• Car and Driver does a proper M3 Comparison - Track Test of all generations + M3 GTS

                    
      		   
      Published on 09-13-2010 05:33 AM
      9 Comments Comments
      You may remember Car Magazine did its greatest M3 comparison a few weeks back. That comparison was basically a waste of time as they skipped the E36 and provided no useful data. Car and Driver in the October issue has done a worthy comparison including the GTS and lap times for all generations of M3. Acceleration numbers are included as well for what is a proper comparison.

      This is another one of those times where American magazines get the data aspect correct. Most of the European mags just give the author's impressions without doing as good of a job covering the data. EVO being a glaring example, Car is another. Car and Driver nails it, this is the type of thing we like to see, impressions and data of all the generations. This makes the Car Magazine Greatest M3 comparison look like the crap it was.

      Interestingly enough, the generations that are closest to one another around the track are the E36 and E46. The GTS is naturally the fastest. The E92 is also the quickest in a straightline, no surprise there. Car and Driver states the GTS is the closest to the raw, race car feeling provided by the E30. Seems the spiritual successor to that car is in fact the GTS, not the upcoming 1M coupe.





      This article was originally published in forum thread: Car and Driver does a proper M3 Comparison - Track Test of all generations + M3 GTS started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 9 Comments
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 09-13-2010, 05:53 AM
        Make sure you guys pay attention to the weight numbers. The E92's heft has been severely overblown, being only 130 pounds heavier than the E46.
      1. GG///M3's Avatar
        GG///M3 - 09-13-2010, 07:06 AM
        The evo .uk mag also did pretty much the same right up, and in their discussion they said the next m3 needs to go back to what the e36 m3 was. Stating also that it should focus on the 911, and not Audi/Benz. Interesting read from the Evo mag.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 09-13-2010, 07:09 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by GG///M3 Click here to enlarge
        The evo .uk mag also did pretty much the same right up, and in their discussion they said the next m3 needs to go back to what the e36 m3 was. Stating also that it should focus on the 911, and not Audi/Benz. Interesting read from the Evo mag.
        Haven't seen the EVO write up, but it probably is like all their stuff. Pretty pictures, editor's opinions, but no solid data.
      1. GG///M3's Avatar
        GG///M3 - 09-13-2010, 07:14 AM
        Its worth a read. They did have some decent pics. The last page hada ghost pic of the e30 m3 and the e92 m3 basically right on top of each other showing how much the m3 has grown in size. It is a good bit larger now then it once was. It would be great to see the next m3 get down to 31xx lbs. I just hope they do base the next motor off the n54/n55. If they decide to go turbo they need to have that motor rev to at least 8k and have it built by the M brand. If its not then its not worth calling an M car.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 09-13-2010, 07:30 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by GG///M3 Click here to enlarge
        I just hope they do base the next motor off the n54/n55. If they decide to go turbo they need to have that motor rev to at least 8k and have it built by the M brand. If its not then its not worth calling an M car.
        I agree completely, but they won't rev it out. They can get away with a cheaper and less efficient valvetrain now. I thought when M would do turbos they would combine their best NA aspects with boost, I was wrong. This is why the old M motors will still dominate.

        It will be based on the N55.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 09-21-2010, 04:04 AM
        Vid, makes me angry we don't get the GTS:

      1. nick///M3's Avatar
        nick///M3 - 10-04-2010, 02:16 AM
        also in the "evo" magazine there is a comparison later for the E30evo E36imola Gt E46 CSL and the E92 competition...well the csl came on top...( intrax 1K2 and APracingf/r )

        the other notisable thing was that in the ascari circuit there was a hidden csl in the garage where they kept the cars...
        they never took it out to be a proper comparison with the GTS on the track...why?

        also a final comment was that with this price tag is looking straight at the Gt3/GT3 RS territory...not a chance there....

        it should have a 2000 unit production car with a much lower price...that would of make more sense...
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 10-05-2010, 02:31 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by nick///M3 Click here to enlarge
        it should have a 2000 unit production car with a much lower price...that would of make more sense...
        Yes it would. It also should have been a 4.4 liter to begin with.
      1. nick///M3's Avatar
        nick///M3 - 10-06-2010, 01:53 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        Yes it would. It also should have been a 4.4 liter to begin with.

        have to agree 100% on this too mate...