[QUOTE]Originally posted by SGOSWRX
[B]What bothers me about the EVO is it only makes 276hp with 19psi of boost?
My 02 WRX with only 18 psi boost runs 12.7@108mph in the 1/4 mile.

The STi runs just 14.5 psi boost. That is a low boost level for the STi's low compression ratio. If the past proves true, Subaru will leave plenty of room for increasing the boost. The VF39 Turbo on the STi will easily pump out 18+ psi boost. I can only imagine how much hp an STi setup to run 18 psi boost will be making. 350-400hp? [QUOTE]


you can't compare psi to psi.
different turbos flow different amounts of air. its all about volume of air...pressure is only part of the equation.
There should be a few threads that talk about this, and how turbos work etc.

Basically EVO owners can do a turbo swap and run like 14psi and get the same amount of power it does now for example.

 

Tell that to my brand new blue evo when it comes ( almost got my 10g's to put down.. working my *** off) Ill even send you a copy of my contract, so please dont hate.. and im not braggin.. and like i said.. if you in the area.. i can help you out maybe(well not you cause you are gay, but anyone else down in orange county CA)

 

Have any of you moved from a more sport lux car such as a 3-series (M or non M) to an evo 8? i'm still in this HUGE debate about whether to sacrifice the crushy nature of the interior for the more raw approach of the evo. i currently drive a 323ci, while it has moderate acceleration (enough to get me in trouble) im left with wanting more power. i was thinking of upgrading to a E46 330ci as those have a nice linear pull with many aftermarket FI systems available for 5-8k. wondering if any of you guys went from a any euro lux to the evo. regrets? thanks for the inputs guys, it means alot to me. oh yea this is my first post btw :]

 

I drove an 323 for 3 year before the Evo.

No regrets here. The Evo is more car in almost all aspects, the rush you get every time you red line it, more than makes up for the more refine interior and overall look of the 3 series


good luck,

 

I work for BMW and I came to EVO from an E30 ///M3. BMW has its strong points---good hwy, smooth ride, linear 6cyl pull.

The EVO is for those who desire, Speed-Power-Handling-Confidence and don't give two s*its about leather interior or cruise control. If you want all out performance, Welcome. Otherwise, you've been spoiled by BMW my friend....

 

yea i mean ive come from a honda accord 93 sedan (which for some reason i absolutely MISS.) its not the leather issue. as stupid as it sounds, i couldnt imagine driving long commutes without an armrest! baaah i probably sound like an idiot, but thanks for all the input guys! a car is as good as its enthusiasts community :]

 

Welcome to the forum. I have not owned a BMW, but would recommend you drive an EVO. If your local dealership doesn't allow test drives, then post your city and chances are an EVO owner nearby would be more than willing to take you for a spin.

Good luck!

Speedlimit..

 

in 96 i had a new m3 it was a mean. totaled it in 99.
i like my evo it is more fun. you dont get all the luxury.go drive a evo

 

Welcome new guy!! Warning ...long post!!!

I have owned a few German sports sedans/coupes including a 1998 BMW e36 M3/4(sedan-5spd), a 2000 Audi S4 sedan (stage 1), a 2000 BMW MCoupe (sharked w/CAI), and another 2001 S4 sedan(this time stage 2).

I am really hard to please(can you tell?) when it comes to vehicles. Looking back at all of the vehicles I have owned I always felt like the M3 and MCoupe were my favorites. The Mcoupe was the most over-the-top and provided the most fun of any vehicle I have owned, but it was also pretty friggin scary when pushed hard, and really wasn't very usable being a 2-seater.

The e36 M3 was probably the best overall car providing a great balance of power, handling, fit and finish, and overall looks. It became my ruler by which I have measured all the rest. I have certainly had faster, and a little nicer (both S4's), but none really ever came close to providing the essence of what I liked about the M cars.

When I test drove the EVO for the first time, I knew immediately that there was a new ruler, and I was going to buy the car that day. Don't get me wrong the EVO does not have the BMW cachet (snob word for being BMW-worthy;-) , and it does not possess that fit and finish, and solid feel of a BMW M car..but it does actually feel very similar.

As far as handling and performance, the stock EVO is noticeably more adept, and the ride feel is solidly uncompromising and raw, taking it a level or two above the M-cars. Taking a technical corner in the MCoupe at 9/10's makes your life and insurance policy flash before your eyes. The same corner in the EVO taken at 9/10ths makes you feel like you need to take it farther. And it communicates what it is going to do in a very predictable manner.

The most important thing for me, though, was how dynamically the EVO performed as a package. Stutter-bumps in curves, off-cambers, sweepers and s-curves are all drawn in by the EVO like some sort of road eating machine. The well-spaced gear ratios, powerful engine, precise shifter throws, snug Recaros, and powerful brakes work together to put you in total control of your artistic driving efforts. It really is that good!

Unfortunately the looks are way over the top for most German car enthusiasts,and most will not buy the car because of the stark interior and harsh looks.You just have to realize that the car is the reflection of years of rally heritage, and it deserves to look the way it does, monster wing and all. People either get it, or they don't.

At the end of the day its about personal choices, and if you have a bias towards uncompromising performance the EVO is the one. If you like your cars in a nicer package,and don't mind a little less performance, the 330ci is probably your best bet.It is a great looking car!

BTW, tuning potential for the EVO is a totally different world than the BMW's.Unless you move towards an Active Autowerks Turbo kit, or Dinan supercharger kit you just aren't going to get much bang for the buck with the NA BMW engines.

