Last night an M3 changed my mind...
Discussion
JB! said:
So, I grew up watching WRC and Supertouring, and for me WRC was king, watching Makkinen, McRae, Sainz, Burns et al, duke it out over mixed surfaces and awesome scenery was the one.
Driving a classic Impreza Turbo 2000 a few years back only concreted my opinion that when I had the money to run one, I wanted a Subaru or an Evo, It was awesome, you grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and really threw it about. Great fun, nice turn-in, fills you with confidence, even when pushing it more than you probably should.
This weekend I started looking for a WRX wagon, I had never driven a RWD car before, and had zero interest in things N/A or RWD. Turbo 4x4 for me!
Then, last night I got given the keys to my best mate's P&J a manual E46 M3. Unaccompanied. The weather wasn't ideal, so it took a while to get used to, and it was very greasy, but wow, what a chassis! The feedback is brilliant and turn in is keen, you feel everything and it communicates the slightest slip or bump well without unnerving. I couldn’t help but grin. License losing speeds approach with minimal effort, very comfortable, I could imagine driving to the 'ring, doing a few laps and driving home over a long weekend with ease and comfort. A revelation if you must.
The only bit I didn’t like? The power delivery. I'm still a turbo kid at heart, love the lag, the spool and the thump of boost!
So now I'm hunting for a turbo equivalent of one... Any ideas?
Tl;Dr - Drive stuff you wouldn't usually be interested in and you may find something you enjoy!
335i 3.0 single turboDriving a classic Impreza Turbo 2000 a few years back only concreted my opinion that when I had the money to run one, I wanted a Subaru or an Evo, It was awesome, you grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and really threw it about. Great fun, nice turn-in, fills you with confidence, even when pushing it more than you probably should.
This weekend I started looking for a WRX wagon, I had never driven a RWD car before, and had zero interest in things N/A or RWD. Turbo 4x4 for me!
Then, last night I got given the keys to my best mate's P&J a manual E46 M3. Unaccompanied. The weather wasn't ideal, so it took a while to get used to, and it was very greasy, but wow, what a chassis! The feedback is brilliant and turn in is keen, you feel everything and it communicates the slightest slip or bump well without unnerving. I couldn’t help but grin. License losing speeds approach with minimal effort, very comfortable, I could imagine driving to the 'ring, doing a few laps and driving home over a long weekend with ease and comfort. A revelation if you must.
The only bit I didn’t like? The power delivery. I'm still a turbo kid at heart, love the lag, the spool and the thump of boost!
So now I'm hunting for a turbo equivalent of one... Any ideas?
Tl;Dr - Drive stuff you wouldn't usually be interested in and you may find something you enjoy!
Left field: Aristo Vetex V300 (Twin Turbo GS300) or a Toms Chaser Super Charged Holden Supercharged E46 M3
ATM said:
You don't need to start with an M3 if you want to build a v8 e46. A 325/330 coupe will be say 2 grand. Then you'll need the v8, gearbox and some e46 go fast / stop better bits. Have a look here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
He means a V8 RX7, but your points are good. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
JB! said:
Are the E39 V8 M5's comparable? Thinking the V8 will satisfy my want of low down torque, similar pricing?...
A bit bigger obviously, but, possibly a better long term bet, good E39 M5's will start appreciating in price before too long. Great car, and a better choice than a E46 M3 IMHO.With the right exhaust mods they sound delicious
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