That doesn't prove anything. The first time I went on a track, I was passed by better drivers in their BMW 540i. Now, don't tell me I suck 'cause I already know that. If you tell me the M3 driver was as good (or better) a driver as you and the Miata, then it will prove a point.

 

I have read through all this information, and was wondering what the point was?

If you feel the EVO (or any other car for that matter) is the best car in the world, buy it, drive it, love it. Feel good about yourself for that. Don't try to justify your purchase or make yourself feel good by puting other cars down. Someone here already said it well: there really is no perfect car for everything. I have three at the moment, and they are all very different.

Remember this (as it seems some of you have forgotten...): No matter how fast it is, there's ALWAYS something faster.

Have a , and you'll feel better in the morning.

 

Here is the video Spooldswede mentioned. Okay, I know its not the Evo 8 vs M3, but its as close as your gonna get for now. I found the video with kazaa-lite a few days ago and I will host it for a couple of days so get it while you can.

Bet you cant guess which car spins out on the last lap...

So hitting a little bump like that can throw a rear end out


Right click and save target as

http://66.118.78.41/vids/M3_evo7_360.mpg

 

Coming in late to this thread.

I'm a former e46 M3 owner. A serious track junkie. An amateur race car driver. I've also been president of my local chapter of the BMW Car Club of America and currently serve on its board of directors. I've been a BMW-afficianado for most of my life.

Rebutting a couple of points and providing my opinion to some others:

1) Blown engines. Check out this site: http://members.roadfly.org/jason/m3engines.htm specifically this page: http://yoy.com/auto/m3_failwhat.shtml

BMW had a problem engines produced between October 01 and March 02. BMW has acknowledged the issue, and has issued a service action for the cars built during these dates in which they tear down the engine and replace the bad parts with new good parts. BMW has also stepped up to the plate and extended the engine warranty to 6 years/100k miles. See http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...threadid=62570 for warranty details.

These things happen, especially with a highly stressed, brand new engine (hello, US STi ). What is important is how the manufacturer handles the situation. BMW has been excellent in this regard.

2) The e46 M3 is faster than a stock Evo 0-60, with an easily repeatable 4.6 - 4.7 0-60. That's a lot faster than ~5.0 of the Evo. Most of this isn't due to horsepower or even gearing, its due to the trick differential. BMW M developed a new application of differential technology that is flat-out amazing at putting power to the ground in the event of slippage. The M3 launches like a banshee with a 3000 - 4000 RPM clutch drop launch - just a slight squeal of the tires and the car rockets away. To get an equivilant launch from the Evo, you've got to feather the cluch from 5000 RPM plus. A lot harder to do. And even if properly executed, the Evo (stock) is slower than the M3 up to 60mph. The M3 just has more power available across the entire power band.

Now, as we've seen here, with a handful of modifications the Evo can easily move in to (and well beyond) M3 acceleration ranges. In addition to its impressive 0-60, the M3 turns the quarter in ~13.3. . Pretty close to the Evo's mid 13 times. And easily equippted by a 12-second Evo such as we've seen on this board from a few people.

3) The Evo is faster, stock for stock, than an e46 M3 on the track. Not super significantly faster, but faster none the less. Equal drivers would be able to reel in and pass the M3 in an Evo on the track. The Evo has a significant edge in handling and a slight but statistically significant edge in braking. The M3 has an edge in power, but power to weight is pretty close. Evo is 12.04 pounds per HP and 11.95 pounds per TQ. The M3 is 10.26 pounds per HP, but a whopping 13.03 pounds per TQ. And as racers know, its torque that wins races.

4) the M3 is an amazing package. Like the Evo, it runs in to supercar territory for a lot cheaper than most. However, it has a much more significant focus on luxury than the Evo. The M3 is a lot heavier, with a lot softer suspension, with a lot more sound deadening. Well equipted stock, the M3 offers a number of luxury-driven options like leather, navigation, premium sound, etc etc. Not to mention the awesome Sequential ///M Gearbox (SMG). The M3 is an amazing car, and a good comparison to ours in a lot of ways. The Evo is a flat-out race/rally car, with just enough street car swapped in to make it legal. The M3 is a luxury sports sedan, with enough race technology mixed in to make things very interesting.

I've rambled long enough... for now.

 

Did anyone catch the Speed World Challenge? I found it interesting how the E46 M3 beat Audi's RS6 in rounds 3 and 4 in downpouring rain twice!


http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/roadracing/6579/


I'm still all for AWD though

 

Let's all not be childish about this.

Both fascinating machines.
Both great performance.
Both great handling.

You have 30k, you buy an EVO for pure performance.
you have 60k, you buy either one M3 for unbelievably good performance + comfort/luxury + BMW badge for you to show off... (when you pay twice as much, you expect more, ain't that right?)

or 2 EVO's

 

SO whats next,comparing a evo to a viper!

 

How about a CR-X?
See who's louder?

 

I say buy an evo 30k.
then put 30k worth of modding into it

edit-
my brother has an m3, its a sweet sweet machine.
i'll take pictures of the black evo and the black m3 sometime.

 

Sure, why not!!!

At the DC region autocross on Sunday, there were two Evos and a Viper SRT-10, all three stock:

Evo 1 : 55.557 seconds
Evo 2 : 57.664 seconds
Viper : 58.721 seconds

But the Viper will slaughter the Evos in a 1/4 mile; a stock Viper SRT-10 can run in the 11's.

 

Numbers quoted from Car and Driver's (CAD) March 2003 issue for a 6-speed M3 when new and at 40,000 mile mark with CAD drivers.

Performance (new / 40,000):
Zero to 60 mph: 4.5 sec / 4.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.2 sec / 12.0 sec
Standing 1/4-mile 13.1 sec / 13.4 sec @ 107 mph @ 105 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph 161 ft / 156 ft
Top speed (governor limited) 163 mph / 163 mph
Curb weight: 3523 lb

The following is quoted from Motor Trend's June 2003 issue of an Evo with Justin Bell behind the wheel.

0-60... 4.59 sec
0-100...12.45 sec
1/4 mile...13.08@105.12mph
Braking, 60-0...106 ft.
Top speed (governor limited)...156 mph
Curb weight: 3263 lb

Posted just for perspective and/or reference.

Just curious...does anyone know of faster times recorded in any other publications?

 

just so all of you guys know, i started this thread. i want everyone to take a pill and relax. seriously... i was just asking for some simple imput regarding these two cars. everyone needs feaking relax and put an end to the dumbass bickering with the quantum physics of these two cars.

From everything i've read, THE TWO ARE CLOSE, thats all i wanted to know, thanks for all of your help, everyone can go on with their lives now.

 

 

Alright, just want to clarify a bit on this.

The new S4 weighs about 3600 pounds (nearly the same as its predecessor). That is about 200 more pounds than the M3.

The Audi has a V8 which means better low end torque than an M3's inline 6. Sure the M3 has only 10 less bhp, but that is not what we are worried about. The Audi has 300TQ, 40~50 more than the M3. I think that is quite a gap in power output right?

BTW, when I was watching that video, it was actually quite astounding how they directed it. IMHO, it looked as though it was a commercial made by Audi.

 

Hello,
This might not be a compatible fact, but haven't you guys ever seen the video of the Evo7 GSR whooping on the M3 and a Ferrari at some track? Even the Auto GTA EVo7 beat the M3 SMG, thats alot said right there.

I'm sure there is a link somewhere on the web, tis a best motoring video so. I actually have it but there really isn't a way for me to get it hosted.