do i change my m3 evo for a lancer evo 6?
Discussion
opinions please, especially if anyone has made this move.
love my m3 evo, nice looking, good all rounder, etc, but the power delivery feels very linear and smooth. i'm starting to think about maybe moving to an evo 6 and wonder if anyone here has done this. if so, what comparative experience can you share? drove an evo 6 a long time ago, but haven't lived with one and although theyre blistering all round performers i'm not sure how the day to day experience would compare with what i'm driving now.
all opinions greatfully received!
love my m3 evo, nice looking, good all rounder, etc, but the power delivery feels very linear and smooth. i'm starting to think about maybe moving to an evo 6 and wonder if anyone here has done this. if so, what comparative experience can you share? drove an evo 6 a long time ago, but haven't lived with one and although theyre blistering all round performers i'm not sure how the day to day experience would compare with what i'm driving now.
all opinions greatfully received!
I had an m3 evo and an VI Rs2 as the same time. Similar performance on paper but totally different to drive. My M3 evo was a real let down in many respects (steering, gearchange were lame, engine has to be reved so hard to get anywhere close to 320 bhp rest of the time it feels quite ordinary). An Evo is so much more fun to drive but a very different experience, I think it really depends on what sort of use its for, long trips or short blasts?
Down side of EVO's is long journeys are a pain due to being noisy, feel quite low geared, and short range due tiny fuel tank, and not very nice to sit in. Newer evo's (E8 FQ onwards) have 6 speed and bigger tank, nicer interior. Wheras an M3 is superb for motorway trips and still a nice place to sit with a quality feel to it.
If you do buy an evo buy a cheap cruiser for when you have to do long trips. Also worth adding you should be able to find a decent evo 8FQ for not a huge amount more than a good 6.
Running costs similar, both have potential to have huge bills I was lucky with my ones never had any major dramas, otherwise things like brakes, tyres, routine servicing via specialists, evo a bit cheaper for servicing than M cars.
Down side of EVO's is long journeys are a pain due to being noisy, feel quite low geared, and short range due tiny fuel tank, and not very nice to sit in. Newer evo's (E8 FQ onwards) have 6 speed and bigger tank, nicer interior. Wheras an M3 is superb for motorway trips and still a nice place to sit with a quality feel to it.
If you do buy an evo buy a cheap cruiser for when you have to do long trips. Also worth adding you should be able to find a decent evo 8FQ for not a huge amount more than a good 6.
Running costs similar, both have potential to have huge bills I was lucky with my ones never had any major dramas, otherwise things like brakes, tyres, routine servicing via specialists, evo a bit cheaper for servicing than M cars.
This is a quote from a friend who went from ME Evo to Mitsi Evo and back again:
"Great cars but for me personally they are no M3!
Interior is cheap and nasty for starters - it's not a nice place to be.
Fuel economy is shocking
Fuel tank far too small
Standard brakes are woefully lacking (much more so than std M3 brakes believe it or not) - they warp discs to buggery.
Far far too easy to drive fast, in fact no real challenge at all. I managed to consistently drive faster laps in the Evo than I could in my M3s and I actually got bored!!
That feeling that it was going to break at any moment!
4WD is great but nothing beats RWD for driver involvement.
Look like they have driven through the shop front of Ripspeed.....
Turbolag
Really short gearing
Insurance is more of a joke than M3 premiums
Image
Shall I go on?
Having said all of the above you show an Evo a twisty B-road and it comes alive, literally dancing round corners - great fun but it's no real challenge and really the only thing it's good at. As an all rounder it didn't suit me at all.
M3 for the win all day long."
"Great cars but for me personally they are no M3!
Interior is cheap and nasty for starters - it's not a nice place to be.
Fuel economy is shocking
Fuel tank far too small
Standard brakes are woefully lacking (much more so than std M3 brakes believe it or not) - they warp discs to buggery.
Far far too easy to drive fast, in fact no real challenge at all. I managed to consistently drive faster laps in the Evo than I could in my M3s and I actually got bored!!
That feeling that it was going to break at any moment!
