BMW 2001 540i vs 350z
 

what would you choose? both 6speed. and whats faster??????
0 - 60 ?

different cars. I'd choose the 350z but this IS a 350z forum.

Do you have a family to transport? do you hang out with modded skylines or jaguars? is it for driving to work or driving on the weekend? how many golf bags do you need?

I would be offended if a stock 540i beat me 0 - 60 or at anything relating to any speed in any conditions. the NEW 545i is about the same speed though.

so what you saying is that 540i is slower?? ivse herd differnet. any one ever raced it ??? whats the 0 - 60 on 540i???

Just yesterday i had a 540 try to pull on me. We did a quick sprint through second gear and i was ahead by at least a car. I dont know if it was 6 speed though...

i would get 540i,.love BMW's V8...powerful and the engine sounds really good.

These are not comparable cars - the drive and function of the two of them is very very different. I love BMW's - they are a great car, but the 5 series is a sedan with a little bit of sport thrown in, the Z is pure sports car, no compromises. The Z is tame enough you can drive it every day without problem, but it always lets you know it is a sports car at heart. If you want pure sports get the Z.

If need 4 doors, want a bigger car that at times will feel softer - nice for long highway drives - but is also sporty enough to be pushed thru the twists then get the BMW.

But understand what you want out of your car purchase - these two cars have a very different target driver in mind and it will show over time as you live with the car.

I want the fastest one.

its a drivers race

How about a Z vs Mustang Cobra (96)... I have a budy with an 04 Z and another with a 96 Cobra, you would think the cobra is faster. Off the line, the Cobra takes off(not by much), but by second the Z is caught up, and by third gone! Drivers maybe?

+1

Even when I was stock, I used to kill 540s at any speed (specially Auto's)

One week a go, I raced one and gave him a almost a second head start and I gained on him before my needle reeched 100mph!! and pulled hard!!:rolleyes: That was an Auto.

540's are hell of a cars to drive and in fact, it drives better than the Z in all aspects (except speed). It feels fast though! ;)

my mods are: plenum, headers, TP and exhaust

I found this site, they apparently locate the 0-60 times along with the 1/4 for a lot of cars.

http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html

"2001 BMW 540i 6-Speed 5.5 14.0"

OK..... now that is FAST!!! with those numbers, it should be a good match to the Z!!

"2004 Nissan 350Z 5.3 13.77 (M.T. Mar '04)
2005 Nissan 350Z 35th Anniversary Edition 6 Speed 5.8 14.3 (C&D Apr '05)"!!


So, I think the ones I raced were sub-2001 models ;P

isnt there a big price difference in the two cars aswell. the 350 z is like the price of a 3 series. I love the 5 series its beatiful. But i bet its a totally different drive than the Z.

i dotn think its 5.5 i dont trust that website.

If you're choosing between the two, I'd take both of them out yourself & make your own conclusion IMO. Once you've driven both, I'm sure you'll know which one to go with. I'd have to agree that they are 2 totally different cars & that it would be hard to make an equal comparison. I also agree that the car is just one part of the equation. The driver has to be just as good & choosing the right car for your driving style is just as important.

Z, it's geared more aggressively. Plus, if you do get beat you can always say that he has 2 more cylinders and spent twice as much as you...:D.

540i vs. 350z. Have both. 540 definitely has more torque and feels faster off the line. 350z is funner to drive around town/short stops. 540 better for longer trips.
My $0.02.

I have a 545 and recently acquired a 350. While the Z is still being broken in, the 545 definately feels faster and I have no doubt that on a highway run, the Z will be left behind. From a stop though, I'd give the edge to the 5er, but still call it a driver's race.

The 5 will have more room, decent power and a better interior when compared to the Z. Though it is a bigger car, it handles well for it's size and of course, can be made to handle better with suspension mods.

The Z is more raw (which can be good/bad, depending on what you want) and is more nimble due to it's size. Though I think the 5er is the faster car, the rawness of the Z makes you more aware of the road and your speed. Also the throws on the 6 speed are much shorter in the Z.

Just to make note, the 545 is different from the 540. It is the newer model with 325bhp, compared to the 540s ~280bhp. I believe the torque is rougly the same

They are really different cars, so depends what you want. In comparing the Z to a bmw, the 3 series would be a better match. But if you just want a faster car, well there are plenty of options out there.

I know your post is in jest, but just to let people know, the '01 540s can be had for around 20K in good condition. If he's considering a new 350 to avoid problems, the Z in this case might actually cost more.