just a question about a race

[Strata]

My buddy has a 97 318i auto BMW, and I have a 03 5sp Protege 5, we got on the interstate and started messing around...I figured his bmw would beat the hell out of me, but I actually stayed ahead of him with our pedals to the floor...is that supposed to happen?

 

[patmaz]

if its the model with the 4 cyl engine,its possible,because of the electronic speed limiter,but if its hte 6 cyl engine,there is something wrong with is car,there is no way you could keep up with that,i have a friend who reaches around 150 with the same car,but with the 6 cyl,so there s no way a p5 can follow that...what your top speed?around 125-127?mph of course...

 

[Zhan]

Well the BMW's 1.9L pretty much pumps out the same HP as the Protege5 at 138 hp, and the P5 is lighter, so it does make sense. The gearing of the 4-speed may not be as helpful as the gearing of your 5-speed, also.