stoked944

i was reading my new car and driver the other day, and there was something in there about the bmw m3. they said they did a test back in a 1997 car and driver, of the best handling car period money not a factor, and the m3 won. how could they come up with the m3, i don't understand that, especially since money was not a factor.

Mike Buck

Handling is a subjective term, its not rooted in pure numbers. The E36 M3 is a fine car, worthy of that C&D crown

Devia

It's perspective, and what you are testing it against. Let's take this for example: BMW 350I; Toyota Camry; and the Ford Taurus. The BMW would win, with the Toyota being a close second. But if you don't test it against a Porsche, then you don't have to say it lost to a Porsche!

- Julie

Ag951

It's definitely at the 99.99 percentile. At that level, I suspect that personal style and preference make a bigger impact than the small differences between the cream of the crop cars.
Get a different group of editors together, and they might say the 993 GT2 or Elise or F355.

gilwong

The previous M3 actually was voted by several magazines in the US and Europe as the best handling car in the world. The current M3 has been rated very high as well but some find the steering to be over-assisted.

I've owned two 3 series cars and driven many 5 series cars and they have the best steering feel of any car I've ever driven, better than my 951. The steering feel is somewhat dead when pointed straight ahead but has excellent weight and nimbleness turning at speed. My 951's steering is precise but quite heavy in comparison, lacking refinement. Same could be said for ride quality. At high speeds (i.e. above 80 mph), the Porsche steering and suspension starts to really lighten up and feels better and safer than the BMW (or any other car for that matter).

Fishey

Pictures of my friends M3.
I have yet to drive it but I think I will eventually.
From what I know better handling then the 944? I think its very comparable. The M3 doesnt have the aero dynamics of the 944 So even with the defusers (rear and sides) and custom front valance it still buffers alittle more at higher speeds. Does this affect highspeed handling? I would think it does.

eclou

correct me if I am wrong but I believe the E36M3 and the 944 have almost the same coefficient of drag.

Fishey

True... But! There is a diffrence between drag coefficient and downforce... The new carrara GT has a drag coefficient of .39 (just and example)

wjk_glynn

The article was in the 09/1997 issue of Car & Driver.

They tested the following cars:

Acura NSX-T
BMW E36 M3
Corvette C5
Viper GTS
Ferrari F355
Honda Prelude
Boxster
993 C2S
Toyota Supra Turbo

They used the following tests:

Accelerating slalom
Decelerating slalom
Emergencey lane change
300 ft bumpy skidpad
300 ft smooth skidpad
Laps of Nelson Ledges

They scored them in the following categories:

Ergonomics (i.e. driver comfort)
Driver's seat
Steering feel
Directional Staility
Ride
Braking
Acceleration
Agility
Path Accuracy
Brakes
Confidence factor
Fun to drive
Low-speed cornering
High-speed cornering

The BMW E36 M3 came out tops. I think the article was fair. I've driven an E36 M3 and its a superb handling car. No question.

Now remember, that was in 1997.

The most recent best handling car article (R&T I think) has Mario Andretti (who I think knows what he's talking about) giving the 996 C4 the nod as the best handling car.

Karl.

johnjcoyle

Sorry to spoil the party, but in my opinion the E30 (the previous model) M3 was a far better car.

I used one for a time and can say that the handling was like a train on tracks.

Robby

I've driven two E36M3's & on the street, I wouldn't doubt it at ALL that they would be one of the best handling cars in the world- again, for the street... They have a TREMENDOUS amount of poise & balance & feel as if they can't be thrown offline by anything- very confidence inspiring- moreso than even a Turbo S- the susp is the multi-link, for one thing, the chassis is much stiffer (one of the best ever made) & BMW has learned how to do their bushings vs shock dynamics, etc, better than anyone. One of the M3's I drove had H&R coil-overs on it- they were almost double the stock stiffness- the car went over bumps w/out drama- as if it didn't know the dif b/t smooth & rough pavement- it was AMAZING! they have a Cx of ~.33, like the 951, w/a better weight dist- 49/51 vs 51/49 w/larger rotors & wheels, etc... The only things they're lacking in (vs 951) are interior looks & that short-*** gearing they have, PLUS, to get 300HP/TQ would cost a FORTUNE (possibly only w/turbo, which would then exceed most modded 951's easily) but for the 951, it only takes chips. The entry fee is higher too- INCREDIBLE cars- if you're looking for a 4-dr, you can get teh E36 4-dr in '97 & '98. The only other car I'd take OVER teh M3 is the S4 (TT V6- NOT V8) &, incidentally, the S4 is the only car to ever beat the M3 in a comparison test in C&D... The E46 M3 DOES feel too assisted IMO- I've driven one of them, as well as several M5's- I LOVE the E46 M3- the one I drove was a convertible- but, none of them FEEL as cool as the E36 M3- too bad I cant' afford an AATurbocharger set-up to go on one...HELL, I can't afford the car I've got...

944Fest (aka Dan P)

That test was done before the Mini Cooper S was on the scene..

Z-man

The current BMW 3 series weighs in at a hefty 3219lbs in stock form.
Weight is the enemy of handling.

Now the E36 was probably somewhat lighter, so I can see how it was choosen.

Keep in mind that back in 1984, Car and Driver dubbed the 944 as the best handling car in the world, so the E36 is definately in good company!

Regarding the Mini Cooper S: while it may be a tight little car with a nice handling suspension, there's no way a front wheel drive car is going to win any best handling contest! (my opinion, of course)

-Zoltan.

Z-man

Oh, and I can't wait until C&D gets their hands on a US-spec Lotus Elise: I'm sure that car will re-write the books on handling!

Mmmmm..... Elise.... Mmmmmm

-Z.

944Fest (aka Dan P)

Handling can be subjective. (C/D used 6 catagories) When the Cooper S was first tested, it set a new record thru the slalom. I think the new GT2 may have bested it (phew!) but for zig-zagging, it's tough to beat a go-cart, FWD or not.