[Kelvin]

Evo Magazine (April issue p.14) writes:

"BMW says that the E46 M3 is the most accelerative M-car to date. The new super-3-series coupe will sprint to 62mph in a supercar baiting 5.2 secs, 0.1 secs quicker than the M5, according to BMW's figures. If you're wondering about the new Z8, it's not an M-car..."

 

[Jeff L]

I believe the cars will be dead even up to 60 or 80 due to the M5's weight and traction limits. I think the M5 will start pulling ahead around the 100 mph mark. I had a Dinan SC M3 prior to my M5 and the M3 seemed just a hair quicker off the line and up through second gear. Of course some of that feel is due to the fact that it rode like a truck. But once I get into third gear and up, the M5 feels quicker. The test numbers published in the car mags bears this out. I had my M3 measured on the dyno and it was putting out 275 HP and 250 ft-lbs corrected at the wheel rears. This translates to around 330 HP and 300 ft-lbs at the crank. That car was quick. Unfortunately, the time it spent running was unacceptable. I did not get to drive the car for one full month before my M5 came in. Thank you Steve Dinan and you wonderful support. I am sure that the M3 will have a pretty high rear end ratio to take advantage of the 7900 rpm red line.

 

[MWM]

I don't know; I just saw the E46 M3 at the NY auto show. It's cute and all, but you guys who feel "ripped off" for paying 30-large more for the "slower" M5 bought it for the wrong reasons. I *seriously* doubt the E46 M3 will pull like the M5 does at 1,500 rpm in any gear. I've learned to tell my wife "put your head back" whenever I want to put more than the weight of my foot on the throttle or the car will put it back for her.

I'd be the first to admit that revving a car is fun, but it's also fun to not have to rev the car to get the desired acceleration.

I don't think any 6-cylinder engine can compare to the brutality of a good-sized free-breathing V8 in terms of throttle response. When it comes to accelerating quickly at 80 mph to (safely) "thread the needle" through a gap in traffic going up a steep hill, I'll take the M5, thanks.

 

[Kelvin]

Mark,

I believe the new M3 is using the E34 M5 engine specifications. And the E34 M5 was fast! The same engine on the lighter 3 series should make the car even faster than the E34 M5.. I think BMW's claim that the M3 is faster than the M5 is believable.

Although I disagree with you that 8 cylinder engines outperform 6 cylinder engines (don't foget, 6 cylinder engines are far lighter) I agree what what you said about the M5 being a different car.. If people buy the M5 for pure performance, they are going for the wrong reasons. The M5 is a luxury sedan with a powerful engine. A cheaper version of the Bentley Arnage Red Label.

I am one of them who bought it for the wrong reason, because I value performance more than luxury.

 

[KKelly]

The new M3 engine is in no way related to the S38 that was in the E34. However, it is the same "type" of performance. It does have double-vanos which will give it a flatter torque curve.

Bottom line, the M5 is a midsized sports sedan and the M3 is a sportscar disguised as a sports sedan. Nearly 600-700 lbs lighter and will likely handle way better than the M5. Being an E34 driver I am not yet tired of a quick drop to third gear to thread those needles. Putting a V8 in the M5 was required to compete but I fear the car will just get heavier and farther and farther away from its roots.

Time for those aluminum body panels.

 

[Gustav]

KKelly, I think you say it perfectly as it is; , the M5 is a midsized sports sedan and the M3 is a sportscar disguised as a sports sedan

When you search for used BMW on www.bmw.de you search for M5 and M5 Touring when looking for the E34 and M5 Limousine when looking for the E39.

The E39 M5 is more of a sportlimousine than a sportscar, but it also the best handling and fastest sportslimousine available today.


[Note: This message has been edited by Gustav]

 

[GJR]

In Europe the term limousine is equal to sedan in the U.S.. In CT I was quoted about $1000 more to insure the M3 vs. the M5. Probably because the M3 is a 2 door sports car and the M5 is a four door "family" car.

Originally posted by Gustav:
KKelly, I think you say it perfectly as it is; , the M5 is a midsized sports sedan and the M3 is a sportscar disguised as a sports sedan

When you search for used BMW on www.bmw.de you search for M5 and M5 Touring when looking for the E34 and M5 Limousine when looking for the E39.

The E39 M5 is more of a sportlimousine than a sportscar, but it also the best handling and fastest sportslimousine available today.


[Note: This message has been edited by Gustav]

 

[Jeff L]

MWM,

You are right on the money.

Kelvin,

It is not just the weight of the engine. It is the weight of the engine plus the rest of the car. It is also about gearing and the torque curve, not just peak numbers. As far as the M5 vs M3 in overall performance, I have owned both ( a supercharged M3 BTW, as I mentioned earlier) and I have no performance disappointments with my new M5 at all, including handling. So while I did not buy the M5 purely for performance, I feel I could have. Remember, the M5 is a hair quicker around the (spelling?) Nurinburging than the new Porsche 996!!!

So while I do not doubt the 0-62 figures, I seriously doubt the 0-100 (11.3s M5), 0-150 (30s M5) and 100-150.

Though I also agree that the new M3 will be much more tossable than the M5. I am taking my car to the track in May and will let you know how it does.

Jeff L

 

[Kelvin]

Jeff,

let's go to the track together!!

