Pontiac GTO, BMW 330 or used 2002 BMW 540i

[zener]

I did drive my friend G35 coupe and what a disapointment! No match for the 540i low and mid range torque (from 1997 model on). The G35 is noisy and its transmission (both auto and manual) does not go well with the engine. It is very hard to make an car that everything matches so well together like the 330 sport coupe (except in 2001 when they tinkered with the handling and suspension) and the 540i (specially the manual one). Even my friend admits that he prefers his kid's 2003 BMW 330 sport coupe to his G35. I will test drive the GTO and do the comparison. I made a mistake when exchanging the BMW for an LS400. What a BORING CAR !!!!!!! I end u driving mostly my old 93 300zx twin turbo stage 4.

 

[zener]

Salvador, did you ever try out the newer M3? This thing has NO LOW END TORQUE. Yes it has good hp but you need to rev this thing so high that it is a pain to commute. It reminds me of the Celica GTS.

 

[boyRacer]

lol... celica gt-s and M3...

 

[Squisher]

GTO

<---domestic

fanboy

 

[glen]

540i no question

 

[amgkid]

Originally posted by: zener
Salvador, did you ever try out the newer M3? This thing has NO LOW END TORQUE. Yes it has good hp but you need to rev this thing so high that it is a pain to commute. It reminds me of the Celica GTS.

I don't think it's fair to compare two 6 cylinder cars (G35 and M3) to a v8. The way the M3 is driven is way different than the 540i. With the m3, if you're in the wrong gear, you bog the motor. It has no power under 2000rpm. Sure it makes a lot of noise to rev but once you get used to it, you can commute with it fine (I have SMG so it's easier). Mind you, I have never driven a 540i myself so I cannot compare these two like you do but I drive the M3 daily.

If you don't value the extremeness of the M3, the 330 is a very good compromise. It's easier to drive and more forgiving. I have heard nothing bad about the E39. It's beautiful (moreso than the E60, ugh) and by now, it should be mechanically perfect). Either the 330 or 540 is a great all around car.

(I also agree with you about the tranny in the G35 though. I have the auto and it isn't that great. I don't find it noisy though, but I'm comparing it to the M3 and loud SUVs that I've driven)

 

[jpeyton]

540i

 

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: amgkid

Originally posted by: nan0bug
540i would be my reccomendation, followed by the GTO. Stay away from the 330i, overpriced and underpowered crap.

The 330i is not underpowered. It has plenty of power and is probably around the same acceleration as the heavy 540. Have you driven a 330i (manual)?

Yes, and for the price you pay for a 330i, you do not get enough power. The 540i is more of a luxo-sedan than a powerhouse, its not made to be raced, just driven. The 330i is a sports sedan that is lacking in power when compared to its peers.

 

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: Crimzon

Originally posted by: amgkid

Originally posted by: nan0bug
540i would be my reccomendation, followed by the GTO. Stay away from the 330i, overpriced and underpowered crap.

The 330i is not underpowered. It has plenty of power and is probably around the same acceleration as the heavy 540. Have you driven a 330i (manual)?

From my short time on the boards, I've noticed people love to talk about things they know little about. They may have read about it, and that makes them an expert.

To the original point: I have an E46 325i, with some minor mods and I love it. Although the 540i is an awesome car, I don't know if I'd want it (Yes I've driven one multiple times). Then again I'm only inbetween undergrad and grad and don't perticularly need the space the 540 has to offer. As for speed and handling the 330 with sports package should be just fine. *shrugs*

Just fine is just fine, if thats what you're looking for, but the GTO would hand the 330i its ass and some cookies in just about every way possible, except for maybe resale value, but that remains to be seen.

 

[Nebor]

A GTO won't be able to handle like a 3 series, or a 5 series. Not even close.

And to whoever suggested that the GTO had better build quality than the bmw... ha.

 

[amgkid]

Originally posted by: nan0bug
Just fine is just fine, if thats what you're looking for, but the GTO would hand the 330i its ass and some cookies in just about every way possible, except for maybe resale value, but that remains to be seen.

0-60 in 6 seconds is subpar for a 40k sedan? i'd think it's faster than 90% of the cars on the road. the gto is faster, sure. i can't say since I have no driven a GTO (is it even out yet?), but the 330 seems to be fast enough for me (even comparable to my M3 at low speeds).

 

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: Nebor
A GTO won't be able to handle like a 3 series, or a 5 series. Not even close.

And to whoever suggested that the GTO had better build quality than the bmw... ha.

Why don't you try getting some hard numbers to back up your (uninformed) opinion?

Here, I'll do it for you.

Skidpad test results from Car and Driver:

2004 Pontiac GTO - 0.88 g
2004 BMW 330i Sedan - 0.86 g
2002 BMW 540i Sedan - 0.82 g

Lets not forget that the GTO has nearly 80hp more than the 540i and 125hp more than the 330i. As far as the interior, have you ever sat in one? Its probbably the nicest interior GM has ever released on this side of the pond. Even if it isn't up to par with BMW (what is?), in every other aspect it's a better car than either of the two he mentioned.

If I were him I would still go for the 540i, but that's just because I have a child and I'd rather drive a sedan than a coupe. If I were more interested in performance, I would go with the GTO.

