E90 M3 v E46 M3 v Edition 30 Golf
Discussion
My itch to own an M3 is getting worse.
Trouble is I have a lightly sorted Edition 30 running KW Clubsports,WALK kit 310bhp re map and big brakes. It's a great little car which surprises many on the road and track.
My dilema is whether I run more power going stage 2 up to 370 putting a diff and clutch in etc etc or do I sell and take the plunge with a E90 M3?.
I plan some track outings (although I have a proper track tool )
Question is will I get much more of a buzz from a E90 M3?
Do I go for a manual over DSG ?
Are there any improvements in build between the 2007 to 2010 cars?
Obviously looking at the brakes as per the E46 they will need an expensive 3k upgrade for track. A friend mentions very heavy fuel consumption which I somewhat expect but he reckons they are very heavy on fuel.
I like the E46 and RS4 which keeps attracting my attention but the E90 seems good value.
Is DRC a must or would a set of KW's sort any handling issues?
Discuss
Trouble is I have a lightly sorted Edition 30 running KW Clubsports,WALK kit 310bhp re map and big brakes. It's a great little car which surprises many on the road and track.
My dilema is whether I run more power going stage 2 up to 370 putting a diff and clutch in etc etc or do I sell and take the plunge with a E90 M3?.
I plan some track outings (although I have a proper track tool )
Question is will I get much more of a buzz from a E90 M3?
Do I go for a manual over DSG ?
Are there any improvements in build between the 2007 to 2010 cars?
Obviously looking at the brakes as per the E46 they will need an expensive 3k upgrade for track. A friend mentions very heavy fuel consumption which I somewhat expect but he reckons they are very heavy on fuel.
I like the E46 and RS4 which keeps attracting my attention but the E90 seems good value.
Is DRC a must or would a set of KW's sort any handling issues?
Discuss
Depends on your definition of heavy consumption.
I think I have a fairly heavy right foot and averaged 20mpg over 35,000+ miles of mixed driving.
For a 4 litre v8 with the performance available, I'd say consumption is pretty good. My car was a 2009 (pre-facelift) manual saloon - a later model with stop- start and/or DCT should be a bit better on fuel.
I think I have a fairly heavy right foot and averaged 20mpg over 35,000+ miles of mixed driving.
For a 4 litre v8 with the performance available, I'd say consumption is pretty good. My car was a 2009 (pre-facelift) manual saloon - a later model with stop- start and/or DCT should be a bit better on fuel.
I can offer a bit of a comparison here,
I own an E90 M3 DCT, the OH has a TTS and we owned an E46 M3 in the past.
Firstly, even with coil overs, 310bhp and god knows what other mods, the Golf quite simply isn't going to be as capable as the M3, the platform simply isn't as good as the BMWs.
I find her TTS great fun when driven in isolation, however when jumping back into the M3 it becomes clear just how wooden the chassis is, it is typically VAG, however it's not a bad steer, just not close to to the M3
The brakes on the E46 aren't great, however the E90 is far better in this respect, unless you are doing serious track work, a brake pad upgrade would likely suffice, after 400 hard miles on the Scottish highlands and west coast in 1 day in the E90 I had no cause for complaints of the standard brake set up
Fuel, tbh they are not that bad, there's roughly 3-5 mpg in it between the TT and the M3, obviously the TT being better on fuel.
I own an E90 M3 DCT, the OH has a TTS and we owned an E46 M3 in the past.
Firstly, even with coil overs, 310bhp and god knows what other mods, the Golf quite simply isn't going to be as capable as the M3, the platform simply isn't as good as the BMWs.
I find her TTS great fun when driven in isolation, however when jumping back into the M3 it becomes clear just how wooden the chassis is, it is typically VAG, however it's not a bad steer, just not close to to the M3
The brakes on the E46 aren't great, however the E90 is far better in this respect, unless you are doing serious track work, a brake pad upgrade would likely suffice, after 400 hard miles on the Scottish highlands and west coast in 1 day in the E90 I had no cause for complaints of the standard brake set up
Fuel, tbh they are not that bad, there's roughly 3-5 mpg in it between the TT and the M3, obviously the TT being better on fuel.
Was going to comment on the specific differences of each car but then re-read your post...i think the interesting question you need to ask of yourself is what gives you the buzz? Without knowning this its almost impossible for others to say whether the change is going to be worthwhile.
