The reason why I'm wondering this is that a friend is making a huge deal out of the extremely high levels of grip of his 1989 BMW 325iX (iX=full time All wheel drive) with 17 inch wheels and 45-series H-rated tires.

Based on some somewhat non-scientific testing conducted late at night, his car will whip around a 90-degree corner (like from one residential street to another) at 43 to 45 mph with just a chirp from the tires.

In comparison, the 940SE in my sig got its rear end out somewhat at 35 mph, with H-rated 60-series Bridgestones on the front and studded snow tires on the rear. Oh yeah, the car has 15 inch rims.

The 740 Turbo in my sig gets around a 90-degree turn at a maximum of about 32 mph. Blame non-sticky Kelly Metric H-rated tires on the front and studded Michelin snows on the rear for part of it, but in the dry with four all-seasons, the 740 might have only managed 35 mph. This car also runs on 15 inch 60 series tires.

The 380SE's a little big to explore high grip levels with. I haven't really done that except on freeway cloverleafs.

But, seriously, does anyone know how fast their car will go around a 90-degree turn? I'm getting a little sick of all this talk about "BMW=ultimate handling ability" from my friend.

-Sam