Test drove an M3 yesterday

[ydubbs4]

Given that I own an M3, and came from a 325is, I thought I would chime in. I too was relatively unimpressed by the power of the M3 when I first test drove one. It does feel slow when you are moving slow because the torque is terrible below 4k due to the AFM. Once you get that opened up, its a different ballgame. Its good that you got up to 100 as that is basically the point at which the M3 and the 325is become different beasts. Whereas I would die in 4th on the backstraight at WGI at about 115 MPH, the M3 pulls all they way up to 7400 at somewhere around 122 or so (and this was with shitty leakdown numbers), and that is when it starts to feel fast, over 100 MPH. You cant really quantify that on the streets. All in all, if you arent tracking the car, I wouldnt go for the M3, unless you want to drop a couple grand into the engine to make it feel better down low.

FWIW, top JS cars and top KP cars run nearly identical at WGI (1.02.xx for the M3 and 1.03.xx for the 325i).

Will

[Rob]

I drove 155///MPH's 30k mile m3, and it basically sucked. rev'd slow, wasnt that fast, yada yada yada. modified, i'm sure they're fun, but stock, no thanks

[RCWells]

That must be one ragged-ass M3.

The difference between an s14 and an m20, both properly tuned is very noticeable.

-Charlie

Nope, not ragged-ass at all actually. The motor is very strong for an M3. It has to do with the delivery. They don't really come alive until 4500rpms or better and the gear ratio could come into play here also. It just doesn't feel as good to me as the M20.

I know everyone thinks the M3 is the dogs balls, but I just don't find them impressive at all in the power department. Sure they have the heritage, and they are "M" cars after all. They look great and handle fabulously. But to be such an outstanding racer, the street versions just don't do it for me.

And my 325is IS actually an outstanding performer. Even with 199K miles on it, it runs like a scalded dog. (Yes, I am part redneck, twice removed on my mother's side). It does have a Conforti chip, but other than that, it is basically stock.

I led Eric and Moe the other day, Eric in his supremely more powerful E36 M3 sedan (manual trans) and Moe with his E36 modded sedan, and they had hell keepin' up. Yes, it's true, we ran some pretty tight and twisty backroads, and my little car led with aplomb.

Sorry, the M3 just leaves me wanting much more.

[nitro325is]

Same experience I got when I test drove a 91 M3 with a little over 100k miles and only 1 owner.it was traded for a newer one and was competely stock but well taken care of.I was left utterly unimpressed with its power up to about 115-120.After 120 it definelty felt more solid (stable) then my 325is but had very little to go after 120.Granted my 325is has almost every bolt on mod an m20 can have.

[RCWells]

Same experience I got when I test drove a 91 M3 with a little over 100k miles and only 1 owner.it was traded for a newer one and was competely stock but well taken care of.I was left utterly unimpressed with its power up to about 115-120.After 120 it definelty felt more solid (stable) then my 325is but had very little to go after 120.Granted my 325is has almost every bolt on mod an m20 can have.

I am glad I am not the only who feels this way. And the truth is, I was truly disappointed because I was seriously looking into buying one myself. But I don't think I could live with one day to day.

[reelizmpro]

Bone stock S14's with AFM's don't feel fast at all, especially on city streets when you're typically below 4000 RPM's and especially if they haven't been tuned properly. However, a chip does make a big difference on these engines. Almost as much difference as a chip does for the ETA. It's like night and day. Then ditch the AFM, throw some cams in, better intake and you have one fast M3 with bolt on mods making around 230-240HP. ;)

[rwh11385]

I drove 155///MPH's 30k mile m3, and it basically sucked. rev'd slow, wasnt that fast, yada yada yada. modified, i'm sure they're fun, but stock, no thanks

i cannot tell if that is sarcasm or not, but it might actually not be. but it's hard to believe it revs slow.......

My buddy Jon is working on getting his 88 M3 up and running and he will let me drive it. He really got a kick out of driving mine, so it's only fair.....well not really.... :P

Anyway, when I first test drove a 325i, I wasn't that impressed, but the I6 was definately nicer to drive than the DOHC I4's I came from around town. But after the chip, it was night and day. Maybe a chip would really make a difference in your eyes of the M3, maybe find someone with a chipped M3 and take a ride in it.

Of course, you might just be in love with sixes, which in that case, a S50 powered E30 would be good for you.

[Rob]

dead serious, that m3 didnt rev a bit faster than my m42

[318driver]

there was a post on another website with a kid that had a 50k(mile) M3 and he lost in a race to another memeber who had an 86 325 with a stock(except for a 4.10lsd) m20 in it. The guy was amazed that he lost TWICE It was kinda funny to see the guy upset about it.

[GreekDriver]

WTF? Since when did we care about how fast a car goes in a straight line!

[Rob]

dont be gay sparky.


this thread is about being dissappointed with the m3 despite its mythical reputation, nothing more.

[mgold]

Hmmm, maybe the big, heavy wheels have something to do with it. How about a slipping clutch? I've been told that could contribute to what appears to be sluggish performance.

[GreekDriver]

dont be gay sparky.


this thread is about being dissappointed with the m3 despite its mythical reputation, nothing more.

I don't know how somebody could be dissapointed with the E30 M3. Maybe if they expected a fast car, or some kind of feel of speed.

[elemental]

, Comparing two compleatly different cars or whateve you drive,, :roll:

[schmick325]

Hmmm, maybe the big, heavy wheels have something to do with it. How about a slipping clutch? I've been told that could contribute to what appears to be sluggish performance.

Big time - I thought my car was down on power as i couldnt even beat a 1.8 lancer. Once I changed the clutch its now bloody quick