Well, I finally did it. I just gave up my E36 99 M3 to its new owner tonight. It was sad to see it go, especially when I won't have a sporty car to drive for the next 6 weeks. You fellow enthusiasts know how difficult it is to give up an M3! Another kicker is that I just got a $163 speeding ticket in the M3 yesterday! However, that is not even on my mind! All I'm looking forward to is my new Suzuka Blue S2000 (with hardtop). The order for it goes in tomorrow. Trying to sleep just got harder!


Louie

 

Great! Welcome (almost) to the club!

Post pics when you get it!

 

I got totally humiliated at the lights by an E36 M3. It was behind me but as soon as I pulled ahead of traffic it just roared past me and pulled a couple of lengths in seconds. I know they are impressive, but that thing was awesome.

 

Just 6 weeks until it arrives? That's pretty amazing. I ordered a week ago and they're slating a November build and December delivery!

 

It seems as though the US M3 is a different car from the European and AUS M3. Here (UK) the new M3 puts out 343HP and the old one was 321HP, whereas in the US its something like 240.

Over here I've had a few run-ins with an 321HP M3 and as you say they are very very quick, too quick for our S2000 but must people I know who own them are not actually that impressed with them, I think they take away too much of the driving pleasure, they dont seem to stir the soul like the S2000 does.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by UKjasonm
[B]

It seems as though the US M3 is a different car from the European and AUS M3. Here (UK) the new M3 puts out 343HP and the old one was 321HP, whereas in the US its something like 240.

 

Actually, in comparing the tq curves from the Evo 3.2L vs the US 3.2L reveals very similar power characteristics. You can almost superimpose the tq curves on one another, but then you realize that the US curve stops at 6500, while the evo curve keeps on going! Sort of Honda S2k-ish.

I think the 'low tq' characteristics of the evo motor were spun by BMW NA to try to convince the US customers that they have a motor better suited to 'american' driving. Whatever.

 

why'd u sell it, if i may ask??
also, i saw a 98 smg m3 at the local bmw dealer here in oz, 32k on the clock, $87k, normally about $140 new, a steal.

 

Every time a S2000 drives by, I complain to my wife "I could be driving THAT car or THAT car was want I really wanted, etc". Some of you may know that I have been an avid S2000 fan but no car b/c I needed a back seat for my childseat. However, after two years of whining, my wife gave in and said Go for it-get the S2000! Who am I to argue?

Also, my lease was coming up on my M3 and I needed to get another car.

My next dilema: Getting airbag off/on switch and childseat anchor on the S2000. Any suggetions for a local (Alberta) shop that can reliably do this?



Louie

 

BMW tends to make nonpeaky wide-range engines. Even their new F1 engine is reputed to have very good torque yet puts out 300 HP/litre NA for qualifying. BTW that is the highest specific output NA road course motor ever made. Some drag motors have more but they don't have to run for hours at a time. The new M3 gets it's best 0-60 times with a 1500 RPM launch. It's too bad it doesn't weigh as much as the S2K!! Low weight helps everything performancewise - cornering. braking, accel, response...

Stan