The BaT thread for the cars we won't buy, but kinda wish we would

[John V]

I'm not talking about what the chassis can handle in a straight line. I'm talking about what it does when you are actually trying to, you know, drive the thing. Like around turns. I've driven big power cars with E30 suspension and it goes from entertaining to frustrating pretty fast.

I've still never heard an S54 that doesn't sound like a handful of forks in a blender.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by John V

I'm not talking about what the chassis can handle in a straight line. I'm talking about what it does when you are actually trying to, you know, drive the thing. Like around turns. I've driven big power cars with E30 suspension and it goes from entertaining to frustrating pretty fast.

I've still never heard an S54 that doesn't sound like a handful of forks in a blender.

The thing is that the S54 doesn’t have that much more torque. It’s all revs. If you want a little less torque at the wheels, gear it a little tall. It’s not like a turbo or V8.

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by John V

I've still never heard an S54 that doesn't sound like a handful of forks in a blender.

I kind of miss that sound. And my M3...

[John V]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

The thing is that the S54 doesn’t have that much more torque. It’s all revs. If you want a little less torque at the wheels, gear it a little tall. It’s not like a turbo or V8.

Does that make it sound like plastic forks in a blender, instead of stainless steel forks in a blender?

[SARAFIL]

Originally Posted by John V

Does that make it sound like plastic forks in a blender, instead of stainless steel forks in a blender?

It’s also been a while since I’ve been up close and personal with either - but the Z4M had a much better exhaust note vs. E46 M3. Same engine but I think slightly different tuning and exhaust packaging. I always enjoyed the sound of the Z4M.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by John V

Does that make it sound like plastic forks in a blender, instead of stainless steel forks in a blender?

The blender sound was always a stock US headers on stock exhaust thing. Which, to be clear, is the best thing about the power killing US exhaust. A nice S54 doesn't sound good. It sounds insane.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

It’s also been a while since I’ve been up close and personal with either - but the Z4M had a much better exhaust note vs. E46 M3. Same engine but I think slightly different tuning and exhaust packaging. I always enjoyed the sound of the Z4M.

They plugged up the Z4M exhaust with four cats.

[JST]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

They plugged up the Z4M exhaust with four cats.

[John V]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

The blender sound was always a stock US headers on stock exhaust thing. Which, to be clear, is the best thing about the power killing US exhaust. A nice S54 doesn't sound good. It sounds insane.

Then why do they still sound awful with aftermarket headers and an exhaust?

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by John V

Then why do they still sound awful with aftermarket headers and an exhaust?

Because you're wrong? (Unless there's too much Borla in there...)