Ouch....Impala SS is pretty quick

So I am cruising on the Merritt Pkwy and a white Impala SS pulls up behind me. (didn't know it was an SS at the time) So we are in some traffic for a while and then it clears up. I am doing about 60ish coming out of the pack and I downshift to 3rd to open the car up a little. As I am feeling the full force of the twins I notice that the SS not only stayed with me but started to creep up until we saw a Smokey Bear on the right and slowed down, very quickly. Very impressed with the SS and wondering if I should have downshifted to 4th instead to have more of a powerband draw. The SS numbers are more or less in line with mine so I am wondering why he was creeping up while I was all the way to the floor. Any thoughts?

335i coupe
6sp
2700 miles

Originally Posted by 35past3

So I am cruising on the Merritt Pkwy and a white Impala SS pulls up behind me. (didn't know it was an SS at the time) So we are in some traffic for a while and then it clears up. I am doing about 60ish coming out of the pack and I downshift to 3rd to open the car up a little. As I am feeling the full force of the twins I notice that the SS not only stayed with me but started to creep up until we saw a Smokey Bear on the right and slowed down, very quickly. Very impressed with the SS and wondering if I should have downshifted to 4th instead to have more of a powerband draw. The SS numbers are more or less in line with mine so I am wondering why he was creeping up while I was all the way to the floor. Any thoughts?

335i coupe
6sp
2700 miles

Its probably a modded Impala. Lots of mods for tons of power on those engines...

Originally Posted by sambonator

Its probably a modded Impala. Lots of mods for tons of power on those engines...

Looks can be decieving, but it looked bone stock. Maybe its time for the Turner Motorsport reflash.

u didnt mention how fast u both were going... one things for sure, that impala wouldnt have handled the merritt as easily at speeds in excess of 100mph like ur 335. am personally waiting to see what dinan offers in terms of tuning, 'cause these engines are screaming for tuner mods..... dinan has lots of experience w turbo tuning and there are lots of variables to monitor...

I called Dinan last week and they are still saying that they are working on performance mods for the 335 in terms of remapping. I am willing to bet that there is a problem in that BMW does not want to warranty the turbos if the PSI is pushed up. Someone on E90post said the same as well.

I rented an Impala SS for a biz trip to south Jersey. The car had a ton of power and the brakes were good, but the handling was poor. I would bet that it was a stock or nearly-stock SS. JMVHO

It is 5.3L V8 with over 303/323 hp/lbs. So on the straight highway, it will easily keep up with you but at triple digit speeds aerodynamics & suspension will probably make it a very uncomfortable car. From the magazine reviews, car handles like a boat. Huge amount of body roll and bad balance.

Another straight line american muscle car with wheels attached to a huge engine.

Originally Posted by gokcer

It is 5.3L V8 with over 303/323 hp/lbs. So on the straight highway, it will easily keep up with you but at triple digit speeds aerodynamics & suspension will probably make it a very uncomfortable car. From the magazine reviews, car handles like a boat. Huge amount of body roll and bad balance.

Another straight line american muscle car with wheels attached to a huge engine.

exactly... Chevy != sportscar

was it a newer Impala? or 90's model?

Originally Posted by Krafty04

was it a newer Impala? or 90's model?

Looked brand new

I guess 0-60 of 5.6 secs isn't TOO bad... but front wheel drive and 4 speed auto tranny?

http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtest...impala-ss.html


I think a modded rear-wheel-drive 1990's Impala SS would make a much better drag car.

and no one's mentioned the impala looks like ****...