Alfa's Ferrari-powered M3 rival?

[Galaxy]

They better find a way to lower the Ferrari V8's fuel consumption. Ferrari engines are appalling in this regard compared to other makes.

[Raza]

They better find a way to lower the Ferrari V8's fuel consumption. Ferrari engines are appalling in this regard compared to other makes.

I'd say Lamborghini is worse.  I think the LP640 gets somewhere around 10mpg highway. 

[Galaxy]

I'd say Lamborghini is worse. I think the LP640 gets somewhere around 10mpg highway.

Ok, but I was comparing the Ferrari V8 to engines from Audi, BMW, Corvette, Porsche etc.

[Yawn]

Rome's traffic isn't that bad IMO. In Napoli things are getting more difficult... The more south you come in Italy, the more anarchists are on the road....

Milan/Bologna/Venice highways are annoying.. Lets see how close we can get to the car in front of us at 140km/h with the left blinker on      .. lol Ill be on there on Saturday..

[Raza]

Ok, but I was comparing the Ferrari V8 to engines from Audi, BMW, Corvette, Porsche etc.

Oh.

[Submariner]

I hope it's FWD.

I hope it has a column-shift 3-speed slushbox.

[red_shift]

In that case, the M3 has no rivals, because nothing else in its price class is RWD with a manual transmission.?

If the RS4 competes with the M3, and this competes with the RS4, then it competes with the M3 as well.? Doesn't that make sense?

It tries to be a rival. In my biased head, AWD cannot beat RWD (for driving enjoyment), all other things being equal. I have not driven the RS4, so I realize I am going out on a limb here, but I have not driven any AWD cars that satisfied me (have driven quite a few).

[Raza]

It tries to be a rival. In my biased head, AWD cannot beat RWD (for driving enjoyment), all other things being equal. I have not driven the RS4, so I realize I am going out on a limb here, but I have not driven any AWD cars that satisfied me (have driven quite a few).

The RS4 has already beaten the M5 twice in comparisons. 

[Tave]

The RS4 has already beaten the M5 twice in comparisons.?

I bet my Aveo would waste a new Tundra around an autoX course, but that's not exactly a fair competition, is it?

[red_shift]

The RS4 has already beaten the M5 twice in comparisons.?

I need to drive the RS4 then. I have driven the E60 M5. I am not looking for it to be faster, I need it to be more satisfying.

I just realized that RS4 is Audi A4 platform based. Sure, the smaller more lithe platform v/s a bigger , heavier platform will produce results that are going to be skewed.

Any RS6 v/ M5 comparos?

[Raza]

I bet my Aveo would waste a new Tundra around an autoX course, but that's not exactly a fair competition, is it?

You sure? 

[Raza]

I need to drive the RS4 then. I have driven the E60 M5. I am not looking for it to be faster, I need it to be more satisfying.

Someone here posted a sedan-sedan comparison where the RS4 won, and Evo just did a wagon-wagon and went with the RS4, but it was close. 

[Tave]

You sure??

Yeah. Its feel is decent for a small car and second is geared well for an event like that. Corners pretty flat, but you have to do some work preloading the springs to get all the understeer out.

[heelntoe]

even autocar did a wagon copmaro of E63, M5 and RS4.

[SJ_GTI]

I need to drive the RS4 then. I have driven the E60 M5. I am not looking for it to be faster, I need it to be more satisfying.

I just realized that RS4 is Audi A4 platform based. Sure, the smaller more lithe platform v/s a bigger , heavier platform will produce results that are going to be skewed.

Any RS6 v/ M5 comparos?

The 5-series isn't that big/heavy. I don't think the M5 is much heavier than an RS4, and a 528i isn't that much heavier (if at all) than an A4.

[LonghornTX]

The RS4 has already beaten the M5 twice in comparisons. 

Though they are both super sedans, they are a bit different in execution and size, rendering that somewhat of an unfair comparison in my mind.

[Raza]

Though they are both super sedans, they are a bit different in execution and size, rendering that somewhat of an unfair comparison in my mind.

They represent the best that the two companies can do, and they've got enough similarities to make it okay for me.  You're just pissed that the M5 sucks.

[Tave]

The 5-series isn't that big/heavy. I don't think the M5 is much heavier than an RS4, and a 528i isn't that much heavier (if at all) than an A4.

It's not BMW's fault Audi can't keep its hands out of the cookie jar.

[SJ_GTI]

It's not BMW's fault Audi can't keep its hands out of the cookie jar.

But cookies are so tasty. 

[Tave]

But cookies are so tasty.?

Not as tasty as Orange Cremecicles. I had 5 yesterday, and now there's none left in the box in the fridge

[red_shift]

The 5-series isn't that big/heavy. I don't think the M5 is much heavier than an RS4, and a 528i isn't that much heavier (if at all) than an A4.

It's not that much lighter, agreed, but the length, wheelbase and track width are all going against the M5 a bit I'd think. (not whining, just trying to point out that there are some differences in the dimensions.)

For example: If you take two bricks, both of same weight, but one is longer and narrower than the other, and push them around, which one do you think might feel nimbler?

[Champ]

For example: If you take two bricks, both of same weight, but one is longer and narrower than the other, and push them around, which one do you think might feel nimbler?

Whichever one has the BMW emblem on it I suppose.

[Tave]

Whichever one has the BMW emblem on it I suppose.

That's a good one.

[Raghavan]

LOL!

[red_shift]

Whichever one has the BMW emblem on it I suppose.

My BMW was really a Corolla until I discovered what a 13$ badge can do. 

[SJ_GTI]

[red_shift]

Magracer.  Go drive them and get back to me, or do the brick experiment as a substitute. 

[saxonyron]

The 5-series isn't that big/heavy. I don't think the M5 is much heavier than an RS4, and a 528i isn't that much heavier (if at all) than an A4.

I don't think anyone is cross shopping 5ers and A4 platforms.  Both size and pricing, the 3ers and A4's are in the same class, while the 5ers and A6's are in their same class.  I guess they did the M5/ RS4 comparo because the RS6 wasn't available and the RS4 was the nearest thing. 

Nice find, NJ_GTI - the RS4 edges out the M3?  Will wonders never cease? 

[red_shift]

I don't think anyone is cross shopping 5ers and A4 platforms.? Both size and pricing, the 3ers and A4's are in the same class, while the 5ers and A6's are in their same class.? I guess they did the M5/ RS4 comparo because the RS6 wasn't available and the RS4 was the nearest thing.?

Nice find, NJ_GTI - the RS4 edges out the M3?? Will wonders never cease??

troll/  Pish-tosh. A stock 335i can beat the RS4. (see other thread on here) An M3 will probably ream the RS4 all day around the track.  /troll

[nickdrinkwater]

Like all new Alfa Romeos, this car will suck!

...b?t I'd really like to have such a Lancia Thema 8.32 ... 

Speak for yourself dude!  Alfas definitely don't suck.