VXR versus new M3
Discussion
In contrast to recent press reviews stating they don't like the new shape M3 (I was one of them) after having just seen one, I've changed my opinion.
I was fortunate enough to have a little play in an M3 this morning accompanied by a Police Advanced Driving Instructor.
Initial impressions - compared to my 6.0L VXR Monaro.
The car looked proportionately better in the flesh than I had seen in picture form and think it's moved the M3 onwards and possibly makes the old E46 series a little old. The car I used was finished in black with Fox Red leather but the orange peel on the metallic paintwork was dreadful, I even spotted a paint blemish near the drivers door handle, not a very good place to have paint problems.
The door felt light to open compared to mine and I nearly hit the car parked next to me. The leather trim looked of good quality but I still get the feeling that the latest BMW dashboards are a little retro for my liking and prefer the shape of a Monaro or Audi.
The clutch was light and gear box easy to use comapred to my agricultural components. The exhaust note seemed muffled and clearly for me, needs an aftermarket exhaust. It was that quiet, I found my self speeding on 2 occasions in built up areas.
Throttle response was good, the steering light and airy and the brakes seemed up for the job, it was easy to become a hooligan in this car.
Would I buy an M3, is it worth twice as much as mine. No and No. But, I like it a lot better than I did before seeing one today.
Is the M3 any quicker - I don't think so. (in a straight line anyway)
I drove the long way home back from the test drive, and it just brought home........what great value for money our Aussie muscle cars are
I was fortunate enough to have a little play in an M3 this morning accompanied by a Police Advanced Driving Instructor.
Initial impressions - compared to my 6.0L VXR Monaro.
The car looked proportionately better in the flesh than I had seen in picture form and think it's moved the M3 onwards and possibly makes the old E46 series a little old. The car I used was finished in black with Fox Red leather but the orange peel on the metallic paintwork was dreadful, I even spotted a paint blemish near the drivers door handle, not a very good place to have paint problems.
The door felt light to open compared to mine and I nearly hit the car parked next to me. The leather trim looked of good quality but I still get the feeling that the latest BMW dashboards are a little retro for my liking and prefer the shape of a Monaro or Audi.
The clutch was light and gear box easy to use comapred to my agricultural components. The exhaust note seemed muffled and clearly for me, needs an aftermarket exhaust. It was that quiet, I found my self speeding on 2 occasions in built up areas.
Throttle response was good, the steering light and airy and the brakes seemed up for the job, it was easy to become a hooligan in this car.
Would I buy an M3, is it worth twice as much as mine. No and No. But, I like it a lot better than I did before seeing one today.
Is the M3 any quicker - I don't think so. (in a straight line anyway)
I drove the long way home back from the test drive, and it just brought home........what great value for money our Aussie muscle cars are
Good writeup and the same as I felt when looking at RS4's. Very nice and more modern looking (till they update as normal) but alot more money than the VXR and in my case alot slower in a straight line! Had alot of people looking at mine in Germany recently and more than most other cars there... except a Carrera GT... MMmmmmmmm....
I saw a new M3 in Germany a couple of weeks ago, it was in a dark colour and didnt especially stand out as such - in fact it looked rather plain. It makes the monaro look sleek.
Its pretty much the same weight and power as a VXR 6L so wont perform much different, other than 0-60 in which its wider rear tyres and more modern traction will probably give it an advantage. Ditto in terms of handing (as its 8-10 years newer in terms of design).
I drove a VXR8 last week mind, and that felt more snappy on the throttle, it breaks and steers better - but doesnt look as sleek....
Bennno
Its pretty much the same weight and power as a VXR 6L so wont perform much different, other than 0-60 in which its wider rear tyres and more modern traction will probably give it an advantage. Ditto in terms of handing (as its 8-10 years newer in terms of design).
I drove a VXR8 last week mind, and that felt more snappy on the throttle, it breaks and steers better - but doesnt look as sleek....
Bennno
phillg said:
S600VXR said:
greens vauxhall said:
Tested figures on a new M3 suggest 0-100 in just over 10 secs. Some way ahead of Monaro or VXR8.
Positively slow compared to my old bikes sub 4.5sec to 100... :coffee:
Luggage capacity (with thow-over panniers) is about the same because my boot is full of fuel tank!
LathamJohnP said:
greens vauxhall said:
Tested figures on a new M3 suggest 0-100 in just over 10 secs. Some way ahead of Monaro or VXR8.
Would be interesting to know VXR8 figures if the cars were geared equivalently. E92 M3 has final drive of 3.86:1 vs 3.70:1 for the manual VXR8.John
Would be interesting to know VXR8 figures if it had twice the power of the M3 as well......or a Gallardo engine.......or lost 50% of it's weight.......etc etc
Edited by C8PPO on Monday 10th September 22:01
Well look at the recent autocar 1/4 mile drag. A stock 335d estate left the VXR8 off the line (would not like to cpmment how big a part the driver played). You would imagine a 50K+ M car would slay their 3.0l twin turbo?
The VXR8 reeled it in but it took longer than you might think. Mind you those 335ds are seriously rapid especially the remapped ones 330 - 350 hp and near 500lbsft of torque - bet that BMW torque converter wont last long...
The VXR8 reeled it in but it took longer than you might think. Mind you those 335ds are seriously rapid especially the remapped ones 330 - 350 hp and near 500lbsft of torque - bet that BMW torque converter wont last long...
My wife runs a 535d. Off the line she can pull 2 car lengths on the VXR8 and then I can reel it in. I'm sure if you wind up the torque convertor even more then it would have more of an advantage to start with.
However.
We ran 4 mags in a 0-60 shoot out at Millbrook with the same timing gear as Autocar use. I'll publish the data in its totality once we can figure out how to extract from the PC (doh!)
Best time though was 4.8secs (by Lee of HSV) with CAR magazines Chris Chilton getting best jounro time of 5.02sec
Stu
However.
We ran 4 mags in a 0-60 shoot out at Millbrook with the same timing gear as Autocar use. I'll publish the data in its totality once we can figure out how to extract from the PC (doh!)
Best time though was 4.8secs (by Lee of HSV) with CAR magazines Chris Chilton getting best jounro time of 5.02sec
Stu
C8PPO said:
Friend of mine has the 335d with the remap - on a run from motorway services onto the M1 the two cars (my VXR) were very evenly matched - no way at all I was going to shake him off.
That's depressing and he was probably getting 40mpg while he was doing it!I've raised the subject of traction/tyres before and still cannot get a definitive answer. The Monaro, whilst no lightweight (about the same as an E39 M5) surely needs fatter rear rubber, can anone vouch for this theory?
I hope its a no choice company car!! C8PPO said:
LathamJohnP said:
greens vauxhall said:
Tested figures on a new M3 suggest 0-100 in just over 10 secs. Some way ahead of Monaro or VXR8.
Would be interesting to know VXR8 figures if the cars were geared equivalently. E92 M3 has final drive of 3.86:1 vs 3.70:1 for the manual VXR8.John
Would be interesting to know VXR8 figures if it had twice the power of the M3 as well......or a Gallardo engine.......or lost 50% of it's weight.......etc etc
I just meant that the Monaro/VXR8s are geared for economy and relaxed m-way cruising, whereas the M3 (11mpg reports would indicate) is geared for outright performance. A diff ratio change (presumably cheap enough in the grand scheme, unlike a Gallardo engine) might be enough to even things up a bit.John
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