[boba-fett]

Originally Posted by Pond

AND of course Alpina don't use a speed limiter, so bragging rights down the pub (or private members club) too. Win win.

You might have found where to spend your £100k mate?

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by boba-fett

You might have found where to spend your £100k mate?

if he could find one suitable, few and far between....

[Sennen]

I could never see the appeal in these Alpinas....... a fat mans 'M Car' imo ETTO though.

[TurboWeasel]

Originally Posted by boba-fett

I am not sure I would call an E46 and M3 V8 overated. They are considered to be up there with the best and highly sought after. Not sure I would want any Turbo charged car over an NA either.

To get good power and toque from an engine by adding Turbos is easy and lazy, but getting similar power from an NA is a lot harder and takes much more research, development and no doubt cost. Normally from that development (flat plane cranks etc) comes great noises that they produced as well as crisp throttle response and power thats just builds and builds.

Indeed they are, but they weren't for me personally. They look great, sound great and go great (when in the power band), but the way they behave on British roads wasn't to my tastes. Far too edgy and twitchy. Some people call that character and 'alive', I call it annoying.

I wouldn't say turbo engines are easy. They have their own set of challenges to overcome, and it's not lazy either - it's a power delivery preference. Some people just don't like having no urge below 4000rpm. And not everyone finds the shrill and buzzy noise of a VTEC at 9000rpm especially appealing either.
Useable midrange torque AND power from n'asp is the hardest challenge, and BMW did a good job of that with the E39. It did have capacity on it's side though.

[boba-fett]

Originally Posted by TurboWeasel

Indeed they are, but they weren't for me personally. They look great, sound great and go great (when in the power band), but the way they behave on British roads wasn't to my tastes. Far too edgy and twitchy. Some people call that character and 'alive', I call it annoying.

I wouldn't say turbo engines are easy. They have their own set of challenges to overcome, and it's not lazy either - it's a power delivery preference. Some people just don't like having no urge below 4000rpm. And not everyone finds the shrill and buzzy noise of a VTEC at 9000rpm especially appealing either.
Useable midrange torque AND power from n'asp is the hardest challenge, and BMW did a good job of that with the E39. It did have capacity on it's side though.

I agree, Turbo power can be exciting as well. Ask me what I would prefer 10 years ago and I probably would have said a boosted car!

[TurboWeasel]

Originally Posted by boba-fett

I agree, Turbo power can be exciting as well. Ask me what I would prefer 10 years ago and I probably would have said a boosted car!

I love turbo franticness and really good n'asp engines equally, but if I was forced to choose at gun point, it would be turbo

My 3 most memorable n'asp experiences are the 3.2 24V busso motor, the E39 M5's V8 and the 993's 3.6 Varioram engine.

The E46 and E92's engines are a bit too peaky for my taste.

[boba-fett]

Originally Posted by TurboWeasel

I love turbo franticness and really good n'asp engines equally, but if I was forced to choose at gun point, it would be turbo

I kinda guessed that given your name!