Andrew

Botany Motor Works?

If anyone IS getting that 3.1 ltr kit let me know - i've ordered mine (and waiting on bits) but we can get a deal on shipping.

Target Chip Ganassi Racing posted a second and third place finish at Richmond International Raceway with Scott Dixon leading the charge for his fourth runner-up finish of the season while Dan Wheldon finished third for his fifth top-five finish of the season. After rain washed out qualifying, starting spots were determined by championship points giving the no.9 Target Honda the 3rd spot on the grid and the no.10 Target Honda a fourth place start, with points leader Dario Franchitti on the pole and his teammate Tony Kanaan in second spot. The leaderboard remained the same for much of the first half of the race until Dixon's Target pit crew put him ahead of Kanaan on the second round of pit stops, while Wheldon passed Kanaan cleanly soon after to take the third spot. With his finish, Dixon tied Kanaan's record of 25 consecutive race finishes. Following the ninth race of the IndyCar season, Scott Dixon moves into second place in the IndyCar Series Championship standings with 294 points, 65 points behind race winner and leader Dario Franchitti (359 points) Dan Wheldon (287 points) moves into a tie for third with Tony Kanaan (297 points), trailing Target teammate Dixon by 7 points. Sam Hornish Jr. rounds out the top five with 242 points. The next IndyCar Series race is the Camping World Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix at 3:30 p.m. (ET) on July 8 at Watkins Glen International. TARGET CHIP GANASSI RACING QUOTEBOARD: Scott Dixon: "I think we had the better car, but it was just track position all night. (Toward the end of the race) Dario (Franchitti) needed to save fuel and you could tell he was using Sam (Hornish Jr.) as a buffer. That was the time we needed to get him. I'm feeling good about these short tracks because we've been struggling on them as a team for the past few years. It's good to run strong on them, and I'm looking forward to Watkins Glen." Dan Wheldon: "It was a very difficult race and very much unlike past races here. When you're in the lead it's good but when you were trying to get to the leader and pass it was really difficult. To win around here you have to be deserving and we did have a good car and a chance to challenge. Dario (Franchitti) deserved the win but at the end of the day for us that was the wrong person to win when you are trying to make up points in the championship. From the Target team point of view this was a good result especially after our last few races." Final Race Results from Richmond: 1. Dario Franchitii 2. Scott Dixon 3. Dan Wheldon

