6 pot

I have to ask the question, would you buy an M3 instead of a WR1 and if so for what reason?

Image?
Dynamics?
Build Quality?
Performance?
Looks?
Bling?


Do they both do the same job, does the colour of the WR1 shout "feminine"
does a six sound better than a boxer 4, does the Impreza now shout boy racer, or do they both shout it.

If turning up at a business meeting would the M3 give a better impression.

I am on the horns of a dilema any feedback would be appreciated.

ZIPPY

Are we talking about a new M3 ?

If so then apart from the M3 being quicker, better built and so much more refined think about what will hold its value better.

The WR 1's value will drop quicker than a $2 hookers pants, whereas the BMW is proven to be the best car for holding its value over 3 years never mind 1.

Dont listen to all the cr#p about how the P1 is holding its value, look at STI7-8's which are cheap as chips 2nd hand compared to the new price.

The other point you have already touched on is the WR 1 colour is most definately FEMININE.

Harry_Boy

Yeah, but the M3 came last in this month's (April issue) Evo Driver's Car of the Decade test.....

tiggers

Image????

With the WR1 everyone will think you're a w4nker.

With the M3 you'll simply confirm their suspicions

tiggers.

zxr750Nick

If you go for the M3, you will have to go on the driver training course.....


Not to handle the power, but to learn how to tailgate on the outer lane of the motorway while flashing lights, holding a mobile, smoking a *** and looking at yourself in the mirror and gesticulating with the free hand.........

Don't we all love BMW drivers!


Nick

ZIPPY

Ahh yes but most BMW drivers dont own/drive M3's.They only wished they did.

Who gives a t#ss what EVO say,they rated the Ford Tramline RS Focus.
Shows how much they know.

Look at it this way would you rather be seen in a £45K class car or a rip off £30K jap, attract all the w#nkers car in a girly colour.

If Subaru offered the car in a different colour and dropped £5-7K off the asking price then maybe.

Dazza's-STi

Looks like Zippy's minds made up...


However if you want something that stands out, can be tailored to how you want it, isn't sanitised and clinical with little chance of doing anything to it, goes around the top gear track 1 and a bit seconds faster...
Then like me; who had 50k in bank to buy a new car stood in the BM dealership... and had a 330i for three years, and luvs BM's for what they are "incredibly well made bits of kit" and isn't a complete tosser like most BM drivers who are middle class arsoles who think lift off oversteer is something you get on the loo! Thought I'd go with my heart and get something that stood out a little gives me the buzz I was after, and saved me some dosh over what i was going to spend... And turns heads a lot more than an M3 does...

I may buy an new M3 when they change to the new model, for now though I'm enjoying the more raw aural and visual in-ya faceness of the scoob!


Maybe I turn up at meetings not looking a smug tw@ in a BM, instead the scoob generates more interest, and regardless they get charged the same £1200 a day...


Dazza

mwp

i chose mine over an M3.

grins per £ ... no comparison

- mark.

milu

since when was a M3 quicker than a 300+bhp impreza?
mike

image doctor

Evo do rate the M3 as the best or 2nd best coupe in the back section right? Its a fantastic car, I can't understand why anyone would pick an Impreza over an M3.

A mate of mine has an 03 plate m3 for sale in Carbon black 19inch alloys, stereo upgrade. Would probably do a good deal for cash if you are interested.

id

Neil Smalley

Different sorts of cars. The M3 is built to be an autobahn crusier with excellent A road handling. The WR1 is by all accounts a real 'hoon' machine and is built to get from A to B where the B stands for B road.

My advice would be to try both and see which camp you fall into.

I've seen some peformance figures for the WR1, from a pretty reliable source, and if correct the WR1 will smoke an M3

CraigH

Std M3 does 0-100 in what, 12 secs tops? 0-60 in 5? So 7 secs 60-100.

Spec C does 0-60 in 4.3, 0-100 in 11.5. 60-100 in 7.2.

Spec C is more powerful, more torquey and lighter than a WR1.

A WR1 may end up slightly quicker, but it will not "smoke" an M3.

Apart from a very few, if you are offered the choice of an M3 or WR1 as a day to day proposition, unless you've got a screw loose or have ***** envy, how many will realistically take an ugly, nasty coloured, cheaply made japanese saloon over the BM?

