130i vs E46 M3

[HurryUpAndWait]

Crackie said:

Z4M 343PS 338Hp/1490Kg 226Hp/T 27% higher than 130i
E46 M3 343PS 338HP/1570Kg 215Hp/T 21% higher than 130i
E36 EVO 321PS 317HP/1471Kg 215Kg/T 21% higher than 130i
E36 M3 286PS 282Hp/1460Kg 193Hp/T 8.5% higher than 130i
130i 265PS 261Hp/1460Kg 178Hp/T

I'm sure some will question these figures but they're the best power to weight figures I could find with a few searches. A 130i is fairly quick and might just live with an old non EVO E36 but imho its completely delusional to consider a 130i is even close to the top 3.

Edited by Crackie on Friday 26th April 07:31

I was just about to write a post explaining the weakness of this argument, and to point you to several posters who have owned both, but I won't bother.

[rm163603]

gizlaroc said:

rm163603 said:

I've got both a 130 and e46 m3.

I'd agree with the above, yes the m3 is quicker but you'd need to use all the revs to make it decisive.

At higher speed I think the difference would be more noticeable.

You now sound like a diesel owner "in 4th a 330d is as quick as an M3 in 4th!"

But the M3 driver would drop to 3rd and leave you for dead!!!

The 130i is petty good, but the M3 is at another level, but you have to keep it on tap, 4000rpm and up, but why wouldn't you??

That's quite true. It's certainly no chore to get the most out of!

[Crackie]

HurryUpAndWait said:

Crackie said:

Z4M 343PS 338Hp/1490Kg 226Hp/T 27% higher than 130i
E46 M3 343PS 338HP/1570Kg 215Hp/T 21% higher than 130i
E36 EVO 321PS 317HP/1471Kg 215Kg/T 21% higher than 130i
E36 M3 286PS 282Hp/1460Kg 193Hp/T 8.5% higher than 130i
130i 265PS 261Hp/1460Kg 178Hp/T

I'm sure some will question these figures but they're the best power to weight figures I could find with a few searches. A 130i is fairly quick and might just live with an old non EVO E36 but imho its completely delusional to consider a 130i is even close to the top 3.

Edited by Crackie on Friday 26th April 07:31

I was just about to write a post explaining the weakness of this argument, and to point you to several posters who have owned both, but I won't bother.

I did read the posts, by people who have owned or currently own both, before writing mine........... My experiences, in all of the above, tell me the 130i is not close to E46 M3 pace. Your experience is clearly different.

Edited by Crackie on Saturday 27th April 16:27

[Terminator X]

How did BMW manage to make the 130i so heavy? Is it really only 100kg or so lighter than a M3 ffs?!

TX.

[Heathwood]

Terminator X said:

How did BMW manage to make the 130i so heavy? Is it really only 100kg or so lighter than a M3 ffs?!

TX.

Yeah, it's surprising how heavy it is compared with a 3 series, and even a 6 series. Don't forget though that the weight includes IIRC a 75kg driver and half a tank of fuel (another 30kg) so it's only really about 1350kg

[TameRacingDriver]

I reckon you would have to drive the M3 to its redline to put a distance between that and a 130, and it would be a hell of a lot of fun using that engine would be. I love my E46 328, such a nice car to drive, I'd love to experience the difference between this and the M3. I would still like to drive a 130i, but M-car for me.

But, running costs.

[gaz1234]

Terminator X said:

On the way home tonight I pulled out on to a dual carriageway and the car behind me immediately moves to the outside lane, instantly recognisable as a M3. I gave the 130 some beans as you would and the M3 buzzed past me sounding quite tbf! Can I expect to stick with a M3 in my lowly 130 or should I simply grovel and retreat to a safe distance?

TX.

Retreat.
However the m sport 135i...

[gizlaroc]

Terminator X said:

Can I expect to stick with a M3 in my lowly 130 or should I simply grovel and retreat to a safe distance?

1/3 more power.

What do you think??

[MuZiZZle]

So, going by "130i 265PS 261Hp/1460Kg 178Hp/T" my Saxo VTS is almost exactly that power to weight, so it must be faster than an E46 M3 too!, I'll not bother getting that CS I've been lusting over now!