The e46 M3 will run a 13.3 in the quarter 9 times out of 10.

Why? Trick differential (lots of hook-up) and easy to reproduce (turn off traction control, drop the clutch from 4000 RPM).

SMG-II equiped e46 M3 will run a 13.4 in the quarter 10 times out of 10.

the CSL version (aka lightweight) won't be coming to america so its really a non factor...

The e46 M3 is a luxury sports car. The Evo is a sport compact car. Completely different animals.

 

OK. Imagine you are talking to an idiot. Which kind of M3 am I going to see out in the streets of America? If he/she were to hypothetically try to race me, who would pull out first, who would in the 1/4 mile and who would pull out in the top end?

All this E40something or other talk is making my head hurt.

 

Ok, you will not see the CLS in America. The BMW would win 8 of 10 times in the 1/4 miles. The BMW is limited to 155 governed but if taked off it can do close to 170 if not more. On the track it would come down to the driver with the Evo having an advantage.

 

Every occasion that I've come up against a 2003 M3, i've beaten them not by much when my car was stock though.. However driver skill is certainly a deciding factor! The cars really are close performers in many ways..

 

The e46 M3 is the new one, made from 2001 - now. Coupe or cabrio only. Stock coupe looks like this:



The e36 M3 was made from 1994 - 1999 (as 1995-1999 models) and comes in coupe, sedan, & cabrio.

Stock coupe looks like this:



Not so stock coupe looks like this:




You're statistically more likely to see the e36 M3, as there are way more of those on the road. They're not a threat at a stoplight, at ~240 HP, high 14/low 15 quarters, and 5.6 0-60

What we've been talking about here is the e46 M3, the new one, with the 333-hp engine that runs 13.3 in the quarter and 4.6 0-60. A definite threat at a stoplight (stock for stock) unless its raining outside it will come down to the driver.

All clear?

 

You forgot the E30 M3

 

M3...nice...M5...nice

 

And that's the best one!

 

well stock for stock i think its pretty even. it really comes down to the driver. i raced a new m3 from a 5mph roll, took him by 3/4 car length and stayed that way throughout till 4th gear, by then we hit a light..... but it the race would of went on, i think the m3 would come out on top at the high speeds

 

Jedinite,

Thank you so much for clearing it up for me. You don't know how many times I read the E30something or E40something. Now I know what everyone is talking about. So the new ones pose a threat at a stoplight. That's what I figured.

What I don't understand is....if the E46's come with 333hp and EVO are stock at 271hp....how come they don't blow the doors off of us?? Is it because they are RWD???

 

dude it doenst come down to straight up HP. the m3 is tuned much differently than the evo. as someone said before, the m3 is a luxury sport car while the evo is a sport compact. many many differences, though both are bad ***.

 

Alright I'm beginning to understand. Could someone give me a brief explanation as to how they are tuned differently?

 

me and my uncles m3

 

Your profile says you drive an EVO 8, so why don't you go taunt some M3s and find out what beats what?

I can dust most M3's on the road, you know why? The drivers are inept mostly.

 

I have driven a couple of M3s now and I am not that impressed. Of course the leather and plastics are very nice, but I don't buy a car for how nice the dashboard feels. There is no denying the M3 is very fast, but it is not a usable fast. It would be perfect for high-speed commuting (ie Germany or Italy). For the US, it's too fast for the freeway and no fun on the street. Also, to drive one quickly through a canyon is a nerve-wracking experience. The traction control cuts in too often, and if you turn it off, well I hope you know how to countersteer quickly. My Evo through the same canyon just drifted without drama and was just plain fun. It's all a matter of priorities. And if I really wanted to make it nice inside, I could spend another $10,000 on the interior (after I spent $10,000 on power and suspension mods) and make it nicer than the M3 inside. But what's the point?? Unfortunately, most M3s will end up in the hands of poseurs who bought SMG so they can drink Starbucks and bull**** on their phone while they clog up the fast lane.