Re: poll: supercharged 1.9L or 2.8L ?? (archive)

Having driven a 2.8 and as the owner of a supercharged 1.9, I prefer the supercharged car. The 2.8 is a great enginem, but the torque band is almost too broad for a sports car. The supercharged 1.9 is more "peaky" and will outrun a 2.8. The handling is also better as when BMW made the six they added the extra two cylinders to the fornt of the engine so that rather than the majorit of the engine sitting behind the front wheels, as it does in the 1.9, it is solidly over the front wheels in the 2.8. The 1.9 is almost a front mid-engine, and has crisper handling and less understeer than does the 2.8. The 1.9 is a stroing engine, so it takes well to supercharging and the D/A kit is very well engineered.

The advantage of the 2.8 is that you are dealing with an automobile that is the way BMW intended it to be. If you have trouble with the engine or drivetrain, yo are more likely to have a sympathetic ear at BMW. A lt depends on what you are going to do with the car. For an everyday driver that is likely to see high mileage, the 2.8 is a better choice. My supercharged 1.9 is a fair weather toy and garage queen with only 21k miles on it. even if the supercharger causes increased wear, at the rate I am driving it, the day the added stress become evident on my engine is far, far away.

Follow Ups:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Z3 Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.