Have you driven an E90 M3? I can offer a slightly different perspective on your dilemma. I own a standard mk5 GTI, exactly as it left the factory in 2005 with 200bhp. About 8 months ago I bought an E63 M6, with the intention of selling the GTI soon after. It's still sitting on my drive and I drive it as often as the M6. Amazing though the M6 is, I honestly think 80% of the time, the GTI is more fun to drive. Great steering feel, a great manual gearshift and a punchy little engine. The M6 has incredible performance but it is at speeds that are just too high for the roads that I mainly drive on, and I find it difficult to use all the power without having a run in with the law or worse.
My housemate has recently bought a manual E92 M3 and while I find it a more engaging drive than the M6, I still think it suffers from being less accessible performance on the roads round here.
With the mods you have on your golf, I think the performance gap between it and an M3 will be less than you think, and the golf may be a more fun drive more of the time. Of course it depends on the type of driving you do, and the roads you drive on. Only a test drive will tell...
My housemate has recently bought a manual E92 M3 and while I find it a more engaging drive than the M6, I still think it suffers from being less accessible performance on the roads round here.
With the mods you have on your golf, I think the performance gap between it and an M3 will be less than you think, and the golf may be a more fun drive more of the time. Of course it depends on the type of driving you do, and the roads you drive on. Only a test drive will tell...
Msportman said:
Trouble is I have a lightly sorted Edition 30 running KW Clubsports,WALK kit 310bhp re map and big brakes. It's a great little car which surprises many on the road and track.
O/T, but 310bhp! I was destroyed in a straight line, coming off a roundabout in my 120D by one of these the other day and thought it seemed a hell of a lot quicker than the standard figures suggest. Perhaps this was why. 
bennyboysvuk said:
O/T, but 310bhp! I was destroyed in a straight line, coming off a roundabout in my 120D by one of these the other day and thought it seemed a hell of a lot quicker than the standard figures suggest. Perhaps this was why.
Most petrolheads in the know will know just how tuneable these models are and they are quite sought after. For track they do really need a diff but for most and everyday road use they are very competent.I just fancied a change and although mines been carefully modded making it an even greater all rounder I was trying to narrow down what to get next. The M3 in e92 guise seem good value and good bang for you buck. I suppose
I need to find one and test drive it. Is there much difference in handling and feel between the saloon or coupe?
I like a well balanced car and I know the 3 series is good. I have owned a 330 sport manual and E90 330d in the past but although the e46 M3 is good I feel it is starting to show it's age.
What power delivery do you like?
With a 310bhp turbo lump you are going to be used to good low down grunt with a big shove in your back. A V8 M3 is going to need a lot of rev to access the extra performance over your Golf.
The M3 will be much more fun, but it might not suit you. You need to get out there and drive them all.
With a 310bhp turbo lump you are going to be used to good low down grunt with a big shove in your back. A V8 M3 is going to need a lot of rev to access the extra performance over your Golf.
The M3 will be much more fun, but it might not suit you. You need to get out there and drive them all.
Msportman said:
I like a well balanced car and I know the 3 series is good. I have owned a 330 sport manual and E90 330d in the past but although the e46 M3 is good I feel it is starting to show it's age.
Yes, me too, I believe that some cars age more than others and my recent deludent drive in E46 M3 seems to put it in that group but sometimes it is just due to the tested car conditions, maybe it wasn't a good example. A decade ago I remember how the E46 positively felt compared to the 993 I had at the time: it felt as fast and almost as capable and much more civilised and modern. But today an air cooled 911 like the 993 or even better a 964 or a 3.2 in a perfect shape are a stunning experience because they feel so rough and connected, mechanical and engaging. You don't care about straight line performance because you are too busy driving them. The E46 doesn't feel as focused and that engine that was clearly stunning at the time now has to fight in another league comparing it with the 4.0 V8 in the E90. The E90 is not a very "intimate" car and doesn't feel light but it is so fast in the upper revs band and the chassis copes without hesitation. I drove the 4doors on the road (which I prefer because it is subtle and so much practical) and I didn't noticed any tangible difference with the coupé but on track the story could be different. I never tried a DCT but I think the manual is just fine.The E90/2 just for that engine 
it's a peach! It's a bit of a lump of a car, but you can hustle it round the twisties just fine. You do need to keep one eye on your speed however, and I do agree with some of the other posters, in that it is hard to fully exploit this car on the roads...
