Last night an M3 changed my mind...
Discussion
JB! said:
Thanks for the suggestions folks! I dont really fit in MK1 MX5s 
and a 1M is waaay out of my price range.
Anyone have any experience of Jap RWD cars vs the E46, or am I just going to be disappointed? Thinking sorted GTS-T, S15/S15a, RX7...
I've had an RX-7 as well, an FD. With simple mods they can be quite fast and the chassis is amazing. The problem I have with them is they don't appreciate being left for long periods of time, the sequential turbo setup regularly goes wrong (usually as a result of a split hose) and mine at least took a long time to warm up, to the point where going out for a drive in the evening became a reasonably long affair. There is a definite whack when the second turbo kicks in and in my experience it can upset the rear end, which can be fun or scary depending upon conditions. I think a single turbo would be quite fun though and if I had another I'd either do that or put a V8 in. and a 1M is waaay out of my price range.Anyone have any experience of Jap RWD cars vs the E46, or am I just going to be disappointed? Thinking sorted GTS-T, S15/S15a, RX7...
You could just buy an M3 and see if you can live with NA. They're not slow when moving, pretty fast actually over 100mph; they pull hard and smooth over 4k rpm.
Jap Turbo stuff from over a decade ago can be a bit one dimensional IMO, fun but not as rewarding as an M3 or similar. I ran a MR2 GTS Turbo with well over 300bhp in various states of tune and it was seriously quick but was a bit of a one trick pony. I too drove an M3 and made the move. As said, they are accomplished on many roads and reliable too IME.
RX7 is a good shout, fantastic looking cars and lovely to drive. I'd have one with a V8 if you can find one.
Jap Turbo stuff from over a decade ago can be a bit one dimensional IMO, fun but not as rewarding as an M3 or similar. I ran a MR2 GTS Turbo with well over 300bhp in various states of tune and it was seriously quick but was a bit of a one trick pony. I too drove an M3 and made the move. As said, they are accomplished on many roads and reliable too IME.
RX7 is a good shout, fantastic looking cars and lovely to drive. I'd have one with a V8 if you can find one.
fushion julz said:
944 Turbo would be approaching this...
It isn't an M3, of course, but it has a turbo, RWD, well built, good handling...
The 1M will be close, but it still won't be an M3
IMHO, part of the appeal of the E46 M3 (and the E30 and E36 generations, too) is the high-revving NA motor in a well balanced chassis....
A laggy turbo kinda spoils the experience, I feel...
At nearly 100 bhp down a standard 944 turbo would struggle against an E46 M3, but the 944T is easily uprated and with similar output I'd expect it to be right with the M3 if not quicker. I came so close to buying an M3 a few years back but after a succession of turbo cars it seemed like I had to wring it's neck to go really fast. I still have an M3 itch though It isn't an M3, of course, but it has a turbo, RWD, well built, good handling...
The 1M will be close, but it still won't be an M3
IMHO, part of the appeal of the E46 M3 (and the E30 and E36 generations, too) is the high-revving NA motor in a well balanced chassis....
A laggy turbo kinda spoils the experience, I feel...
.
papercup said:
RX-7; wonderful handling and a sorted one will easily show an M3 a clean pair of heels. Mine in single-turbo guise would bully a CSL out of the way on track. I had a great battle with one at Combe one day; it was very fast but the Rex had it on the brakes, and especially on corner speed through the chicanes).
But getting and keeping a sorted one happy is not an easy or cheap proposition and if you are talking 'easy, rewarding daily driver' then I'd recommend the M3!
If you want to make the M3 expensive, unreliable and a general pain in the arse, then turbo it. There's always something with modified cars. If you were going to go down this road, I'd recommend the RX-7 again...
Andy
Have you still got your V8 RX7?But getting and keeping a sorted one happy is not an easy or cheap proposition and if you are talking 'easy, rewarding daily driver' then I'd recommend the M3!
If you want to make the M3 expensive, unreliable and a general pain in the arse, then turbo it. There's always something with modified cars. If you were going to go down this road, I'd recommend the RX-7 again...
Andy
Thanks for the input everyone!
I'm biased (I've had three Imprezas over the last 8 years) but I'd go for the Impreza (although would suggest an STI to compete with the M3) and spend some time finessing the handling. On the WRX just the rear anti roll bar upgrade (Whiteline or similar) absolutely transforms it, no more understeer and a sharper turn-in.
If you've got that desire for a turbo engine, no n/a or even some of the very modern turbo engines will give you the 'whoosh' you're looking for. I've bought various n/a cars (MG ZS V6, Jag V8, etc) but always gone back to turbo power.
If you've got that desire for a turbo engine, no n/a or even some of the very modern turbo engines will give you the 'whoosh' you're looking for. I've bought various n/a cars (MG ZS V6, Jag V8, etc) but always gone back to turbo power.
Drove an R34 GT-T and it was great and a friend has an S14 200SX which is seriously fast. These cars will never really be the same as all-rounders like the M3 however but they can be tuned to make crazy amounts of power. 400hp in an S14/S15 is a lot. Almost too much, almost. Best thing to do is try them out and decide.
Edited by 3ananaPie on Tuesday 25th November 15:35
M3 is good but need to be revved hard to get the performance out of them, 335i is an interesting alternative that gives a very satisfying amount of boost from twin turbos and 300 bhp. On the road feels quicker than my E46 M3 did most of the time as the performance is easily accesible. E90 335i prices start from about £7k for a cheap one expect to pay more than £10k if low miles, so prices similar to E46 M3 ( and half E90 M3 prices).
Tuning to reliable 380 Bhp very simple just add around £500 for this and you have a seriously quick car that's relatively new.
Tuning to reliable 380 Bhp very simple just add around £500 for this and you have a seriously quick car that's relatively new.
One of the problems with comparing E92 335i to an E46 M3 is that the former feels a lot bigger and heavier. The E46 is about at the limit for me for a car that can be grabbed and thrown down a back road, although if it's an A-road/motorway blaster that is required then that isn't as relevant
JB! said:
papercup said:
RX-7; wonderful handling and a sorted one will easily show an M3 a clean pair of heels. Mine in single-turbo guise would bully a CSL out of the way on track. I had a great battle with one at Combe one day; it was very fast but the Rex had it on the brakes, and especially on corner speed through the chicanes).
But getting and keeping a sorted one happy is not an easy or cheap proposition and if you are talking 'easy, rewarding daily driver' then I'd recommend the M3!
If you want to make the M3 expensive, unreliable and a general pain in the arse, then turbo it. There's always something with modified cars. If you were going to go down this road, I'd recommend the RX-7 again...
Andy
Have you still got your V8 RX7?But getting and keeping a sorted one happy is not an easy or cheap proposition and if you are talking 'easy, rewarding daily driver' then I'd recommend the M3!
If you want to make the M3 expensive, unreliable and a general pain in the arse, then turbo it. There's always something with modified cars. If you were going to go down this road, I'd recommend the RX-7 again...
Andy
Thanks for the input everyone!
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