M5 vs M3 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Bryn · 28th August 2002, 12:42

Hmmm... my car feels fast this week! Maybe its because I spent last weekend driving it loaded to the roof with luggage, but I think my encounter with an E46 M3 yesterday proved its not just my head!

From a rolling start in 2nd it was a dead heat up to about 115 when I decided that was fast enough.
To be honest, I was surprised. I expected the M3 to be quicker than my old 5 series

Not as surprised as he was though

Cheers,
Bryn.

Steve Mac · 29th August 2002, 00:19

I have been in the passenger seat when a ///M3 E46 booted it and was unimpressed by the "pull" for the the car all the mags have been raving about but suspect the traction control might have a lot to do with it as the other day when driving a 320d i switched off the DSC it was still cutting in

No sideways adventures that journey!

I wonder if this is the same on the M3???

Still yet to have the pleasure of meeting one on th road.

BTW all the above does not apply to the E39 ///M5

THEY ROCK

Steve Mac

ydelta · 29th August 2002, 00:26

Maybe the English weather doesn't agree with E46 M3s...
Nooo, just kidding guys

Mmm-Five · 29th August 2002, 12:40

I've been on a track day or two with one of these and it was very quick.

It was so much faster than my M5 through the corners and then just booted it past me on the straights.

I thought it was just down to the E46 being much faster, but it seems it must be my crap driving if you all think the E46 is slow.

Bryn · 29th August 2002, 12:49

Don't know about corners... this was a straight drag race, but both cars have similar weight and power figures on paper.

Of course, real world performance is often not what figures on paper suggest, and like I said, I was surprised. I expected it to be much quicker.

Cheers,
Bryn.

M5 powered · 29th August 2002, 13:06

I think I would have to agree with you Bryn. I went up against a fully blown imported swift (4x4 pocket rocket) which had around 250 brake (modified). This again was a second gear rolling start. He floored it and and so did I (following) and much to his (and my suprise) I was on the rear bumper all the way to 100 mph where I began gaining considerably.

His response when we met at the pub was '**** I didn't know M5's were that quick!!'

I guess from a standing start it would be a different story but it was an intresting encounter!

regards

M5 powered

Alan Archer · 29th August 2002, 14:51

Similar weight & power ?

Don't think so...we're talking about a minimum weight
difference of around 200 kilos.

The only other explanation for the poor M3 performance
is the relatively peaky torque output.

In reality the guy probably didnt rev it hard enough...

or even more humiliating...left it in Auto mode....(SMG) !!

M5 3.8, 30 to 70mph........5.1sec.

M3 E46, 30 to 70mph........4.1sec.

330i E46 30 to 70mph........5.9sec.

Let me tell you i had a well driven 330ci hold on to my
tail up to 80mph out of a round about....

didn't see which way i went above 100mph though

Regards,

Alan Archer

riseosiris · 30th August 2002, 00:29

I've run (friendly) with a an E46 M3 cabrio. Doing a 30mph roll-on, I stayed with him all the way into the triples...when we got to our destination he said he had been seriously wringing it to keep up. As has always been my finding, the E34 M5's rock just about anything once you get past 80.

Bryn · 30th August 2002, 11:29

Alan,

Are you sure about the weight... I had the difference at between 50-100kgs depending on the source of info.

Is the US E46 M3 338bhp, or a lower output as with the E36?

Cheers,
Bryn.

Alan Archer · 30th August 2002, 19:25

Autocar 14/2/01 M3 coupe,tested weight 1577kg

Autocar 2/11/94 M5 6speed,tested weight 1724kg,

That's 147kg so i'm a bit out...

My specialist says the 6speed M5 'box is very heavy !
and i know 5speed & 3.6 cars are lighter still.

I've managed to keep station with an Audi RS4 down the
Autodrome 1km straight before (say 50mph to 135mph)
but i know i was pushing harder...to avoid loosing to an Audi !

But back to what i said....the difference is at least 50% down
to driving style.....

E34 6speed, 0to100mph 13.6sec

E46 M3 coupe, 0to100mph 11.5sec

E34 30to70mph 5.1 sec

E46 30to70mph 4.1 sec

Please don't think i'm knocking your quality performance !!!

It just demonstrates that driver determination & skill = 1sec
in acceleration time !!!

Regards,

Alan Archer