Curious how do you guys fair against e46 m3s??
09-03-2004, 02:38 PM
#50
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09-04-2004, 10:20 AM
#51
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Sold my E46 SMG M3 as well. What an overrated car.
-Soft, vague steering
-Tons of body roll
-Clunky SMG transmission
-Threw connecting rod bearing at only 8,000 miles and needed engine replacment (without ever seeing a single day of track duty!)
I actually prefer the standard 3-series. The M3 may be case of engineers taking a basic design too far.
The one bright spot: We sold it back to the dealer for $51,500 after owning it for a year. Gotta like that lack of significant depreciation.
-Soft, vague steering
-Tons of body roll
-Clunky SMG transmission
-Threw connecting rod bearing at only 8,000 miles and needed engine replacment (without ever seeing a single day of track duty!)
I actually prefer the standard 3-series. The M3 may be case of engineers taking a basic design too far.
The one bright spot: We sold it back to the dealer for $51,500 after owning it for a year. Gotta like that lack of significant depreciation.
Last edited by Anir; 09-04-2004 at 10:47 AM.
09-04-2004, 11:34 AM
#52
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Wow, these engine failure threads on roadfly are scary sounding. Makes a little carbon deposit issue sound trivial, especially when option is to ignore so long as you can pass smog. Too bad, M3s sound like really nice GT type cars. I have an E36 325i and have had no problems to 132k miles and have generally been very happy with BMW quality. I guess the engine was just pushed too far.
09-04-2004, 12:29 PM
#53
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Originally Posted by abar
Phil,
I know later euro 96 onwards varioram models had the G20 gearbox and were quite a bit slower on accleration, did any C4S get produced with the G21? Presumably all C2S are G20?
Just wondering as performance car got 0 - 60 in 4.7 from a G21 '96 993 C2 and the later C2S was half a second slower to sixty: http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoa...Car_Aug97.html
Al.
I know later euro 96 onwards varioram models had the G20 gearbox and were quite a bit slower on accleration, did any C4S get produced with the G21? Presumably all C2S are G20?
Just wondering as performance car got 0 - 60 in 4.7 from a G21 '96 993 C2 and the later C2S was half a second slower to sixty: http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoa...Car_Aug97.html
Al.
Some of the early '96 C4S sold in Germany had the G64/21 gearbox. From late '96 onwards all C4S's worldwide got the G64/20 gearbox. This is why I am going for even shorter gear ratios then the G64/21 gearbox. That plus the LWF I am having installed next week, should give me some blistering acceleration...
09-04-2004, 01:04 PM
#54
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A M3 is quoted with about 18 sec 0-200kph, which is about 3 sec faster than a NA 993 and about the same as a 965 3.3. So it makes a pretty good stand on the Autobahn. But under any other aspect the point has been made clear.
@Phil
Once, I have mailed you a PN about having the short gearbox in Switzerland. I would appreciate to learn about how this gearbox is being approved. In a short time I will have to register mine in Switzerland and it has the short gearbox, as well. I definitely do not want to change gearboxes and I do not want to give it away. I would be grateful to learn more from you.
Best regards,
Felix
@Phil
Once, I have mailed you a PN about having the short gearbox in Switzerland. I would appreciate to learn about how this gearbox is being approved. In a short time I will have to register mine in Switzerland and it has the short gearbox, as well. I definitely do not want to change gearboxes and I do not want to give it away. I would be grateful to learn more from you.
Best regards,
Felix
09-04-2004, 03:49 PM
#55
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just a little info on the m3 engine failures they were for the '01 and early '02 production runs. had to do with a weak retainer or something on the 3rd piston. bmw now has it as a recall and even if you engine does blow they will replace it for free. interesting responses here the more and more I see my friends new m3 the more I love it, of course then again I've never driven a 993.
09-04-2004, 04:21 PM
#56
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Originally Posted by Father of 3
Wow, these engine failure threads on roadfly are scary sounding. Makes a little carbon deposit issue sound trivial, especially when option is to ignore so long as you can pass smog. Too bad, M3s sound like really nice GT type cars. I have an E36 325i and have had no problems to 132k miles and have generally been very happy with BMW quality. I guess the engine was just pushed too far.
09-04-2004, 06:14 PM
#57
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Originally Posted by mrsullivan
the engine failure problems are supremely over-exaggerated within the online community.... they are there, but very limited from my understanding...
In BMW's defense, they did a great job of replacing our engine in a few short weeks, no questions asked. I have no idea if the problem has resurfaced with newer engines, but the failure certainly contrasted sharply with the durability of my heavily-beaten-on 993TT engine.
09-04-2004, 10:07 PM
#58
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The current service action is to replace connecting rod bearings that may fail with extended high RPM use. Early SMGs evidently had a software issue that allowed them to overrev. Some motors also failed due to an oiling issue (fixed in the 1st service action). It is unfortunate, but BMW is behind their car
Hey guys--no need to dis the Bimmer to enjoy the 993...its definitely a hard edged raw performance car, in it's own right. The 993 is special for sure, and a classic.
The M3 has more contemporary features required to market cars in this category today, and yes is more plush and a bit bloated--but it's the only real performer with a back seat (excluding some ferraris of course). For my $$, it is a better street machine than the 996, and holds its own on the track. Finally, though, the 997 can justify Porsche's claim to a modern sports car that carries on the heritage!
I am glad there are such great cars for enthusiasts.
Hey guys--no need to dis the Bimmer to enjoy the 993...its definitely a hard edged raw performance car, in it's own right. The 993 is special for sure, and a classic.
The M3 has more contemporary features required to market cars in this category today, and yes is more plush and a bit bloated--but it's the only real performer with a back seat (excluding some ferraris of course). For my $$, it is a better street machine than the 996, and holds its own on the track. Finally, though, the 997 can justify Porsche's claim to a modern sports car that carries on the heritage!
I am glad there are such great cars for enthusiasts.
09-04-2004, 11:04 PM
#59
Race Car
Originally Posted by Feehliks
A M3 is quoted with about 18 sec 0-200kph, which is about 3 sec faster than a NA 993 and about the same as a 965 3.3. So it makes a pretty good stand on the Autobahn. But under any other aspect the point has been made clear.
@Phil
Once, I have mailed you a PN about having the short gearbox in Switzerland. I would appreciate to learn about how this gearbox is being approved. In a short time I will have to register mine in Switzerland and it has the short gearbox, as well. I definitely do not want to change gearboxes and I do not want to give it away. I would be grateful to learn more from you.
Best regards,
Felix
@Phil
Once, I have mailed you a PN about having the short gearbox in Switzerland. I would appreciate to learn about how this gearbox is being approved. In a short time I will have to register mine in Switzerland and it has the short gearbox, as well. I definitely do not want to change gearboxes and I do not want to give it away. I would be grateful to learn more from you.
Best regards,
Felix
09-04-2004, 11:06 PM
#60
Race Car
Sure the M3 is a great car, but it is a sedan. Does not give me the impression of being in a sports car, just a high performance sedan... For me, a sports car has to look like one too...