From STI to M3
Discussion
Hi guys, currently own a 05 plate Sti with 44,000 miles on the clock looking to swtich to an M3. I was wandering if anyone else has made the same switch. Im looking for a manual coupe facelift, hoping for a straight swap but i doubt it will happen, any advice or suggestions would be great, cheers.
I went from an 06 STI to a Z4M, not exactly an M3 but engine and tranny are the same. The BMW feels a good bit quicker top end but misses out on the midrange urge of the 2.5 turbo in the scoob. Gearbox is pretty horrible between 1st and 2nd, they all are seemingly.
The main difference is the handling, you cant drive the BMW like a Subaru!! I have the DSC off all the time in the dry but dont even think about it in the wet as its bloody lethal! I've had 5 Imprezas in various states of tune and you can drive them like a complete loony and get away with it 99% of the time but not with 340bhp at the rear wheels!
You'll be used to being in petrol stations all the time with the scoob, the BMW will be the same if not worse!
The main difference is the handling, you cant drive the BMW like a Subaru!! I have the DSC off all the time in the dry but dont even think about it in the wet as its bloody lethal! I've had 5 Imprezas in various states of tune and you can drive them like a complete loony and get away with it 99% of the time but not with 340bhp at the rear wheels!
You'll be used to being in petrol stations all the time with the scoob, the BMW will be the same if not worse!
I have always loved the M3 and would like to own one but the Sti is so addictive. I usually get bored of cars after about a year or so but the Sti always gives me a smile. I havnt ever driven an M3 so have always wondered how the experience compares. The sti has brutal accelaration that i have yet to feel in another car.
Just made a similar conversion myself. Went from a PPP'd bug eyed wagon to a low mileage E46 M3. Without hesitation, I would say go for it. Whilst the Subaru provided me with 10 years absolute trouble free motoring, the BMW is somehow so much more special in terms of build quality, looks and also the fact that it's got two extra cylinders! Plus you've got the wonderful howl of that glorious straight six.
As far as performance is concerned, you may not notice a huge difference owning an STI over the M3, but I found the acceleration from low down and mid range much more linear in the M3.
As far as running costs are concerned, only having owned the car a few weeks it's difficult to say. But as you probably know, Scoobies are not exactly cheap to run!
My Scooby is actually only worth buttons even though it's immaculate (being 2001), and I had to make quite a bit outlay for the M3, which is 2005. But to my way of thinking, it's quite a logical step to go from the Subaru to the M3 - both hugely capable cars but dare I say it, the Beemer is slightly more grown up.
So to summise, having only owned the car for a short period, I am hugely impressed with it's all round capabilities and would definitely recommend you take a close look at an M3.
Hope you find this useful.
As far as performance is concerned, you may not notice a huge difference owning an STI over the M3, but I found the acceleration from low down and mid range much more linear in the M3.
As far as running costs are concerned, only having owned the car a few weeks it's difficult to say. But as you probably know, Scoobies are not exactly cheap to run!
My Scooby is actually only worth buttons even though it's immaculate (being 2001), and I had to make quite a bit outlay for the M3, which is 2005. But to my way of thinking, it's quite a logical step to go from the Subaru to the M3 - both hugely capable cars but dare I say it, the Beemer is slightly more grown up.
So to summise, having only owned the car for a short period, I am hugely impressed with it's all round capabilities and would definitely recommend you take a close look at an M3.
Hope you find this useful.
I've done the STi - STi - EVO -M3 thing,to two E46's as it happens.
As previous posters have said,the back end can step out,even on damp roads and with seemingly little justification.
If you enjoy driving fast on challenging roads and in all conditions DO NOT get an M3.The first one I had ,an 03,left me thinking
is that it? so I tried another,with the same result.
This is not a rant about rw drive,btw my next car was a 911 and that felt glued by comparison.
M3's are like expensive watches: look good but actually do little else in the real world.
Sorry not true,they're quite comfy,well built and show an ability to aquaplane that is astonishing.
Your STi just gets on with it,safely and fast.
If an expensive toy is an itch you have to scratch then get a fast Quattro of some denomination.
IMO.