Slow BMW news day - but we all love hypercars

TechArt has unveiled its new TechArt GTstreet, based on the 911 Turbo of the latest 977 series. The car is powered by a 3.6 liter twin-turbo flat engine modified by TechArt engineers to develop 630 horsepower an increase of 150 over the original. Peak torque increases from 620 Nm to 820 Nm at 4,500 rpm TechArt engineers added VTG turbochargers, a new air box with sport air filter, high-performance manifolds, intercoolers and a stainless-steel sport exhaust system with high-performance catalysts. The TechArt GTstreet has the ability to do 0-62 mph in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 214 mph. If you want to pick one up, get ready to cash out 245,000 Euros Click through for images and the press release. TechArt GTstreet Based on Porsche 911 Turbo Gallery: Press Release: The Next Generation: TechArt GTstreet Based on Porsche 911 Turbo With its 2001 TechArt GTstreet based on the Porsche 911 Turbo of the 996 model series, TechArt Automobildesign created one of the fastest and most powerful street-legal sports cars of its time. The next evolutionary stage of this fascinating concept celebrates is now available: The new TechArt GTstreet, based on the 911 Turbo of the latest 997 series, starts at 245,000 Euros MSRP. Like the predecessor the new GTstreet edition centers on a powerful engine: The 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat engine is modified by the TechArt engine specialists and now develops 630 hp / 463 kW at 6,800 rpm, up from standard 480 hp / 353 kW. Peak torque increases from 620 Nm to 820 Nm at 4,500 rpm. The TechArt TA 097/T3 engine conversion comprises two special VTG turbochargers, a new air box with sport air filter, high-performance manifolds, intercoolers and a stainless-steel sport exhaust system with high-performance catalysts. The precise optimal interaction of all modifications is ensured by a newly programmed engine management system. Power is transferred to all four wheels via a modified transmission with TechArt gear-throw shortening. Thus equipped the TechArt GTstreet delivers performance that firmly places it among the world’s fastest sports cars: 0 - 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds, 200 km/h after just 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 345 km/h speak volumes. The body kit for the TechArt GTstreet was created in the wind tunnel, and offers an optimal symbiosis of aerodynamic downforce, minimized drag and striking design. The front fascia of the GTstreet with retractable carbon-fiber splitter produces downforce on the front axle and provides radiator, oil coolers and brakes with more cooling air, thanks to its large, striking air inlets. The auxiliary headlamp units with daytime running lights and fog lamps improve active safety. They also give the car even more passing clout. The TechArt GTstreet fender flares on the front axle add 10 mm to the two-door’s width and give it an even more dynamic appearance. But that’s not all: The air outlets behind the front wheel houses optimize brake venting. The larger air ducts in the rear sidewalls provide engine and intercoolers with a larger supply of cooling air. For an optimal transition between front and rear fenders the TechArt designers have developed rocker panels that complement the new contours. TechArt mirror and headlamp moldings provide the finishing touches. The TechArt roof spoiler extends the roofline and optimizes airflow to the adjustable rear airfoil of the GTstreet. The TechArt GTstreet rear fascia with integrated carbon-fiber diffuser contributes to the strong downforce generated on the rear axle. It also provides the perfect backdrop for the quad exhaust of the TechArt high-performance exhaust system. TechArt Automobildesign offers a number of versions of its popular Formula wheel in sizes 8.5Jx20 in front and 12Jx20 on the rear axle. GTstreet buyers can choose from several color combinations and between the one-piece Formula and the multi-piece Formula II designs. The Formula II wheel features an exchangeable wheel lip. For optimal tires TechArt chose ContiSportContact 3 high-performance tires in sizes 245/30 ZR 20 and 325/25 ZR 20. The large 20-inch wheels also provide the necessary space for the especially powerful and durable TechArt high-performance brake system. It features six-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 390-millimeter discs on the front axle. The rear axle is fitted with 365-millimeter discs and four-piston fixed calipers. The TechArt GTstreet comes with a TechArt VarioPlus coil-over suspension that is based on the electronically adjustable PASM damping system of the 911 Turbo. This chassis allows individual ride-height lowering by up to 25 millimeters and push-button selection of two different damper settings, “Normal” or “Sport.” However, the dampers are not limited to these presets. Sporty driving automatically results in firmer damper settings in both modes, thus combining excellent ride comfort during normal driving with agile and responsive handling during fast cornering. The cockpit of the TechArt GTstreet also differs distinctly from the stock 911 Turbo. Among the differences is an exclusive leather interior with color-contrasted stitching and sporty CarboBlack highlights. The coupe is further equipped with an ergonomically shaped TechArt sport steering wheel, aluminum foot pedals, foot rest and shifter, as well as with illuminated door sills sporting the TechArt logo.

We’re sure you remember that early last week the Vatican issued its own behind the wheel rules in its 10 commandments of driving. Well one of the rules from the Vatican was ”Thou shall not use cars as a means for outshining other people and arousing a feeling of envy.” Well the folks at Ferrari seem to disagree with the Pope. Ferrari’s General Manager, Amedeo Felisa, told Reuters at the company’s 60th anniversary event that while some drivers could use the cars as status symbols, most people bought Ferraris for the love of driving. “Unless having fun has become a sin, I don’t believe it (to be wrong). “I hope not — but you should commit at least one from time to time,” Amedeo Felisa told Reuters. Ferrari cars are each worth more than 100,000 euros.

Just connect the wires in the howto - it works fine.

hah - let me know then

Has both items ftw

If you're serious I'm sure gus wouldn't mind you looking after it. Otherwise I'm going to hide it in some secret location hah.

Perhaps it is coming from the back of the car - CV joint?

I have just noticed the website isn't emailing me new merchandise orders and new member registrations. I am working on this currently. In the mean time, either PM or email me and we can sort it out. BTW I am now taking care of merchandise as Gus has gone overseas. Hopefully I didn't lose any orders in the transition of stuff from his place to mine.

I still think it was a pretty badass burnout from the XR...

