E46 M3 vs B6/7 S4
12 April 2010, 01:34 PM
#1
E46 M3 vs B6/7 S4
Hi Its me again,
Still weighing up my options and stumbled accross the B6/7 S4. Ive not looked at these before and wondered peoples opions. Especially in comparison to the e46 m3.
My concern is the 1660kg kurb weight. How tunable are the engines? How competant on the road. Any good on the B's?
Interesting to hear what you think.
C
Still weighing up my options and stumbled accross the B6/7 S4. Ive not looked at these before and wondered peoples opions. Especially in comparison to the e46 m3.
My concern is the 1660kg kurb weight. How tunable are the engines? How competant on the road. Any good on the B's?
Interesting to hear what you think.
C
12 April 2010, 03:29 PM
#4
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I disliked my E46 M3. Slow, torqueless, bouncy, unrefined, rattled, waste of time in the snow, not enough weight over the driven wheels. Surprising in the wet and I actually liked the SMG gearbox.
It was a huge compromise of a car that didn't do anything brilliantly and was at best competent in terms of acceleration. Oh I forgot the terrible brakes.
Looks good though, if you like that sort of thing.
335i is a much better car IMHO.
It was a huge compromise of a car that didn't do anything brilliantly and was at best competent in terms of acceleration. Oh I forgot the terrible brakes.
Looks good though, if you like that sort of thing.
335i is a much better car IMHO.
12 April 2010, 03:55 PM
#5
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I agree with John. I have a 335i and it's much nicer than my mates M3 and I think it's as quick if not quicker.
My mates M3 sounds like a bag of spanners when the engine is cold and he reckons this is normal. It does sound alot better when warmed up on full chat.
My mates M3 sounds like a bag of spanners when the engine is cold and he reckons this is normal. It does sound alot better when warmed up on full chat.
12 April 2010, 04:15 PM
#6
yes 335i is certaintly an option. Im afriad e46 m3 has been on the list a while which negates the 335i.
What about C5 RS6? Would be high miler tho? Perhaps 2002/2003/2004 with 60k RS6. Seems remap sees them at 500bhp. Could be nice straighline rocket.
What about C5 RS6? Would be high miler tho? Perhaps 2002/2003/2004 with 60k RS6. Seems remap sees them at 500bhp. Could be nice straighline rocket.
Last edited by scoobyc; 12 April 2010 at 04:59 PM.
12 April 2010, 06:58 PM
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An M3 or 335i does corners MUCH better. I've pulled distance between myself and an older RS6 in a lowly Golf R32 on twisty A and B roads (I think the driver was rather miffed!) - the RS6 is just too heavy to have any chance of being nimble. Nice looking and sounding though.
I've seen 335d vs E46 M3 drags - with the 335d winning. A 335i is quicker to 60 and 100 so I reckon a 335i would spank an E46 M3.
The E9* M3 is a different kettle of fish although it still needs more torque.
I've seen 335d vs E46 M3 drags - with the 335d winning. A 335i is quicker to 60 and 100 so I reckon a 335i would spank an E46 M3.
The E9* M3 is a different kettle of fish although it still needs more torque.
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12 April 2010, 07:29 PM
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Most twin turbo six pot BMW engines are dynoing at far more than stock figures, I've seen a few 310+bhp stock 335ds (stock is 286) and some 335is well over the quoted 306bhp - all standard engines.
13 April 2010, 11:25 AM
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C5 RS6 is under-rated, the brakes and the cornering are rather good if the DRC is working, it has huge amounts of mechanical grip but not great steering feel, but the DRC and autoboxes fail. It was a car that really surprised me that the journos slam, I'd prefer it to an E46 M3 certainly if ths suspension was changed.
13 April 2010, 11:57 AM
#11
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One thing the C5 RS6 has in spades is presence. Very few cars strike such a perfect balance between subtlety and menace. The Avant version is simply awesome looking - knocks spots of an M5 Touring looks-wise - even though I want the latter rather a lot (keep seeing one around here).
The C5 RS6 also has one of my favourite soundtracks - better than the more recent V10 IMO.
The C5 RS6 also has one of my favourite soundtracks - better than the more recent V10 IMO.
13 April 2010, 12:09 PM
#12
I disliked my E46 M3. Slow, torqueless, bouncy, unrefined, rattled, waste of time in the snow, not enough weight over the driven wheels. Surprising in the wet and I actually liked the SMG gearbox.
It was a huge compromise of a car that didn't do anything brilliantly and was at best competent in terms of acceleration. Oh I forgot the terrible brakes.
Looks good though, if you like that sort of thing.
335i is a much better car IMHO.
It was a huge compromise of a car that didn't do anything brilliantly and was at best competent in terms of acceleration. Oh I forgot the terrible brakes.
Looks good though, if you like that sort of thing.
335i is a much better car IMHO.
13 April 2010, 01:41 PM
#14
Ok good infos.
The M3 i think has to be done. purley for the fact of its always been a goal post. Even if i have it 2 months and get an RS6 or something.
Seems 16k just about buys you into the low end of a lot of decent cars.
Turns out i may be moving now which would bring a TVR back into the equation, as i would no longer need a car.
I agree, the RS6 Avant is a stunning and menacing but at the same time not ott looking car. Not a big fan of the chrome 19"s on the m3, so that may get fixed for some csl ones sharpish to improve the stance and the look.
