Final Vote For "Best Car 2006"

[eg6_dude]

I'll give you my reasons:

- It's about as quick as the RS4 in a straight line yet significantly more fuel-efficient, cheaper, and more attractive (except for the front end of the coupe, or the rear end of the sedan).

- It isn't as fast as the 997 GT3, but it's far more practical (obviously) and costs less than half as much money. Although it wouldn't fit in quite as well as the GT3, the 335i doesn't feel out-of-place on a track.

- It isn't as cheap as the Aura, but it's just as fuel-efficient, faster, much more sporty, and has about the same interior/trunk space, making it just as good of a daily driver. The 335i is also better-built. (Honestly, though, I have to give the Aura credit in the styling department. I've always liked how modern Opels look.)

The 335i walks a fine line between daily usability and performance, as the 3-series has always done. With its turbochargers, however, it's able to edge closer to the performance side without sacrificing the other half.

The engine is special because as niky said, the turbochargers work together with an engine that's already good without them, instead of serving as a crutch for lack-luster engine design as others have sometimes done (I won't name any names).

What Wolfe said!

Voted for BMW all the way.

 

[Poverty]

How exactly can you guys say the 335i has a better torque curve than the RS4. The 335i torque curve is NEGATIVE (like a diesel), and the audi RS4's is one of the best in the world for a road car (90% of torque consistently available from 2250rpm up to 7800rpm)

Also the 335i is slower than the E46 M3 in a straight line, and therefore is no match for the RS4.

Looks are objective, I think the E90/2 series is a step backwards from the E46. Its also not all that much cheaper than a RS4, infact its a pretty pricey BMW.

I dont see why people are arguing that the 335i is special because its a great engine that was turbocharged. Arguably the 3 liter motor isnt the best in its class, and so what if a good engine is turbocharged, there are several other manufacturers that make higher output NA engines than a equivelant BMW and then turbocharge that aswell.

The 335i doesnt deserve to be here and it doesnt match the Aura at all for MPG, infact from what ive heard its pretty thirsty hence the 335d being made (or has it been released now?)

 

[Tornado]

Looks are objective, I think the E90/2 series is a step backwards from the E46. Its also not all that much cheaper than a RS4, infact its a pretty pricey BMW.

Except it is over $7,000 cheaper than the normal S4 and about $26,000 less than the RS4. So you are right, the 335 is so close in price to the RS4.

I dont see why people are arguing that the 335i is special because its a great engine that was turbocharged. Arguably the 3 liter motor isnt the best in its class, and so what if a good engine is turbocharged, there are several other manufacturers that make higher output NA engines than a equivelant BMW and then turbocharge that aswell.

Like?

The 335i doesnt deserve to be here

Well both polls seem to say otherwise. Are you on that warpath because the RS4 didn't beat the BMW?

it doesnt match the Aura at all for MPG, infact from what ive heard its pretty thirsty hence the 335d being made (or has it been released now?)

Lets see:
Saturn Aura XR: 252 BHP, 251 lb. ft. torque. EPA City/Highway: 20/28
BMW 335Ci: 306 BHP, 295 lb. ft. torque. EPA City/Highway: 20/29
Nope, doesn't match the Aura at all.

 

[Poverty]

Except it is over $7,000 cheaper than the normal S4 and about $26,000 less than the RS4. So you are right, the 335 is so close in price to the RS4.

Like?

Well both polls seem to say otherwise. Are you on that warpath because the RS4 didn't beat the BMW?

Lets see:
Saturn Aura XR: 252 BHP, 251 lb. ft. torque. EPA City/Highway: 20/28
BMW 335Ci: 306 BHP, 295 lb. ft. torque. EPA City/Highway: 20/29
Nope, doesn't match the Aura at all.

