I was going to post this in street encounters but it really has nothing to do with a race, but more theory. I know that the e36 is a good matchup for the s2000. But, recently I was arguing with my friend, who said from 50+ on, on the highway I would get romped. Correct me if im wrong but doesnt the M3 have the advantage down low, but on the highway i should edge ahead?

 

somebody that's far smarter than me can probably answer this question better than me, but I'll give you my 2 cents. (For what it's worth, I'm assuming you're talking about two stock cars both US market)

Simply put, it would likely be a very close toss up and would be heavily dependant upon how much more than 50mph you're talking. The superior gearing of the S would likely be partially if not totally offset by the better aerodynamics of the M.

 

You will not get romped. Ask him to race from 60 (3rd gear) to 120 (end of fourth.. or 140 up to you), and make a bet for money stating that if he doesn't put a buslength on you the you win. I've hung with FAR more powerful cars up to 120. I would be suprised if my s2000 wouldn't pull on a M3. But it depends a LOT on car and driver.

 

suvh8r-

I have the BFGoodrich poster that you have in your sig. hangin on my wall in my office as I type. Love that poster!

 

Being that I've been on both sides of the fence, I'd put my M Coupe against and naturally-aspirated S2000 anyday. Not creating a flame... just speaking from experience. I wouldn't underestimate the "old" M motors at all.

 

Yeah -- the M coupe is a faster car -- this fact has been proven a few times with various drivers and my stock (motor at least) 99 Z3M coupe.

But -- they car in question here is an E36 M3 coupe -- heavier car, a tad slower.

The E36's I have run have all resulted in similar 2-6 car losses with the coupe slowly creeping away at any speed.

Too close to call in my opinion.

 

I owned a 1997 E36 ///M3 before the S. The cars are evenly matched in my opinion. It is true that the M3 has more power in the low RPM range and the engine more flexible. By flexible, I mean that the wide power band and higher torque (236 lb-ft) make it difficult to make a mistake. If the S is in VTEC, then it would come down to driver skill (or balls as the case may be).

 

i still think aerodynamics would come into play at some point north of 100 mph. Our beautiful little S isn't the most aerodynamic car in the world (especially with the top down) and no matter driver skill and/or being in the right gear physics will take over.

 

At higher speeds, horsepower vs drag becomes a bigger and bigger factor. A 10,000lb car with 400hp can be faster than a 1,500lb car with 350hp, if the aerodynamics between the two are right. In fact, beyond a certain speed, the 10,000lb car will actually out *accelerate* the 1,500lb car, if the lighter car is sufficiently draggier.

It is much easier to make a faster car or a better high-speed accelerating car with horsepower, than with streamlining.

Does anyone have the stats on the E36 M3?

 

Your friend is wrong. He said the opposite of whats true. Up till 3rd gear, you'll be dead even with an E36 M3 (assuming launch and everything is equal). Once you get into fourth gear is when you will start pulling. I've raced my friends stock E36 M3 twice and both times we were dead even, until 4th gear.