As to entertainment value, 340hp rear wheel drive, 320hp 4 wheel drive.....hmmmm

MadMark

6 Pot - M3 - If I could afford it the Scoob would be gone in seconds!

Milu - go look at the performance figures in Autocar or Evo -
STi8 PPP - 0-60 in 5.1 seconds and 0-100mph in 13.5 seconds (approx)
M3 - 0-60 in 4.9/5.0 seconds and 0-100mph in 11.5-12.0 seconds.

jonnyesse

m3 quicker than wr1?

official acceleration/speed of the wr1 will be just shy of the spec c( sameish power but slightly heavier).

spec c shows a clean pair of heals to a m3 csl (£58k of motor).check official magazine review with perf figs of both cars at litchfield's site.

Thus wr1 will out accelerate a standard m3 (not by much though)

Down to power-weight ratio/ gear ratio/ torque no mater what car you choose

jonnyesse

m3 0-100 in 11.5-12 secs. Did u just make those figures up?

here are true figures for a m3csl which has it's power upped to 355bhp and the weight of the car significantly reduced.

0-100 mph is exactly 12.0 secs

makes your standard m3 very quick

also spec c times 0-100 mph is 11.1 secs

nb stippp not running 320bhp like wr1

image doctor

It's not all about our right performance right?

They are both good cars, but both have image problems.

In the Impreza you are a chav

In the M3 you're a w@nker with a small *****

id

MadMark

Jonnyesse - have just checked Autocar 12.1 Seconds to 100 - std M3

I have an 03 WRX and have driven both an STi PPP and an M3 and although I am going to buy an Sti later this year - the M3 creams it in a straightline fight! The WR1 will need more than 15bhp extra to make up the difference.
Remember the Spec C is at least 85kg lighter AND has 30bhp more than an STi8 (335+bhp)!
- Please explain how a WR1 is going to be "just behind a Spec C" .......

MJW

For an extra £3k you could go for Ian Litchfield's Type 25 which you can tailor to be as subtle or outrageous as you want (and better colours too). Just remember a neckbrace for when the 356 lbft of torque kicks in !
If you take notice of 'image issues' you may just as well buy a Passat.

MadMark

Image Doctor - what do you drive - a SAAB?

jason4656

exactly!! who gives a *** what people think anyway? if i cared about that, id have given up years ago, and where did the 350bhp figures come from for the specc?? they are more like 320 same as any jdm sti

imho, and i drive an sti9 jdm, I like them both, I would have either, i like the m3 and im pretty sure once you hit 80 in a straight line the bm would be showing its heels to the wr1, up to 80 it would be pretty negligable depending on drivers, however if we are talking straight line, then who cares anyway?

I could probably get in a mini and take out someone who was a **** driver in an m3, doesnt mean the mini is faster

yawn, carry on the debating

image doctor

I would be happy to drive an M3 - fantastic cars. I often find the image given to owners of cars is a jelousy thing, to make the inadequate fools feel better about themselfs!

However seeing as you asked, the doc drives a Porsche.

MadMark

Image Doctor - lovely - which one? 964/993/996/Boxster?

sammyh

iTrader: (1)

PMSL


As capable as the M3 is there is something about it that I dont like, not sure what it is to be honest.

image doctor

Lets keep the thread on track.

id

MadMark

OK Image Doctor - was merely going to point out that differing Porkers also have "image" issues!
So if you are so judgemental about the above - where does a porker fit in???

If it's not all about performance - then you must drive a Boxster

Leslie

Can't understand this worry about "image". Why should it matter what other people think.

Take a test drive in both cars, and make your own decision. No good listening to others, they will all be biased anyway. They are both good cars in their own way, you are the one who has to drive whichever one you eventually get.

Les

MadMark

Leslie - exactly why I drive a Scoob

AR

On the cost point it depends on where a car is in its model replacement cycle. The current M3 is about 3 years into it current cycle with the new one probably due in 2006. If you keep cars three years then buying one now will take you through the replacement. At that point all the price guides will lop a slug off their estimate of what the old car is worth. With German cars it always pays to buy within two years of launch.

Driving wise, in the dry the M3 is clearly the car to have but in the wet it will struggle for traction. Depends on what you want.......

Danny B

Definitely YES, all of the above.

Butkus

Unless you need the practicality of a four-seater, would you not prefer a Porsche?