E46 M3 vs 330Ci Sport

shoestring7 wrote: M BLur,The next gen M3 will be a V8. And will probably still do 'only' 155mph.SS7

That's true but it's funny how they wont use the old E39 V8, which already has worldwide homologation. BMW are continuing to make money out of that engine through supplying to low volume sport car makers and is good up to 500bhp but I have no doubt BMW have avoided this as the engine produces enough torque to give the M5/M6 a real fright + the market is very focussed on map rpm and power p/litre right now. Okay the new engine will be lighter aiding handling but if the old block weas set bar enough back and it's pretty short anyway then that wouldn't have been much of an issue.

I wish they had been brave enough to use the flat plane V8 from the GTR but I guess economy and reliability woudl remain issues, pity.

And a mouth-watering one at that Coasting..

I would also like to add, I had an e36 328ci, and then I traded it in for an e46 330ci, maybe I got a bad car but, the 328 would have left the 330 standing, in all respects !!! acceleration, top speed etc.

I then traded the 330 in for an e46 M3, the difference is absolutely astounding, there is just no comparison, its`s like the difference between night and day !!

I think everyone here is in agreement that the M3 is heads ans shoulders above 328 and 330i models and anyone who has experienced the M 3 litre and 3.2 engines, as most of us have, and M handling will never disagree on that.

However the question is whether to go for the E30 M3 as a cost viable choice for track leaving a more sensible car for the road. I'd say that still makes sense for those on a budget.

Eventually I want an M1 but I'd never commute in her. I'll happily do that in a BMW diesel with a smile in knowing that I can take out the M1 and use her as she was meant. The M3, by its very design, is aimed at the exec commuter market, rightly or wrongly, and so can do both roles but in doing so a compromise always has to be struck - thankfully BMW are pretty good at that these days.

I'm also an evo subsriber and I don't always agree with everything they say. So much about driving is subjective and when all is said and done, most of what's written is merely someones opinion. I do however think that EVO is the best motoring magazine around at the moment and in terms of objectivity it is head and shoulders above the likes of Top Gear magazine.

On the subject of weight, the E46 M3 weighs in at 1570kg, compare that to the 996 carrera which tips the scales at just 1345kg. The M3 has been compared to the 911 in this thread. I'm just wondering how much difference that 225kg makes to the driving experience.

Peter Fenwick wrote: On the subject of weight, the E46 M3 weighs in at 1570kg, compare that to the 996 carrera which tips the scales at just 1345kg. The M3 has been compared to the 911 in this thread. I'm just wondering how much difference that 225kg makes to the driving experience.

a bit of subject ..but peter  ..try bikes ..180 kilos  and 150 bhp going through one wheel ...  that a real good ratio to weight and power ..it also gets you 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds ..try buying a motor car that can do that for 8 k? brand new ....ok you will look funny in a "power ranger suit"[leathers] .but apart from a jet fighter plane theres nothing else to touch it or make you grin so much .and for some strange reason women tend to like the odd biker ..rather than the car driver   ...strange but true

Ya ya ya.. bikes faster than cars.. Of course, 2 wheels, an engine and aone person - if they didn't go faster they'd be pointless. As is they're just plain dangerous. I used to have bikes and you can never match the rush or the accelertion but then the freedom of open air driving without a lid is IMHO far better and a good car still betters a bike when cruising  especially over long distances.

+ bike engines sound plain noisy compared to the myriad of tunes played by a good car engine.

Leathers are cool except wearing them.. roll out the talc and watch out for tank slap..

M BLUR wrote:   Leathers are cool except wearing them.. roll out the talc and watch out for tank slap..

lol you should have put watch out for the tank slappers ..they come in all shapes and sizes ..blonde and brunette.

MR P

get the R6 ...you will never look back

your right m blur

the r6 is a beast to deal with and its realy suited to agresive riding styles ..its a bit of a hooligan bike ..on the other hand  .the honda cbr 600    is the best way to introduce yourselfs back on to a bike ..there ..fast .practical .easy to live with and just as fast as the others but better mannered than the others

or just go with 900 fireblade  .and stick a turbo to it ..if you want to have scary fun...the turbo actually works quiet well indeed