4WD is great but nothing beats RWD for driver involvement.
Look like they have driven through the shop front of Ripspeed.....
Turbolag
Really short gearing
Insurance is more of a joke than M3 premiums
Image
Shall I go on?
Having said all of the above you show an Evo a twisty B-road and it comes alive, literally dancing round corners - great fun but it's no real challenge and really the only thing it's good at. As an all rounder it didn't suit me at all.
M3 for the win all day long."
thx guys, all things i have considered.
have to say the image thing bothers me a bit. no, that's not right, it's not specifically the image, but the evo is bloody ugly at the back and i still havent growen out of wanting my cars to be pretty enough to me that i have to turn and look when i go to pay for petrol.
it's that bottom end urgency i miss, you know? my s14a FELT quicker away than the m3 even though i know it wasn't. probly a passing urge but i do keep thinking about evos atm.
have to say the image thing bothers me a bit. no, that's not right, it's not specifically the image, but the evo is bloody ugly at the back and i still havent growen out of wanting my cars to be pretty enough to me that i have to turn and look when i go to pay for petrol.
it's that bottom end urgency i miss, you know? my s14a FELT quicker away than the m3 even though i know it wasn't. probly a passing urge but i do keep thinking about evos atm.
TEKNOPUG said:
This is a quote from a friend who went from ME Evo to Mitsi Evo and back again:
"Great cars but for me personally they are no M3!
Interior is cheap and nasty for starters - it's not a nice place to be.
Fuel economy is shocking
Fuel tank far too small
Standard brakes are woefully lacking (much more so than std M3 brakes believe it or not) - they warp discs to buggery.
Far far too easy to drive fast, in fact no real challenge at all. I managed to consistently drive faster laps in the Evo than I could in my M3s and I actually got bored!!
That feeling that it was going to break at any moment!
4WD is great but nothing beats RWD for driver involvement.
Look like they have driven through the shop front of Ripspeed.....
Turbolag
Really short gearing
Insurance is more of a joke than M3 premiums
Image
Shall I go on?
Having said all of the above you show an Evo a twisty B-road and it comes alive, literally dancing round corners - great fun but it's no real challenge and really the only thing it's good at. As an all rounder it didn't suit me at all.
M3 for the win all day long."
I have to say, that I often do wonder if some all singing and all dancing AWD performance cars are just a bit too good for their own sake."Great cars but for me personally they are no M3!
Interior is cheap and nasty for starters - it's not a nice place to be.
Fuel economy is shocking
Fuel tank far too small
Standard brakes are woefully lacking (much more so than std M3 brakes believe it or not) - they warp discs to buggery.
Far far too easy to drive fast, in fact no real challenge at all. I managed to consistently drive faster laps in the Evo than I could in my M3s and I actually got bored!!
That feeling that it was going to break at any moment!
4WD is great but nothing beats RWD for driver involvement.
Look like they have driven through the shop front of Ripspeed.....
Turbolag
Really short gearing
Insurance is more of a joke than M3 premiums
Image
Shall I go on?
Having said all of the above you show an Evo a twisty B-road and it comes alive, literally dancing round corners - great fun but it's no real challenge and really the only thing it's good at. As an all rounder it didn't suit me at all.
M3 for the win all day long."
My Bro was telling me about a customer they'd had in. He had had a GT-R35 and though it was fab. Then took it to the Nurburging and I think on another track.
But once back on the public roads they realised they couldn't even use 1/5th of its true potential and it became boring and no challenge. So they sold it.
Evo and Impreza might be slightly lower down the rankings, but too much traction, grip and ability without the character of a TVR or the balance of a Lotus. Does this then make them a little dull for road use?? I hope not, but I fear it is often so.
I've had both.
I'd stick with the M3 for these reasons:
- Evo doesn't sound anywhere near as nice.
- Interior is terrible.
- The gf will not want to get in.
On the other hand the evo was quicker in every way although maybe not as interesting to drive. The steering felt much better (more connected if that make sense) and a few mods will get you a seriously fast car.
I'd stick with the M3 for these reasons:
- Evo doesn't sound anywhere near as nice.
