As to whether the 540's I beat were Dinans or not: I didn't get the chance to ask them. They were too far behind. :-)

As to whether the new M3's are faster: we'll see. The BMW world website trumpets the new M3's 5.4 second 80-120 Km/h (50-75 mph) time in 4th gear; my stock S4 did consistent 5.9's today, in hot TX weather (as opposed to the cool weather in Germany a few months ago when they ran those tests).

Finally, as to who's pissed over spending money: I submit it is _you_ who is resentful that a car costing $18K less than a 540 can beat it. :-)

: : Are you by chance in the DFW area? The
reason I ask is that my lowly (unchipped) 6-speed S4 has _spanked_ two 540I's in the past week (one a six-speed, the other an auto), and I'd be happy to spank a third one. As to your Dinan's numbers: a simple ECU substitution would put me at 300+ HP...can't get gains like that out of a non-turbo with a chip.

: : Quicksilver

: : : I hope everyone had a great weekend, i wasn't going to post this info due to the fact that it seems to be a big waste of time, but Jimmy convinced me otherwise, so here it goes. Lets get the facts straight from the start. My car is a 2000 stage 3 Dinan 540i 6 spd. I have a UUC short throw shift kit, front strut brace, 3.15 rear end, racing pedals, CAI, software, and stage 3 suspension including camber plates, and sway bars. I am running stock 17" rims with Dunlop sport 8000 tires. NOw that this is clear let me share with you the stock info direct from R&T.Stock the 540i pulls 0-60 in 5.9 with a quarter mile time of 14.9 (it is not stated whether this is an auto or 6 spd, but i assume it is an auto.) I have seen much better numbers from a stock 540 6 spd. I am pretty sure that with all my mods i have added at least 30 hp and probably 48 lb ft of torque, and this is not taking the new rear end into consideration. Jimmy said he ran around 5.3 and pulled 13.6 in the 1/4. This has also been confirmed by my mechanic. Realize these are automatic numbers. A manual is faster no question about it, some peopole would like to argue, but it is a fact that I can shift faster then an auto. Forget about driving skills we can save that arguement for later, the simple fact remains that my car beat those numbers, not by alot and not with out some questions regarding the method by which i achieved those results. I did atempt to run at Gingerman, but scca had a one lap going on and they wouldn't allow me to join because i missed the opening lecture. I decided to go back to my buddies house in Benton Harbour, and we made up a 1/4 ile run on a road with very little traffic. Using a stop watch we calcualted results from 13.1 all the way to 13.6 and using my keen eye i would say i was averaging about 109-110 mph. NOw i know that these results are far from dead on acuarte, but using two stop watchs and my eyes certainly can't be that far off. A 1/4 mile is 320 feet, and our margin of error is probably around 5 mph and .5 sec. So with that I say my numbers, jimmys numbers and anyone else with a similar car are acurate. Now a Mcoupe will hit 60 in 5.5 and a 911 carrera will hit 60 in 5.0 flat. NOw i said i beat both and i have. Both cars were driven by my brother and freind both of which are good drivers, but neither have my skills. I blew both away. All three were manuals, and i have eye witnesses. I never said i could beat a C2, but i can definitly hang with a C2. As for older Porsches they are the ones with souls, and i can beat them as well. There are very few cars that can run with the Dinan 540 or a stock 540 for that matter. See you guys forget that my car out weighs these true race bred cars by 500-800 lbs, doesn't that deserve any respect(just imagine if i made it a lightweight). It amazes me that some are still going to argue, but go ahead it is a free country. Audi guys however have nothing at all to talk about your S4 is a let down, and too bad the real deal S8 is still a wet dream for America, until we get the S8 go watch Ronin. All others are welcome to join the arguement.
: : : Best regards,
: : : JZ
: : : 00' Dinan 540i 6 spd

: Why waste our time, in fact i will answer this one message, after that your on your own. Do the math in no way, shape or form could your p.o.s.even come close. If after you do your homework and you still want to race come up to Mi, IN, IL, OH or any where close and i'll watch you dissapear in my rear view. Admit it you wanted a Bimmer, you couldn't wait for the new M3, and you couldn't afford the 540 so you bought what you thought was a kisk ass car, too bad it only comes in handy when it snows. I know 3 guys who already got rid of thier p.o.s.'s adn one guy eben had all the TAP bullshit. "The car is crap", local Audi salesman "wait for the M3", everyone with a brain. Your just pissed you bought it, nd n a couple months all the new M3's will be eating your middleclass, wannnabe performance car for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Good luck, and just to make things crystal clear you did not smoke a Dinan 540 auto or manual, and we all know it.
: JZ