Nissan Sentra 2.0 vs BMW 325i / 330i (speed issue)

Mar 01, 2007 10 Replies

Could it be true that a Nissan Sentra (e.g. a Nissan Sentra B13) with a 2000cc displacement could outperform (in speed issues 0 to 60) a BMW



325i or a BMW 330i. We are talking about a whole difference in prices. Of course you've got BMW status, refinement, safety, luxury feeling, but what about the speed? (I am not a Nissan fan, I own a 2004 525i, but was amazed at hearing a discusion in that matter in another forum). Thanks!

There is no surprise at all there. Zero to 60 is one tiny, miniscule performance parameter that has very little to do with the overall value of a car, and everything to do with power-to-weight ratio.

I've got a 1600cc Ford-engined car worth about $5K that will leave any street-legal production BMW (or, for that matter, Ferrari) *ever built* in the dust 0-60. Who cares?

-- Larry

"faive" wrote

I guess I'm surprised to see you surprised. Since when has swift acceleration been expensive to manufacture? Most of the American so called muscle cars that cost half as much as your e60 can accelerate in straight line from 0 to 60 in less time than your e60. So? How about handling in the corners? Hepefully you didn't buy your 525i thinking you got the fastest car in the world... when you were buying, there was a 545i on the menu and later an M5 too, just in case you missed it. :)

BTW, a little MazdaSpeed3 will smoke the Sentra and the 530i in straight

0-60. But again, so what?

Cheers, Pete

You're getting 0-60 from a 1600 cc Ford engine in 3.5 seconds???

What's its spec, and what's in - a motor cycle?

Not hard to do - my drag race cortina (US Pinto) would do 0-60 in 4.2 secs and a

1/4 mile in 11.3 with seats and windshield and that was in 1968/69. Terminal speed was around 105 - 107. Revs approaching 8K. 1967 saw my Hillman IMP 1000cc car with seats (super stock) turn 11.3 @ 114mph and I still have the timing slip or rather did have until I cleared my mother's house last month after she died and sold everything at auction.

Including all my tools and garage equipment.

Sir Hugh of Bognor

The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it!

Hugh Gundersen snipped-for-privacy@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK

The point is this: a BMW is a joy to drive in general... not just straight. Twisties, hills, track, highway at 125mph..... none of which your shitbox nissan has a chance at doing, let alone doing well.

sorry about your mother...

Yep. Mine are a Formula Ford and a Lotus Super Seven. Gearing set up for autocross is a wonderful thing. 8;)

-- Larry

Hi, I currently have a 1998 540iA, a 1998 M3 Sedan, a supercharged 2001 Miata LS, and (as of last week) a 2006 Sentra SE-R Spec V. I have to say that yes the highline Sentra does rock! I am very amazed by the quality control on the Sentra SE-R. It has a 2.5L with a 6 Speed Manual Tranny. It is much better than the 01 Maxima SE that I had a couple of years ago. I find that the Sentra SE-R out handles my M3 in the twisties and straight aways. I have had a long love affair with BMW but I got the Sentra CHEAP on eBay. It will become my daily driver. I'm selling the 540i (Which I literally JUST bought a few weeks ago) and shipping the M3 off to have the engine / trans rebuilt in Georgia by a Bavarian Auto Shop.

My ONLY issue with the Sentra SE-R is that when I'm in a deep corner and I apply more gas the front wheel drive seems to fight me a bit... but that's something that I feel in all front wheel drive cars.

As for the Miata... she has a special place in my heart and is not going anywhere. :-)

Just my .02 cents worth.

-Karl N.

Thanks - appreciated....

Hugh

Hmmm. Hardly 'road going,' though. You need to compare apples to apples, not track to road, to be meaningful.

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