I still believe that when you need to pass that 18 wheeler on the highway, the 2.3 turbo gets on the boil and the car accelerates just as fast as the 540. Peak torque is on tap from 1900 to 3800 or so in the Saabs, and isn't on hand until 4500 in the 540 (though peak torque in the 540 is substantially higher). So they're very close in real world passing power. If you're flogging the 540 you will dust just about anything (and it sounds great!!!!).

But then, I probably really have a 7 or 7.5 cylinder motor rather than an 8 cylinder. These particular nikasil engines were subject to an erosion of their nikasil bores due to high sulfur fuel in use at the time (since mandated out of existence). Some were replaced under recall, eventually with Alusil blocks, which don't suffer that malady.

Generally I would say the BMWs are less work to keep up and are easier to work on for most things. And body integrity, chassis handling, braking, etc. are definitely superior to Saabs.

On the bimmer board we're engaging in a discussion about how much car you get for the used prices nowadays. I submitted that I think Saabs are the best overall deal, given that the competitive bimmer costs usually twice as much as a good used Saab. It may be a better car, but not twice as good. And the Saab has the fuel economy and utility advantage of course.

The real answer is that Saabs are just highly undervalued in the marketplace, whereas BMWs are more fairly appraised.

posted by 71.234.193...

• Someone talk me down (a rant...ignore at your leisure), ToddInMA, Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:02:39
  • I'm OK now, thanks., ToddInMA, Sun, 17 Feb 2008 09:21:53
  • Light at the end of the tunel, Bill Homer , Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:58:44
  • Re: Someone talk me down (a rant...ignore at your leisure), Aer0, Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:54:14
    • I kinda agree..., Street, Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:35:28
  • Like doing head gaskets?, David Ingram, Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:36:12
    • I miss my 528i, ToddInMA, Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:03:01
      • 540i 6 speed, David Ingram, Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:07:41
        • E34 540/6, onewhippedpuppy, Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:28:39
          • BMWs certainly sound good..., Street, Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:45:49
        • How about a mini-review..., Street, Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:27:55
          • Re: How about a mini-review..., yaofeng, Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:57:53
            • I concur, David Ingram, Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:34:26 <-- Viewing This Message
              • Thanks guys..., Street, Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:04:17
  • Re: Someone talk me down (a rant...ignore at your leisure), yaofeng, Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:12:58
  • Almost forgot...the ABS light came on today...n/m, ToddInMA, Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:07:29

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