As previous posters have said,the back end can step out,even on damp roads and with seemingly little justification.
If you enjoy driving fast on challenging roads and in all conditions DO NOT get an M3.The first one I had ,an 03,left me thinking
is that it? so I tried another,with the same result.
This is not a rant about rw drive,btw my next car was a 911 and that felt glued by comparison.
M3's are like expensive watches: look good but actually do little else in the real world.
Sorry not true,they're quite comfy,well built and show an ability to aquaplane that is astonishing.
Your STi just gets on with it,safely and fast.
If an expensive toy is an itch you have to scratch then get a fast Quattro of some denomination.
IMO.
goldblum said:
I've done the STi - STi - EVO -M3 thing,to two E46's as it happens.
This is not a rant about rw drive,btw my next car was a 911 and that felt glued by comparison.
M3's are like expensive watches: look good but actually do little else in the real world.
Well the 911 would feel glued with the engine slung out over the rear axle, M3's are wonderful I've had the e46 and the e92 (now have gen.2 911 C2S) to say that the M3 doesn't do anything in the real world is nonsense IMVHO and totally misses the point.....The back end stepping out is fun! This is not a rant about rw drive,btw my next car was a 911 and that felt glued by comparison.
M3's are like expensive watches: look good but actually do little else in the real world.
goldblum said:
I've done the STi - STi - EVO -M3 thing,to two E46's as it happens.
As previous posters have said,the back end can step out,even on damp roads and with seemingly little justification.
If you enjoy driving fast on challenging roads and in all conditions DO NOT get an M3.The first one I had ,an 03,left me thinking
is that it? so I tried another,with the same result.
This is not a rant about rw drive,btw my next car was a 911 and that felt glued by comparison.
M3's are like expensive watches: look good but actually do little else in the real world.
Sorry not true,they're quite comfy,well built and show an ability to aquaplane that is astonishing.
Your STi just gets on with it,safely and fast.
If an expensive toy is an itch you have to scratch then get a fast Quattro of some denomination.
IMO.
What a load of drivel As previous posters have said,the back end can step out,even on damp roads and with seemingly little justification.
If you enjoy driving fast on challenging roads and in all conditions DO NOT get an M3.The first one I had ,an 03,left me thinking
is that it? so I tried another,with the same result.
This is not a rant about rw drive,btw my next car was a 911 and that felt glued by comparison.
M3's are like expensive watches: look good but actually do little else in the real world.
Sorry not true,they're quite comfy,well built and show an ability to aquaplane that is astonishing.
Your STi just gets on with it,safely and fast.
If an expensive toy is an itch you have to scratch then get a fast Quattro of some denomination.
IMO.
Thanks for all the replies guys, still cant make my mind up about this, on one hand i love the look of the M3 but the way the Sti performs may be slower by a touch but just gives me a buzz every time. I owned a mazda RX8 and hated the the linear accelaration, I guess I dont want to end up with something similar.
Zero7 said:
goldblum said:
I've done the STi - STi - EVO -M3 thing,to two E46's as it happens.
As previous posters have said,the back end can step out,even on damp roads and with seemingly little justification.
If you enjoy driving fast on challenging roads and in all conditions DO NOT get an M3.The first one I had ,an 03,left me thinking
is that it? so I tried another,with the same result.
This is not a rant about rw drive,btw my next car was a 911 and that felt glued by comparison.
M3's are like expensive watches: look good but actually do little else in the real world.
Sorry not true,they're quite comfy,well built and show an ability to aquaplane that is astonishing.
Your STi just gets on with it,safely and fast.
If an expensive toy is an itch you have to scratch then get a fast Quattro of some denomination.
IMO.
What a load of drivel As previous posters have said,the back end can step out,even on damp roads and with seemingly little justification.
If you enjoy driving fast on challenging roads and in all conditions DO NOT get an M3.The first one I had ,an 03,left me thinking
is that it? so I tried another,with the same result.
This is not a rant about rw drive,btw my next car was a 911 and that felt glued by comparison.
M3's are like expensive watches: look good but actually do little else in the real world.
Sorry not true,they're quite comfy,well built and show an ability to aquaplane that is astonishing.
