Originally Posted by DCNISMO (Post 1725428)

That was a slow bike then...or a crappy rider. Or maybe a R6...any new liter bike would kill a vette. I got a ZR1 to kill my Nismo yesterday......but it was cool to hear its blower
huffing as he went by and the low rumlbe exhaust.

Originally Posted by Night Fury (Post 1725336)

For my money the best comparison gauge out there are the 'Top Gear Power Laps' from the BBC show in the UK. They've got 9 or 10 years worth of times for all the best performance cars in the world and the times are all from the same circuit and driven by the same driver who has done thousands and thousands of laps on that track.

The 350Z touring put up a 1:31.8 ('03 model year so only 292 bhp)
The M3 (E46 333bhp) put up a 1:31.8
Incidentally the RX8 and the BMW 535d (yes that's right, a diesel) put up exactly the same times, all in dry conditions on summer days.

So one generation back the standard Z and the M3 were neck and neck, but the E90/92/93 M3s are a whole new kettle of fish, V8 and a mind blowingly clever traction management system (second only to that of the GTR) cut the M3s time to 1:26.5 for the coupe on a damp track and 1:25.3 for the saloon on a dry track while the 370z (not a Nismo as they don't have them for the UK market) could only post a 1:27.5. For comparison purposes the 2012 GTR posted a 1:19.7 which puts it up in the rarified air of the Zondas, Veyrons, McLarens and Ascaris.

1/4 miling isn't my thing so for me circuit times are the real test, but I'm pretty sure a 2007-present M3 is gonna smoke a Nismo in a drag race too.

But if you see an E46 M3 acting the A-hole feel free to teach that punk a lesson.

One last thought, have all the douchebags who used to drive M3s switched to Audi S4s? If so feel free to take the bait, the S4 only managed a 1:30.9 while the RS5 matched the Zs 1:27.5, but did it on a damp track. And the BMW Z4 ran 1:28.2 but not much chance anyone's gone take you on in one of those as they're only bought by middle aged middle management guys who can't afford a 911 and by trophy wives of the upper managent guys who can.

Originally Posted by Spikuh (Post 1725605)

Not knocking you for anything, but they have changed drivers a couple times on that show. Considering they are all professional drivers anyway, I am sure the variances in lap times would be negligable at best.

Again, not disagreeing with anything you said, just pointing it out.

Originally Posted by AsianJedi (Post 1725384)

Very nice write up.

BTW, not all of the douche bag M3 owners bought Audis...some of us bought Nismos. ;)

Originally Posted by Night Fury (Post 1725740)

You're absolutely right Spikuh, they have changed drivers along the way, I almost included that but figured, as you said, that the variances would be negligable also the generations are pretty much grouped under one driver. ie 350Z and E46 M3 are both Ben Collins times and the 370Z and E90/92 M3 times are new Stig, old Black Stig (Perry McCarthy) is only responsible for a handful of Power Lap times as his tenure was fairly short.

Now that your very good point is addressed, Top Gear nerd question: New Stig getting better times than Sacked Stig? Should some of the Lap Leaders get retested to eliminate any doubt, ie the Veyron, Ascari A10, CCX, Enzo etc.? Also shouldn't New Stig do a power lap in the Liana to see where he ranks among the F1 guys?

New Season slated for late June, can't wait.

Originally Posted by Cmike2780 (Post 1726001)

They said when the new Stig was introduced to the track, he/she/it was pretty much on Par with the old stig. We're talking tenths of a second of something that's just sorta scientific. Just look at the F1 guys' lap times. A lot of factors especially weather come into play anyways. You would have to have every car on the board do power laps at the same time if you want to be super accurate.

Originally Posted by Night Fury (Post 1725747)

Touche AsisnJedi, Touche. BTW, I love the M3, not knocking it at all, awesome piece of machinery (bit boring to look at though) and I wouldn't blame any one for buying one, nor am I saying that all M3 owners are douchebags, many are genuine motor enthusiasts, but there is a disproportionately high number of A-holes among the BMW clientele. I should know, my dad's owned about 8 of them in a row.