Fixed

So has we told you before, BMW will release official images and official details of the US bound BMW 1-Series Coupe on July 1st. Well today is July 1st and here it is. Unfortunately we will not be getting the wonderful diesel variants that get up 58.9mpg like the UK. US will be getting two variants of the BMW 1-Series Coupe including a 128i and the 135i. The 128i is powered by a 3.0 liter 6-cylinder engine producing 230 horsepower with 200 lb-ft of torque. The 135i has a 3.0 liter 6-clyinder twin-turbo engine that produces 300 horsepower with 300 lb-ft of torque. That gives the 135i the ability to do 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds with a top speed of 155mph. The BMW 1-Series Coupe goes on sale in the United States in Spring of 2008. Pricing will be announced closer to launch date. 2008 BMW 1-Series Coupe Gallery: Press Release: THE NEW BMW 1 SERIES COUPE: BMW’s 128i and 135i Coupes Come to America in 2008Woodcliff Lake, NJ - June 30, 2007, 6PM EDT… BMW will introduce a modern and authentic performance coupe that draws inspiration from its iconic 2002 models of some 40 years ago. The next BMW legend, the 1 Series Coupe, represents the core BMW philosophies of pure performance and premium design. By combining sporty rear-wheel-drive dynamics, agile handling, powerful engines and seating for four, the 1 Series Coupe will reinvent the niche that the legendary BMW 2002 created. On sale in the spring of 2008, the 1 Series Coupe will be available in two versions; the 128i and the 135i. Powered by a 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower inline 6-cyinder engine that generates 200 lb-ft of torque, the 128i Coupe will feature Valvetronic valvetrain management and aluminum/magnesium contruction-core elements of BMW’s EfficientDynamics. The powerful 135i Coupe features BMW’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and an incredible 300 lb-ft of torque from as low as 1,400 rpm. With its direct piezo gasoline injectors, twin low-mass turbochargers and air-to-air intercooling, optimum performance and economy is achieved with no loss in engine response. For the 135i Coupe, acceleration from 0-62 mph is accomplished in 5.3 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Both engines feature on-demand engine coolant pumps that improve fuel economy and reduce parasitic losses for increased output. Handsome looks with sporting intentions The new 1 Series Coupe combines unique, dynamic and unmistakable design elements with a powerful and muscular body. The greenhouse with its characteristic “Hofmeister kink” is moved rearward and offers a particularly nimble look with its long hood. The short overhangs, long wheelbase and large frameless doors sit on a body with a striking shoulder line for a modern interpretation of BMW’s characteristic look. On the 135i Coupe, an M Aerodynamic Kit is standard. The 1 Series boasts aggressive rear end styling. The trunklid has an integrated spoiler chiselled into the rear end of the car to accentuate the short rear section. On the 135i, an additional lip spoiler provides greater downforce on the rear end at high speeds. The individual sections within the L-shaped rear taillights give the vehicle a lower, sportier look. Horizontal lights integrated in the rear light clusters offer a homogeneous lighting effect with the help of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This light design, as found on other BMW models, makes the BMW 1 Series Coupe stand out at night. Also, the Adaptive Brakelights operating in two stages in relation to brake application force are yet another feature typical of BMW, with the additional benefit of extra safety on the road. The standard Adaptive Xenon headlights (optional on the 128i) complete with integrated Cornering Lights make driving in the dark safer than ever. The daytime headlight function in typical BMW style with two corona rings on each headlight unit enhances the perception of the car under normal and “murky” light conditions. Luxurious interior appointments with today’s technology The innovative interior design incorporates high-quality and sophisticated trim elements with luxurious upholstery and color choices. A 60/40 split rear seat is standard. The control console for the entertainment and air conditioning functions is integrated smoothly and harmoniously into the dashboard through its soft radii and flowing surfaces. The controller featured in the iDrive system with the optional Navigation system is integrated in the center console, again following BMW’s characteristic philosophy. Galvanized pearl gloss surfaces adorn the interior door handles, the glove compartment handle, the radio’s rotary knobs, the knobs of the automatic air conditioning system, the iDrive Controller, and the ornamental trim strips featured on the sports steering wheel. The BMW 1 Series Coupe is available with a choice of two upholstery options-sporty and comfortable Leatherette or rich Boston Leather. Boston Leather upholstery adds further style to the high-quality impression of the interior. And as a practical feature, map pockets are integrated in the lower part of the doors. The