- Interior is terrible.
- The gf will not want to get in.
On the other hand the evo was quicker in every way although maybe not as interesting to drive. The steering felt much better (more connected if that make sense) and a few mods will get you a seriously fast car.
300bhp/ton said:
I have to say, that I often do wonder if some all singing and all dancing AWD performance cars are just a bit too good for their own sake.
My Bro was telling me about a customer they'd had in. He had had a GT-R35 and though it was fab. Then took it to the Nurburging and I think on another track.
But once back on the public roads they realised they couldn't even use 1/5th of its true potential and it became boring and no challenge. So they sold it.
Dunno about public roads but the R35-GTR on the 'ring is other-worldy epic!!My Bro was telling me about a customer they'd had in. He had had a GT-R35 and though it was fab. Then took it to the Nurburging and I think on another track.
But once back on the public roads they realised they couldn't even use 1/5th of its true potential and it became boring and no challenge. So they sold it.
Biggest problem I'd have with any of the pseudo-rally Jap specials is the attention they'd receive. Not just on the road or from the BiB but I just wouldn't feel comfortable leaving one parked anywhere (I do live in central London though).
y282 said:
thx guys, all things i have considered.
have to say the image thing bothers me a bit. no, that's not right, it's not specifically the image, but the evo is bloody ugly at the back and i still havent growen out of wanting my cars to be pretty enough to me that i have to turn and look when i go to pay for petrol.
it's that bottom end urgency i miss, you know? my s14a FELT quicker away than the m3 even though i know it wasn't. probly a passing urge but i do keep thinking about evos atm.
Have you thought of trying a V8 Monaro or some other imported Holden?have to say the image thing bothers me a bit. no, that's not right, it's not specifically the image, but the evo is bloody ugly at the back and i still havent growen out of wanting my cars to be pretty enough to me that i have to turn and look when i go to pay for petrol.
it's that bottom end urgency i miss, you know? my s14a FELT quicker away than the m3 even though i know it wasn't. probly a passing urge but i do keep thinking about evos atm.
The LS1 makes 95% of its torque at 1500rpm, that's 95% of 370lb ft.
My friends run various Subaru Imprezza's (same kinda class as the Evo) in all kinds of specs and trims. I've also been a passenger on track days and they are supremely capable. However, they do seem a bit 'brake, turn, point, shoot' and the car sorts the rest.
No denying their amazing grip but I guess what is more important? Fastest Lap-time or most fun on your trackday.
I think i'd have more fun in a 300bhp MX5 than a 300bhp evo.
No denying their amazing grip but I guess what is more important? Fastest Lap-time or most fun on your trackday.
I think i'd have more fun in a 300bhp MX5 than a 300bhp evo.
Edited by Fire99 on Friday 24th September 15:52
Have to correct you on that, have you ever driven or owned one?
"Standard brakes are woefully lacking"
Nonesense, I've had lots of evo's their brakes are terrific, will stand up to any road use, and having done lots of track days yes you can over cook the brakes, uprated pads will help, brakes far superior to an e36 M3.
"Far far too easy to drive fast, in fact no real challenge at all"
You werent trying hard enough.
"That feeling that it was going to break at any moment"
What? Evo's are very robust, Japanese reliability with added group N durability, even when tuned upwards of 350 bhp with everything else standard they dont suffer from breaking.
"4WD is great but nothing beats RWD for driver involvement"
Some of the best performance cars I've driven have been 4wd, how could anyone think an old M3 had more driver involvement than an evo due to it having 4wd?
Give you some examples, Impreza Spec C or Type 25, Evo 9 GT, Skyline, they are all 4wd and give huge amounts of driver involvment and lots of perfectly balanced oversteer when required.
"Turbolag" -
A standard evo has very little turbo lag, they are quite incredible in that respect and make high revving engines like m3 and s2000 feel like a pain in the neck as you cant access the power without huge amounts of revs, which is great on track but not much use in typical flowing traffic on our busy roads.
