[deutschmann59]

Hey guys! Hey first of all, I'm not into racing at all. I know a lot of you guys on here are really into racing and mods and performance and power is everything, but I'm really more into style than the racing aspect. So I don't know that much about it, but I thought you guys might like to know about this story . By the way, this is the first race since I have the car.

I was coming home from the mall yesterday and this guy in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is just weaving in and out of traffic like an idiot, you know passing everyone at double the speed they were doing, you know like that. So anyway, just by chance or luck of the draw, this guy is right along side of me when we both get the light. We were both at the bottom of a pretty steep hill, so we were both at a disadvantage. Well he was reving the car and everything, and I knew those cars were supposed to be really fast, so I wanted to see how my car could keep up, so since I didn't see any police around, I decided to play along.

The light turned green and he screetched out, and I just took right off-I didn't chirp out, I just took off. Well, I launch right out in front of him, by like two car lengths when I hear something on his car click on....like a turbo or something. But yet, he still couldn't keep up with me!!! I was like holy crap! I thought those cars were fast and low and behold, when I came home I looked them up and it turns out they are supposed to have like 276 hp, and my 325i is only supposed to have 215hp.

Ha ha, needless to say I won, but what do you guys think? I mean he was racing me...the car had to have been fast, but he didn't keep up.

[EVO_S4]

just a bad driver

[apme123]

just sounds like the guy couldnt launch an AWD car, and a Lancer Evo can smoke ur ass no matter what u say! I drove one of em, and they are crazy fast, even the 5spds. To get a good launch on those u need to rev to like 4300rpm and dump the clutch! only takes like 4 times to fry the clutch though! Those cars are best HP money can buy, and handeling in included!

[scottjones]

Well... let's give you a little incite into your disillusion.

A Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (depending on year) is either 271 or 276 HP. Since I not only drove one for a local dealership as a demo as I was a manager for Mitsubishi Motors... I can tell you first hand, I would coc* slap the 325 any day of the week. The evo and 325 are not a comparable car by any means. Please be aware, if you were in an M3, sure... more evenly matched up... but, otherwise, no... just no.

And as for the "click" or whatever you were trying to explain, it was probably an aftermarket BOV, blow off valve, used for the turbo to "sound nifty". It's just used to say, hey... I have a turbo car and you don’t, neener neener neener.

As for a real life quick story, I was driving a stage 3 evo, which if any of you know, is roughly 490HP WHP. I destroyed a 2005 Z06, beat a Ferrari 360 modena and owned a GTO. *shrug*

[deutschmann59]

Ha ha ha ha! I told you I didn't think I had a chance. I just wanted to know what you guys thought. Like I said, I don't really know that much about the lancers...I never drove one, etc, but I found it kind of cool that I raced against him and I won! Maybe he was just fooling around with me and let me win

[BellasBmw]

Glad i read this thread, now if some fool in a lancer tries to race me, ill know ahead of time what im getting myself into, so i dont look like a chump..

[BellasBmw]

Also, it seems as if there are MANY cars out there that have more horsepower and torque than our precious bmw's.. so why exactly are we paying the most out of all the cars in our competition? Is it the name? Is the demand? I know bmw's handle very well, but for $38K, it seems i could have chosen numerous cars that are probably much faster than mine..

[deutschmann59]

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

Also, it seems as if there are MANY cars out there that have more horsepower and torque than our precious bmw's.. so why exactly are we paying the most out of all the cars in our competition? Is it the name? Is the demand? I know bmw's handle very well, but for $38K, it seems i could have chosen numerous cars that are probably much faster than mine..

That's a good question. I guess it is just the name, and probably better quailty, materials used, etc. I don't know, my car is fast enough for me. Like I said, I'm not really into racing that much. And based on my last car which was a 2000 Cavalier, I guess my new E90 really is a fast car!

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by sharp1183

That's a good question. I guess it is just the name, and probably better quailty, materials used, etc. I don't know, my car is fast enough for me. Like I said, I'm not really into racing that much. And based on my last car which was a 2000 Cavalier, I guess my new E90 really is a fast car!

