m3 on 5th gear now!!!

Fri Dec 16, 2005 8:54 pm

Since I had my M3 only one car has ever made me want more power and thats a sierra cosworth, i wont say how fast we were going but he had a lot more to offer. Most cars i either stuck with or left behind. but having it out with a car thats near enough got the same size engine, with a turbo added, did not make me feel in the slightest bothered, as i know what my M3 is capable of doing.

Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:18 pm

That shootout has done nothing to my dreams of owning the Munich legend. BMW should have done an advert similar to the Honda advert thatÃƒ”š's been on the telly recently. The emotions the car gives you, I am sad.

Sat Dec 17, 2005 1:17 am

I believe the Fifth Gear test, that is what the M3 could do and I am not going to defend the M3 but here is what I have seen:

Like I said before it depends on the condition of the engine, suspension, differential, etc. My 323i does lap times about equal to cars like the last 200SX (S15 I think? but the 150kW or whatever version we got here in Australia) and Renault Clio's (the sports version we got here a year ot two ago) and better than things like a new Holden Commodore SS (5.7L V8). My corner speeds are very similar to things like an Evo 6 and Integra Type R (modified with coilovers, track tyres and more) and it is usually only on the straights that I loose out.

At the time I did that I had Koni adjustables and 1" lower slightly stiffer King springs (which are probably only equal to the standard M3 suspension). I also have the M3 offset control arm bushes. ARB's are standard and their bushes are worn out. The biggest modification would have been the 4.1 LSD (although my car did have an LSD standard) which definately helps but the M3 has one of those anyway. According to the dyno even now with a standalone computer my engine is only putting out about standard power, I didn't have the computer at the time I was talking about before. I doubt my car like that would be any quicker than an E30 M3.

Aston

Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:10 am

redrobbie wrote:Zoners with m3's, in all the time of your ownership have you ever felt your cars weren't has powerful as the more modern cars. And yes I know the m3 more about other things than performance, it's about history FULL STOP. I'm just curious.

I don't know to be honest. I would say I'm a more commited driver generally, so overtaking cars driving at the speed limit or so, doesn't really show up any power differential. I think I look at certain cars and subconsiously think "could have that, couldn't have" that etc, but tbh It doesnt bother me so much anymore. I would be dis-appointed if I couldn't out drag a Colt CZT or a Sport Ka mind. But I think I would wonder what was wrong with my car, instead of thinking that these modern cars are faster.

An M3 will break the speed limit easily, and feel quite composed at 3 figure speeds in a straight line. I would have to say that Bridgestones, are not the best tyres to use though. They make the car feel nervous when cornering quickly, or when the going is a little "mixed"(cold/wet/slippery) so there are times, when it feels like it has too much power. And that it could kick the arse out/spin at the slightest provocation. I have to be aware that a FWD car is far more forgiving for being hamfisted so maybe in this example, the Colt or KA can be driven to 11/10ths and not be as tricky as driving an M3 at 10/10ths.

Does that make any sense

Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:22 pm

Rich_W wrote:I have to be aware that a FWD car is far more forgiving for being hamfisted so maybe in this example, the Colt or KA can be driven to 11/10ths and not be as tricky as driving an M3 at 10/10ths.

Good point Rich, makes sense.