Super2000: Alfa Romeo 156 vs. BMW 320i E46

[sebring1971]

So this year the two major Super2000 Makes finally shared the titles, Alfa Romeo clinching the drivers' title, BMW getting the laurel among the constructors. It appears both cars, i.e. the Alfa 156TS and the BMW 320 are more or less equivalent. But what do you think? Which are according to you all the strong and weak point of any of them? Why Alfa Romeo prevailed at certain tracks while BMW were stronger in other occasions? To sum up, which are the main characteristics of Alfa Romeo and BMW? Let's try to deliver a technical analysis of their features!

[Go_For_Pole]

Alfa advantages: Aerodynamics, engine power, gearbox, one lap pace, favours high temperatures

BMW advantages: Traction, starts, end of race pace, more cars, favours low temperatures

[Portello]

I don't think sequential gearbox generally means an advantage for Alfa (there's additional weight concerning the regulations), but they had big problems with super production- gearboxes last season. BMW has much more experience with that kind and so they still use it. At the end of the races GTA front tyres often were in bad condition.

[sebring1971]

What's the situation about gearboxes? Didn't Alfa have sequential boxes last year?

[Portello]

Alfa did not use a sequential gearbox last year. Actually the teams could choose from this year on.

[Dani Filth]

Alfa choosed sequintial .. and BMW H pattern

[SALEEN S7R]

Yes, any car running with a sequential gearbox has a additional 30kg weight penalty.

[gttouring]

yes the weight penalty is one thing but the sequential shifts save seconds a lap, without the weight wel...

[sebring1971]

So BMWs still use H-pattern box?

[JMeissner]

That is correct yes.

[BSTR]

If sequential resulted in 1 second better laptimes I'm sure BMW would have taken it to use instead of "old" H-pattern box.

I'm not sure if all the privateer alfas have upgraded gear boxes since in the beginning of the season there were rumours that only autodelta alfas use seq box.

[Portello]

Scuderia Bigazzi and Team Clever Cats used H-pattern boxes.

[Dani Filth]

.. so that means last year gearboxes .. right???

[FIRE]

Originally posted by Dani Filth
.. so that means last year gearboxes .. right???

...and last year cars...right???

[Portello]

Yes

[Speeddemon555]

Alfas because of its front wheel advantage against the BMW's real wheel drive. Also it has more torque than the BMW out of the corners.

[Bulbhead]

It's simple, the Alfas have the most powerful engine in ETCC and the highest top-speed. Like every other FWD car they have trouble with understeer and they need most of their weight in the front to get enough traction under acceleration. The Alfa has 61/41 weight distributon which severly affects their braking and cornering performance. The BMW on the other hand has less engine power, but an almost neutral weight distribution (51/49), which means better breaking and cornering performance. Of course RWD means also improved traction under acceleration.

[gttouring]

where are the Ex Btcc Ford mondeos to squish the ETCC competition? I miss those. That was real Touring car action

[FIRE]

Originally posted by gttouring
where are the Ex Btcc Ford mondeos to squish the ETCC competition? I miss those. That was real Touring car action

Aren't this Super Touring cars?

[JMeissner]

Yes they are. Not allowed in the ETCC. Built according to totally different rules.

[100%VauxhallFan]

Originally posted by Bulbhead
The Alfa has 61/41 weight distributon which severly affects their braking and cornering performance.

I should think so too. I mean, having a total of 102 compared to the BMW's 100 puts it at a disadvantage from the start!!!

[gttouring]

i know but they were so much better.
perhaps if alfa can get a rear roll bar added and stiffen up the rear they can improve on their cornering, not that it is terrible but it is clear the BMW's do better.
It'd be nice to se the Seats, Hondas and Volvos run up front too.
In the modern era of touring cars would you all rather see them Front drivers or as a bmw set up, I know classically as all cars were built rear drive the racers were too, but Touring cars has come to mean something different and more 'hotted up grocery getter racer' to me meaning front drive, let the GT's run rear drive... but if it is all good for competition.