optional Sport Package includes sports buckets seats with enhanced side support and are finished in highly distinctive leatherette materials or Boston leather. Enhanced iDrive and integration of an external MP3 player BMW’s iDrive is included with the optional navigation system. It enables the driver to control all secondary and comfort functions such as communication, air conditioning, entertainment and navigation functions easily and conveniently. This latest version of iDrive is equipped with six Programmable Memory Keys that allow the driver to program functions that are used particularly often such as navigation destinations, radio stations or specific telephone numbers. Touch-sensative sensors on these buttons preview the function on the iDrive screen before the button is depressed. This allows the driver to choose the stored function safely and conveniently, keeping his or her eyes on the road in the process. A wide choice of audio and communication are also available, never before seen in the compact performance market. These features include SIRIUS satellite radio, HD radio, Premium Sound system and Bluetooth interface. For simple and straightforward connection of an MP3 player, an Auxiliary input jack is standard, and a USB port for direct control of an Apple iPod or iPhone media player is available as an option. High-tech suspension with newly-developed differential In typical BMW style, the new BMW 1 Series Coupe transmits the power of the engine to the rear wheels. This design concept and configuration �" engine at the front, drive wheels at the rear �" guarantees optimum traction, good weight distribution front-to-rear, excellent directional stability, and predictable handling. The new 1 Series Coupe has a sophisticated suspension system with an aluminium double-pivot front suspension and a five-link fully independent rear suspension in lightweight steel. BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) also includes a Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) function that provides electronic intervention to prevent loss of vehicle control, but at a higher threshold before activation. This allows the driver to experience more spirited driving on dry roads and offers more flexibility when driving in more challenging conditions such as in the snow. If the driver desires, both DSC and DTC can be disabled entirely. Active Steering, a variable ratio steering system exclusive to BMW, is available as an option. The DSC system on the 135i Coupe is designed specifically for performance-oriented driving. For instance, the accelerator pedal has a quicker response rate and electronic rear brake management is used to simulate a differential lock for stronger acceleration in turns. The rear differential on the 1 Series comes from a new generation of final drives optimized for running smoothness. Featuring double-helical ball bearings for the first time, the differential runs at an even lower operating temperature reached more quickly than before thanks to the reduction of fluid required in the differential. The front suspension on the BMW 1 Series is also built to a standard quite unique to its competitive group. The double-pivot spring and strut front suspension with its anti-roll bar, is made largely of aluminium and offers an optimum combination of stiffness and low weight. The very stable track control arms and thrust rods, as well as exact wheel guidance, make an important contribution to the car’s driving dynamics. High safety standards exceed international requirements No less than six airbags come standard within the new BMW 1 Series Coupe for optimum protection of the car’s occupants. The advanced frontal airbags are activated in stages in relation to impact severity while the side airbags integrated into the sides of the front seat backrests reduce the risk of injury at chest and hip levels in side impact situations. HPS (Head Protection System) side curtain airbags fitted in the roof lining protect both the occupants on the front seats and the passengers at the rear. The new BMW 1 Series Coupe also comes with crash-optimized seats with specially padded headrests and backrests significantly reducing the risk of injury in an impact from the rear. All seats within the 1 Series Coupe are fitted with three-point inertia-reel seat belts and headrests, with the front seat belts fastened on the frames of the driver’s and front passenger’s seats, keeping the belt in an optimum position around the occupant’s hips regardless of seat height or for-aft seat adjustment. Also, the driver’s pedals move back automatically with a predetermined amount of deformation in the event of a frontal collision so that the risk of driver foot injury is reduced. And last but not least, the rear seats come standard with LATCH attachments for child seats. M-inspired performance for the 135i Coupe The 135i Coupe offers more performance and a striking look thanks to M-inspired components. Features include an Aero kit for additional downforce at speed, better brake cooling and enhanced aesthetics while the Sports Suspension offers higher traction and reduced body roll with 18-inch wheels and