Hi everyone. I have been viewing this site for about a year now but I have just recently became a member. I am number 4 on the waiting list at Prestige Mitsubishi in Turnersville, N.J. I am in for a yellow EVO with the high spoiler and no sunroof. After reading many of the posts here I just wanted to voice my opinions on the U.S. EVO based on what I have read. Here is the breakdown:
Horsepower: I am really happy with the horsepower figures. 271 HP is not really detuned as such. Considering U.K. is 276 and J-spec is 280. U.S. is only down 9 HP from J-spec, which can be easily be gained with an air intake. So much for rumors of 250.
Appearance: The EVO 7's nose was too boxy compared to the 8's. I like the more rounded nose, more aerodynamic. Whatever they had to do to keep that FMIC was fine with me. If they weren't going to keep the FMIC, then I wouldn't buy it. 2 things attract me to the EVO, FMIC and high wing. I love the wing. I don't know why people complain about the wing being to high. What other car has a wing that high? Aside from the last 3000GT and the future STi. The wing makes it aggressive, exotic looking, like it wants to take off. Without the wing it would be plain, wouldn't be an EVO.
ACD, AYC: I am diappointed that these won't be on it. I do look at the plus side. Reliability, easier maintenance, lighter weight and cheaper. Also remember, average people do 90% of driving on regular Tarmac. I doubt I will do much driving in gravel and snow except winter. Remember, EVO's before the VII didn't have these and they did fine. I do hope they offer later tough and can be put on the present EVO's.
Competition: It bothers me how many people compare the EVO to the M3 and how the M3 could eat it up. Not so. In an issue of CAR magazine (European) they listed the M3 with a 0-62 time of 5.2 sec. and top speed of 155mph. The EVO at 5.0sec. 0-60 and 150 mph top speed. Don't get me wrong, I think the M3 is a beautiful car, but I thing the EVO is more aggressive via the FMIC and the sky high wing. Not to mention the fact that the M3 is only 2 door and has no AWD. In fact, the EVO goes through the slalom quicker than a 911 Turbo and as quick as a Z06. You can also mod more on an EVO.
Those are just some of my opinions guys. I can't wait for my EVO. Anytime someone tries to put another car over the EVO, I emphasize the points.
1. High wing
2. FMIC and sprayer?
3. Brembos and recaros.
4. Small engine making power of much bigger engines.
5. Of course AWD.
I know there are cars out there with one or more of these attributes, but none have all these in one package. Sorry it was lengthy, I just had a lot of ground to cover. Talk to you later!

 

Good to have you here, and you made some good points, but....

According to every American magazine I've read, and BMW's own specs (which are always slower than what can really be achieved) the M3 will get to 60 in 4.8 seconds. I read CAR a lot, and it's a great mag, but their numbers vary wildly from one car to the next.

Sorry, just had to defend my girl's honor!

 

Very nice car Cartman. I love it. You are very true in what you said. Motor Trend tested a Euro-spec EVO way back and got a 4.3 0-60 and 13.1sec. 1/4 mile. There have also been reports of EVO VII's doing 12's in the quarter. Just goes to show you in the hands of a skilled driver, anything can happen.

 

As an e46 M3 owner, I have to chime in here...



First off, the e46 M3 definately goes 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. 5.2 was an early magazine figure.

I don't think the e46 M3 will eat up the Evolution.

First off, the e46 M3 is a $55k car... the Evo is a $30k car. The difference in performance is almost negligible, and the cost difference is amazing.

The e46 M3 weighs 3415 pounds, giving it a decent 10.26 pounds per HP but with only 262 lb-ft tq it nets 13.03 pounds per lb-ft.

The Evo sits at 12.00 pounds per HP but beats the e46 M3 with 11.95 pounds per lb-ft.

Not to mention performance for the money: $108.46 per HP and $108.06 per TQ for the Evo versus $168.17 per HP and $213.74 per TQ for the M3.

