[FrostyDC4]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

how so? The vq37vhr is a very linear power plant just like the M3 S65 but with a 7500 rpm redline. The motor is very smooth and very reliable. Have you owned one?

The new FI VR engines have more power but are not as smooth as the older VQ

Yep. It's pretty bad especially if you spec it out with a 6MT (you can actually feel each bank of cyl fighting to the death through the shifter). It's not as noticeable with the 7AT but it's not as fun to drive. The vq is very reliable and will cost less to maintain than your current car.

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by FrostyDC4

Yep. It's pretty bad especially if you spec it out with a 6MT (you can actually feel each bank of cyl fighting to the death through the shifter). It's not as noticeable with the 7AT but it's not as fun to drive. The vq is very reliable and will cost less to maintain than your current car.

Bought one of the very first ones in summer of 07 when the 08's came out. Had the 6MT for 7 years and 140k trouble free miles. Problem with nissans is there sh*tty clutch system. went through 2 MC and 1 HD CSC but no issues with the motor.

[FrostyDC4]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Bought one of the very first ones in summer of 07 when the 08's came out. Had the 6MT for 7 years and 140k trouble free miles. Problem with nissans is there sh*tty clutch system. went through 2 MC and 1 HD CSC but no issues with the motor.

You can say that again. I had the CSC fail on my car @ 22k but it's been trouble free since. I want to upgrade the clutch and plan on putting in a HD CSC as well.

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by FrostyDC4

You can say that again. I had the CSC fail on my car @ 22k but it's been trouble free since. I want to upgrade the clutch and plan on putting in a HD CSC as well.

I had a southbend stg2 clutch kit and absolutely loved it. Only thing that was annoying was the single mass flywheel rattling. I would leave the OEM dual mass in there.

[litxus]

E90 M3, but that is still E90.

Maybe Lexus IS-F.

Or older GTRs (prices are slowly going down, but not sure how reliable and what $$$ to maintain).

[baege]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

I hear ya valid points. The 1st gen vq35de is very unrefined. They improved a lot on the later gen vhr's.

test drove a 2008 350z after reading about the refinements
...smoother than my 03 but no bmw i6 and still rather coarse....i kept a 2004 crossfire instead of trading for that 350z which says a lot

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

S65 is a i6?

Oops, but it is a cross plane V8, so balanced, like the S54 and the S55, and not the VQ.

[newoldbeemer]

ISF is an option, but seems to be highly priced (looking at 30k ballpark) for a lightly used car, and also has very plain-jane looks.

I guess I may end up going F30 335i again, if not STI. Not seeing a lot of options, especially with hydraulic steering. I know the F30 isn't, but from what I've driven so far its what comes closest, at least it feels very accurate.

Can't do GTR. Neither looking at that price point nor looking at a 2-door.

[KenB925]

Originally Posted by newoldbeemer

ISF is an option, but seems to be highly priced (looking at 30k ballpark) for a lightly used car, and also has very plain-jane looks.

I guess I may end up going F30 335i again, if not STI. Not seeing a lot of options, especially with hydraulic steering. I know the F30 isn't, but from what I've driven so far its what comes closest, at least it feels very accurate.

Can't do GTR. Neither looking at that price point nor looking at a 2-door.

Take a look at the S4, 2013 or 2014. I leased one a while back when I felt like I had been there and done that with the 3 series (I still do). It was a good car, and fun to drive.

[newoldbeemer]

Originally Posted by KenB925

Take a look at the S4, 2013 or 2014. I leased one a while back when I felt like I had been there and done that with the 3 series (I still do). It was a good car, and fun to drive.

I have already done multiple S4 test drives. Its not on my shortlist, as I mentioned in the first post, here's why: I don't know, it doesn't feel agile like any 3 series (E90 or F30) does. Its fast, but in a sort of heavy way if that makes sense. It feels like a fast muscle car. I know that feeling is deceptive, because I can tell it takes the same corners I take with my 3 series with more confidence (and possibly at a higher speed). But deceptive or not, I am looking for that precision feeling.

Also it isn't cheap, for a lot of money you get a previous-generation interior, that old Audi interior looks really dated. With an F30 at least you're getting the "current" design. I know I said I don't care about interior, but that is more along the lines of "I don't mind cheap-ing out to get a bad interior" (context of sub-$20k G37), not "I'll pay 40k and live with a dated interior" . Because, interior directly affects resale especially on (perceived) luxury cars rather than perceived performance cars.

But regardless, S4 isn't on my shortlist. I'm looking for something with a sharp driving feel, to replace the E92.

[WhatsADSM]

I second the isf

[litxus]

Have you considered domestic brands such as Pontiac G8 or Chevrolet SS? It is not 3 series, but 4 doors and a big V8

[newoldbeemer]

Originally Posted by litxus

Have you considered domestic brands such as Pontiac G8 or Chevrolet SS? It is not 3 series, but 4 doors and a big V8

The Pontiac, not looking to go that old. I did test drive an SS (saw a crazy deal on an almost new one) but just can't live with the looks.

[TSM330i]

Stage 2 APR Golf R is pretty quick. Considering it'll only cost $2,150 in parts, plus installation you'll end up with 380hp and 387ft lbs of tq.
This would cure your "lack of acceleration."
Adding an intercooler for $900 would gain about 10hp and 20ft lbs. of tq.

[tcharged]

ISF is amazing bang for buck. Mine is good on gas. Not as reliable as you'd think and I am looking to get into an M4.