 

[mo123]

Ok, story time
I was in my E39 M5 with a chip, supersprint racing catalytic converters, tubi style exhaust (rumore), cold air intake, shortshifter, pulleys, headers. Well, a stock e92 dct m3 pulled up next to me. We did a 20 to 80 mph race and to tell you the truth he couldn't hang with me. I just creeped away until we backed off when i was a car length ahead. I was just surprised as he was. I was expecting to get absolutely massacred, but guess not. So the new m3 doesn't be a brutal modified 2002 v8 engine.

 

[JZelnick]

Wow...I don't think I've ever seen a worse thread resurrection. :confused2

 

[dimi_108]

Lol. Ultimate thread resurrection.

Anyway i've owned both. I like the M3 better. It definitely feels more snappier. But i like the low down "bass" of the S62 V8 when puttering around traffic.

The M5 is more "gangster" with a boss-like look and feel to it. It's more classy (in stock form of course).
The M3 wins in the looks department (i don't care what any one says) it's more wider, looks tougher, more modern and turns more heads.

Another thing i liked about the M3 was it drank no oil, was fantastic on fuel and easier to drive around town in and just felt faster.

That's why i'm looking at selling the M5 for an M3 again.
I don't mean to be disloyal to the beast (it's an wicked car) but i'm looking at something easier to drive on a day to day basis.

Peace and chicken grease.

 

[sor118]

The E46 M3's seem a dime a dozen everywhere compared to the rarity of the E39 M5. Torque to me makes driving around town much easier, especially when needing to get into the next lane or two in a moments notice. I wouldn't mind an E46 m3 but I would never replace my beast with one of those.

Funny how back in the olden days everyone thought the e46 M3 was faster to 60 or in a straight line. Sorry but nope!

 

[JDMM5]

Ok, story time
I was in my E39 M5 with a chip, supersprint racing catalytic converters, tubi style exhaust (rumore), cold air intake, shortshifter, pulleys, headers. Well, a stock e92 dct m3 pulled up next to me. We did a 20 to 80 mph race and to tell you the truth he couldn't hang with me. I just creeped away until we backed off when i was a car length ahead. I was just surprised as he was. I was expecting to get absolutely massacred, but guess not. So the new m3 doesn't be a brutal modified 2002 v8 engine.

I'm interested in these comparisons, but it doesn't belong in this thread..

 

[mPower<3]

I had E46 M3. It looks prettier in my opinion, proportions of the car and the side grills make it just perfect. Its nimble.

But M3s are so common.

The worst thing about M3 was the ride, it always seemed like it was a sedan trying too hard to be a sports car.

Smg had a mind of its own, i sold my M3 after 8 months, and then I bought M5, first impression was the torqy V8 and it gave me a bullet-proof impression.

M5 on the road is more comfortable, almost seems to have a split personality, not to mention the other guys noticing it and want to race, I havent got so much attention with any another car I have owned.

Did have an encounter with e92 dinana m3, he could not keep up, I would say m5 was a hair faster everytime, ofcourse with rolling starts only

 

[WannabM5]

The e39 M5 is on the list in the near future of a car I want to put in my stable. I am slowly starting the look. IMO its such
a different car than the e46 m3 of the same generation and equally different than an e9x m3. In comparison the e9x m3 is really
almost the same car as the e60 m5 in terms of engine delivery of power etc.

But lets be honest, the e9x m3, especially with a dct, bone stock murders the e39 if the driver has any sense and is in
the correct gear. Problem is a common rolling race m3 driver makes the mistake and is a gear too high which in the m3 is a absolyte
killer of torque to the ground as its reliance on gearing is heavy. If in the right gear the e9x m3 is equal as an e60 m5
to 100 and a catless m3 will hang until 120. The e39 however is just not a speedster and is more about refined, exclusive
CLASSIC luxury with a good grunty motor. Can't think of two totally opposite cars to be compared

 

[dimi_108]

The e39 M5 is on the list in the near future of a car I want to put in my stable. I am slowly starting the look. IMO its such
a different car than the e46 m3 of the same generation and equally different than an e9x m3. In comparison the e9x m3 is really
almost the same car as the e60 m5 in terms of engine delivery of power etc.

But lets be honest, the e9x m3, especially with a dct, bone stock murders the e39 if the driver has any sense and is in
the correct gear. Problem is a common rolling race m3 driver makes the mistake and is a gear too high which in the m3 is a absolyte
killer of torque to the ground as its reliance on gearing is heavy. If in the right gear the e9x m3 is equal as an e60 m5
to 100 and a catless m3 will hang until 120. The e39 however is just not a speedster and is more about refined, exclusive
CLASSIC luxury with a good grunty motor. Can't think of two totally opposite cars to be compared

As much as we hate to hear the truth he's right. An E92 M3 takes the lead over an E39 M5. I don't care what any one says.
It's common sense really. E92 M3 is lighter with a bit more power over the E39 M5.

Would love to be able to upgrade to a four door E90(?) M3. My life would be complete haha

 

[kotje]

what do you like?

E46 M3 VS E39 M5

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=514670921913760&set=np.108738152.100000710201186&type=1&theater&notif_t=photo_tag

 

[WannabM5]

Between the e39 and e46? I really think you cannot pick one or the other! Everyone who loves M cars NEEDS both quite frankly!
I have niether lol but really could not choose easily. I want one of both on my quest to get an M stable going.

I have-e92 m3
I want-e39 m5 (next), e46 m3, e60 m5 and X5M

THen probably an f80 m3. Shooot the desires never end!!

 

[ATLZHP6M]

This has to be a record thread resurrection... 13 years later we are still debating between E46 M3 and E39 M5....ouich
I like both, I think everyone should have one of each.