I guess you're right. But someone has to be seriously misinformed to not realize the SMG II and automatic trans are about as close to each other as Hong Kong and Canada. The E46 M3's been out for, what, 4 years?

 

I have to agree with Steve on this one. I have never heard of a stock S2000 pulling 0.95g on a skidpad. 0.91 or 0.92 would be more believable/achievable in a stock S2000.

 

Yeah I did my search too quickly and actually found a 0.94g number but mis-typed it as 0.95g ... When I looked more carefully most of the magazine numbers came back as 0.91g-0.92g and some hovered as low as 0.88g, but some numbers were lower for the 330Ci than what I posted too.

I realize its all magazine speak (which is why I said that above), was just trying to "factualize" it above me just saying the S2000 handles better than the 330Ci

 

the diameter of the skidpad plays a big part in the variance. C&D uses a 300' circle I believe.

 

DOH!!!!!!!!

I meant convertable E46 M3. Brain fart. The SMG is usually a lil quicker than the manual.

 

My roommate has a Dinan 330i, and in straight line acceleration we are neck and neck until around 130, then he pulls away. My car is not stock (see sig), and he has the intake, exhaust, stage 3 software, throttle body, F&R strut braces, and H&R sway bars. On the curves, it's close but I still inch ahead. His car may weigh more and have less HP (about 15-20 on a given day), but he has a shitload more torque (almost 80 ft lbs). This is what gives him the advantage in some scenarios. I have to downshift like a madman to keep it in VTEC, but he can just lay on the gas and the engine will pull him out. We have raced many, many times and the results are always the same.

The other area the 330 accels in is the traction control. Our cars don't have it, and I'm not about to go sliding sideways on the street to try and beat him when we're goofing around. He can drive using more power because the T/C will keep him in check. Sounds like I need to hit the track and bone up on my driving skills!!

 

I have a 330i with the performance package. It has different cams and tuning. They say the 6-speed can do 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds, 1/4 in the very low 14's in the high 90's. I'd say it's a driver's race.

Sam

 

Really? I thought the diameter had nothing to do with skidpad stats. The larger the circle, the faster you can go maintaining the same lateral forces as if you had a smaller circle, but you would be going slower. Maybe I'm leaving out something - lost my physics brain back in 11th grade AP Physics.

 

His question was about the track, not the drag strip.

 

S2000, no doubt about that.

Sam