performance tires. The Sports Suspension also includes with a high-performance brake system incorporating six-piston fixed calipers on the front and two-piston fixed calipers at the rear. BMW Ultimate ServiceTM: Providing owners with incredible value and peace of mind The BMW 1 Series Coupe will feature BMW Ultimate ServiceTM, a suite of services that includes the BMW Maintenance Program (formerly called Full Maintenance), Roadside Assistance and the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. BMW AssistTM with TeleService is part of the optional Premium Package or can be ordered separately as a stand-along option. BMW Ultimate ServiceTM includes: The BMW Maintenance Program is the only no-cost maintenance program in the industry that covers wear and tear items like brake pads and rotors for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. BMW owners pay nothing for all scheduled inspections, oil changes, brake pads, wiper blade inserts and other wear-and-tear items. BMW Roadside Assistance is one of the industry’s most comprehensive plans available. Not only is it no-charge for the first 4 years, but there is no mileage limit. BMW drivers enjoy the assurance of on-the-road help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. This includes everything from flat tire changes, emergency gasoline and lock-out assistance, to towing, alternative transportation and even trip-interruption benefits. This service also includes valuable trip routing advice. BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty: All 2008 BMW passenger vehicles are covered by BMW’s excellent Limited Warranty, which includes: • New-vehicle warranty �" 4-year/50,000-mile coverage of the vehicle. • Rust-perforation warranty �" 12-year/unlimited-mileage coverage. BMW AssistTM provides the driver with services that enhance on-the-road security and convenience, for added peace of mind. It is a part of the optional Premium package and can also be ordered separately as a stand-alone option. BMW is the only vehicle manufacturer that offers this service for 4 years at no additional cost. Most other manufacturers cover only the first year of service. The in-vehicle equipment for BMW AssistTM includes GPS technology and hands-free communication functions accessed via buttons in the overhead or center console. Vehicle occupants may request emergency or other services simply by pressing a button; the BMW AssistTM system then transmits the location and vehicle information to the BMW AssistTM Response Center. A response specialist will then speak with the occupants to coordinate dispatch, notify emergency contacts on file, and link BMW Roadside Assistance or emergency services as needed and requested. A severe accident automatically activates the BMW AssistTM call as well. The BMW AssistTM Safety Plan also includes Remote Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery services, which can save the owner time and money. TeleService automatically notifies the BMW center when a vehicle will need service. This feature allows the Service Advisor to proactively set up a customer appointment and have the needed parts ready. BMW AssistTM subscribers can also enroll in the BMW AssistTM Convenience Plan (available at an additional cost of $199 per year) to avail themselves to many BMW AssistTM Concierge services, from travel planning to dining reservations, shopping assistance and event tickets, as well as receive directions, and traffic and weather information. A selected destination and its phone number can be sent directly to the on-board navigation system and Bluetooth®�"linked mobile phone, after a push of the new Concierge button. The Convenience Plan also includes Critical Calling, a new service that connects the driver in case their mobile phone is not in the vehicle or its battery is discharged. After pushing the SOS button, a BMW AssistTM response specialist will link the driver to his requested party for up to five minutes and for up to four events per year. As before, the BMW AssistTM system includes Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity with hands-free phonebook access and dialing by name or number via the steering wheel controls. Use of this feature requires a customer-provided compatible Bluetooth® mobile phone. Performance with a conscience BMW strives to produce its motor vehicles and other products with the utmost attention to environmental compatibility and protection. Integrated into the design and development of BMW automobiles are such criteria as resource efficiency and emission control in production; environmentally responsible selection of materials; recyclability during production and within the vehicle; elimination of CFCs and hazardous materials in production; and continuing research into environmentally friendly automotive power sources. Tangible results of these efforts include the recycling of bumper cladding into other vehicle components; water-based paint color coats and powder clear coats; near-future availability of hydrogen-powered models; and various design and engineering elements that help make BMWs easier to dismantle at the end of their service life.