 

[amgkid]

Originally posted by: nan0bug


Why don't you try getting some hard numbers to back up your (uninformed) opinion?

Here, I'll do it for you.

Skidpad test results from Car and Driver:

2004 Pontiac GTO - 0.88 g
2004 BMW 330i Sedan - 0.86 g
2002 BMW 540i Sedan - 0.82 g

Lets not forget that the GTO has nearly 80hp more than the 540i and 125hp more than the 330i. As far as the interior, have you ever sat in one? Its probbably the nicest interior GM has ever released on this side of the pond. Even if it isn't up to par with BMW (what is?), in every other aspect it's a better car than either of the two he mentioned.

If I were him I would still go for the 540i, but that's just because I have a child and I'd rather drive a sedan than a coupe. If I were more interested in performance, I would go with the GTO.

Somewhat related, although we (North America) think Holden is pretty good, my Australian uncle told me that Holden isn't that great. He said the main view is that they just have big motors but poor handling and mediocre interior. He then proceeded to ask me about Mustangs, which he heard are pretty sweet cars....

 

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: amgkid

Originally posted by: nan0bug
Just fine is just fine, if thats what you're looking for, but the GTO would hand the 330i its ass and some cookies in just about every way possible, except for maybe resale value, but that remains to be seen.

0-60 in 6 seconds is subpar for a 40k sedan? i'd think it's faster than 90% of the cars on the road. the gto is faster, sure. i can't say since I have no driven a GTO (is it even out yet?), but the 330 seems to be fast enough for me (even comparable to my M3 at low speeds).

I don't think its subpar. I just don't think its a good value. A 97-99 M3 would cost inbetween $21-27k, 50k-75k on the clock. Even if those were rough miles, with the driver beating the crap out of the car, he would have between $12-$18k (after taxes) to spend on any service it may need. BMWs are good for 200k miles easy. Why spend more to get less?

If he really looked around I bet he could even pick up a 2002 M3 for $40k, probbably with around 50k, but it'd be newer than a 97-99 if thats important to him.

I dunno, I don't see the point in spending that much on a new car when you can get more car for less money if you buy a couple years used.

 

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: amgkid

Originally posted by: nan0bug


Why don't you try getting some hard numbers to back up your (uninformed) opinion?

Here, I'll do it for you.

Skidpad test results from Car and Driver:

2004 Pontiac GTO - 0.88 g
2004 BMW 330i Sedan - 0.86 g
2002 BMW 540i Sedan - 0.82 g

Lets not forget that the GTO has nearly 80hp more than the 540i and 125hp more than the 330i. As far as the interior, have you ever sat in one? Its probbably the nicest interior GM has ever released on this side of the pond. Even if it isn't up to par with BMW (what is?), in every other aspect it's a better car than either of the two he mentioned.

If I were him I would still go for the 540i, but that's just because I have a child and I'd rather drive a sedan than a coupe. If I were more interested in performance, I would go with the GTO.

Somewhat related, although we (North America) think Holden is pretty good, my Australian uncle told me that Holden isn't that great. He said the main view is that they just have big motors but poor handling and mediocre interior. He then proceeded to ask me about Mustangs, which he heard are pretty sweet cars....

Yup. the handling is so poor that it bests both BMWs. If you think the GTO's interior is mediocre you've obviously never sat in one. At least it has a stereo worth mentioning.

 

[zener]

I will get a lot of flak from the following statements. The only thing I am concern about the GTO is its push rod engine. The engine from the Corvette, with all the raves from car magazines, in my opinion is not as smooth as the from the LS400 and the BMW 540i. I don't drive a GTO yet so I can say anything. I don't care so much about top speed, around 150 mph is enough, but I do care about low and mid range torque. Remember that the pre-1997 540i with 4.0 L has almost the same hp than the 97 model which has 4.4 L . BMW used the extra 0.4 l to boost the low and mid range torque. The difference is amazing for everyday usage. The GTO seems to have very low and mid range torque too. The last time I did buy an american car was a brand new GM Citation in 1980s. It was quite a sad experience. Maybe I have better luck this time.

 

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: zener
I will get a lot of flak from the following statements. The only thing I am concern about the GTO is its push rod engine. The engine from the Corvette, with all the raves from car magazines, in my opinion is not as smooth as the from the LS400 and the BMW 540i. I don't drive a GTO yet so I can say anything. I don't care so much about top speed, around 150 mph is enough, but I do care about low and mid range torque. Remember that the pre-1997 540i with 4.0 L has almost the same hp than the 97 model which has 4.4 L . BMW used the extra 0.4 l to boost the low and mid range torque. The difference is amazing for everyday usage. The GTO seems to have very low and mid range torque too. The last time I did buy an american car was a brand new GM Citation in 1980s. It was quite a sad experience. Maybe I have better luck this time.

American engines are all about low to mid range torque. Hell, even the 3.1L 6 cyl. engines that are in like, every early to mid 90s GM car ever made have tons of low end torque.

It all depends on what you want. The GTO has a pretty much useless back seat so you can have the performance of a sports car with the insurance hit of a car with a back seat. From what I've read, trunk space is limited too. The 540i is a totally different breed of car, its a luxury sedan, not a sports car.

The 330i is insignifigant in comparison to the GTO or the 540i. If you have to have a sporty sedan, there are plenty of other options that cost less and deliver more.