You have wasted 5 minutes and 34 secods of my life with that stupid analysis. I want them back. BMW and Mercedes are very uncomfortable seats (notices I did not say suspension). I drove almost every car in the world when I sold cars. BMW is almost one of the worst, but since you come from Evo it feels comfortable to you because it doesn't shake you so much as the Evo. But to say that BMW M3 is comfortable? HMMMMMM NO !!!!!

 

figures that you sold cars....

 

What defines comfort? What's comfortable to you? Its just preference. As long as the seats do what they're supposed to do then thats all that matters.

To touch on another topic...

People shouldn't take every driving impression/comparison post as an attack on their car because, in this case, it isn't. I admit I was like that at first, even to the point of hating the driver because of their vehilce preference, but I'm older now and wiser. I don't act like a kid anymore. This type of behavior can easily escalate and cause widespread assholism. Epidemic proportions. Next thing you know, Evos will be dissing M3s and vice versa (wait, thats happening already).

When I'm driving my M3 with the top down, I'm cruising and enjoying the nice weather. When I see an Evo, STi, or whatever performance-oriented sports car, I still stare in awe because I know that an Evo and STi are badass rides. I always give the driver props (if possible) for a nice ride. I'm not dissing anyone for not having an M3 or Evo for that matter.

Having an M3 and/or Evo doesn't make me king or better than anyone else and that goes the same for everyone here. I enjoy driving and both cars are more than adequate to satisfy my urges. When I walk away after a nice drive in either the M3 or Evo I feel happy like I just got laid (driving lasts longer) because driving both cars is no less than thrilling - both cars offer the same excitement, just different ways of getting there.

 

I totally agree. Unforunately there will always be the people out there that still don't get it. People attached to the "my car is better than yours, my car make is better than yours" mentality. I have no doubt that there will always be people like this, especially with a cult car such as the evo.

 

I, like lbcevo, traded in my 03 E46 M3 Coupe for the Evo.

I agree with your impressions. However, like lbcevo, the M3 did not inspire as much confidence as my Evo. With DSC on, you get smoked by G35's because it cuts power when it senses the rears slipping. With DSC off, you get the challenges of a RWD coupe. Also, in turns, I always felt that the M3's rear was about to swing out when I hit the throttle at the apex of a turn but with the Evo, I could give it throttle DURING the apex of a turn which is so MUCH FUN!

Also, in addition, I am a modding freak...and the M3 is just not a platform that allows for modding without major bucks. That S54 engine is already tuned to the highest level and it's hard to squeeze anymore out of it. Plus, an exhaust sytem is like $1500 bucks! So, to all those Evo owners that complain about how much aftermarket parts cost for the Evo, be thankful you don't have to buy aftermarket parts for the M3!

So, for my experience, I would rather sacrifice the luxury and the dollars for a more cutting edge performance car with room for mods at a lower cost.

Brent

 

yeah i'm VERY happy with the setup.... can't really ask for more!

BLiu: Yeah, to be honest, we really didn't push the car in the lower gears.... only in 3rd gear long sweeping turns, so my post wasn't all that complete. Thats why I wanted to hear opinions of others who have really owned and driven both.

Yeah my buddy, is looking into the modding options he has with the M3... he said besides bolt ons like intake, exhaust, chip, and underdrive pullies, there really aren't that many other ones. I know you mentioned it was more expensive and difficult...but are they any other ones you would suggest? Thanks..

 

My honest opinion: Get Exhaust ONLY if you don't like the stock exhaust sound. The stock exhaust is pretty good. The rest of the mods won't get him a lot of extra HP as compared to a turbo car. Therefore, my best advice is to spend the money tuning the suspension with some kind of coilover setup (eg, Bilstein or GC) and aftermarket bushings and sways, and, of course, a nice set of wheels (eg, HRE's, BBS, etc).

Brent

 

I love the M3 and have driven many miles in my friends...great car.....the EVO MR does not have the snob appeal, but is just as comfortable as the M3 with the added benifit of the awd.....if I could get the M3's power deliver in the Evo..hmmmmmm

 

Well, I haven't personally experienced losing a drag race to a G35 in my M3, but my M3 isn't for racing. It's mainly my going-to-work and going-out car. Racing is what my Evo is for.

I don't think a car's price tag should be the determining factor for assessing a car's modding possibilities. I think the M3 has much support as the Evo as far as aftermarket parts are concerned. And there is a large following everywhere. The only difference is what people are willing to spend on their rides. $1500 maybe expensive to one, but not to another. It just depends on the demographic market.

I remember there was a time (2 years ago) when an exhaust for the Evo was over a grand (I remember the JIC full titanium exhaust was like $1300) and everyone thought that was pricey, but you know what? People still bought 'em, even had JDM-spec exhausts shipped from Japan. $1500 is high for an exhaust for an M3, but there are cheaper exhausts out there.

I agree that the M3 engine has been tuned efficiently by BMW, but that has never stopped anyone from adding an SC or turbo kit or improved suspension work.

If you can have luxury AND still have the performance then why not have both? There's nothing wrong with it. Not everyone is a hardcore performance guy and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Like I said before, it's all in the preference.

 

Geat write up

I strongly considered getting an m3 when I was in the heat of my car search. But didnt want to spend much more than 40k, and didnt want a used car. Ended up going with the Evo because its new and has a great warranty (assuming mistubishi will actually honor it ) and Im really into performance over luxury. I realized there will be a time when I need huge puffy leather seats, a smooth ride, and docile appearance... but that time is in 30 years

 

I have to respectfully disagree on the above statement...when the 03 Evo came out to the US, there were already quite a few mods available at a good cost. Try not to drag JDM stuff into it because there was domestic aftermarket vendors selling stuff at a very competitive price at the same time - but with the M3, you can never get that same level of availability of competitive parts. Now, there is so much availability and parts to choose from, it's not even comparable - both from US and Japan!

As for the G35 (PS: the G35 is NOT THAT SLOW), the example I used was for how DSC cuts power. I wasn't racing him in the 1/4 mile which I KNOW the M3 will destroy it. The incident was where two lanes were merging into one and he got the jump on me across a very short distance because my DSC cut power and he got in front of me. So, I am sure it would have happened to the Evo with the turbo lag as well. I was just stating an example where the DSC really intrudes on the driving experience...

BUT I have to agree, that if I could have both, of course I would do it. But, I am married with children so money is being spent elsewhere....

Brent