this is a porsche board..m3's m5's will always get bashed...

 

Hmm? Wonder how close to 50/50 the weight distribution on a 997 is?

 

Amen to that one. This is way OT, not only that if I want to talk about ugly cars I'll just to to the BMW forums

 

The 38/62 is far more advantageous for performance applications.

 

Oh, really.

 

Yes, really.

 

I currently drive an 06 M3 ZCP and I'd rather have a 997+ or Cayman as my next car, I think.

 

Are they trying to copy a EVO or WRX now? I agree with earlier comments rgarding the ugly hood bulge (on a BMW???) and the wanna-be boy-racer look.

Overall, just get rid of the hood bulge, and maybe a couple of the other aero effects and you've got a heck of a car.

 

With out a doubt. I think the e46 is one of those timeless looking cars. Infact, if I had some extra cash lying around, I'd buy one and fix it up the way I've always wanted.

Too much Bangle in the new one. IMO .

 

32/68 is better?

Unless you're ONLY talking about straight line braking, I think you're off the mark here.

Best setup is 50/50.
Next best is slight FRONT bias.
Absolute worse setup is rear bias. (hence the frequent jokes about how the 911 still has the engine in the wrong place).

Even so, I love 911's. But let's give credit when it's due. The M division may have a fantastic car, performance-wise.

 

You sir are incorrect, best setup for track and racing is slight REAR bias. And weight distro for 997 is 38/62.

 

ok SLIGHT, fine. But I wouldn't consider the current 997 or previous 911's to have a SLIGHT rear bias. The CGT, F430, Murcielago, etc. have a slight rear bias. As far as I know the 911 has a significant rear bias much in the same way that the RS4 has a significant front bias.

Back to the original topic though - the near 50/50 (slight front bias) in the M3 is better than the 32/68 of the 911 though, for performance considerations on the whole.

 

Hi,
The tires look like 18".
Paul

 

OTOH, I thought the wheels look like the OEM 19's on the 2006 "competition" edition of the E46 M3. I guess the special wheels from last chassis may become the base wheels on the new chassis, and there will be optional wheels (different design, wider, larger diameter, lighter). Kinda reminds me of how the cool 5-spoke from the 2002-2004 996 morphed into the base 997 non-S wheel. Manufacturers have to offer optional bling-wheels to get a piece of the huge aftermarket wheel biz.

 

As a BBS *****, I love the wheels, but the rest of the car is unexciting. Like I posted on another board, I think BMW lost the plot after the E30 M3. The E36 went for luxo, the E46 came back for muscle, and the E92 just looks soft.

I think the M5 is awesome, so it's not generic BMW bashing. I just think the 3-series in general, and the M3 in particular are so played-out. You see them EVERYWHERE and generally are driven by some "not so polite" drivers. I know there are some good guys/gals driving BMWs out there, but that's why they're called generalizations.

I guess the Porsche weight distribution must suck - they NEVER win any races...