

[Elk]

Originally Posted by malter2.0

Entire automotive world acknowledges that vette is VERY efficient car in terms of gas mileage. There is NOTHING in its class (or even with smaller engine) and tire setup that comes even close to matching its fuel economy.

This is true.

Interestingly, Corvette's engineers desperately tried to put 17" wheels all around on the C5 (previous version) for performance reasons, both better performance and better mileage. Marketing won out and it received 18" rears. The current car is 18"/19".

I suspect BMW engineers have made the same arguments, especially with low aspect ratio run-flats.

In the U.S., buyers demand near-dubs (dub wannabes?) over performance. Is it the same elsewhere?