Luca

I know that you have already spoken of this but I'd like to know something more.
Is the X50 as elastic as the nomal one?
And what about the gear?
I heard someone speaking of the exhaust sound....describe it please, someone has written that it's like a ferrari?!?!?!?!
I think it's quite impossible becouse a boxer will never make a sound near to the V8 or V10 or V12.

P.S. is the american X 50 different from the european one?????

Thank you!

1AS

I have about 3000 miles on my X50.
I"m not sure what you mean about elastic. The X50 is completely docile below 3000 rpm where it just feels like a very quick car. Above 3500 rpm, good things start to happen, and above 4500 it's really strong. The factory says it's about 30 hp stronger than a standard tt. I have two 500 hp plus (per dyno sheets) vintage racers, and I'd guess the Porsche hp rating is a little conservative. The acceleration at the top of the rev range is impressive.
I've driven the Testa Rossa, 550 Maranello, and the 355 Ferrari, but not the 360. The 355 (and presumably 360) sound the best from the cockpit. The 550 Maranello is very quiet (too quiet) from the cockpit and standing next to the car. The x50 doesn't sound as good as the 355, but is better than the standard 550. I don't think it sounds like a ferrari, but does sound like a very nice Porsche. The standard exhaust is a good compromise between loud and livable. By the way, the 550 has more low end (2000 rpm) grunt and actually is an easier car in which to carve up traffic due to the long rev range)
I live in an area that has some open roads, and some congested ones. The x50 is the best compromise I've driven for a car you can use every day (including days it snows). You can jump int it in the morning without worrying about traffic or weather by the afternoon. I also have a BMW 850 CSI (with full Dinan therapy plus Borlas) The BMW is more comfortable for really long trips, has a little more cross wind stability, but is much less aggressive, less fun, and unfortunately less livable at sustained high speeds due to the droning of the Borlas. I don't see how you could be unhappy with the X50. AS

1AS

Sorry- I didn't mention the gearing. The owner's manual does dot give an X50 gear chart, and I've been unable to find one (so if anyone-Pierre?- has one, please post it.) My mph/1000 rpm off the speedometer looks like this:
1st: 7mph/1000rpm
2nd: 12 mph/1000
3rd 17mph/1000
4th 20mph/1000 (I think I'm reading my notes correctly-but I was writing as I was driving)
5th 25 mph/1000
6th 30 mph/1000
The problem with this chart is probable speedometer error, since the speeds at which the rpm was checked were progressively higher. I was under the impression that the X50 was geared lower (shorter) but my in-car measurements don't confirm this. I personally feel first gear is too short, but I may be the only one saying that. The upper range is fine, and 6th is good for cruising, with good acceleration over 80 mph.
By the way, CJV, I was surprised you didn't lengthen first and second gears since you're at the 1-2 shift so quickly. Kind of reminds me of sex when you're 19. Sorry. AS

Luca

Thank You Alexander, sorry but I'm nont american, and sometimes I don't understand everything, with the word "elastic" I mean a car that gives you power and torque in every range without strange spots.
I haven't understood what do you mean in the last 2 lines:
"By the way, CJV, I was surprised you didn't lengthen first and second gears since you're at the 1-2 shift so quickly. Kind of reminds me of sex when you're 19. Sorry. AS "
Thank you and sorry for my limited english.

1AS

The car does give excellent power and torque in all ranges. However, unlike a big cubic inch american V8 which has very linear acceleration thru each gear, the X50 does have a definite turbo characteristic with an increasing rate of acceleration the higher you go in the rev range. On a graph it's more like a logrythmic function than linear.
The last 2 lines were directed to this board's most consistent poster, CJV, who has embarked upon one of the most comprehensive tuning projects an individual could consider. In addition to body, engine, and suspension, he also modified the transmission.His modifications shortened the upper gears in the box, as he found the lower gear ratios satisfactory My preference would have been to lengthen 1st and 2nd, and then tighten the top gears. First gear now is so explosive, it's over in an instance. Hence the reference to being 19.
In deference to CJV, however, I'm sure I'm not going to dive into modifying the car. I love it the way it is, and would not want to risk the warranty for any possible gain. AS

Luke

[quote]Originally posted by Alexander Stemer:
<strong> it's over in an instance. Hence the reference to being 19.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

<img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

Luca

What I'd like to know is if the x50 erogation is omogeneus or not.....there is a turbo lag????
And what about if you release the throttle when you are at 7000 rpm?
You know that many turbo engines have the characteristic of being quite nervous when you release the throtttle.
Thank you
Sorry but I'm really interested 'couse I'm waiting for one of them too!

1AS

It's not nervous at all. The power is consistent through out the rev range, it just has the turbo characteristic of increasing the higher it revs. I once drove one of those mid-engined turbo Renault's that definitely was flat at the bottom and extremely peaky at the top. This isn't like that. Nor is it like a low boost Golf which hardly feels like a turbo at all. The current turbo Volvo's have a significant turbo characteristic. The x50 is better than that, in that you can lug down to low speeds in second and still accelerate. It just knocks your socks off at 4500 rpm. AS