An example is a $1200 BMW stainless cat-back exhaust that dynos at 1-3whp better than stock vs a $1,200 stainless EVO turbo-back that adds 25 whp.You get the idea.Your $5-8k in mods for the 330ci could build a very streetable 400whp EVO fairly easily.Just a thought.

JNR

 

Which is the best one? Which one would you buy and why.

I have access to a TME for 16K$, a 7 for 22k$, or a brand new one for $32K out the door.

I tend to lean toward the VIII for the looks and gear (6MT SAYC ACD)

I know that many love the 6 & 6.5, but I think they are kind of VERY DATED looking.

I am moving BACK to Japan BTW. This car is not for the states. Best handling of the bunch is probably the 8?

Inputs please. I really like the VIII!

Andy

 

I'm also coming from an E30 M3... while not as cushy as your newer 323, probably one of the more "raw" BMWs out there, and plagued by a few electrical gremlins by the time I got it, but even that car had more of a solid feel in the interior than the Evo, better steering feel, a more linear power delivery and better throttle tip-in, and an awesome cruise control. (Although it may also be that I drove the M3 a ton for 3 years, while I've only driven the Evo for a month so far.) Except for the seats and steering wheel, the interior of the Evo is like being in a civic or something. Being used to older cars, I'm happy just to have everything work and even cup holders (lap of luxury!), but it is not like a newer BMW or VW other upscale sedan. Also the gauges, esp. the speedo are not very easy to read for many. The levers on the floor for trunk and gas release feel flimsy, the action of the fuel door feels cheap too, with a poorly designed gas-cap tether. The sun visors feel floppy when you swing them to the side. The ride is stiffer than a stock M3 suspension, and the overboosted (IMHO) steering wheel with a tight ratio is very sensitive in highway cruising. Also, the turning radius is pretty big for such a small car. Like most Japanese cars, the steering and pedal effort is much "lighter" than in a German car, which just takes getting used to. Also, no trip computer toys on this car, and no display telling you your washer fluid is low or your license-plate light has burned out!

But the front seats are great, back seat room is suprisingly good, the doors open and close with a nice solid clunk, and when the turbo kicks in or you get in a four-wheel drift you probably won't care about all the other stuff... but that's up to you!

Also, I get *far* more attention in this car than in the M3, especially by teenagers and guys in Civics with body kits and so forth. Hopefully that will blow over as Evos become more common.

I don't know about the newer BMWs, but the 1st gen M3 takes a TON of money to make more power (to go from 190 bhp to 250 bhp you'd need at least $10-12K to do the 2.5L conversion with cams and all the other stuff), whereas it seems like you can make very substantial power increases on the Evo with cheap and simple modifications.

 

I came from a 2000 BMW M5, 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 4, 2001 911 Turbo and then to the Evo. There are lots of reasons for the change, part of it was that financially, i was doing a lot better in the late 90s.

Whatever the case is, moving from a 330i to the Evo should be very easy in my opinion. The Evo interior is actually inspired by the BMW 3 series, with similar curves (general shape). I'm sure you can find a lot more similarities between the 3 series and the Evo. The only thing ugly about the Evo is the stereo system. After you change that unit, your car interior will look very much more classy. I'm also very particular on how solid the car door sounds when it shuts. The Evo passed the test amazingly. It sounds somewhat like a BMW 5 series and a 7 series when you shut the door. Even the 3 series doors don't close as well as the evo door.

In terms of drivability, I think the Evo must be one of the easiest manual cars to drive available to us. It's almost difficult to stall the car. The shifting feels so soft like a sharp knife cutting into warm butter. The only thing that you'll notice about the Evo that takes some getting used to, is the ultra sensitive steering ratio. You have to stay alert, grab the steering wheel tight or your car will be doing zigzags at 80mph. I have always thought that the steering ratio was a pain. But now, I'm on vacation in Asia and driving a S500.... The steering ratio required me to turn the wheel so much (3 turns versus 1.5 turns) to make a simple u-turn I almost wish i had my evo here.

Nonetheless, the 3 series is an excellent car and a very difficult vehicle to part with. I guess it all boils down to what you want for that money. If performance is important, the Evolution is very inexpensive considering the Brembo Brake Calipers, Advan A046 Tires, Enkei Wheels, Front Mount Intercooler etc etc.

 

i sold my Euro swapped bmw m3...imported 6 speed and engine...over 15000 under the hood...its just more cost effective to go with asian stuff...i'll save the bimmer stuff for when im older and have a whole lot of money to blow. besides its not hard to out perform an m3 with an evo...in everyway....except comfort etc...but hey whats a bumpy ride for a nice car for 20,000 less than a new m3

 

tha 7, get tha 7.

 

What a suprise to see so many bimmer folks switch over to Evo.

I'm no exception, being a owner of a E36 325i for 8 years, I was initially thinking of getting a E46 330i ZHP. However, after a showroom visit and some research I'm convinced enough to get a Evo the same day and even I already put down deposit on the 330i ZHP a month before.

To me, Evo is realatively inexpensive, less common, and less refine compare to E46. Also, Evo is much better than 330 in terms of power, handling, and also roomier.

However, I also want to point out that Evo is not a car for everyone. The ride might be too hash for some and it eat more gas than 330. As other forum member points out, this car is very responsive, and sometimes too responsive for novice driver. It also requires more frequent oil change (and it is not paid by Mitsubishi, like the free service program in BMW) and tire change.

If you can get pass all these, Evo can (and will) be your ultimate driving machine!