Ran

Viken,
sorry, had a memory lapse I think. In fact, I will be going to test my friend's car in Switzerland in July (hoping he will have it by then).

I should really hold it against my BMW dealer for not getting test drives atleast on the regular manual tranny. As a deposit paying prior customer, I have not been able to test an M5 or an M3 (the latter I should have been able to test here in the US as we had demos which were sold at premiums I guess). I've had no problems just stopping over at Porsche, Corvette and other dealerships to test any car I wanted without a deposit or even a real expression of serious interest. Writing on the wall I guess.

Mark Buka

Guys:

I have driven the SMG-II equipped E46 M3 and from a technological viewpoint, it works very well. No throttle lifting required, just point and press, and off you go. One thing I don't know, what will the $ premium be for this option once it reaches stateside? This will definitely affect the $ equation.

Recalculating:
Basic power/weight ratios(approx. weight #s):
M3 3400lbs/333bhp = 10.210
993 3100lbs/270bhp = 11.481
993 3200lbs/285bhp = 11.228

Personally, the 262ft/lb of torque, spread over the 8k rev range is what impressed me the most. That's why I make the point that the M3 feels faster than a NA 993 on acceleration.

Doc Vorce

The E46 M3's weight distribution is superior to the 993's weight distribution. Certainly, the 993's peculiar weight distribution gives it definite advantages under braking and potential advantages under acceleration. However, since its weight is allocated much more evenly between its front and rear axles, the M3 has quicker transient response, and its handling is typically much more neutral. The E46 M3's Achilles' Heel is its curb weight (which is noticeably higher than the curb weight of a normally aspirated 993), and that weight takes its toll on the car's brakes under repeated (near threshold) braking. Brake and suspension modifications to an E46 M3--modifications analogous to those regularly applied to 993s--should make the M3 quite competitive on the track.

JWKC

Have not tested a SMG II M3 yet . But For the SMG E36 M3 (320Hp.) I would say a "NO" .All the E36 M3 with SMG had been recalled by the factory.My friend's car were being recalled and the Dealer offerd a exchange to 740I few years ago!!!

Thanks
JWKC

Mark Buka

JWKC:

That's why the SMG-I was never sold stateside. BMW did not want to tarnish their "luxury" image with that product.

JackOlsen

If you cut some weight -- say, by substituting 1973 bodywork -- the 3.6's power-to-weight ratio can look pretty good.

Basic power/weight ratios(approx. weight #s):
M3 3400lbs/333bhp = 10.210
993 3100lbs/270bhp = 11.481
993 3200lbs/285bhp = 11.228

911 3.6 2500lbs/272 hp = 9.191

Of course, the M3 does have more even weight distribution.

[ 06-15-2001: Message edited by: JackOlsen ]