it's a peach! It's a bit of a lump of a car, but you can hustle it round the twisties just fine. You do need to keep one eye on your speed however, and I do agree with some of the other posters, in that it is hard to fully exploit this car on the roads...I own the GTI and the e92, whereas I enjoy taking the M3 for a drive, I struggle to find the motivation to do the same with the VW. That being said it's a good steer, a good all rounder and as said above its pace is more suitable for the road. I think you may miss the point and shoot nature of the hatch but will prefer the noise, poise and control of the M3, in both forms they are in a different league in most respects.
It's better to be pushed down the road than pulled, coming out of a high speed corner in an M3 (any M3) and feeling the back end dig in as you power out is wonderful.
It's not about beating the other guy from the lights or whizz bang torque, it's about that moment on your own with no one on the road when it just gels.
They are great cars that are so much better than the figures suggest (and those aren't exactly poor)
It's not about beating the other guy from the lights or whizz bang torque, it's about that moment on your own with no one on the road when it just gels.
They are great cars that are so much better than the figures suggest (and those aren't exactly poor)
Edited by Wills2 on Saturday 14th September 20:14
Msportman said:
Thanks for the replies. Going to start my search for a V8 M3 and will also test an RS4 to put that itch to bed. How do the brakes fare on M3 for a Ring trip or occasional track day? Is OE suspension sufficient or is a set of KW's or Bilstein in need.?
I find the brakes wilt pretty quickly even on the road if you drive with any vigour, I would at least upgrade the pads if its going to be used on a track for certain. 
Had a test of an E92 carbon black manual car without DRC. Great great car and very well balanced on the very narrow, twisty, wet almost lane type piece of road from A38 towards the B3387 Bovey Tracey on towards Dartmoor.
The sound is terrific....the delivery was as described....it loves to be revved and you have to go looking for that shove. The biggest thing for me is the balance of the car is so good.I found the power button as the sales guy didn't really know alot about M3's.
My Edition 30 is good as it is and would give many car's a hard time but I think I may have been persuaded to change to the V8 experience. I missed out on a RS4 with 5k at Yeovil Audi as it was sold on the phone. I may try this before ultimately deciding.
How good is DRC?
The sound is terrific....the delivery was as described....it loves to be revved and you have to go looking for that shove. The biggest thing for me is the balance of the car is so good.I found the power button as the sales guy didn't really know alot about M3's.
My Edition 30 is good as it is and would give many car's a hard time but I think I may have been persuaded to change to the V8 experience. I missed out on a RS4 with 5k at Yeovil Audi as it was sold on the phone. I may try this before ultimately deciding.
How good is DRC?
having come from over 10 VAG cars to owning an E46 M3 I have to say the M3 is really a stunning all rounder. Really usable everyday oodles of torque, and on track i have learned the more its pushed the better it gets. And thats where every VAG i have had is let down, they tend to fight physics, the M3 goes with it. The only VAG i would be interested in for track would be a mk1-2 golf whereby the weight is low enough to keep it neutral steering. I am not entering a RWD v FWD arguement each of the three cars above are very capable in their respective fields. Comparing one against the other is going to be bloody difficult, but what are you scoring them on?
Budget-wise the E46 M3 and ED30 will be comparative, the E90 is a good bit dearer.
An i have to agree to a point with the M6 chap, although the M3 is vastly quicker than the old 90 quattro it replaced, the 90 wasnt far behind it for enjoyment, but in a completely different way. By the same token I found the GT86 a brilliant car, if my kids didnt have legs we would have bought one, its very enjoyable indeed, whereas the M's are so capable it can be scary.
Budget-wise the E46 M3 and ED30 will be comparative, the E90 is a good bit dearer.
An i have to agree to a point with the M6 chap, although the M3 is vastly quicker than the old 90 quattro it replaced, the 90 wasnt far behind it for enjoyment, but in a completely different way. By the same token I found the GT86 a brilliant car, if my kids didnt have legs we would have bought one, its very enjoyable indeed, whereas the M's are so capable it can be scary.
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