By Erin Riches After driving the 2007 BMW 335i and 2008 Infiniti G37, we wonder if the people who built them thought about anything besides going fast. Between the twin turbochargers nesting on the 335i's inline six-cylinder and the large-displacement V6 that gives the G37 its name, we're waist-deep in a level of engine might that recalls an E46 BMW M3 �" and we've scarcely passed the $40,000 price barrier. The 2007 BMW 335i and 2008 Infiniti G37 coupes make you see the idea of a four-passenger, rear-drive luxury coupe in a new way. It still needs to be attractive, elegant and graceful. Handling still ought to be sharp, balanced and involving. But raw speed has become an important measure of worth. A snarky exhaust is now a sign of virtue. The Gap Narrows As you'd guess from the Sport suffix, a sport package is standard on this flavor of G. In addition to the expected firmer suspension settings and sport seats, it supplies a limited-slip differential, 19-inch wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires, and larger-diameter brake discs at all four corners. With a six-speed manual gearbox, the price of the G37 Sport starts out just under $36,000, Infiniti tells us. (Infiniti has yet to release official pricing for the 2008 G37.) Our test car had nearly the full load of options, however. Big-ticket items included a hard-drive-based navigation system, Infiniti's new Four-Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) and the Premium Package, which provides high-end Bose sound, a sunroof, Bluetooth and all sorts of cabin conveniences. With an additional $550 for a spoiler, we estimate the total bill at $42,413. From there it's only a $3,800 jump to our 2007 BMW 335i test car, also a six-speed manual. It was a conventionally equipped 3 Series coupe, meaning it had both the Sport and Premium Packages but no navigation system (and therefore no iDrive). The BMW's Sport upgrades consist of 18-inch wheels, a run-flat set of Bridgestone Potenza RE050As and generously bolstered seats. The Premium group adds leather, Bluetooth, BMW Assist telematics and various conveniences. Active steering is available, but our test car didn't have it. Heated seats ($500) and Sparkling Graphite paint ($475) were additional line items, yielding an MSRP of $46,200. Infiniti G37: Going for Exotic Character Though the G37 seems more like a 3 Series than ever when you look at its price and equipment, it feels pretty exotic when you settle into the driver seat. The seat is mounted as low as the beltline is high, and you're gently coaxed into adopting a reclined driving position, as if you were driving a Formula 1 car. The control layout is ergonomically superb. The seat is a tad squishy, but it envelops your body and even offers a seat-bottom cushion that you can extend to support your legs �" you know, like in a BMW. As you look out through the dramatically sloped windshield, you'd swear you were looking into a Ferrari's cleavage, as the curves of the G's front quarter-panel curves rise softly to frame the oncoming blacktop. Powerful but Conflicted Setting out, the Infiniti G37 is at once relaxed and frenetic. Rated for 330 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 270 pound-feet of torque at 5,200 rpm, the new 3.7-liter V6 delivers useful wallop off the line, but like the 3.5 before it, this engine prefers to do business in the midrange of its power band. Shifting the six-speed box is not as pleasurable as it should be, either. The weighty clutch engages without subtlety, as if to say, "Get it over with, tenderfoot." But the shift action isn't as decisive. The shift lever is a nice piece in your hand (especially since it doesn't resonate with engine vibration, as it did in the G35 sedan), but it navigates slowly if precisely through the gates, as if it needs to carefully digest all that engine power. At the test track, this drivetrain delivers the G37 to the quarter-mile mark in 13.8 seconds at 102 mph, while a run to 60 mph takes 5.4 seconds. Unrealized Potential Around town, the Infiniti coupe's stiff chassis reminds you that every second you waste running errands in suburbia could be better spent on a remote back road. Surprisingly, this tautly calibrated chassis proved compliant over most pavement surfaces. Once on the back roads, the Infiniti G37 isn't as hard-core as its tightly wound chassis would have you believe. It carries a flat attitude through corners, but it's never truly eager to change direction. The brake pedal feels vague and hard to modulate. Most of all, the steering doesn't weight up properly, and the feedback only comes through at a trickle. In light of our more positive experience with an automatic 2008 G37 coupe, we blame the 4WAS system that is a mandatory addition to the equipment list of the G37 Sport with a six-speed manual transmission. The 4WAS attempts to vary the steering ratio between 12:1 and 20:1, and swivels the rear wheels up to 1 degree in line with the fronts. All this contributes to the G37 coupe's high-speed stability but seems to reduce the car's appetite for corners. In the more controlled environment of our instrumented testing facility, 4WAS doesn't seem to hamper the G37, and the car maintains 71.3 mph through the slalom. The supersize brakes are not quite up to their promise, as the 3,715-pound G37 stops in 115 feet from 60 mph on its first run, but fades to 122 feet by the fifth run. 3 Series Coupe: Return to the Conventional The 335i coupe feels like a sedan once you get behind the wheel. The seating position is higher, the cowl is lower and visibility is excellent in all directions. The BMW has firmer seat cushions than the Infiniti, too. There's the manually adjustable bottom cushion that you expect in a BMW, plus the seatback's side bolsters can be adjusted to give you a tighter squeeze as well. And there's plenty of headroom, something that can't be said of the sunroof-equipped G37 coupe. You won't get any thrilling views of the 335i's sheet metal through the windshield, however. This car is too down-to-business to allow such indiscretions. Indiscreet Grunt Indecency surfaces elsewhere. The amount of torque juicing the BMW's wide 255/35R18 rear tires might be deemed such. So might the manly exhaust roar. But you'd forgive this twin-turbo, direct-injected 3.0-liter six almost anything and not just because of its impressive ratings of 300 hp at 5,800 rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque at an incredibly modest 1,400 rpm. Rather, it's that numerical potency combined with the engine's extreme