I bought the first e46 M3 in town. Its certainly an amazing performance machine, with probably the sweetest engine BMW has ever built (maybe outside the McLaren and their F1 cars).

And I'm buying an Evolution, becuase the performance for the money is outstanding. And I intend to modify the Evolution to be able to blow away the e46 M3... for a lot less money.

~jedinite
http://bmw.jedinite.com

 

Damn man, didn't realize you owned an M3 as well! That's is fine! What wheels are those?

And no, I don't think an M3 will completely OWN an Evolution, but they are really close when it comes to performance. All a matter of tastes, I suppose. M3 is NA, while the Evo has AWD.

And while most M3's cost about $55,000 it is possible to get one for about $48,000. I hesitate to use the word, "stripped", because it's pretty well loaded standard, but you get the idea.

But these dealers that are price gouging to nearly $40k are nuts! I'm sorry, I like the Evo and all, but if I was going to spend that kinda money, I'd save another few months and get the M3. At least the service is FREE for three years, and it's a BMW (read: will NEVER fall apart! Yeah German engineering!)

 

i read an article in bmwcar magazine (jan 2k2) comparing m3 to evo6. evo6 was 4.2 in 0-62mph and m3 4.8.

they said "an evo 6 is in a different league from the less sharply forcused m3."

 

Hey Jedinite. That is one badass M3!! Love the red paint and rims. What tire sizes are those? They look really low. I know I am an EVO fan, but that M3 is sweet!

 

What about the engines in the new 7-series. Technologically those things are pretty amazing. Infinitely variable valve timing and lift, variable length intake manifold... talk about trying to squeeze every last ft-lb from the engine.

Or does the M3 engine have that stuff too?

 

I'll try to answer all the questions:

Yes, I'm expecting stock performance of both cars to be pretty similar... very similar acceleration both 0-60 and 1/4 mile. Probably pretty similar around any given track given equal drivers - the edge here might go to the Mitsu but I have no idea how "race engineered" the Evo we get is actually going to be.

The wheels are 19" BBS Challenges. I've got the following data on them on a page of my website: http://bmw.jedinite.com/M3/new_BBS_CH.html

Details on my wheels and tires:
Wheel: BBS CH (Challenge)
Tire: Yokohama AVS Sport
Front: 19x8.5 235/35/19 offset: 38 weight: 50.30 lbs
Rear: 19x9.5 265/30/19 offset: 25 weight: 52.58 lbs

for comparision:
Stock Front: 18x8 weight: 50.22
Stock Fear: 18x9 weight: 52.50

The color of the car is called "Imola Red" and yes it is a beautiful color. It goes from a deep red in shadow to a complex medium red in direct light.

Contrast the following two pictures, taken the same day with the same digicam in different light:





A ton more pix of my current and past cars on my website, if you are interested.

~jedinite
http://bmw.jedinite.com

 

You are correct... the new 7 series has BMW's most technically advanced engine. I'll certainly agree with that.

And no, the e46 M3 engine doesn't have the variable intake/etc technology.

However, I still say that the e46 M3 engine is the best BMW has ever built. The most horsepower per liter of any of their production cars, piston speeds far closer to a Formula One car than a normal street car, and a great amount of horsepower (333) squeezed out of a naturally-aspirated 3.2L inline six...

~jedinite
http://bmw.jedinite.com

 

Sweet car jedinite

just wondering though if you heard much about this: http://members.roadfly.com/jason/m3engines.htm

i'm not trying to knock your car...hell, i still would love to have one...just wondering what your views are considering this matter.

 

Quite a bit, actually. I'm a regular on Roadfly as well.

The problems appear to be isolated to a couple of months, especially November 01... my e46 M3 was built back in April / May 01. No reported failures from that build time, that I know of.

That being said, the engine failures were a significant (but not the most significant) factor in my decision to sell the car and buy the Evolution...

 

I figured that you e46 M3 owners were a close knit ... just wondering 'cause a buddy of mine decided on an '03 M5 instead of the M3 because of the engine failures he kept reading about.