Test drove an M3 yesterday

[brodee]

It doesn't comply with NHTSA aka DOT... It might not pass emissions and doesn't have a US speedo.

Actually it comes with a CarFax if you look at the original ad you can view it. Also it has been passing Texas smog and inspection for almost 10 years. They do list the mileage as miles and not km on the carfax.

[M-technik-3]

Hmm new title issued why doesn't it state the mileage in 2003?? Carfax is a good way to start.

Friend on Police force helps with Vin #..

[ydubbs4]

You dont need a MPH speedo to be federalized. I rode in a car registered in MA this weekend that was a canadian car (albeit a Ford Explorer) that had the speedo in KPH.

Will

[Digitalwave]

The first time I drove an E30 M3 I was blown away by the top end kick, throttle response, and rev happiness. Now after doing the tranny swap with a lightweight flywheel and the 4.10LSD, my car feels the same but with more torque and a smoother power curve. I still would rather have the 4,000-8,000 RPM range of the S14 though.

[M-technik-3]

You dont need a MPH speedo to be federalized. I rode in a car registered in MA this weekend that was a canadian car (albeit a Ford Explorer) that had the speedo in KPH.

Will

Not true it needs to have us markings. It had both correct ?

[reelizmpro]

The first time I drove an E30 M3 I was blown away by the top end kick, throttle response, and rev happiness. Now after doing the tranny swap with a lightweight flywheel and the 4.10LSD, my car feels the same but with more torque and a smoother power curve. I still would rather have the 4,000-8,000 RPM range of the S14 though.

Exactly. Coming from 325e/i/2.7i's, etc. The M3 is just a totally different beast and it's hard coming from 325's to understand that unless you own one. Perhaps a 318 M42 owner would be better suited for the transition. Anyway, very few M3's are stock these days so don't think all M3's are as slow as the one you're driving. There's a lot of very fast all motor E30 M3's out there.

[Patrick]

ok so will a stock 89 m3 out run my stock 89 325i? In a straight line?

[Digitalwave]

ok so will a stock 89 m3 out run my stock 89 325i? In a straight line?

Yes.

[Ryan Stewart]

but not by a mile. That is what people need to keep in mind. The E30 M3 wasnt built as a stoplight racer, it was built to piss off Porsche and embarass Merc.

[M-technik-3]

If you are bored the search archives of GRM they did a write up on just this situation.

[RCWells]

ok so will a stock 89 m3 out run my stock 89 325i? In a straight line?

Do you mean STOCK? No chip? Nothing. Yes, it prolly would then.
But with a Conforti chip, and a good driver, hell no!
Sure, on the top end if you were out on the highway and had the room to run, or for you safer and saner types, the track, yes, it would take you. IF the driver had the balls to go there.

But on public roads, where most of us do most of our driving, with the proper setup and a good driver, the 325is slightly modified would run all day with the M3. I know, I do it all the time. Actually, I usually run the show, not to brag, just statin the facts sir. The M3 is usually playin catch-up.

Anyway, I understand that the M3 is a good car for what it was designed for, unfortunately, it was not designed for daily driving on the street. Mod your 325s boys, and learn to DRIVE them, and the M3 really doesn't have anything on us, except some pretty cool body mods and a few rpms.

[rwh11385]

This was interesting on Bf.c, it is from a guy whose driven plenty of cars it seems, including E36 M3, 996, old 911, E30 325is, and raced E30 M3's and street drove them.

I raced an E30 M3 for a few years. GREAT race cars, incredibly fun and forgiving on track. But for every day driving, it seems the E30 325 motors' better low end torque makes it a better street car. When I was driving the M3 on the street, before it's transformation to racing use, I felt like I had to really hammer it to get it to go. On track it was great because I was always in the power band.

So yeah, maybe just put a S50 in your car Brodee. :twisted:

[brodee]

Thanks for all the responses, it helps in the decision.

As for knowing how to drive it, well I've been driving longer than most of the people on this board have been alive, 19 years. Also I've done autocrosses in my 325is, track days in my highly modded e36 M3, and even drag raced my old Chevelle back in the day (not to mention working pit crew on a top alcohol funny car). I also know about power bands having raced motocross for many years.

I really enjoyed my 325 after getting out of the M3. If it's a false feel because of the torque, so be it. It will be even more after a vanos engine

Thanks again.

[Digitalwave]

ok so will a stock 89 m3 out run my stock 89 325i? In a straight line?

Do you mean STOCK? No chip? Nothing. Yes, it prolly would then.
But with a Conforti chip, and a good driver, hell no!
Sure, on the top end if you were out on the highway and had the room to run, or for you safer and saner types, the track, yes, it would take you. IF the driver had the balls to go there.

But on public roads, where most of us do most of our driving, with the proper setup and a good driver, the 325is slightly modified would run all day with the M3. I know, I do it all the time. Actually, I usually run the show, not to brag, just statin the facts sir. The M3 is usually playin catch-up.

Anyway, I understand that the M3 is a good car for what it was designed for, unfortunately, it was not designed for daily driving on the street. Mod your 325s boys, and learn to DRIVE them, and the M3 really doesn't have anything on us, except some pretty cool body mods and a few rpms.

I think it takes more than just a chip to beat an M3 in the straight line. And by the way, have you ever driven an M3 extensively? My friend's stock M3 outhandled my 325i with upgraded springs and shocks before I got my strut bars and urethane bushings!

And its only fair that you compare a modded 325i vs. a modded M3, not a modded 325i vs. a stock M3.

[brodee]

Just for clarification, I'm not wanting a 1/4 mile car. If I wanted that I would have kept my Chevelle. I do want something for street driving AND some track time, but this won't be my everyday car.