tractability. This turbo inline-6 is smoother than the G37's V6. And as free-revving as the Nissan VQ V6 is, this twin-turbo six likes to rev even more. As with all Bimmer gearboxes, this one feels slightly glutinous as you move the lever through the gates. Compared to the G's shift action, though, the BMW has a lighter-effort feel and it snaps positively into gear. The 335i's clutch engagement is also smoother and more predictable than that of the G37. These impressions were borne out at the test track, where the 335i was not only four-tenths of a second quicker to the quarter-mile mark with a 13.4-second run but also moving at a significantly faster clip of 104.3 mph. Meanwhile, 60 mph came up in just 4.8 seconds. All the Necessary Details Our test-driving loops on back roads also revealed the 2007 BMW 335i to be faster in real-world driving, even though its softer suspension tune compromised our slalom testing, where the BMW recorded 69.5 mph. Feedback is what makes the difference. Both coupes talk to their drivers, but the 335i speaks in great detail. We're so locked into the car's progress down the road through the compliant chassis and textured steering, we push on without reservation. Although the BMW's steering ratio of 16.0:1 suggests otherwise, the 3 Series reacts to its steering more quickly than the G37. Once you get deep into the BMW's middle pedal, it's easy to get the full measure of the brakes. At the track, our 3,542-pound 335i test car came to a halt in 109 feet and never deviated more than a foot over our series of stops. The BMW held only a surprisingly slim advantage in ride comfort over the Infiniti, perhaps because of the 335i's run-flat tires. The Dyno Beckons Although our 3,715-pound Infiniti G37 test car weighed in almost 200 pounds heavier than our 3,542-pound BMW 335i coupe, we puzzled over the wide difference in their respective acceleration performance and the G's relative lack of high-rpm vigor. The Infiniti is supposed to have a 30-hp advantage, but it wasn't adding up. This led us back to the chassis dynamometer at MD Automotive in Westminster, California, the same facility we used to test an overachieving, automatic-equipped 335i. As the dyno reveals, our 335i test car produces 280 hp 5,800 rpm as measured at the rear wheels, while the G37 comes up with 281 hp at 7,200 rpm. As close as these numbers look, the 335i holds a huge advantage over the G in power under the curve from idle to 6,350 rpm. And if you look at torque, the difference is even uglier: 279 lb-ft at 3,370 rpm for the BMW versus 229 at 4,500 rpm for the Infiniti. The thing to keep in mind is that the G37's dyno numbers are actually right on target. They're 15 percent lower than the published specifications (which don't take drivetrain losses into account) and that's what you can expect from most production cars. The 335i's numbers were only 7 percent down from the specs, which suggest to us that BMW has slightly underrated it. The Rest of the Time So the BMW 335i is the better drive, but would you want to live with it? It depends on your priorities. If the latest technology is a must-have for you, the Infiniti G37 is the better choice. In addition to giving you more content per dollar, the G has a more ergonomically sound layout for the controls, as reflected in its excellent navigation system that deftly blends touchscreen and directional-button functionality. If quality and interior passenger volume matter to you, the BMW is the one you want. True, you pay extra to get leather in the Bimmer, but the standard hides in the G feel like they belong in a $30,000 car, not a $40,000 one. We were also surprised to find the BMW has 88.5 cubic feet of passenger volume, while the G37 is rated at 85.0 cubic feet (82.7 when a sunroof is present). Deceptively Close Whether you consider this battle a pedigreed recasting of the Camaro-Mustang rivalry or a superficial spat to be had between handsomely paid professionals, one thing's certain: Neither coupe would have gotten this much engine if the other didn't exist. Very likely, they wouldn't stop or handle as well, either. Nor would they each offer an active steering system as an option. At heart, the 2007 BMW 335i and 2008 Infiniti G37 are chasing the same driver. And by most standards, the Infiniti G37 is an impressive car and a lot of fun. But it isn't as quick as the BMW 335i, nor does it engage its driver with equal commitment. Due to its higher price and shorter features list, the 3 Series won this test by only 2.3 points. But contained within those points are all the details that make it a more intimate and involving driving partner. "Nearly every aspect of our drive feels more natural in the 335i," one of our editors recorded in the notebook for this comparison. "I'm not sure what the price difference is, but the BMW feels $15,000 better." Engineering Editor Jason Kavanagh says: Judged on the surface, the G37 has a lot to recommend it. It's sleek and swift, and the implied promise of a BMW-like driving experience for fewer duckets is tempting indeed. Once I clamber behind the steering wheel, my head scrapes the G37's sunroof and there's less of an airy feel in the big Infiniti's strangely confined cabin. These trifles aside, the G's compromise between ride comfort and body control has been juggled expertly, and this car absorbs bumps with aplomb even as it carves through a corner at full speed. Once you add the grunt of 30 extra horses than the BMW, all this should be enough to tip the balance in the G's favor. Strike that. The G37's long-stroke V6 is helpless against the 335i's velvety midrange punch, and it sure doesn't feel any faster out in the real world. This impression prompted our trip to the dyno, confirming our suspicions that the BMW's turbo wundermotor is a mighty one, even more powerful than its official rating. What's more, the G37's V6 is strained at high engine speeds, warbling uncertainly on its way to the fuel cut-off as if it would prefer you weren't in such a damned hurry. Worst of all is the lifeless active steering with which our six-speed G37 test car has been equipped, an experiment that should have stayed locked up in the R&D facility. There's little indication as to what the Infiniti's front tires are doing and the load-up of steering effort feels artificial. Once you factor all this against the BMW's lively, informative steering, more delicate control feel and punchier power plant, there's no doubt about which coupe is more satisfying to pilot. Simply put, the 335i drives on a whole other level.

