I typically don't car for the standard "who would win" questions as most are trying to get some comfort that they'd win before they run someone.

This is not one of those cases, those that have been around know that I like a challenge and will run just about anything . . . even when I know I'll get smoked just so I can see what they can do.

Anyway, this is a poll to see who really knows what these cars are capable of, or a clouded by trade rag press and stats of who's got more HP and such. I'll post results next week.

Since no one knows whom you voted for there's no reason not to vote.

Here are my mods to help with the outcome.

02 WDP TLS Black Interior w/ Black Grill Inserts
**1/4mile 14.46 @96.07MPH
(**before headers, CAT, IMMs & BBTBs and tranny #3)
17x7 Konig Appeals SMF -
P225/45ZR-17 Bridgestone RE960 AS
(used Ziex 512s track only)
CT Icebox, RamAir, Sways & Springs
3nd Gen Innovative Motor Mounts
BBTBs, Mugen Cooling Mods & Thermoblok
Ceramic Coated XS Headers & Random-Tech CAT
NEO Anti Freeze & 5w-20 oil
Tranny #3 Installed 11.17.2008

Ruf

 

Lookng at some of the posted slips on dragtimes.com it seems most of them get mid 13's@105mph so SCed TLS territory.

 

This one is an auto and the times I've seen range from:

0-60 - 4.8 to 5.4 secs
1/4 - 13.3 @ 105mph to 13.7 @ 104mph
45-60 - 2.4 secs

Ruf

 

Your going to need a 6spd swap and 3.5 to keep up or at least a SC with the HBP (~6psi max). DO some weight reduction too

 

. . . the envolope please

. . . the envelope please . . okay, I wanted to have a little fun with this and see how the CL or TL group would fair on this poll . . . meaning who had more insight on the what the outcome would be.

The winner is . . . the CL group.

While there were fewer responses on the CL forum, there was a total of 14 votes of which 8 were for the 550i; 5 for the TLS; 1 tie. So say 57% went with the 550i and 36% for the TLS.

The TL forum had a total of 34 votes (nice turnout) with 31 for the 550i; 2 for the TLS 1 tie.

Now for the rest of the story.

This was a casual encounter, so no video . . . I was up front of a pack on a 3 lane parkway and noticed this black Bimmer weaving in and out of traffic . . . oooh, I’m hoping for a little fun. I pull away a bit from the pack and the Bimmer makes his way to the front. (Heart’s beating fast ). He’s moving up quick so I downshift to 2nd around 45mph (no I’m auto not manual – that’s just the way I drive it). The Bimmer (didn’t know what it was yet) slows down as he pulls besides me and give the gas a quick punch to let me know he was messing with me. I start to give it a bit more myself and then we punch it around 50mph. I pulled about ¼ car length in 2nd and through 3rd the margin stayed even. We got to about 100mph and backed off through a slight S-curve. He actually backed out first . . I figure he’s not quite as confident pushing the limits.

Since I didn’t see the back of his car I still don’t know what it was, so I slow down more and let him pass, which he does and see that it’s a 550i. I’m a little surprised as I like many here thought there’d be no way to hang with a 550i. I’m hoping he wants another shot at this, so this time I let him take the lead. He wants to head down another 3 lane stretch of road with more curves (cool). This time we’re around 25mph or so when he punches it. I close the gap by a couple of feet and in 2nd I close it a couple more. Now I’m pumped and thinking what the heck . . . I knew I was noticeably faster than with my previous mods that netted me a 14.4sec ¼ mile, but this was a bit more than I expected, but maybe not. Won’t know for sure until the track opens in the spring.

Now, back to see if there’s more fun to be had. I’m in the left lane and signal I want to turn, and he follows. We’re back on another 3 lane road and this time we start about 40mph. Again I pull a few feet in 2nd and in 3rd it stays that way until 100mph. After we slow down he pulls up next to me and lowers the window and hollers at me saying “is that thing stock, and that he has 360hp . . . and says that my car is bad ass. I did tell him I have quite a few mods ,and he says he used to have a TLS and didn’t think they could be modded so much. I tell him, thanks, but all things being equal I’d rather have his 550i.

Anyway . . . it’s too bad I couldn’t get this on video. This was almost too much. I know some will still not believe a word, but that’s their choice, but it really happened. I’m sure the guy probably didn’t know how to get the max performance out of his 550i, but none the less he was trying. I’m pretty sure it was an auto, but didn’t think to ask him . . my heads still spinning with excitement.

I was hoping to catch a 335i or something else that was comparable before posting the results and thereby have some sort of comparison, but had to settle for a short run with a 08 Mustang GT. It wasn’t enough to tell, but I was pulling on him up to 70mph when we came up on some traffic and I didn’t pursue it at that point. So we’ll have to wait and see if I can find some other benchmarks and or a trip to the track. Based on the run with the 550i I’m hoping for a 14.0 . . . and wishful for a bit less.

