Currently have a V8 M3 - would a Noble 3R be quicker?

[RacerMDR]

I remember, long time ago being a passenger in a 2.5 Noble......and being incredibly impressed.

At the time I was a biker and had a Mk1 MR2 - so my comparisons were limited.

Since then, i've had faster cars.....Caterham R300 etc.......and now an M3......and what i'm wondering is, would the 3R be as impressive to me now?

The V8 M3 is nicely quick and I love the handling......

Anyone have any first hand comparisons?

I don't need the practicality of the M3 at all, no kids etc......

The car would live in a valet parked underground......and would only be used on weekends.

advice most welcome - thanking you

[Jamescmr2]

def get the Noble....

the experience offered by both cars are very different. the feel from the Noble will be 10 times that of the M3... in the same way the comfort in the M3 will be 10 times that in the Noble!

cheers

[RacerMDR]

thanks James - looking at the numbers on paper - it's not wildy different........the M3 has 414bhp etc

Is it just the weight difference that makes the performance so impressive, or is it the turbos and power delivery

Also - I only mention the valet parking situation as would there by any reliability issues with having it started from cold, driven up and then turned off.......to be restarted and properly warmed up 10 minutes after that?

[Gadgeroonie]

a Noble m12 3.0 should do 0-60 in under 4 secs

a tuned one may get closer to 3

a tuned 3.0 can get over 400 lb ft and a genuine 400 plus hp

[RacerMDR]

Gadgeroonie said:

a Noble m12 3.0 should do 0-60 in under 4 secs

a tuned one may get closer to 3

a tuned 3.0 can get over 400 lb ft and a genuine 400 plus hp

right so I think the M3 is 280lb ft.........and 414 - and heavier.

OK - that answers that one.......hmmm........damn it - better start having a look for next year then

[TuxMan]

In real terms the Noble will be quicker but more difficult to get the best out of , on bumpy roads ect the M3 will walk away with ease on a race track the Noble will give you a proper mauling !!!!
When it comes to reliability the BMW will be alot better than the noble .

Upgrading the Noble is alot easier and with cars now running 600bhp you could build a hell of a weapon !!!!!!

[R0162]

The main difference is the driving experience, i have owned quite a few different performance cars and the noble is the only one where i just go out for a drive for the pleasure of driving, i sometimes drive around for hours and have to be summoned back home by the missus.
The modifications can also be addictive as the stock car has great scope for improvement, especially with regards to airflow and cooling, but they are torque monsters so the acceleration will feel very different to the M3, i have mine modified to 440rwhp and 60kgm torque(about 480lb/ft at the clutch) i know from experience that a stock M3 gets blown into the weeds, i think a stock 350/350 noble GTO3 would do the same but just on a lesser scale, and like TUX says on a track the M3 would just get mauled.
They are very different cars at the end of the day, i really like the M3 but for completely different reasons that i like the Noble.

[CRB1]

The CSL is a better car to compare with. 6 years with the CSL. Nearly 8 with the Noble and counting. 6:8 CSL:Noble - That sums it up for me.

[andygtt]

I have a different view... No way a std noble will do a sub 4 sec 0-60 and in real world I recon the m3 v8 would be able to hold its own against the noble.

But the noble will be a far more involving drive and more fun

I've got an e60 m5 and an older m3, they are both awsome but neither compare in driving pleasure to my noble when it was std
Of cause now my noble is over 600bhp it leaves all the m cars for dead lol
That the beauty Of the noble it's easy to make even better... And the std car feels special to start with

[goo-goo-gjoob]

RacerMDR said:

The car would live in a valet parked underground......and would only be used on weekends.

The Noble's security system tends to drain the battery in like 5-7 days. So you would need to get the car a battery tender and keep it plugged in while parked. Unless you disconnect some of the sensors, which is fairly straight forward to do.
I only use mine on weekends, but rarely every weekend, because if I'm busy, I'll probably need the more practical car. You might not use yours every weekend either, so it's a good idea to get the battery tender. Would the valet be able to plug it in for you?
Personally, I don't like the idea of giving my Noble to a valet, but that's just me.

[bzguy]

I would definitely get the 3R !

The M3 is great, but in the end it's "just" a really fast 3-series (don't feel offended !)

[andygtt]

were is Matt when you need him... he has an M3 CSL as well as the noble and he uses the CSL on track and does pretty well... recon he could give a good view!

[bzguy]

indeed : seen it in Spa : damn fast, but how much difference between a 'standard' M3 & a CSL ?

[RacerMDR]

I don't think the 'standard M3' and CSL is a fair comparison. As the new M3 is a V8, completely different chassis etc etc. The CSL was based on the old M3 and there isn't an new one on new Chassis. All new M3s come with the Carbon Fibre Roof etc


I think the battery conditioner will be a problem - as the valet parking are stacking the cars in cages. I've seen a number of Ferraris, Lambos etc being parked up - but all 430 or later.....so not sure how they get around it - i'll ask.

[andygtt]

agree you cant compare the old CSL to the new M3.. but my point is the old CSL would give a std noble a very hard time on track so your one should be a notch up???

the battery in my noble would last weeks without draining, I've never needed a trickle charger... but the cars were hand built so variations between cars are common.

My std car was also as reliable as my M3.

Vast differernce between the feel of the cars... even the boxster renowned for fantastic steering feel, felt bland through the wheel compared to the noble.

[RacerMDR]

i certainly feel the V8 M3 is an awesome car, and i really do love it. Hence my query really on how a 3R would compare.

I'm hearing that it's obviously a much less compromised car than the M3 - which I would expect having been a passenger in a 2.5.

The track work - I won't use it for that. I believe in road cars being road cars. Even though i'm sure it's massively capable, but when I race I have the team support, and a purpose built car for the job.

I think the issue will be whether i can live with a potentially slightly more fragile car, in a valet parked underground garage

[D_G]

I can vouch for reliability, in six years never had a breakdown apart from a loose rear hub nut when in Cornwall which is easily sorted / prevented, still got home OK at the time though after a tweak at a local garage. Mine has only needed routine servicing and a few minor bits and bobs.
One thing to check is the condition of the chassis as mine needed recoating when I bought it (at three years old) and it wasn't in great nick even then.

They are brilliant cars

[Gadgeroonie]

keep the m3 and get a Noble too !

best of both worlds