996 C4 spanking a 335CI twin turbo
03-02-2010, 03:51 PM
#108
Instructor
Yes, I noticed. I also noticed that they tested a 345 hp base Carrera against the 420 hp M3 and it almost equaled the heavier BMW's performance (think about how the the 385hp 997S would have fared).
Instead, BMW has proven that if you put a big enough engine in a brick it will fly.....who would have guessed that? Sorry I am a massive fan of the E30 and the E36 M3's, but I think that BMW diluted the e46 and e92 by corrupting the formula with tons of extra weight and luxury features (and they saddled the E46 with mediocre brakes and tons of understeer at the limit). Furthermore, the visual differences between the newer M3's and the plain vanila 3 series are not as dramatic as say the e30 with just makes the newer cars blend in as just another 3 series.
Let's hope BMW will pare at least 500 lbs and return some visual excitement to the next generation M3.
More this;
and less regular 3;
Instead, BMW has proven that if you put a big enough engine in a brick it will fly.....who would have guessed that? Sorry I am a massive fan of the E30 and the E36 M3's, but I think that BMW diluted the e46 and e92 by corrupting the formula with tons of extra weight and luxury features (and they saddled the E46 with mediocre brakes and tons of understeer at the limit). Furthermore, the visual differences between the newer M3's and the plain vanila 3 series are not as dramatic as say the e30 with just makes the newer cars blend in as just another 3 series.
Let's hope BMW will pare at least 500 lbs and return some visual excitement to the next generation M3.
More this;
and less regular 3;
03-02-2010, 04:06 PM
#110
Ironman 140.6
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A well thought out response +1, the M3 does need to lose weight and get better brake Calibers, but I wouldn't call it a brick. The handling is excellent. More road feel would be nice, which is where my 996 excels. Styling, that is a subjective personal taste matter.
The 911 is also not imune to the weight creep, but it has not had it quite as bad.
03-02-2010, 04:08 PM
#111
Ironman 140.6
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03-02-2010, 05:05 PM
#112
Instructor
03-03-2010, 06:51 AM
#113
Three Wheelin'
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So I take it that indeed this is somewhat an apples to apples comparison as BMW owners seem to assert that BMW is indeed a 'race car' of sorts and so is the 996 - which means in this race the 996 OWNED the 335 - which makes the Porsche much better 
03-03-2010, 07:12 AM
#114
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To each his own. Not only that, but I am quite proud of it!
For your viewing pleasure. Looks closely at the second pic. - oops looks like I just passed it. Does not matter. It is only DE, not a race. Please go hang yourself... slowly.
Sorry, I could not resist. All in good spirit. The wagon did an outstanding job but reached its limits. I'll try the C2 this season and give you a fair comparison.
FM
For your viewing pleasure. Looks closely at the second pic. - oops looks like I just passed it. Does not matter. It is only DE, not a race. Please go hang yourself... slowly.
Sorry, I could not resist. All in good spirit. The wagon did an outstanding job but reached its limits. I'll try the C2 this season and give you a fair comparison.
FM
03-03-2010, 09:52 AM
#115
Rennlist Member
BMW makes excellent sport sedans. Their coupe are nice too but I would argue they are not focused sports cars. Too heavy.
03-03-2010, 10:37 AM
#116
Each make has their strong points. I came from the BMW camp before my Porsche. IMHO, BMW's are great starter/learning cars before going to a dedicated performance car. They are fairly well balanced (although newer BMW's are set up to understeer), forgiving and easy to live with cars.
After 6 years autocrossing and tracking my E36, I longed for something a bit more challenging. The Porsche offers much more of the same driving pleasure, tactile response than the BMWs and just brings it to a much higher/enjoyable level. Add the dynamics of the rear engine and you have a car that challenges you to drive your best to extract it's performance. It's actually funny, as I used to think that you couldn't have a more fun car than an M3 until I drove the 996. The sensitivity, feedback and dynamics are just several levels better.
As for status of each make, etc... I don't think about it much. I actually don't like the stigma that a lot of people get when they find out you have a Porsche. Many times, peoples perspective of you change to think your are rich and/or stuck up, to me driving a car this much fun merely due to status is missing the boat.
If BMW would make a car like the E30 or 36 M3 again, I would go back to the brand. It's just that the latest offerings from them are larger and heavier cars which in my eyes, diminish the dynamic fun you can have with them. I have very little desire to drive a 400+hp car that weighs 3600 lbs or more and is a full size car. Just not my cup of tea. A friend of mine has the E92 M3 and it's fast but it's not nearly as fun to drive as the older M3's and no where near as fun as my car.
After 6 years autocrossing and tracking my E36, I longed for something a bit more challenging. The Porsche offers much more of the same driving pleasure, tactile response than the BMWs and just brings it to a much higher/enjoyable level. Add the dynamics of the rear engine and you have a car that challenges you to drive your best to extract it's performance. It's actually funny, as I used to think that you couldn't have a more fun car than an M3 until I drove the 996. The sensitivity, feedback and dynamics are just several levels better.
As for status of each make, etc... I don't think about it much. I actually don't like the stigma that a lot of people get when they find out you have a Porsche. Many times, peoples perspective of you change to think your are rich and/or stuck up, to me driving a car this much fun merely due to status is missing the boat.
If BMW would make a car like the E30 or 36 M3 again, I would go back to the brand. It's just that the latest offerings from them are larger and heavier cars which in my eyes, diminish the dynamic fun you can have with them. I have very little desire to drive a 400+hp car that weighs 3600 lbs or more and is a full size car. Just not my cup of tea. A friend of mine has the E92 M3 and it's fast but it's not nearly as fun to drive as the older M3's and no where near as fun as my car.
03-03-2010, 04:16 PM
#118
Instructor
Yup, I guess you could say the 996 owned bmw's less than best offering, if that will make you happy. I'll agree to that.
03-03-2010, 04:58 PM
#119
.org
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You will find a large proportion of 996 and 997 drivers upgraded from previously owned M3's
As for the number of M3 owners that came from Porsche.....nah !
As for the number of M3 owners that came from Porsche.....nah !
03-03-2010, 05:04 PM
#120
Of course you won't find a Porsche owner that upgrades to an M3, because he will eventually upgrade to a minivan.
If I could only have one car, then it would be an M3.
///Michael
If I could only have one car, then it would be an M3.
///Michael