Intamin vs. B&M for new 2000 coasters.

All my coaster riding life I had been the strongest Bolliger and Mabillard fan. I had never been on a bad B&M coaster. However now that the 2000 season has kicked off I strongly believe that the 2000 season is the first year that Intamin out-did Bolliger and Mabillard. B&M premiered 4 floorless rides (Batman Knight Flight, Kraken, Superman Krypton Coaster, Medusa West) and Katun out in Italy. Yet on the other hand I believe that Intamin premiered two of the greatest coaster ever; Millennium Force (duh) and Superman Ride of Steel at Six Flags New England (an awesome ride if you haven't been there yet). Not to mention Superman at Six Flags America and S:UE at SFO. Plus, if you've been on one, you'd probably agree that Intamin's hypercoasters beat any other designer's out there.

So...who do you think better new-for-2000 coasters, Bolliger and Mabillard or Intamin?

Hmmm, yes it is a good match up here. Id have to give my vote to CCI however. What with the likes of Boss, Boulder Dash, Hurricane, Legend, Medusa, Mega Zeph, and Villain. Yet youre question is B&M vs. Intamin. Well this summer I wont hit any new Intamin rides but will ride Medusa at SFMW. Also Ill be riding a Giovanola coaster but they only have one so I guess they didnt produce a whole lot. Well Im gonna have to go and vote for B&M with because the whole floorless deal. Intamins hypers need to get a little more hyper-active.

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"May the Force be with you"

Intamin definitely wins this year, but I wouldn't count B&M out for 2001. 2000 saw almost every park salivating over the B&M floorless coaster. They're great, and the GP eats them up, but they are the weakest B&M product IMO. I much prefer their hypers, and no one can touch their inverteds(which made their reputation). With the success of MF, Goliath and Superman, don't be surprised to see more of their hypers in 2001-2002, as well as a certain B&M prototype America has yet to see...

That must be the B&M dive coaster.
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THE BEASTmaster
www.geocities.com/byostie

I personally don't give a lot of credit to either B&M or Intamin. While I love Intamin's hyper trains better than any B&M four-across configuration, there's something else to consider in this year's crop of coasters.

What do Millennium Force, Son of Beast and Goliath have in common? They were all designed by Werner Stengel. All have long, sweeping turns and all were built for speed. If the technology is solid, the manufacturer seems to be less of an issue to me.

I think (but I'm not sure) that S:ROS at SFNE was also his doing, as it has many similar characteristics. I think the floorless beasts are his too, and many of them make variations on the tried and true B&M elements.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

A question I have thought of many times. I would give it to Intamin, second CCI and third B&M. In no way am I saying B&M are bad it is just the smoothness of Intamin coasters I have been on (MF and S-UE) are the best yet. B&M's are not that smooth. And CCI well they know speed and airtime (Villain) And CCI is the best wooden company I know of. Villain is superb and delivers everything a woodie should.

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Whose Line is it Anyway?

Hooper, if you ever get a chance to ride Raging Bull you might think differently about B&M being smooth. This coaster is so smooth its scary.

ditto about MF!!!!smoother than imaginable

Chitown, by no means am I saying B&M's are not smooth, they are. But after riding MF and S-UE the smoothest company goes to Intamin. But if I do get a chance I will ride Ride raging bull. When I said "B&M's are not that smooth" I was referring B&M to Intamin's rides. That was not a general statement regarding all B&M's. B&M's are the second smoothest company that I know of.

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Closing Time: 5:30
CP Arrival Time: 5:50

Whose Line is it Anyway? *** This post was edited by Hooper on 5/20/2000. ***

Jeff has a great point with the Stengal designs. I think the builder is second to the designer. I am an artist and graphic designer, I can attest that if the basic design is a good one, (a ride, or a house, or a car, or a roller skate) the end product will be good. A flawed design will result in a flawed end product.

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Gotta ride 'em all!

I am a huge B&M fan and I think that Intamin does win this year. MF, S:UE, S:ROS are awsome and for the first time ever Intamin does beat B&M. But to say Intamin's are a lot smoother is not that true. Intamins are very smooth, but B&M's whole reputation is for being smooth. The coaster world was awed by their extreme smoothness.

Stengel was also involved in the Design of Superman Krypton Coaster. The guy is a genus. Coaster designers make it happen, without them we would be nothing.

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-Josh

I'm going to design roller coasters as a profession, and wouldn't it be awesome if I could design rides as well as Stengal.

ICK! I don't get why coasters need to be so dang smooth!!!!! Smoother = Less Intense
Give me a headache, PLEASE!!! I brought enough Advil to the park with me!

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aIrtIme'S ovErRaTed..

then meanstreak is right up your alley.

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Closing Time: 5:30
CP Arrival Time: 5:50

Whose Line is it Anyway?