Hehe thats exactly how i feel also. I drove a 02 Jetta (GL), that sucker only had 115 horse. I bumped up to 100 more, so for me, my car feels quick.. BUT people on the road assume that i am quick, because i have bmw. So its kinda weird that we pay so much for a car, but yet a mistubishi can easily kick our ass. True, we may have been parts/materials, but as for performance, unless you're buying an M series, i feel i dont have much to offer in power.

[stressdoc]

The Lancer Evo is not just any old Mitsubishi. It is a dedicated monster, like the Subaru SRT(?), and in a different vein, the Pontiac GTO. Very specialized cars, and in the end, more expensive to own than a 325i. The E90, by way of comparison, is a solid, durable, luxury car that is much more enjoyable in daily driving, and designed for high-speed autobahn travel. So be happy with your E90s!

One possible explanation for sharp1183's experience is that he was up against a poseur in a "badged" Lancer rather than the real thing. Another possibilty is that the car had seen better days. They are high strung and lose their potential quickly if not taken care of properly. High maintenance, poor resale, noisy and rough, few conveniences, but a lot of fast fun potential.

A short comment on Scott5's destruction of a Z06 & Ferrarri modena: either driver skill on your part, or caution with their expensive machines, or a low speed course. Must have been fun regardless!

[EVO_S4]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

The Lancer Evo is not just any old Mitsubishi. It is a dedicated monster, like the Subaru SRT(?),
!

Its a Subaru STI, Dodge is the one with the SRT

[Hunter399]

If you want streight line acceleration go buy a Mustang GT. My friend has one and the are CRAZY fast!

[Petercat]

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

Also, it seems as if there are MANY cars out there that have more horsepower and torque than our precious bmw's.. so why exactly are we paying the most out of all the cars in our competition? Is it the name? Is the demand? I know bmw's handle very well, but for $38K, it seems i could have chosen numerous cars that are probably much faster than mine..

To me, and I assume other BMW owners, it's about balance. It's just the right mixture of power, handling, luxury, design and technology. Not just power. I love power, but not in my everyday commuter. I need more than just power on a daily basis.

A Lancer, STi, 911, or (insert name here) would make a great fun weekend car, but they certainly do net meet our everyday needs like the BMW.

[scottjones]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

A short comment on Scott5's destruction of a Z06 & Ferrarri modena: either driver skill on your part, or caution with their expensive machines, or a low speed course. Must have been fun regardless!

Actually... I just happened to be a very experienced driver and have street raced for well over 8 years now. Lke I said, the Evo was a stage 3 and I was shooting 150 NO2. So, to give you an example, my car, with a "good" driver would still own a viper, 360 modena etc etc. I did it relegiously. Was fun.

Anyhow... The subaru was is a STI, the SRT is a Dodge, Neon rebadged with a turbo, lol. Quick though. And as far as poor resale value... *cough* the Lancer Evo holds a 57% residual at 60months. So... when our BMW holds 59% @ 36 on a 330... we can't say much. Evo's have the second highest resale value in the world right now. Just a FYI from someone who knows the facts.

[scottz5]

Originally Posted by EVO_S4

just a bad driver

ditto on that, people can drive cars faster then others, fast cars dont always you win.

In my Z06 I would kick Viper GTS butts all the time. I drove my car everyday and they most likely drove theres on weekends only. I knew my car so well they had little chance. Most Evo's are daily drivers. The driver can make a big difference. Evo's used to take my Z06 off the line all the time!

[scottz5]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

A short comment on Scott5's destruction of a Z06 & Ferrarri modena: either driver skill on your part, or caution with their expensive machines, or a low speed course. Must have been fun regardless!

I beat the crap out of my Z06! Even on the test drive! Most Z06 owners dont baby the cars! Those guys drive verts!

[scottjones]

I can't fit in Vettes. lol. I'm almost 6'8" I'm lucky to it into a 3 series ha ha. I was amazed that I could fit into my 2002 Eclipse when I bought it back in 02. I'll probably graduate into a 550 after this car... perhaps a mercedes... I don't know though... I have a thrill over the 3 series as my driving kinda car. Maybe a M... who knows

[NaTuReB0Y]

My bro owns a Lancer Evo VIII....and I raced him with my 330i....No competition....he won by a good 1 1/2 second on a 1/4 mile empty road. That car is super FAST at 2500-3000 RPM!

