Gents,
just wondering if anyone has encountered an E46 M3 on a 'private' road before? and if so what was the result?

From a standing start I can imagine the M3 would be significantly faster but how does it compare in a straight line from let's say 50 or 60mph?

Thanks
Greenbat

 

Oh no... Another BMW vs. Jaguar thread....

Had to post just to watch the fun... Now it is in my "User CP" list...

Personally, no experience or opinion... Have family that has BMW's. Not the "never break" cars that some think they are... But really nice and well engineered performance sedans and coupes.

 

i have driven both, and i took the STR. much more class and way more comfy than the M3.

I really hope your not talking about racing one??? for what reason?? if thats the case get the M3 please.

wow that came off, wrong, if you want to modify it heavily to race it, your better off with the M3, much more available in the aftermarket for it.

 

Sounds like I have opened a can of worms here!

I have had BMW's all my life but have switched sides and got myself an STR. I was after a saloon with good performance, comfort, and good value for money so ended up with the STR. It gives me a smile every time I drive it.

It is soo much quieter than anything I have owned in the past so it makes the acceleration and speed very deceptive. Hence, my question as to how it compares in a straight line acceleration test.

Thanks
Greenbat

 

ive had both and while I have not raced one against the other I can tell you that the m3 is just purely a faster car in every way and at every speed. Just as was my c32 AMG... its 1000 lbs lighter with just 40 hp less..the m3 is a race car pure and simple including the handlng aspects. That said.. I now have the str and to date it is overall my favorite car as it exudes class comfort and style that the m3 nor the amg did.. and has of course world class power.

 

Greenbat, my modded 03 STR (est. 450 hp @ 480 lb/ft trq) took out an 03 or 04 BMW M5 (4.9 litre V8, 390 hp @ 345 lb/ft trq, 6 speed manual. 4.9 sec. 0-60 13.0 1/4 mile) from soup to nuts. The blower is to be rebuilt and ported in two weeks. An intercooler chiller is soon to come, along with an ECU tune. In a matter of time there will be 500+ STR's roaming the streets and highways. Congrats on your STR...warm her over chap.

 

I ran a bmw m3 at the drags a little while back. We ran dead even. He beat me by about 1/2 a car length but that was just because he cut a better light. It wasn't the latest m3 but maybe the generation prior. We both trapped at 83 in the 1/8.

 

Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG (W203) - World's Fastest Sedans
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezfl...a38b60a6ea.pdf
BMW M3 Sedan - Features & Specs - Specifications - BMW North America

3605, 3726 vs 3950 but not 1000lbs. The XJR is even lighter than the S-Type R.

The M3 is also no race car but a very good handling car and certainly better than the S Type R. It's tough carrying around an extra 224 lbs but that's also why it's better as a sedan.

 

qwiketz, the BMW M3 was also 400 pounds lighter than you. Pop on a K&N a/f, Mafioso air intake elbow, low temp thermo, 3 lb pulley, hi-flow cats, x-pipe, free flowing mufflers = The 6 cyl. M3 is toast. Add intercooler chiller and ECU tune (est. 500 hp @ 520 lb/ft trq. = new V8 M3 and others are toast.

 

that was actually after the blower re-gear and alky injection. I don't exactly have it dialed in. Once I do, I know the m3 will be toast. I do plan on doing the intake elbow at some point once I find a stock airbox.

 

qwikets, call Coventry West or Jaguar Heaven for a stock air box. Ditto on "dialing in". For those who modded this will make it all come together.