Any other cars i should think about? I might go test an RS6 and see if it blows my socks off or not. The spec on them also seems very high!
Oh and unfort current budget wont reach E9x m3 money. also seems a few cutters prefer e46. Not driven E9x so cant comment. mixed reviews i suppose.
There is a nice writeup video on yourtube of an e46 m3 vs 335i vs 135i on track and road. e46 and 135i drew 1st place in the test.
The M3 i think has to be done. purley for the fact of its always been a goal post. Even if i have it 2 months and get an RS6 or something.
Seems 16k just about buys you into the low end of a lot of decent cars.
Turns out i may be moving now which would bring a TVR back into the equation, as i would no longer need a car.
I agree, the RS6 Avant is a stunning and menacing but at the same time not ott looking car. Not a big fan of the chrome 19"s on the m3, so that may get fixed for some csl ones sharpish to improve the stance and the look.
Any other cars i should think about? I might go test an RS6 and see if it blows my socks off or not. The spec on them also seems very high!
Oh and unfort current budget wont reach E9x m3 money. also seems a few cutters prefer e46. Not driven E9x so cant comment. mixed reviews i suppose.
There is a nice writeup video on yourtube of an e46 m3 vs 335i vs 135i on track and road. e46 and 135i drew 1st place in the test.
Last edited by scoobyc; 13 April 2010 at 01:43 PM.
13 April 2010, 01:59 PM
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AMG Merc of some variety? S Type R Jag?
The E46 beat a 335i? That sounds like a pretty dodgy test. I've yet to hear anyone that's owned both say they prefer the E46 M3.
The E46 beat a 335i? That sounds like a pretty dodgy test. I've yet to hear anyone that's owned both say they prefer the E46 M3.
13 April 2010, 02:14 PM
#16
well cost was also a factor in the test... basic verdict was the m3 felt better to drive hard marginally over the 335i. even tho the 335i beat it in every test except the track test. By no means a definitive test, just an alternate view.
Last edited by scoobyc; 13 April 2010 at 02:16 PM.
13 April 2010, 02:27 PM
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You're pretty limited on options then. Can you stretch to a CS or CSL? Both a fair bit better than the stock M3s.
I guess a leftfield option is a Monaro with a big fat V8.
I guess a leftfield option is a Monaro with a big fat V8.
13 April 2010, 02:51 PM
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Very true, my mates 335i was dynode at Evolve before a remap and it made 330 bhp ! the highest they had seen, its now 385 bhp and a very quick car !!
13 April 2010, 03:10 PM
#21
Just sold my E46 M3, and as fantastic as it was, and could sing its praises all day - But It was just another itch that needed to be scratched for me, and ultimately have had more exciting cars in the past. And If you like value for money/performance motoring and an easy car to drive quickly the scoob no matter which derivative can not be beat.
Would love to try a 335I/D, but did find the E46 M3 a little lardy and not that comfortable. The ride is very hard and harsh for a BMW, the Subaru tends to soak up the bumps allot better.
If my budget at the time was around the 16-18K mark then I would have definately given a 335I some consideration.
My personal recomendation is take a E46 M3 for a long test drive and make your own mind up - MY own personal regret was I wished I got a SMG2 not a manual, and thats from someone who said they would never own an auto.
Would love to try a 335I/D, but did find the E46 M3 a little lardy and not that comfortable. The ride is very hard and harsh for a BMW, the Subaru tends to soak up the bumps allot better.
If my budget at the time was around the 16-18K mark then I would have definately given a 335I some consideration.
My personal recomendation is take a E46 M3 for a long test drive and make your own mind up - MY own personal regret was I wished I got a SMG2 not a manual, and thats from someone who said they would never own an auto.
Last edited by RobEvo5; 13 April 2010 at 03:11 PM.
13 April 2010, 03:37 PM
#22
yeah monaro was an option. but i ruled them out. i cant quite remember why right now but i did.
the alternate alternative is stick with a subaru untill i can afford a 911 turbo... just fancy a change really!
yes SMGii is a requirement.
the alternate alternative is stick with a subaru untill i can afford a 911 turbo... just fancy a change really!
yes SMGii is a requirement.
Last edited by scoobyc; 13 April 2010 at 03:50 PM.
14 April 2010, 10:12 AM
#25
As far as i can see the CS is: Alcantara steering wheel with loss of multi function. CSL Rims, bigger roters, and M-Track TCS, with different suspension setup.
All of this is easily doable to an M3 for less than the cost that a CS costs more. Only thing is M-Track which wouldnt be of any use for me anyway.
As far as i know. Dont think it has the Caron Fibre CSL intake, or more power, or lighter..
All of this is easily doable to an M3 for less than the cost that a CS costs more. Only thing is M-Track which wouldnt be of any use for me anyway.
As far as i know. Dont think it has the Caron Fibre CSL intake, or more power, or lighter..
14 April 2010, 03:53 PM
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15 April 2010, 10:42 AM
#30
I love the look of the CSL wheels but also wanted all the toys the CSL doesn't have , so I bought a this which has every extra bar a sunroof , and bought a set of genuine wheels for it.
After 3 years odd , I still think its a stunning car
Cheers Ian
After 3 years odd , I still think its a stunning car
Cheers Ian