Anyway, I won’t bother responding to disrespectful replies . . . enough people know me and how I drive that something like this is possible. Specifically the DFW group.

Also, there still seems to be some confusion on what mods I had when I ran the 14.4, so here’s an attempt to add some clarity.

**1/4mile 14.46 @96.07MPH (45-70mph 3.5 secs)
17x7 Konig Appeals SMF - P225/45ZR-17 Bridgestone RE960 AS
(used Ziex 512s track only)
CT Icebox; Custom RamAir; Mugen Cooling Mods & Thermoblok

Mods added since the 14.4sec run.
Ceramic Coated XS Headers – ceramic coating helps improve flow & usually more HP
Hi-flow Random-Tech CAT
Big bore throttle bodies – the entire intake from Icebox to intake was bored out/enlarged. Many just do the one throttle body, I did the whole thing.
I also opened up the throat of the intake, and cleaned up the ports to the intake and exhaust.
3nd Gen Innovative Motor Mounts – this should help parasitic HP loss.

Misc notes: The improvements with the intake mods felt similar to that of when I added the headers. The note here is that these cars love more air than the average car, and if you note that the Icebox and Ram-air dropped my times in to the 14.4sec range.
I also believe the motor mounts help as well. There are a couple of stretches I used to compare gains when I make changes. With stock mounts I would get a chirp going in to 2nd. With the performance mounts I would get a chirp punching it in 1st at 30mph, and a really nice screech going in to 2nd. After I added the intake mods it would brake the tires loose in 1st at 30mph multiple times as it was fighting for traction. It’s not scientific, but it does give me an idea that I’m getting a lot more power to the ground than before. I won’t really know anything until I run at the track . . . and it’s driving me nuts that I have to wait.

Ruf

 

sweet.....this is why I dont race you Mark

 

Pretty good pulls man. And I'm right there with ya as far as having his car instead! Faster or Not!

 

Good Lord.
U will be good at telling stories. (Or beter yer writing books)

 

Hard to believe you beat a 550 but i have no reason to think you are lying. Nice kill

 

Well . . I'm still pumped about it weeks later . . . I find myself looking for another one or a 335i just to see how real it is. The guy may not have been pushing it to the edge. I'm sure I'll get something comparable and will post whether I win or loose.

Ruf

 

I would be too! Arent those 335i supposed to be able to whoop our ass? Either way good luck and once again nice win.

 

They aren't suppose to be able to, simply put, they will walk all over us like the Steelers are going to do to the Chargers this Sunday.

Unless he has a supercharger with every mod, he is going to get dusted. Nothing against your car, just a simple fact.

In addition with the 335, with a simple $1200 tune, they run low 13's

 

Thanks, and technically . . . stock head-to-head, yes they should all things being equal. But as we all know, all things aren't always equal . . especially when it's a stock 550i or 335i vs a decently modded Type-S.

The reason for want to run another or 335i is to see if it was a fluke or not. Again, I won't know how fast mine is until the spring . . I just know it's quite a bit faster than it was when I ran the 14.4.

I'll have to look up some other potential cars in the mid 13sec space and see if I can have a little fun . . . heck, I'm game for anything faster just to see how I can match up against them . . . I know they're technically faster, but way too many don't know how to run their cars . . . . and that's part of the fun.

Ruf

 

The 335i with $1200 tune will run in the 12's. It can easily keep up with the new M3 in the straight line.

In stock form, the 335i and the 550i are even. Both can run low to high 13's. As speed increases, the 550i will have advantage.

 

Here is an idea for you.

Go to a BMW dealer and take a 335i or 550i for a test drive. Most BMW dealers that I know just give me the key, the sale person is not going along (insist that you're more comfortable without anyone watching over your shoulder). Then you can do your own experiment

If I live closer, I would be happy to oblige your request . I have a rental property near Plano but I only travel there by plane.

 

Ha! . . yeah, I did something like that once. Took an M3 for a test drive . . the saleman drove it pretty agressively . . but when I got behind the wheel it freaked him out. He told me he drove it that way so I could feel the performance . . I told him I can't feel it sitting in the passenger seat . . so I took him back before he wet himself.

BTW . . . earlier today some guy in a newer GS350 was being a jerk and when I tried to get around him he came a bit over in to my lane. Then when I got beside him he steps on it, and since I was already in 2nd I pulled away from him and at about 2 car lengths I let up. I hear those things run the 1/4 in 14.0-14.2 depending on the testers. And once again, probably not a real racer . . so it still doesn't get me a real solid feel for how fast it's running. I do know twice today I broke the tires loose (spun them - not an easy feat for an automatic) jumping on it in 1st gear, so quite a bit more power than when it ran the 14.4 . . . so still hopeful of some nice times at the track.

Ruf

 

I ran 14.34 and ran 550i also and there is no possibility to beat this car. U just had a luck. Maybe he didnt downshift b4 he raced you. Anyway nice kill