Your STi just gets on with it,safely and fast.
If an expensive toy is an itch you have to scratch then get a fast Quattro of some denomination.
IMO.
on a move 'From STI to M3'.Lol.
scoobyPPP said:
I owned a mazda RX8 and hated the the linear accelaration, I guess I dont want to end up with something similar.
Then I don't think an M3 is for you my friend.For me, the most impressive things about the S54 motor are the linearity of its power delivery and the way it just keeps going to past 7,500rpm. If you like the sort of thing (I very much do) then it has few equals. It's pretty much the antithesis of a big mid-range shove when a turbo spools-up though so, if that's your thing, I'm guessing you won't like it.
goldblum said:
Zero7 said:
goldblum said:
I've done the STi - STi - EVO -M3 thing,to two E46's as it happens.
As previous posters have said,the back end can step out,even on damp roads and with seemingly little justification.
If you enjoy driving fast on challenging roads and in all conditions DO NOT get an M3.The first one I had ,an 03,left me thinking
is that it? so I tried another,with the same result.
This is not a rant about rw drive,btw my next car was a 911 and that felt glued by comparison.
M3's are like expensive watches: look good but actually do little else in the real world.
Sorry not true,they're quite comfy,well built and show an ability to aquaplane that is astonishing.
Your STi just gets on with it,safely and fast.
If an expensive toy is an itch you have to scratch then get a fast Quattro of some denomination.
IMO.
What a load of drivel As previous posters have said,the back end can step out,even on damp roads and with seemingly little justification.
If you enjoy driving fast on challenging roads and in all conditions DO NOT get an M3.The first one I had ,an 03,left me thinking
is that it? so I tried another,with the same result.
This is not a rant about rw drive,btw my next car was a 911 and that felt glued by comparison.
M3's are like expensive watches: look good but actually do little else in the real world.
Sorry not true,they're quite comfy,well built and show an ability to aquaplane that is astonishing.
Your STi just gets on with it,safely and fast.
If an expensive toy is an itch you have to scratch then get a fast Quattro of some denomination.
IMO.
on a move 'From STI to M3'.Lol.
goldblum said:
ScoobyPPP -
'any advice or suggestions would be great, cheers.'
Zero7 -
Er.. ok.LoL
Better give no advice than misinformed advice, lol...'any advice or suggestions would be great, cheers.'
Zero7 -
Er.. ok.LoL
I've gone from Hawkeye Sti Spec-c to E92 M3 (driven a good fre E46 M3's too including CS and CSL), the power delivery is very different, it will feel slower as the delivery is so much more linear but unlike the scooby which will start running out of puff at around 6.5k the M3 will come into it's won at the top end, bit like a VTEC does.
The handling is just sublime but you can't take liberties, you have to learn to moderate the throttle, I now find 4WD car very boring to drive...
running costs will be higher, tyres are not cheap, servicing is quite expensive but the built quality is on another level to Subaru, plus there are lots of toys, get one with Sat Nav..
Zero7 said:
goldblum said:
ScoobyPPP -
'any advice or suggestions would be great, cheers.'
Zero7 -
Er.. ok.LoL
Better give no advice than misinformed advice, lol...'any advice or suggestions would be great, cheers.'
Zero7 -
Er.. ok.LoL
I've gone from Hawkeye Sti Spec-c to E92 M3 (driven a good fre E46 M3's too including CS and CSL), the power delivery is very different, it will feel slower as the delivery is so much more linear but unlike the scooby which will start running out of puff at around 6.5k the M3 will come into it's won at the top end, bit like a VTEC does.
The handling is just sublime but you can't take liberties, you have to learn to moderate the throttle, I now find 4WD car very boring to drive...
running costs will be higher, tyres are not cheap, servicing is quite expensive but the built quality is on another level to Subaru, plus there are lots of toys, get one with Sat Nav..
As for the chassis, it's got tons of grip and feels planted and very balanced at speed - the BMW trademark. It really is a sweet drive and loves fast sweeping roads, hour after hour; front-engined/RWD with peachy in line 6 is a wonderful combination.