"Standard brakes are woefully lacking"
Nonesense, I've had lots of evo's their brakes are terrific, will stand up to any road use, and having done lots of track days yes you can over cook the brakes, uprated pads will help, brakes far superior to an e36 M3.
"Far far too easy to drive fast, in fact no real challenge at all"
You werent trying hard enough.
"That feeling that it was going to break at any moment"
What? Evo's are very robust, Japanese reliability with added group N durability, even when tuned upwards of 350 bhp with everything else standard they dont suffer from breaking.
"4WD is great but nothing beats RWD for driver involvement"
Some of the best performance cars I've driven have been 4wd, how could anyone think an old M3 had more driver involvement than an evo due to it having 4wd?
Give you some examples, Impreza Spec C or Type 25, Evo 9 GT, Skyline, they are all 4wd and give huge amounts of driver involvment and lots of perfectly balanced oversteer when required.
"Turbolag" -
A standard evo has very little turbo lag, they are quite incredible in that respect and make high revving engines like m3 and s2000 feel like a pain in the neck as you cant access the power without huge amounts of revs, which is great on track but not much use in typical flowing traffic on our busy roads.
300bhp/ton said:
y282 said:
thx guys, all things i have considered.
have to say the image thing bothers me a bit. no, that's not right, it's not specifically the image, but the evo is bloody ugly at the back and i still havent growen out of wanting my cars to be pretty enough to me that i have to turn and look when i go to pay for petrol.
it's that bottom end urgency i miss, you know? my s14a FELT quicker away than the m3 even though i know it wasn't. probly a passing urge but i do keep thinking about evos atm.
Have you thought of trying a V8 Monaro or some other imported Holden?have to say the image thing bothers me a bit. no, that's not right, it's not specifically the image, but the evo is bloody ugly at the back and i still havent growen out of wanting my cars to be pretty enough to me that i have to turn and look when i go to pay for petrol.
it's that bottom end urgency i miss, you know? my s14a FELT quicker away than the m3 even though i know it wasn't. probly a passing urge but i do keep thinking about evos atm.
The LS1 makes 95% of its torque at 1500rpm, that's 95% of 370lb ft.
rallycross said:
Have to correct you on that, have you ever driven or owned one?
"Standard brakes are woefully lacking"
Nonesense, I've had lots of evo's their brakes are terrific, will stand up to any road use, and having done lots of track days yes you can over cook the brakes, uprated pads will help, brakes far superior to an e36 M3.
"Far far too easy to drive fast, in fact no real challenge at all"
You werent trying hard enough.
"That feeling that it was going to break at any moment"
What? Evo's are very robust, Japanese reliability with added group N durability, even when tuned upwards of 350 bhp with everything else standard they dont suffer from breaking.
"4WD is great but nothing beats RWD for driver involvement"
Some of the best performance cars I've driven have been 4wd, how could anyone think an old M3 had more driver involvement than an evo due to it having 4wd?
Give you some examples, Impreza Spec C or Type 25, Evo 9 GT, Skyline, they are all 4wd and give huge amounts of driver involvment and lots of perfectly balanced oversteer when required.
"Turbolag" -
A standard evo has very little turbo lag, they are quite incredible in that respect and make high revving engines like m3 and s2000 feel like a pain in the neck as you cant access the power without huge amounts of revs, which is great on track but not much use in typical flowing traffic on our busy roads.
"Standard brakes are woefully lacking"
Nonesense, I've had lots of evo's their brakes are terrific, will stand up to any road use, and having done lots of track days yes you can over cook the brakes, uprated pads will help, brakes far superior to an e36 M3.
"Far far too easy to drive fast, in fact no real challenge at all"
You werent trying hard enough.
"That feeling that it was going to break at any moment"
What? Evo's are very robust, Japanese reliability with added group N durability, even when tuned upwards of 350 bhp with everything else standard they dont suffer from breaking.
"4WD is great but nothing beats RWD for driver involvement"
Some of the best performance cars I've driven have been 4wd, how could anyone think an old M3 had more driver involvement than an evo due to it having 4wd?
