What is the chance if 96 stick maxima vs 98-99 auto BMW 528i. Is it have any chance to win?

 

You might have a chance, however it depends on your mods, and the options on the BMW. This car does have excellent midrange torque. Look out for the 540 though. The V-8 in the 540i gives you more power and offers zero to 60 times in the low-sixes. Hare some specs, BMWs have long option lists. I would give it a spin, but not bet on money unless you have some mods. You also did not state if the BMW was a 5spd, which is standard on the 528i.


The BMW 528i offers 300cc more than the 525i, but the two cars are a world apart. The extra engine capacity gives much better performance that makes the ride down the highway that much more pleasant

Base model 1997-98 528i

Acceleration (0-60 mph): 7.7 sec.
Braking Distance (60-0 mph): NA
Roadholding Index: NA
Base Number of Cylinders: 6
Base Engine Size: 2.8 liters
Base Compression Ratio: 10.2
Horsepower: 190 hp @ 5300 rpm
Torque: 207 lbs./ft. @ 3950 rpm

DIMENSIONS

Length: 188 in.
Width: 70.9 in.
Height: 56.5 in.
Weight: 3450 lbs.
Wheelbase: 111.4 in.

 

I recently test drove a 2000 528 with an automatic (only because the place I was looking at didn't have one with a 5-Speed to test drive). It was not anywhere near as strong as my Maxima, so you shouldn't have any problems with it. But let me tell you...I thought the Maxima was a smooth running car...it doesn't even compare to the BMW for smoothness/ride. It also cornered great, and I didn't even drive the one with the sports suspension/upgraded wheels. I love my Maxima, but I'll keep saving my pennies until I can buy a 5 series.

I've also had the oppurtunity to play with a couple of 528's on the autobahn. They can't hang in acceleration, but I think they are a little stronger in top speed (close to 150 mph). My wife usually starts nagging when I hit between 135-140 mph, so I haven't been able to see if I can stay with one through a top speed one. (I actually think the only reason she complains is because my Stillen Intake is screaming at that speed...music to my ears, but fear to hers.)

An interesting note on BMW 5 series - here in Germany you can get them with a 2, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 litre gasoline engines. You can also get them with a 2, 2.5 and 3 liter diesel engine. And before you think a diesel in a BMW 5 series, understand the 3 liter diesel has a top speed of 140 mph!!!

 

If it were a race, I would bet on the max, I think it would have the 5 because of the weight. However, avoid the 540.

has anybody had the chance to take on a 330i yet? I'm interested about how we match up with the engine is the same size...

oh yeah, and avoid anything with //M on the back because M comes before N....

 

According to MotorTrend Teswting the 330i really isn't much faster than the 328i. I tihnk 0-60 on the stick is like 7.0

It would most likely be the driver and I have faith that Maxima owners are better drivers. People who buy BMWs are under a false impression that there car is incredibly fast. That's why I love tearing up people in 318's by several car lengths.

 

its just mean to pick on the 318s... everybody knows that chicks buy them to say they own a BMW, and guys buy them to get laid on a budget! :-)

 

There probably aren't that many. How did you get you Max to go 140mph?

 

Yes, they have Maxima's in Europe, although they aren't quite the same as the US models. The front and back ends are different, but the interiors are identical except for the metric speedometer. Also, you can get HID (Xenon) headlights on the 5th Generations. Engine wise, you can get a 2.0 liter or 3.0 liter. I'll try to post some pics of the European models soon. And you are right, it isn't a real common car over here.
My Maxima is actually a US Spec Maxima. I shipped it over Germany when I moved earlier this year from Texas. It gets quite a few looks since it does look different than a "Euro Max". (Plus the rear emblems are shaved so people wonder what it is!)
As far as getting my Maxima to 140, I yanked out the stock GXE computer and replaced it with a JWT Enhanced ECU from a 95 Maxima. I have put several thousand miles on it with the 95 computer, and although my car is a 97, I haven't experienced any problems with it.

 

Yes, please do post some pics!

 

I have done that with my max and I dont see why its a surprise the top speed of an se 5speed max is supposed to be around 144MPH anyway

 

Maximas can in fact reach 135+mph, but if you didn't notice the GXE's have a speed limiter that does NOT allow the car to go over 110mph.
Therefore, he replaced the ECU w/o a limiter and thus the name Autobahn Max, because he be able to fly in his Max just like the way I like to.

