E46 M3 performance vs STI uk 05 reg
27 October 2011, 02:40 AM
#1
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E46 M3 performance vs STI uk 05 reg
Having a debate with a pal today over a E46 M3 coupe and uk STI 2.0 05reg, which would have better performance ? The sti with stage 1 mods (full exhaust, fuel pump, panel filter and remap to 340bhp ish)
Saw both for sale for 8k, my friend is adament the M3 would come out on top ? I agreed if STI was standard but would of thought very similar in stage 1 state??
Any thoughts
Saw both for sale for 8k, my friend is adament the M3 would come out on top ? I agreed if STI was standard but would of thought very similar in stage 1 state??
Any thoughts
27 October 2011, 03:43 AM
#2
Mind to factor in the plus point's of 4 wheel drive,grip,readyness of part's,Turbo .
however extra weight,poor fuel consumption,expensive service item's (tyres,bushes etc)
Then id pick the Scooby lol.
Id say the impreza . . if the same driver drove both car's for fairness sakes.
however extra weight,poor fuel consumption,expensive service item's (tyres,bushes etc)
Then id pick the Scooby lol.
Id say the impreza . . if the same driver drove both car's for fairness sakes.
a stage 1 will eat a m3
27 October 2011, 08:16 AM
#5
disagree, an M3 would be better performance (straight line) at least at those power levels.
a newage would require 360-380bhp to be level with an E46 M3 in straight line speed, these are not just figures off the top of my head either.
factor in 4WD transmission loss on the impreza, also the similar weights of the cars and also the higher top end power of the M3 and the M3 would take it
a newage would require 360-380bhp to be level with an E46 M3 in straight line speed, these are not just figures off the top of my head either.
factor in 4WD transmission loss on the impreza, also the similar weights of the cars and also the higher top end power of the M3 and the M3 would take it
27 October 2011, 08:20 AM
#6
I was up the *** of an m3 up to 155mph then when he moved out the way i went past and i don't think either of us could believe it, that was with a remapped wrx running circa 270bhp.
On a dry track i would say there would not be much in it but the bmw driver would need to be a bit special, where as the sti driver could be little more than average, and in the real world you would need to be the stig to stay with a 340bhp sti being driven by someone that knows how.
Taking everything into account i would opt for the sti as it's just a better allround real world drivers car, but the m3 is a nicer place to be, but i would imagine an £8k m3 is getting a bit tired and i really would not fancy the service bills on that as opposed to the sti.
On a dry track i would say there would not be much in it but the bmw driver would need to be a bit special, where as the sti driver could be little more than average, and in the real world you would need to be the stig to stay with a 340bhp sti being driven by someone that knows how.
Taking everything into account i would opt for the sti as it's just a better allround real world drivers car, but the m3 is a nicer place to be, but i would imagine an £8k m3 is getting a bit tired and i really would not fancy the service bills on that as opposed to the sti.
27 October 2011, 09:41 AM
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My first Spec C with the bog standard factory map (approx 316bhp) had no trouble outpacing any E46 M3 
that included those on private runways/test tracks, and they were not catching up
Tony
that included those on private runways/test tracks, and they were not catching up Tony
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27 October 2011, 10:32 AM
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Taking everything into account i would opt for the sti as it's just a better allround real world drivers car, but the m3 is a nicer place to be, but i would imagine an £8k m3 is getting a bit tired and i really would not fancy the service bills on that as opposed to the sti.
Get the STI
27 October 2011, 10:37 AM
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perhaps but they are also comparing cost v cost and for the price of a basic m3 you can get a modded STi which will leave it behind
Last edited by Pramas; 27 October 2011 at 10:38 AM.
27 October 2011, 11:07 AM
#14
would disagree with that, a nicely modded B5 S4 kicking out 420 odd bhp for circa 6k would see most STI's off and in comfort and reliability
27 October 2011, 11:14 AM
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Yeah that's a fair comment and I agree with everyone else that I think the STI would be quicker. I was trying to get at the point of 1 car being modified and 1 that wasn't.
27 October 2011, 11:23 AM
#16
My remapped JDM 03 STi with 330 ish bhp was pretty much neck and neck with an E46 M34 Cabriolet the other day up to vaguely sensible mph. I guess the Cabriolet may be slightly heavier than the other models but certainly in my experience I would say that they are pretty much equal in terms of straight line performance. Actually quite pleasing considering that both cars have approximately the same peak power.
27 October 2011, 11:27 AM
#17
I do agree on the comfort side though, the S4 would be a far nicer place to be compared to a noisy, bumpy old classic lol.
27 October 2011, 06:16 PM
#18
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.If you look hard there are some bargains out there, found this on piston heads
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3356445.htm
Obvioulsy only the ad but sounds nice. To get more out of an m3 your looking at a hell of a lot more money compared to the STI, we were just debating it as my pal is mad for M3's and I had my money on the STI.