Of course, by the title you assume that every car on this list will be over $100,000 and you’ll never be able to “wow” a women with your super-duper good looking car. Well you’ll be surprised that you don’t have to spend over $100,000 or even over $30,000 to be a babe magnet. According to ForbesAutos, babes love the Toyota Prius and Dodge Magnum SRT8 which run in the $23k - $38k range. So if you’re looking to compensate for something with a hot car to attract girls, be sure to reat the rest of this article. Click through for the full list with images. Make sure you check out our Top 10 Lists Category for all our Top 10 Posts. Top 10 Cars Women Melt Over: Aston Martin DB9: $162,050 Bentley Continental GT: $169,990 Cadillac Escalade: $55,570 Dodge Magnum SRT8: $38,345 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti: $260,969 Lamborghini Gallardo: $178,550 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG: $186,000 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe: $122,900 Supercharged Range Rover Sport: $71,250 Toyota Prius: $23,070 Top 10 Cars Women Melt Over Gallery:

Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa and Ferrari routed McLaren in Magny-Cours in Sunday’s French Grand Prix, finishing more than half a minute ahead of Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren. The red cars opted for a two-stop strategy, Hamilton for three, but once the Englishman lagged off the dirty side of the grid at the start it was all over. Massa out-dragged him to the first corner, and so did Raikkonen. The Brazilian then led until his second stop, but a heavier fuel load allowed his Finnish team mate to run crucially longer and he emerged from his own stop three laps later with a lead he preserved to the end. It was his second victory of the season. Further back Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld grabbed another nine points for BMW Sauber with fourth and fifth places, the latter having some gripping duels with McLaren’s Fernando Alonso. The world champion, who started tenth after his qualifying woes, was out of luck, finishing seventh (after a long second stop) behind Giancarlo Fisichella’s hard-driven Renault, so his two points leave him now 14 adrift of Hamilton, who moved up to 64. Massa’s second place leaves him third in the world championship on 47, but Raikkonen jumps closer with 42. In the constructors’ fight, McLaren have 114 points to Ferrari’s 89. The final point went to Jenson Button and Honda, who turned in a solid performance that confirmed that the RA107 has improved. It was the first point of the season for both. Behind them, Nico Rosberg had a pointless run to ninth for Williams, ahead of a lapped Ralf Schumacher in the Toyota, Honda’s Rubens Barrichello, the Red Bulls of Mark Webber and David Coulthard, Alex Wurz in the Williams, Renault’s Heikki Kovalainen, Takuma Sato in the Super Aguri and Adrian Sutil, who started from the pit lane after problems with his Spyker on the grid. The race went wrong for Vitantonio Liuzzi and Anthony Davidson in the second corner when the English Super Aguri driver savaged the Italian’s Toro Rosso, while further round the lap Toyota’s Jarno Trulli ruined his and Kovalainen’s races by hitting the back of the Renault. Like Liuzzi and Davidson, he was a retirement. Scott Speed’s Toro Rosso failed on him - a suspected problem with the team’s new seamless-shift transmission - and Christijan Albers retired his Spyker after dramatically taking the refuelling rig with him when he left the pits after his second stop. The mechanic he dragged over in the process mercifully escaped serious injury. The result shows that the championship fight is far from over between Ferrari and McLaren, and after the red cars’ speed in testing last week at Silverstone, Hamilton heads home with slightly less bright prospects of becoming the first rookie to win his national Grand Prix.

It was on tardme for 8k!

Hardly a constructive argument from some. Closed.

When I had the E39 528 I was getting 10.5/100 k with the same driving. (City) The e36 is a pig on gas.

Different.. but works for me hah. Welcome

Ray (HELLBM) could probably send you one. 021 2 HELL BM

You have a DOHC motor.

Fixed