 

Despite the cubic inches (2.8)the Beamers are suprisingly quick.
Especially at speed.
From a standstill take off they don't have the rush the Max does. But up high - forget it. 6 cylinders are always better when straight and these cars can easily pull away once they are at speed. 45 MPH+.
If you're not at your best when shifting -you may lose. Otherwise it should be close.
There's a reason BMW get 40K for a 6 cylinder.
Good Luck.

 

MAXRX7 - Thanks for the explanation of the ECU removing the speed limiter. Not only did it do that, but it added a group of power. For the hell of it, I put my stock ECU back in the Max' after having the JWT ECU in for a few months. My car feels anemic with the stock ECU back in it. I'll be putting the JWT ECU back in this weekend!

The BMW's are incredible when it comes to high speed runs. I have a hard time getting away from even the 2.5 liter engine cars (325 or 525) up above about 110 mph. They run strong at the top end, I guess the engines can really breathe. I decided to drag race a BMW 740 one day starting at 115 mph. To put it mildly, I was roadkill!!!

I just read a road test on the new BMW 330: 0-60 in 6.1 and the quarter in 14.8. Watch out!!!!

 

Here is the Euro Maxima. I think they look better then our plastic looking crap on the 2k maxima






[Edited by TexMaximum on 11-25-2000 at 08:27 PM]

 

Basicly the Infiniti I30 then..

ZuM

 

i know that bmw 528 with a 5spd does 0-60 in 6.6 seconds. this is from motor trend. watch out for the 540, cuz you will get eaten, unless you have a supercharger or something. the 540 is in the mid to low 5's for 0-60, from motor trend. actually if you look in the latest issue, it will tell you the time of the 540i sport wagon, which does 0-60 in 5.7 in a stinkin wagon. the y2k max is 6.7. if you look back in an old issue of motor trend back in like 95 or 96, the 0-60 time is 6.6 for the 5spd. also the max will go up and beyond the 140 limit. it'll top out around 144-145. i've had mine up to 144 many times, burning other cars that needed to be eaten. but one thing to watch out for from a bimmer. it will take off on the highway.. especially if it's a stick.. or even if they have a 5spd automatic. cuz that 5th gear has a 1:1 ratio vs the max only has like .8something, which is still good compared to many other cars that are actually much lower than ours. mustangs are like .6 something, which is very low. bimmers love the highway. so do maxes, but not as much as the bimmers. and even all their cars with 6spd manuals, the 5th gear is still 1:1, which makes the 6th gear near the max's 5th. in like a couple years, i want to get like a 540 and do some mods to that, cuz you can make it fast as all hell. one thing about bimmers, they are mad tunable. they make all kinds of stuff for em. if you got the money, get a bimmer. the max is a nice entry level sports sedan. but if you can get better go for it. i wouldn't buy anything else but a bimmer or a max. screw the hondas. if you really got cash, go for the M5!!!! new is M3 is baad a$$ too. i'm out.
MaXeD OuT
96 SE Max 5spd

 

*Unfortuately, BMW's got us on this one. The latest issue of Car and Driver Magazine tested a 330i and got it to dance to sixty in 6.1 seconds. That'll destroy a stock 4th generation Maxima (and a 5th gen too, 0-60 in 6.7). However, how many yuppies do you see driving around with a 5-speed 330? I imagine it would be a bit closer if they had the ubiquitous slushbox and thousands of dollars in fattening options.
Stats on a 330i: 225hp, 214lb-ft, 3360lbs curb weight, 49.2%/50.8% F/R weight distribution. Cost (as C&D tested): $40,400.
Stats on a 4th Gen Maxima: 190hp, 205lb-ft, 3300lbs curb weight, roughly 60/40 F/R weight distribution. Average cost: $24,000-28,000
Fortunately, for the cost of a Bimmer, we can buy a new Maxima and have enough money left over to modify and build in some serious speed and handling... And we'll have more fun that way! ;-) Happy Hunting!

 

It will be a very close race and will come down to the driver of the car.. I think you'll take the bimmer though but don't even try a 540 b/c you will get imbarressed I certaintly did..