madporsche

I want to compare those 3 cars on straight line and track.
320hp C2 runs 4.6-4.7 for 0-60mph, right?

evo_333

I don't know about the S4, but on the track the C2 vs. M3 comes down to the driver in my experience.

Tbred911

www.track-challenge.com

you can compare cars (even 3.4 996 & 3.6 996) to eachother in terms of acceleration, track times around the "ring" and "hockenheim"

the c2 and m3 will both take out an S4 no problem... in any acceleration test.

RaceCarDriver

I've owned an 03 M3 and currently have an 05 S4, both 6 speeds. Don't own a C2 yet. M3 slightly faster 0-60 than S4 but S4 beats it 0-30. S4 has great just off the line (4wd). S4 is an awesome daily driver/street car. It's not a track car, weighs 3,800 lbs.

jasonfreed

Depends which model S4 and if any mods. I've had all 3 cars - currently a highly modified B5 S4 and a C2 cab. My S4 can pretty much do everything better than the M3 or C2. My M3 was an SMG cab and I think faster in a straight line than the C2. The C2 was better in the turns than the M3 IMO.

Stock for stock, no question both the M3 and C2 beat the S4 in a straight line and in turns (B5, B6 or B7 model).

LVDell

Is this a trick question?

djantlive

996>M2>S4

The difference between these isn't all about 0-60. Most of it is about how the car feels. If you care about performance alone, get a C6 vette and you'll beat or come close to all of them with more HP to brag while saving money.

P-Car fanatic

great observation. although for some reason a lot of american drivers just look at the $$$$ when deciding what car to buy 'the corvette is a great value...'

kc996

If you're considering buying one, drive them all. You can mod any one of these to make it faster on a straight. Mod the C2 to make it handle better than the M3 on the track and visversa(sp?).

Think about what you want to do and go from there but drive all. If all it's about is 0-60 and fast on the track get a 2002 Z06 and your faster that all with less $$.

But for me I'll stick w/ my 996. But I can't stop modding!!
k

Russ Murphy

Ditto. Though looking at the trackchallenge comparison of the e46 M3 and the much older 3.4l 996, the 996 takes the M3 pretty clearly (with similarly skilled driver?). A newer 996 would smoosh it badly.

Benjamin Choi

[QUOTE=jasonfreed]My S4 can pretty much do everything better than the M3 or C2. QUOTE]



Hey, you sure about this?

KJinDC

I have a *mildly* modified B5 S4 (MY 2000-2003). It'll outrun most M3s and 911s in a straight line but the moment the road gets twisty it looses out. It's a highly tuneable platform however and with enough mods can do some amazing things. Nonetheless, when it was pitted against the 996 (standard C2s, not GT3 Cup cars) in GrandAm cup racing it more often than not lost that battle. The GAC cars weren't as highly developed as the Champion World Challenge cars which competed favorably against GT3 Cup cars. Both of these series are managed/equalized racing series. It's an easy car to drive fast and since turbocharged it has tons of torque when chipped. If you swap turbos it can generate a lot of horsepower as well as torque.It's a great street car. My race car though is a 996 C2 and my modded S4 can't touch it!

-KJ

Benjamin Choi

the B5 S4 is tired and shouldn't even be considred here. not the most reliable kit. heavy. understeers like a fat chick on ice skates. a lot of cars can be made to go fast in a straightline. that's easy to do.

triode

My '04 996 with X51 (345 HP) is clearly quicker than my '04 M3 was...has a bit more power, more midrange tourque and is of course 10% lighter than the BMW. The M is easier to just jump in and go fast, however, with the 50/50 weight distribution.

fast1

I want to compare those 3 cars on straight line and track.

In stock condition:
1. C2
2.M3
3.S4

Does this mean that the S4 is a piece of garbage? Of course not. My wife has a B7 S4 and it's an outstanding GT car. It provides decent acceleration, comfortably seats four, handles well, and has a gorgeous interior.