How much is too much?

NooBish AbbZ said:
Have 326, moved up from 100bhp, and not once have i really wanted any more than 326 :) I always wanted more than 100 though.

I do often use the words 'stupid fast' to describe the 340i though, and it has scared me two or three times when I've booted it off a roundabout in Sport mode in second and it's actually been able to get the power down without slip.
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I don't even boot my mx5 in second out of a roundabout, sounds like you're wanting to be another BMW statistic ;)
 
I don't think most people want power just because its WOAH FAST!

You just don't appreciate how good having the power is until you realize you can take shorter gaps, pull away from lights faster, overtake more safely etc. It's very convenient.
 
I appreciate the extra poke of my Kia 1.6 Sportage (think it's rated at 133bhp) vs. my old 1.2 Corsa particularly when it comes to hill climbing. However I don't really see the need for any more power as, 1. You're legally bound to the speed limit and 2. Faster acceleration just means you catch up to the traffic ahead a bit quicker, then fester.
 
I drive a 1.4l micra with a cvt box as a "get around the town car" and its probably the best car I have had for this purpose. Don't care about speed bumps, zooms away from the lights and plenty of power for what I need (probably about 20bhp)
 
I think there are two different answers here.

What's the minimum you need/want for a hassle free driving to work experience, where you can overtake slow vehicles, not have to wait for mile long gaps to pull out of junctions etc.? I think 150bhp or so in average hatchback is there or thereabouts, much less can get frustrating. Obviously power will need to scale up for heavier cars.

What's too much power? I think once you're beyond Golf R type power to weight then your opportunity to explore that power on the roads without doing silly speeds and risking more points/fines/bans than its worth is starting to become quite slim.
 
To put it another way if you had a choice of Car A (Comfy and full of gadgets) or Car B (Powerful but basic) which would you choose?
 
MR_Punk said:
To put it another way if you had a choice of Car A (Comfy and full of gadgets) or Car B (Powerful but basic) which would you choose?
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Option C, mine :p Confy and has the gadgets you need, but powerful.

I didn't really answer the question in my first post. I think 320 is plenty, potentially too much. 250-280 maybe?
 
Kenai said:
I think 150bhp or so in average hatchback is there or thereabouts, much less can get frustrating.
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In a hatch?
I drive a big saloon with only 130 and that's already more than enough. You can get hatches with my exact same engine model, as well.

Too much power is when you have to rely on that power, because everyone else is powering around as well.
All it means is you accelerate faster and so reduce safety reaction margins.
 
Participant said:
200bhp is great in a hot hatch but almost painful in a 2 tonne estate. It depends.
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My e38 is 1885kg with 235bhp and it’s an auto (an older design unlike today’s boxes that change gear quicker than you can think about it), whilst it’s no rocket, it’s far from painful.

It’s all relative and subjective I guess. :)
 
Scania said:
My e38 is 1885kg with 235bhp and it’s an auto (an older design unlike today’s boxes that change gear quicker than you can think about it), whilst it’s no rocket, it’s far from painful.

It’s all relative and subjective I guess. :)
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Because it's less than 2 Tonne and more than 200hp :p
 
Scania said:
My e38 is 1885kg with 235bhp and it’s an auto (an older design unlike today’s boxes that change gear quicker than you can think about it), whilst it’s no rocket, it’s far from painful.

It’s all relative and subjective I guess. :)
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Don't you drive trucks for a living?

Your E38 must feel like a rocket compared to your company chariot.
 
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