[s-cars] Truth vs. Joy

[qshipq at aol.com]

 Taka
I've said it many times before, you need to *drive* cars, and objective compare them yourself.  C&D did the 'Lightning Lap' article just last month.  The corvette won't run circles around the M3... Or, based strictly on the times in class using your argument, the M3 will 'run circles' around the S4.  Good reads, but I enjoy comparing rides and drives of many cars, and learned long ago, that's not any offense to what's in my driveway. Apples to Apples: The RS4 feels heavy, and front heavy driven hard.  The M3 feels heavy, and *solid* driven hard.  The 'quattro' advantage wanes quickly.  Again, it's how you wear your weight.

Me, I prefer my landcruiser with TRD supercharger for towing, but the x5 sport will tow a the boat to the lake in good style, with form, and good brakes.  STi and Evo?  Kid cars, one purpose, and that singular purpose eclipses so many basics, they become chores.  I enjoy a good romp with the Evo, but even Pizzo sold his monsta.  The best part of that romp?  Knowing I had fun, AND I can give the keys back.  Best ride to set your eyes on fire when wearing your hat backwards?  Take a romp in a 135i with the Dinan chip package and warrantee.  

The BMW v Audi is about the evolution of Grand Touring Automobiles.  Specifically, how to get the least compromises from a performance machine.  To that end, the battle is full swing, and I claim De Lorenzo is still 180 out of whack.  I enjoy good car comparos with those that can compare them objectively with btdt.  Class to class, BMW hits the marque very hard, in objective and subjective comparos, IMO.  I thoroughly enjoyed my ride in a Camaro SS too, but the comparison to the BMW/Audis can only be a track time.  Which then brings back my point, the evolution of the Grand Touring Automobile has come a long way.  And part of that battle of the rings vs roundel, is how BMW chips away constantly at the 'quattro' advantage.  50/50 weight distribution goes a long way towards that end.  Add in identical awd systems, Audi is at the disadvantage now.

And I'm quite happy that I own more than one of the classic GT's in my collection of urq's.  To me, like driving the 911S, it's always a plus when the enjoyment of the ride, stands the test of time.  

SJ


-----Original Message-----
From: Taka Mizutani <t44tqtro at gmail.com>
To: qshipq at aol.com
Cc: theringmeister at triad.rr.com; jc at j2c3.com; s-car-list at audifans.com
Sent: Fri, Mar 19, 2010 5:01 pm
Subject: Re: [s-cars] Truth vs. Joy


I would rather buy a Porsche than a performance BMW model. If we stick to awd models, I still prefer the Audi quattro system over any other system I've driven.  My Corvette will run circles around the BMW's you mentioned and a gt-3 will do even better.
As a performance luxury car, IMO the fugly cayenne does better and the Audi's are much nicer to sit in, dealer experience notwithstanding. 
I have other cars, so I don't need one car to do it all. I still think an s5 or s4 is a much nicer daily driver than a comparable BMW. 
I'd also choose a diesel pickup or a suburban as a tow vehicle unless youre towing bikes or something light. 
If you're going to excuse the ugliness of current BMW's then an sti or evolution is a much better performance car.
I guess we can agree to disagree, because I don't see any BMW other than the x5m or the 535xi touring manual that I would ever buy.