Give you some examples, Impreza Spec C or Type 25, Evo 9 GT, Skyline, they are all 4wd and give huge amounts of driver involvment and lots of perfectly balanced oversteer when required.
"Turbolag" -
A standard evo has very little turbo lag, they are quite incredible in that respect and make high revving engines like m3 and s2000 feel like a pain in the neck as you cant access the power without huge amounts of revs, which is great on track but not much use in typical flowing traffic on our busy roads.
TEKNOPUG said:
This is a quote from a friend
Feel free to correct away 
rallycross said:
Have to correct you on that, have you ever driven or owned one?
"Standard brakes are woefully lacking"
Nonesense, I've had lots of evo's their brakes are terrific, will stand up to any road use, and having done lots of track days yes you can over cook the brakes, uprated pads will help, brakes far superior to an e36 M3.
"Far far too easy to drive fast, in fact no real challenge at all"
You werent trying hard enough.
"That feeling that it was going to break at any moment"
What? Evo's are very robust, Japanese reliability with added group N durability, even when tuned upwards of 350 bhp with everything else standard they dont suffer from breaking.
"4WD is great but nothing beats RWD for driver involvement"
Some of the best performance cars I've driven have been 4wd, how could anyone think an old M3 had more driver involvement than an evo due to it having 4wd?
Give you some examples, Impreza Spec C or Type 25, Evo 9 GT, Skyline, they are all 4wd and give huge amounts of driver involvment and lots of perfectly balanced oversteer when required.
"Turbolag" -
A standard evo has very little turbo lag, they are quite incredible in that respect and make high revving engines like m3 and s2000 feel like a pain in the neck as you cant access the power without huge amounts of revs, which is great on track but not much use in typical flowing traffic on our busy roads.
Agree with you somewhat. Especially WRT the brakes and turbolag. Turbolag is almost non-existant on a standard Evo VI, and the brakes are very good - better than the M3. "Standard brakes are woefully lacking"
Nonesense, I've had lots of evo's their brakes are terrific, will stand up to any road use, and having done lots of track days yes you can over cook the brakes, uprated pads will help, brakes far superior to an e36 M3.
"Far far too easy to drive fast, in fact no real challenge at all"
You werent trying hard enough.
"That feeling that it was going to break at any moment"
What? Evo's are very robust, Japanese reliability with added group N durability, even when tuned upwards of 350 bhp with everything else standard they dont suffer from breaking.
"4WD is great but nothing beats RWD for driver involvement"
Some of the best performance cars I've driven have been 4wd, how could anyone think an old M3 had more driver involvement than an evo due to it having 4wd?
Give you some examples, Impreza Spec C or Type 25, Evo 9 GT, Skyline, they are all 4wd and give huge amounts of driver involvment and lots of perfectly balanced oversteer when required.
"Turbolag" -
A standard evo has very little turbo lag, they are quite incredible in that respect and make high revving engines like m3 and s2000 feel like a pain in the neck as you cant access the power without huge amounts of revs, which is great on track but not much use in typical flowing traffic on our busy roads.
However as for driving on normal roads you cannot get it up to speeds where it is a challenge to drive it fast. Even on the twisty B roads it is far too good and you will always find your limit a long way before you find the cars. On the track is a different matter.
And as for reliability they are actually pretty good as long as you don't mess about with them too much.
had many M3's over the years, and a Evo 7......Was blown away by the 7, the performance and grip, and the 7 is a bit discreeter looking(than a 6)....however servicing every 4500 miles and a worry it might blow up at anytime, however as 2nd/3rd car ideal
Edited by POORCARDEALER on Friday 24th September 16:16
I love Evos and would love to own one some day, but when I was reading the Lancer owners club buying guide a couple of things did worry me. 4500 mile service intervals on a car that given the amount of stress it's 2L engine endures to make massive power, should not be ignored means big service bills. Brake pads and tyres lasting only a few thousand miles and clutch replacements sometimes only lasting 3000 miles are scary figures, but still probably a lot cheaper than M car servicing. Still, with an Evo you get the looks, the character and the performance, with less "marque" cost added to the bills.
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