[CC 330i]

Originally Posted by Petercat

To me, and I assume other BMW owners, it's about balance. It's just the right mixture of power, handling, luxury, design and technology. Not just power. I love power, but not in my everyday commuter. I need more than just power on a daily basis.

A Lancer, STi, 911, or (insert name here) would make a great fun weekend car, but they certainly do net meet our everyday needs like the BMW.

My friend down the street races his WRX in SCCA Solo II class, and it is also his daily driver. He is selling it because he bought a used Mini Cooper S that he loves (built by BMW). So he is dropping nearly 100 horsepower (his WRX is around 250 hp and highly modified in the suspension department). The resale on the WRX is really bad and it is falling apart now. I think he realizes that he has a much better investment in the Mini, and has a better overall car. The engineering is better to start with, so when fully tuned, the results will be much better.

That Mini is the closest I have had to the fun I used the get driving my 1983 and 1984 GTIs. Both these cars didn't have that much power, but that didn't stop me from beating rich dentists driving their Porsche 911s down steep and twisty Torrey Pines Road.

Anyway, back on topic... If you read long term reviews of the WRX or the Lancer Evolution, you will notice that the resale is pretty bad, and most testers have had reliability and durability issues. The thing is, those cars are tuned so much, that they will simply not last 100,000 miles like a normal car without serious repairs, and they are not easy to live with daily. I nearly bought a WRX STI, but I just couldn't stand how it looked, and I do about 10% performance driving, and 90% commuting and driving to the store and stuff. So I don't want a car that screams BOY RACER all day long.

So the 255 hp we have in the 330i, and the 215 hp in the 325i is very reliable, livable horsepower made without a turbo, in a package that performs well without beating you up. Plus it looks good and you aren't embarrased showing up at valet parking or parking at a fancy restaurant. But when you want to do performance driving, the BMW is well suited for that, and will do a very good job of helping you keep up with (if not beat) many other more high powered cars.

I didn't like how you have to rev the crap out of the Lancer and the WRX to get to the power band. It just doesn't suit my style of driving (anymore).

[usernamenone]

does a bag over your head come standard with an evo?

[JVFan]

Originally Posted by scottjones

Actually... I just happened to be a very experienced driver and have street raced for well over 8 years now. Lke I said, the Evo was a stage 3 and I was shooting 150 NO2. So, to give you an example, my car, with a "good" driver would still own a viper, 360 modena etc etc. I did it relegiously. Was fun.

Anyhow... The subaru was is a STI, the SRT is a Dodge, Neon rebadged with a turbo, lol. Quick though. And as far as poor resale value... *cough* the Lancer Evo holds a 57% residual at 60months. So... when our BMW holds 59% @ 36 on a 330... we can't say much. Evo's have the second highest resale value in the world right now. Just a FYI from someone who knows the facts.

UMMM....maybe post where you got the info on the resale of the Lancer....that seems awfully fishy to me my friend...

[onesixeight]

I'm not sure why Scott is comparing the EVO's residual at 60 month to the 330i at 36 months...Granted, the 36 month residual percentage should even be higher if his numbers are correct.

The 325i residual is even higher than the 330i. I know two cars off the top of my head that have higher residuals than the 3's and EVOs...MB CLK 350 and Mini Cooper.

325i Sedan

24 mo/15k mi – 73% Residual Value – Money Factor .00250 Base Rate
36 mo/15k mi – 61% Residual Value – Money Factor .00250 Base Rate
48 mo/15k mi – 48% Residual Value – Money Factor .00270 Base Rate
60 mo/15k mi – 39% Residual Value – Money Factor .00270 Base Rate

330i Sedan

24 mo/15k mi – 68% Residual Value – Money Factor .00250 Base Rate
36 mo/15k mi – 59% Residual Value – Money Factor .00250 Base Rate
48 mo/15k mi – 46% Residual Value – Money Factor .00270 Base Rate
60 mo/15k mi – 37% Residual Value – Money Factor .00270 Base Rate

From Tarry @ Lease Compare.

Mercedes Benz CLK 350
36 mo/15k mi – 65% Residual Value – Money Factor .00325 Base Rate

Mini Cooper Coupe
36 mo/15k mi – 62% Residual Value – Money Factor .00270 Base Rate