The STI we found had 39k miles and was 05 reg compared ot 51 reg M3 with 70k.
If only we could drag them next to each oter......................
27 October 2011, 06:33 PM
#19
My remapped JDM 03 STi with 330 ish bhp was pretty much neck and neck with an E46 M34 Cabriolet the other day up to vaguely sensible mph. I guess the Cabriolet may be slightly heavier than the other models but certainly in my experience I would say that they are pretty much equal in terms of straight line performance. Actually quite pleasing considering that both cars have approximately the same peak power.
if the option is 8k e46 m3 or sti, then sti everyday, as an 8k m3 will be a dog.
If its e46 m3 or sti then its m3 everyday as its a much better car all round.
btw, my supercharged e46 chews up standard sti's for breakfast...
27 October 2011, 06:36 PM
#20
quite frankly, who cares about drag times? The m3 doesnt need anymore power, take it for a blast and you just dont need more power.
I think if its straight line speed you want, go for a monaro and charge it. 600bhp and money to spare.
I couldnt advise anyone to buy an 8k m3 unless they know how to work on cars. tyres =1k, brakes = 1k, service = 1k+, replacement springs, rtab bushes, possible crank seal issues and subframe cracks if over 10 years old.
But alteast the engine will be good for 200k of abuse rather than 50k on a scooby.
I think if its straight line speed you want, go for a monaro and charge it. 600bhp and money to spare.
I couldnt advise anyone to buy an 8k m3 unless they know how to work on cars. tyres =1k, brakes = 1k, service = 1k+, replacement springs, rtab bushes, possible crank seal issues and subframe cracks if over 10 years old.
But alteast the engine will be good for 200k of abuse rather than 50k on a scooby.
27 October 2011, 07:07 PM
#22
I had a M3 and I can tell you that a STi with PPP is quicker.I don't care what fact's and figures people can quote or show me.
Most people on the thread had never owned a M3 so how can they comment.Any M3 for 8k is a dog.
Most people on the thread had never owned a M3 so how can they comment.Any M3 for 8k is a dog.
Last edited by richie001; 27 October 2011 at 07:09 PM.
27 October 2011, 07:19 PM
#24
I couldnt advise anyone to buy an 8k m3 unless they know how to work on cars. tyres =1k, brakes = 1k, service = 1k+, replacement springs, rtab bushes, possible crank seal issues and subframe cracks if over 10 years old.
But alteast the engine will be good for 200k of abuse rather than 50k on a scooby.
it had 160 on the clock and would go off it no problem, 04 wrx cyprus import.
27 October 2011, 07:57 PM
#27
I was up the *** of an m3 up to 155mph then when he moved out the way i went past and i don't think either of us could believe it, that was with a remapped wrx running circa 270bhp.
On a dry track i would say there would not be much in it but the bmw driver would need to be a bit special, where as the sti driver could be little more than average, and in the real world you would need to be the stig to stay with a 340bhp sti being driven by someone that knows how.
Taking everything into account i would opt for the sti as it's just a better allround real world drivers car, but the m3 is a nicer place to be, but i would imagine an £8k m3 is getting a bit tired and i really would not fancy the service bills on that as opposed to the sti.
On a dry track i would say there would not be much in it but the bmw driver would need to be a bit special, where as the sti driver could be little more than average, and in the real world you would need to be the stig to stay with a 340bhp sti being driven by someone that knows how.
Taking everything into account i would opt for the sti as it's just a better allround real world drivers car, but the m3 is a nicer place to be, but i would imagine an £8k m3 is getting a bit tired and i really would not fancy the service bills on that as opposed to the sti.
27 October 2011, 08:03 PM
#28
They seem to be able to launch off the line very effectively. Lets face it unless u are banging a scoob off the revlimiter getting a decent start isn't going to happen against something of similar performance and is going to end in embarrassment
27 October 2011, 08:09 PM
#29
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/review...a/saloon-2000/
They all go off the clock mate, try reading the speed on a GPS, it's a tad more accurate. Also, a remap makes no difference whatsoever to top speed.
They all go off the clock mate, try reading the speed on a GPS, it's a tad more accurate. Also, a remap makes no difference whatsoever to top speed.
27 October 2011, 08:13 PM
#30
Those 330i's are rapid in a straight line, I got mullered by a 2011 one to. Not sure why but it just flew off the line and kept going.
They seem to be able to launch off the line very effectively. Lets face it unless u are banging a scoob off the revlimiter getting a decent start isn't going to happen against something of similar performance and is going to end in embarrassment
They seem to be able to launch off the line very effectively. Lets face it unless u are banging a scoob off the revlimiter getting a decent start isn't going to happen against something of similar performance and is going to end in embarrassment
.The fact's are that a M3 and a Impreza are completely different car's and aim at 2 different market's.If your going on a long drives on motorways etc then I have a M3 all day long but if your just messing around on country lane's etc then I'd have a STi.