The STI from memory has all the usual whiz bang pop thrills of a turbo and is effective but feels more understeery and just not as sweet.
M3 is also miles better looking, BMW really go it right with the E46 M3, particularly CS/CSL.
torres del paine said:
Zero7 said:
goldblum said:
ScoobyPPP -
'any advice or suggestions would be great, cheers.'
Zero7 -
Er.. ok.LoL
Better give no advice than misinformed advice, lol...'any advice or suggestions would be great, cheers.'
Zero7 -
Er.. ok.LoL
I've gone from Hawkeye Sti Spec-c to E92 M3 (driven a good fre E46 M3's too including CS and CSL), the power delivery is very different, it will feel slower as the delivery is so much more linear but unlike the scooby which will start running out of puff at around 6.5k the M3 will come into it's won at the top end, bit like a VTEC does.
The handling is just sublime but you can't take liberties, you have to learn to moderate the throttle, I now find 4WD car very boring to drive...
running costs will be higher, tyres are not cheap, servicing is quite expensive but the built quality is on another level to Subaru, plus there are lots of toys, get one with Sat Nav..
As for the chassis, it's got tons of grip and feels planted and very balanced at speed - the BMW trademark. It really is a sweet drive and loves fast sweeping roads, hour after hour; front-engined/RWD with peachy in line 6 is a wonderful combination.
The STI from memory has all the usual whiz bang pop thrills of a turbo and is effective but feels more understeery and just not as sweet.
M3 is also miles better looking, BMW really go it right with the E46 M3, particularly CS/CSL.
I used to do a regular run from Manchester to Sheffield and deliberately took the long route over the Cat.Fantastic in the M3 but only good in the Japcars.
However that is the only scenario where the M3 is fulfilling.
As mentioned above it has long gearing (longer legged)- too long for town.It doesn't have that much torque,meaning constant gearchanges in traffic/town.
In the wet it is pointless.I'd still take a sorted 4x4 for everday use.Everytime.
Zero 7 -
Just because someone has an opinion you don't agree with doesn't make them ill-informed.
Do try to be civil.
Thanks to all of the replies everyone. I think that if i come across a decent example I may may take the plunge. Currently I only drive the Impreza on weekends and drive a smaller car on weekdays due to work. Running costs are a concern however, how do the facelift models fair with the vanos problems? I did own a 330ci a few years back and used an indy by the name of Barry Deadman, I probably will be using an indy for all repairs and servicing.
i recently went from a classic to a e46.and i love it wouldnt go back again.the car feels so much classyer and its rapid.it doesnt seem to drink fuel like the scoob did.when you drive the m3 it feels special.i thought id miss the scoob rumble but the straight six sounds sexy and raspy.
m3 all the way.
m3 all the way.
as good as subarus are they carry a image that i dont like, chav. 90% of people that drive them always seem to have a point to prove, wether its off the lights or up your arse on the m1.
give me a m3 anyday, 6pot howl and rwd.
another thing i just cant seem to understand is this whole rwd thing in the wet??
one simple solution do not accelerate hard round bends......its that simple. the only time the rwd will lose out in the wet is corner exit speed. people make out like every rwd car in the wet will kill you......its a joke!
i have 320lbs of tourque at my skinny 245 section rears and i never have a problem in the wet!!!
give me a m3 anyday, 6pot howl and rwd.
another thing i just cant seem to understand is this whole rwd thing in the wet??
one simple solution do not accelerate hard round bends......its that simple. the only time the rwd will lose out in the wet is corner exit speed. people make out like every rwd car in the wet will kill you......its a joke!
i have 320lbs of tourque at my skinny 245 section rears and i never have a problem in the wet!!!
I think handling wise im not too concerned i dont tend to go crazy around bends, what does concern me is the maintenance costs. What kind of things will I have to look out for on a facelift. I have seen a couple that am interested in:
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2080941.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2068027.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2037602.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1860725.htm
not to keen on silver but they are at a good price, and not really bothered about sat nav, let me know what you guys think, cheers.
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2080941.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2068027.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2037602.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1860725.htm
not to keen on silver but they are at a good price, and not really bothered about sat nav, let me know what you guys think, cheers.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff