B6 and E46 M3
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11
B6 and E46 M3
Why is that the B6 (04-05) S4 have more HP and torque than the E46 M3 (03-06) and yet still the M3 beats in 0-60 and quarter mile times and handling?
I'm actually looking between the two, but obviously the higher priced M3 and more readily available (played out) is making me lean toward the B6. But I do think that the E46 looks nicer and drives better. B6 has the V8 and four doors. But I dont understand how a V8 can be beat by an inline 6 cylinder with lesser HP and torque.
I'm actually looking between the two, but obviously the higher priced M3 and more readily available (played out) is making me lean toward the B6. But I do think that the E46 looks nicer and drives better. B6 has the V8 and four doors. But I dont understand how a V8 can be beat by an inline 6 cylinder with lesser HP and torque.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,847
read this thread
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=125302
Basically M3 is faster stock because its a couple hundred pounds lighter and dosnt have the AWD drivetrain to bog it down. E46 dosnt drive better IMO, its just set up better for handling on a track. The V8 only has 6 more bhp, but you will feel the extra 30 or so TQ. The M3 motor is more strung out, if 1/4 miles is your thing you probably wouldnt be looking into either.
S4 has better interior and is much better in rain and snow. Close to M3 performance, smaller price, 4 doors.....
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=125302
Basically M3 is faster stock because its a couple hundred pounds lighter and dosnt have the AWD drivetrain to bog it down. E46 dosnt drive better IMO, its just set up better for handling on a track. The V8 only has 6 more bhp, but you will feel the extra 30 or so TQ. The M3 motor is more strung out, if 1/4 miles is your thing you probably wouldnt be looking into either.
S4 has better interior and is much better in rain and snow. Close to M3 performance, smaller price, 4 doors.....
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 29
If you want to get an M3, just get a Corvette, it has the RWD experience you get in the M3 times 10. But if you are looking for that perfect blend of luxury, performance, and practicality the S4 is definitely where it is at.
If you decide to buy a car based on speed alone, you will always be disappointed because no matter what you do, there is ALWAYS someone faster than you.
If you decide to buy a car based on speed alone, you will always be disappointed because no matter what you do, there is ALWAYS someone faster than you.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 240
From: VA:Nova/Blacksburg
If you want to get an M3, just get a Corvette, it has the RWD experience you get in the M3 times 10. But if you are looking for that perfect blend of luxury, performance, and practicality the S4 is definitely where it is at.
If you decide to buy a car based on speed alone, you will always be disappointed because no matter what you do, there is ALWAYS someone faster than you.
If you decide to buy a car based on speed alone, you will always be disappointed because no matter what you do, there is ALWAYS someone faster than you.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3
If you want to get an M3, just get a Corvette, it has the RWD experience you get in the M3 times 10. But if you are looking for that perfect blend of luxury, performance, and practicality the S4 is definitely where it is at.
If you decide to buy a car based on speed alone, you will always be disappointed because no matter what you do, there is ALWAYS someone faster than you.
If you decide to buy a car based on speed alone, you will always be disappointed because no matter what you do, there is ALWAYS someone faster than you.
did you really just compare a corvette to an e46 m3??
I have both and they are in completely different leagues.
on a track i could run circles around my corvette and yet i still have about 100hp less, but in a straight line my corvette will whip my m3's hind quarters without any doubt.
they handle different, they have different power bands, they don't feel the same, plain and simple they are two completely different cars.
The M3 is a great car. The S4 is a great car.
but jyeh74 what you need to understand is that they are two completely different cars.
one is a two door, rwd, I6 coupe. the other a 4 door, awd, V8.
heavy mods planned for the future? go for the M3. if you want a well mannered daily driver that has 4 doors and can still whip the *** of any little ricer that revs his engine at you, go with the S4.
track days... M3. Long trips...S4.
each has its pro's and con's.
it all depends on what you plan on doing with the car IMO.
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,111
From: kentucky
that inline six is straight up BAMF.. thats always been bmw's bread and butter.. imo.. take a straight six that is as smooth as a sewing machine and then add vanos, and just bmw's ability to make a driver's car, and thats what you get.. its more fun to drive as well(or so 'they' say), more tossable in the turns and more fun to its limits...you feel every bump, crack and dip in the road from the steering.. its just more of a road course car..
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 29
did you really just compare a corvette to an e46 m3??
I have both and they are in completely different leagues.
on a track i could run circles around my corvette and yet i still have about 100hp less, but in a straight line my corvette will whip my m3's hind quarters without any doubt.
they handle different, they have different power bands, they don't feel the same, plain and simple they are two completely different cars.
The M3 is a great car. The S4 is a great car.
but jyeh74 what you need to understand is that they are two completely different cars.
one is a two door, rwd, I6 coupe. the other a 4 door, awd, V8.
heavy mods planned for the future? go for the M3. if you want a well mannered daily driver that has 4 doors and can still whip the *** of any little ricer that revs his engine at you, go with the S4.
track days... M3. Long trips...S4.
each has its pro's and con's.
it all depends on what you plan on doing with the car IMO.
I have both and they are in completely different leagues.
on a track i could run circles around my corvette and yet i still have about 100hp less, but in a straight line my corvette will whip my m3's hind quarters without any doubt.
they handle different, they have different power bands, they don't feel the same, plain and simple they are two completely different cars.
The M3 is a great car. The S4 is a great car.
but jyeh74 what you need to understand is that they are two completely different cars.
one is a two door, rwd, I6 coupe. the other a 4 door, awd, V8.
heavy mods planned for the future? go for the M3. if you want a well mannered daily driver that has 4 doors and can still whip the *** of any little ricer that revs his engine at you, go with the S4.
track days... M3. Long trips...S4.
each has its pro's and con's.
it all depends on what you plan on doing with the car IMO.
What year is your Corvette? I thought GM did a boatload of work on the latest Vette to try and ditch the "Corvette's don't handle well" myth.
Personally I have never drove a Corvette, but I have drove quite a few Mustangs and Camaros, and I do own a lightly modded 350Z. Sure they are all slightly different, but they have that "rear wheel drive experience" I am talking about.
No I haven't drove an M3 either, but I just can't imagine that it could be that much different in handling from my 350Z, but it is still that rear wheel drive experience, which is Radically different from the AWD experience in my S4.
Only reason I didn't buy a Vette is because I had that "Vette's can't handle" Bias. I just want to make sure that if someone is looking at an M3 that they at least go and drive a Vette to be sure. I wish I had done so myself.
