Hi..

I have a very cocky friend with a 5speed 96 328is...A really nice car...its a straight 6...190HP like a stock max...But he talks like Maximas are total crap and keeps saying he'll spank me in a race...

"Big and slow" "Huge" are some of the words he used to describe Maximas.

Is he right or could I shut him up once and for all

I have a stock 95 Se... 5 speed as well..

 

I raced a Z3 2.8 when I only had my suspension done, and I took him. Motor Trend has a (E36) 328is running ~14.7 (though the E46 328 ran 15.2), so watch out. Prolly be driver dependant. I think they weigh more than the Maxima, around same engine specs, though their torque curve is flatter than that of the Maxima, and it is a better balaced car. I also think they have around the same wheel base. However with a front drive car you loose less power from the flywheel to the wheels than a rear drive car. It'll be close. Sounds like he is uneducated about his competition, which is to your advantage. Race him and have fun. He'll shut up...

 

Is it a 2 door or 4 door. I took a four dour 1 mile but I don't think I would beat him much further. I had a stock 95SE 5 speed. However, I am above average when it comes to driving. Your launch will be very crucial. If you are not a great driver try a rolling start around 5 to 10 MPH. Dead stop, I rev around 2500 and ease in right at the brink of wheelspin. You make get a little spin but a little is good. Don't over do it. 1st-6500rpm 2nd,3rd,4th,6000 5th blow it up.

 

My friend just purchased a 1996 5-speed 328is. I agree, it is a nice car. Anyway I have not raced him off the line yet, but I did get in about 3 moving races with him (before I had the CAI) and he pulled on me pretty good each time. The first was in 3rd gear at about 4000 rpm, then in 3rd at about 3000 and 2nd at about 3500. He had a passenger and I did not.

His car is definitely faster for now; after my y-pipe comes I'll go race him off the line and see what happens. He's one of the best drivers I know though so it should be fun

Oh and http://web.missouri.edu/~apcb20/times.html gives his car 6.4 and 15.0 but I have no idea how accurate that is.

 

Yeah, the thing is -- Is that Bimmer has a nice engine and all, but where they really get the competition is their incredible suspension and chassis (prevents alot of wheelspin and chassis flex) and the overall gearing of the rear end and tranny. The car is soooo well engineered in terms of that... I personally think that Maxes have a better engine (less maintainance, cheaper to own, less problems) but the Bimmer will pull ahead due to the engineering thought they have put in to their 3 series sedans since like the early 80's. They have racing experience on their side. Oh well, I still love my Max when compared to the 3 series. Excellent driveability, roomier and a hellava smoother ride than the Bimmer. I think that the Bimmer and Max runs are dependant on the driver... But we all know that the Bimmer will outhandle a stock Max... Oh well, they sure as hell paid the price to brag about it...

 

I took a 328 on the highway one day, twice in fact. I'm a 95 Auto mods in my sig. I'm not sure about his drivetrain?