CAMARO6 - View Single Post - Need Help Choosing 2016 2SS vs. BMW 340xi

Utvolman99 · 03-02-2018, 02:21 PM

Hello all, first off, I understand this is a Camaro forum so I understand the responses will be biased.

I am shopping for a new daily driver. I think I have narrowed it down to a 2016 2SS, or a 2016 328xi I currently drive a 2015 328xi with a stage I tune. It is a very quick car but not so fast. The difference, as I see it, is that the little bimmer has a very flat torque curve with instant response (even though it's a turbo) almost anywhere you want it. With that said, it is dead even with my buddy's 2016 Camaro v6 in a race. I take him off the line, he pulls even by about 40 and we are nose to nose from there...

After driving the turbo 4 for about a year and a half, I am wanting more and looking to step up to big time power. I initially was not considering the SS and instead was looking at a 2015+ GT. However, I was very disappointed when I drove one and marked it off the list. Ironically there was an SS on the same lot and I loved the power and handling, so it's now under serious consideration.

Below I have listed my pros and cons for each and would like your input...

Camaro 2SS
Pros
- Monster power: The two I have driven A8 and M6 both felt like deep down they wanted to kill me but that was a good thing!
- Looks: The SS looks like sex on a stick! Just a beautiful car
- Sound: The NPP exhaust sounded evil. I love the "blat" sound the A8 makes between shifts at WOT. It's a thing of beauty!
- Comfort: I'm a big guy (6'3", 255lbs) and I thought the SS was really comfortable and the seat was supportive
- Gadgets: Even though the competition are both "luxury" cars, the SS has more standard with the 2SS than the others.

Cons
- I'm sure you have never heard this before but seeing out of this thing is nerve racking! I'm sure I would get used to it but damn!
- I live outside of St. Louis and we do have some winter weather. I would need to drive in snow occasionally
- My budget is in the $30 - $33K range, so I'm definitely looking for a 2016 which makes me worry about quality from a first model year of production
- I've read they can have paint issues which would bug me
- I'm worried I would be a cop magnet and get more unwanted attention from the fuzz than I would in the others

BMW
Pros
- Nice greenhouse with great visibility
- AWD for the snow
- They must measure HP differently in Germany as it is rated at 320 HP but the stock dyno results are in the 330 range. Which makes sense as it weighs 3,700 lbs and has a 0-60 of 4.4 sec (12.7 sec 1/4 mile)
- Super easy to modify. A $550 JB4 tune brings the hp and torque at the wheels up to 380 (for each) and these cars are putting down 12.2s at the strip
- I think the BMW with a JB4 tune would win a street race more times than not against a 2SS with $550 worth of mods

Cons
- Looks: It looks like every other three series that are normally driven by 60 year old women
- Power: While this is truly a fast car, it just doesn't have that monster power feel
- Cost of ownership: It's a Bring My Wallet, everything that may go wrong is expensive
-Sound: The exhaust is pretty tame. Just a moderate burble

I'm sure you guys know what a 340xi looks like but I'll attach a pic for reference.

03-02-2018, 02:21 PM	#1
Utvolman99 Drives: 2015 328xi Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: St Louis Posts: 6	Need Help Choosing 2016 2SS vs. BMW 340xi Hello all, first off, I understand this is a Camaro forum so I understand the responses will be biased. I am shopping for a new daily driver. I think I have narrowed it down to a 2016 2SS, or a 2016 328xi I currently drive a 2015 328xi with a stage I tune. It is a very quick car but not so fast. The difference, as I see it, is that the little bimmer has a very flat torque curve with instant response (even though it's a turbo) almost anywhere you want it. With that said, it is dead even with my buddy's 2016 Camaro v6 in a race. I take him off the line, he pulls even by about 40 and we are nose to nose from there... After driving the turbo 4 for about a year and a half, I am wanting more and looking to step up to big time power. I initially was not considering the SS and instead was looking at a 2015+ GT. However, I was very disappointed when I drove one and marked it off the list. Ironically there was an SS on the same lot and I loved the power and handling, so it's now under serious consideration. Below I have listed my pros and cons for each and would like your input... Camaro 2SS Pros - Monster power: The two I have driven A8 and M6 both felt like deep down they wanted to kill me but that was a good thing! - Looks: The SS looks like sex on a stick! Just a beautiful car - Sound: The NPP exhaust sounded evil. I love the "blat" sound the A8 makes between shifts at WOT. It's a thing of beauty! - Comfort: I'm a big guy (6'3", 255lbs) and I thought the SS was really comfortable and the seat was supportive - Gadgets: Even though the competition are both "luxury" cars, the SS has more standard with the 2SS than the others. Cons - I'm sure you have never heard this before but seeing out of this thing is nerve racking! I'm sure I would get used to it but damn! - I live outside of St. Louis and we do have some winter weather. I would need to drive in snow occasionally - My budget is in the $30 - $33K range, so I'm definitely looking for a 2016 which makes me worry about quality from a first model year of production - I've read they can have paint issues which would bug me - I'm worried I would be a cop magnet and get more unwanted attention from the fuzz than I would in the others BMW Pros - Nice greenhouse with great visibility - AWD for the snow - They must measure HP differently in Germany as it is rated at 320 HP but the stock dyno results are in the 330 range. Which makes sense as it weighs 3,700 lbs and has a 0-60 of 4.4 sec (12.7 sec 1/4 mile) - Super easy to modify. A $550 JB4 tune brings the hp and torque at the wheels up to 380 (for each) and these cars are putting down 12.2s at the strip - I think the BMW with a JB4 tune would win a street race more times than not against a 2SS with $550 worth of mods Cons - Looks: It looks like every other three series that are normally driven by 60 year old women - Power: While this is truly a fast car, it just doesn't have that monster power feel - Cost of ownership: It's a Bring My Wallet, everything that may go wrong is expensive -Sound: The exhaust is pretty tame. Just a moderate burble I'm sure you guys know what a 340xi looks like but I'll attach a pic for reference.