1. Not in the UK its not. A half decent specced 335i will set you back £38,000, a decent specced S4 is about £40,000.
2. Porsche 911's
3. Do you really think I care? I voted for the GT3 RS.
4. People who have actually driven the car dont report those figures for the BMW at all. I can quote actual owners who say they are thirsty cars at times, but better in other scenarios such as motorway cruising. Usually people report better MPG than the manufacturer claims.
5. In regards to the aura you took the most powerful example. Wolfe didnt mention a specific model, and so I will stand behind my statement as it is correct, the average aura/vectra is more economical.

Now why the GT3 should win.


Its the 'ring king for its class.
It will outrun much more powerful cars. (it beats the Z06 'ring time even though its 100 odd hp down in power.)
Its meant to be really comfortable car
Its the only car you can drive across europe to the 'ring do 10 laps, park it up, do another 20 laps and then head back home without having to lift the engine compartment or give the brakes any attention.

Voting for the 335i is just buying into the hype. There is nothing special about the car and there have been reports of the car overheating after doing a couple laps on some random race track.

 

[Azuremen]

Pwnt, by the Simpson's Revival Church dude. Nice work Toronado

In other news, I voted for the 3 Series. New engine, new direction. And while I voted the IS350 originally, I will always credit BMW for doing sports sedans right, and the 335 is no exception.

EDIT - Pov, you do realize those numbers are from the EPA, not the manufactures? And people rarely drive cars like the 335 properly anyhow for MPG concerns. Thus, poor return.

and 2000 British pounds is about 4000 USD. And while thats not 7 grand, its still a notable sum.

 

[Poverty]

Pwnt, by the Simpson's Revival Church dude. Nice work Toronado

In other news, I voted for the 3 Series. New engine, new direction. And while I voted the IS350 originally, I will always credit BMW for doing sports sedans right, and the 335 is no exception.

EDIT - Pov, you do realize those numbers are from the EPA, not the manufactures? And people rarely drive cars like the 335 properly anyhow for MPG concerns. Thus, poor return.

and 2000 British pounds is about 4000 USD. And while thats not 7 grand, its still a notable sum.

I have always argued about the consistencies of EPA figures. I dont put much faith in them TBH.

The average british 18-26 year old spends £1600 a year on alchohol. 2 grand difference for a car isnt that much considering your spending alot in the first place and the target consumer will be someone over 30 who will keep the car for several years. Anyway to compare the brand spanking new beemer to and end of the run audi isnt quite fair.

I still cant get my head around how the 335i is here though. Its just a 3 series with a more powerful engine which just happens to be getting alot of media attention because BMW turned to turbos which mercedes and audi have been doing for donkey years.

 

[Tornado]

1. Not in the UK its not. A half decent specced 335i will set you back £38,000, a decent specced S4 is about £40,000.

Okay. However, you said the 335 was only slightly less expensive than the RS4.

2. Porsche 911's

Um, no. First of all, Porsche makes sports cars. The BMW is a midsized coupe. Second of all, the engine used in the Turbo is not the same engine that is used in the normal Carrera or Carrera S.

5. In regards to the aura you took the most powerful example. Wolfe didnt mention a specific model, and so I will stand behind my statement as it is correct, the average aura/vectra is more economical.

Saturn Aura XE: 224 BHP, 220 lb. ft. EPA City/Highway: 20/30. So, yeah, the BMW still can't compete with the Aura.

I still cant get my head around how the 335i is here though. Its just a 3 series with a more powerful engine which just happens to be getting alot of media attention because BMW turned to turbos which mercedes and audi have been doing for donkey years.

And the RS4 is just an S4 with more rubber, a higher strung engine and a better torque split.

 

[Poverty]

Okay. However, you said the 335 was only slightly less expensive than the RS4.

Um, no. First of all, Porsche makes sports cars. The BMW is a midsized coupe. Second of all, the engine used in the Turbo is not the same engine that is used in the normal Carrera or Carrera S.

Saturn Aura XE: 224 BHP, 220 lb. ft. EPA City/Highway: 20/30. So, yeah, the BMW still can't compete with the Aura.

And the RS4 is just an S4 with more rubber, a higher strung engine and a better torque split.

