rwalker

Yesterday morning, just post commute hours, I was hammering over northbound Highway 17 (in the Bay Area) on my way to work (in my stock, nearly new, brilliant black S4).

At just about the summit, I think, I come upon a '96-'99 Silver E36M3 with a (kinda gaudy) DINAN badge and the license plate 'DINANM3'.

My previous car was a '95 M3 with a Dinan Stage II supercharger system, so I really wanted to see how my S4 fared.

We took turns leading down the hill, going fast but trying not to be rude. If you scare somebody on 'the hill' they're equally likely to roll their car (give you a guilt trip) or rat you out (have the CHP waiting for you at the bottom).

Anyway, he was faster. Period. I don't think he was supercharged, but he definitely had at least an intake mod and the Dinan exhaust, since his car emitted an unholy wail when he downshifted and got on it, which he did, repeatedly.

A couple of observations:
* I found 6th gear to be almost as effective as 3rd (at the speeds we were travelling) for acceleration
* His car (which may have had mild suspension mods) was much more composed overall, especially in rebound
* When we both got on it, my car made very little noise, whereas I could hear his car over my stereo (not a bad sound though).
* I'll miss my M3, but only until it rains or I want to go skiing.

LordMythic

<p>Marc
00 Nogaro
GIAC
UUC SS

Bollinger

Since DINAN is slo close to the area in question, and given the plate, it's somewhat likely the car is owned by someone at Dinan and therefore is a project car.

As such, it's probably tweaked to high heaven, and even a chipped S4 wouldn't be able to touch it.

I wouldn't doubt for a second that it had the full treatment, including the supercharger.

Joe D.

I agree with LordMythic. To see how the S4 really stacks up you have to run a stock S4 vs. a stock M3 or a modified S4 vs. a modified (in this case the Dinan) M3. Other wise it's an unfair comparison. I think and an apples to apples comparison, it would be very close.

'01 Santorin/Onyx - 6spd
Premium, Cold, Bose
(waiting...)

S4Del

I have seen that car in the parking lot over at Dinan. Off of Evelyn, probably works there.

rwalker

I also think it's interesting to note how well the E36 platform has held up. E36 being first available in '92, vs. '96 for the A4.