How quick is the R32

[drfrank]

Hi

I am contemplating buying an E46 M3 but I have been distracted by the R32 (servicing costs, price etc). Just how quick are they and how much fun can they be. I realise that they are not in the M3 league (but then I am rarely going to push the M3 to the extreme) but would be interested in hearing opinions.

Thanks

drfrank

[Diablo SVTT]

I would read this thread, it contains mentions of the M3 as a competitor for the R32 (price-wise) and also offers good advice on what the R32 and GTI offer.
http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&amp...

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

T'aint a slouch, but t'aint a supercar. I love mine, it's a flippin good compromise. (Plus the 4wd comes in handy at times)

[LaSarthe&Back]

Put two turbos on it and get this!! Should see a few super cars off!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v313/plowy/?acti...

[Fort Jefferson]

drfrank said:

I realise that they are not in the M3 league.

Top gear power lap times.

Golf R32 1.30.4
Audi S4 1.30.9
Porsche 911 Turbo 1.31.0
Vauxhall VX220 turbo 1.31.3
New Audi TT 1.31.4
Honda NSX Type R 1.31.6
BMW M3 1.31.8

[D1MAC]

Fort Jefferson said:

drfrank said:

I realise that they are not in the M3 league.

Top gear power lap times.

Golf R32 1.30.4
Audi S4 1.30.9
Porsche 911 Turbo 1.31.0
Vauxhall VX220 turbo 1.31.3
New Audi TT 1.31.4
Honda NSX Type R 1.31.6
BMW M3 1.31.8

Different Stig for some of those compared to the Golf (and yes there is a fair difference between the two) and not all of those times are in the dry - NSX-R for one (and I suspect the 911 as well).

The R32 is a quick all rounder but in the real world (and in the dry) it would be a fair bit slower than all bar the TT.

[w1how]

Ive had an M3 and now have an R32.My missus drives it most of the time(excellent car for littl'ns and prams etc)but I do get behind the wheel every now and again.It is plenty quick enough for everyday use.I can drive it better and faster through the twisties than the M3 esp in the wet but on the motorway the M3 would pull away easily.

[dontfollowme]

[quote=LaSarthe&Back]Put two turbos on it and get this!! Should see a few super cars off!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v313/plowy/?acti...
[/quote]

LOL - "kiss my effing face"

[Fort Jefferson]

dontfollowme said:

[quote=LaSarthe&Back]Put two turbos on it and get this!! Should see a few super cars off!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v313/plowy/?acti...

Do you think that was a Z4 M???

[nickb55]

w1how said:

Ive had an M3 and now have an R32.My missus drives it most of the time(excellent car for littl'ns and prams etc)but I do get behind the wheel every now and again.It is plenty quick enough for everyday use.I can drive it better and faster through the twisties than the M3 esp in the wet but on the motorway the M3 would pull away easily.

Likewise, i've had 2 M3's (1995, 2003), and have a markV r32. The above comments are 100% spot on. I would only add, that outside of the driving comparison, that there's an enourmous number of M3's on the road, vs very few R32's. And the "DSG" on the r32 is awesome, in my view better than the bmw SMG.

cheers
Nick

[MD San]

Was walking through Saltaire last night when somebody gave one the full beans off the roundabout, sounds incredible! Are they that fruity as standard?

[Adam B]

D1MAC said:

Fort Jefferson said:

drfrank said:

I realise that they are not in the M3 league.

Top gear power lap times.

Golf R32 1.30.4
Audi S4 1.30.9
Porsche 911 Turbo 1.31.0
Vauxhall VX220 turbo 1.31.3
New Audi TT 1.31.4
Honda NSX Type R 1.31.6
BMW M3 1.31.8

Different Stig for some of those compared to the Golf (and yes there is a fair difference between the two) and not all of those times are in the dry - NSX-R for one (and I suspect the 911 as well).

as much as 2 seconds difference between the two Stigs I rread somewhere + that list is nonsense. The 996TT was in a flood and would destroy an R32 like for like as would the NSX-R

[AsianMpower]

drfrank said:

I realise that they are not in the M3 league (but then I am rarely going to push the M3 to the extreme) but would be interested in hearing opinions.

Thanks

drfrank

I have an M3 and i can assure you unless you live on a motorway an r32 will most likely keep up with an m3 around any town, twisty, most roads apart from the long straight ones.
in the wet the r32 or any 4x4 is a complete different league.

When people talk about the m3 being a different league the only way i see that is The quality of the car it is truely built with a finish that the sultan of brunia would be happy. As for the performance you need to have the car at 7800-8000rpm to extract the 343 figure from it. try that on a small strecth of road!

[tigger1]

MD San said:

Was walking through Saltaire last night when somebody gave one the full beans off the roundabout, sounds incredible! Are they that fruity as standard?

Yes, they have a fantastic note as standard.

[D1MAC]

Adam B said:

as much as 2 seconds difference between the two Stigs I rread somewhere + that list is nonsense. The 996TT was in a flood and would destroy an R32 like for like as would the NSX-R

Could actually be anything up to close to 4 seconds! IIRC the difference on the Civic Type R was just short of 4s and there is just short of 3s difference between the MkIV and MkV R32 (and my guess is that they would be pretty damn closely matched).

[5LitreV8]

Driven both. M3 did feel very composed. R32 felt.... well too composed - tourer, not blaster. I'm sure the R32 will get you from a2b swiftly and safely.

M3 will be more fun

Finally - I know this is done to death - but apart from the engine note, get a GTi - cheaper - and handles better!

All IMHO

[acidslice]

my test drive was amazing, but they are known to be gentlemans cars....OR NOT... that thing can shift...(standard)