1. £10,000 cheaper than a RS4, but the RS4 is a much much faster car, with a much better interior (I have been in both)

2. Sorry shall I say RUF then.

3. There are vectras/auras that will do 45mpg. I win. Check and mate.

4. Next your gonna try and tell me that the MK2 TT is just a coupe version of the MK5 GTI.

 

[Tornado]

1. £10,000 cheaper than a RS4, but the RS4 is a much much faster car, with a much better interior (I have been in both)

That still isn't anywhere near close, price wise, regardless of interior quality or speed.

2. Sorry shall I say RUF then.

RUF RT-12: Porsche 911 Turbo engine, both in normal size and bored out to 3.8L.
RUF R Kompressor: Barely supercharged version of of 911 Carrera S engine.
RUF RK Spyder: Slightly less powerful version of above engine.
RUF RK Coupe: Slightly more powerful vesion of above engine.
For kicks and giggles: RUF Dakara: 470 BHP version of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4.5L V8 (not exactly a high strung piece in Cayenne S form).

3. There are vectras/auras that will do 45mpg. I win. Check and mate.

There are no diesel Aura's, and the Vectra is 4 years old. Checkmate.

4. Next your gonna try and tell me that the MK2 TT is just a coupe version of the MK5 GTI.

No, because they aren't the same cars. The RS4 and S4 are different trim levels of the same car; just like the BMW 335Ci, and, say, BMW 330Ci, are.

 

[Poverty]

That still isn't anywhere near close, price wise, regardless of interior quality or speed.

RUF RT-12: Porsche 911 Turbo engine, both in normal size and bored out to 3.8L.
RUF R Kompressor: Barely supercharged version of of 911 Carrera S engine.
RUF RK Spyder: Slightly less powerful version of above engine.
RUF RK Coupe: Slightly more powerful vesion of above engine.
For kicks and giggles: RUF Dakara: 470 BHP version of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4.5L V8 (not exactly a high strung piece in Cayenne S form).

There are no diesel Aura's, and the Vectra is 4 years old. Checkmate.

No, because they aren't the same cars. The RS4 and S4 are different trim levels of the same car; just like the BMW 335Ci, and, say, BMW 330Ci, are.

1. Well they are not exactly in the same class.
2. Ok lets try this. Seat Leon Cupra. 240hp 2.0T. Non-turbo 2.0 form it has 150hp, a remap can bring that up to 280hp in turbo form. The 3er costs nearly 2 and a half times as much. The Seat is more economical, and enviromentally friendly. Wwhy isnt that car in this list, its originally NA engine has been turbocharged to great result like the BMW.

3. A aura is a vectra basically and the 1.8 vectra gives 40mpg. Checkmate and this time its final

4. Except its not. The engine is nearly 80% different from the S4 engine and the chassis' has had extensive modifications. You cant make a S4 into a RS4 if you stick a RS4 engine in the S4, but you can make a 335i with a 335i engine in a 330i chassie near enough. Never mind the bodyshell and interior difference between the RS4 and S4.

 

[Tornado]

1. Well they are not exactly in the same class.

Never said they were.

2. Ok lets try this. Seat Leon Cupra. 240hp 2.0T. Non-turbo 2.0 form it has 150hp, a remap can bring that up to 280hp in turbo form. The 3er costs nearly 2 and a half times as much. The Seat is more economical, and enviromentally friendly. Wwhy isnt that car in this list, its originally NA engine has been turbocharged to great result like the BMW.

Because this is a poll.

3. A aura is a vectra basically and the 1.8 vectra gives 40mpg. Checkmate and this time its final

Nope, as the 1.8 can't be had in the Aura.

4. Except its not. The engine is nearly 80% different from the S4 engine and the chassis' has had extensive modifications. You cant make a S4 into a RS4 if you stick a RS4 engine in the S4, but you can make a 335i with a 335i engine in a 330i chassie near enough. Never mind the bodyshell and interior difference between the RS4 and S4.

I'm sure that if you stuck the RS4 engine in the S4, it would be "near enough" to the RS4 chassis. Not sure enough to care whether that actually is correct, so declare it a victory if you want.