Euro M3-Evo vs. US M3

[m3f_nickanas]

Hi guys,



Since most of you guys are from the US you will be interested to hear this.



Last night I witnessed a race (actually they went three times on a 200-300 yard straight strip), between an original US M3 5-speed (rare in Greece where I live), vs. a M3 Evo (3.2 litre) Cabrio conversion (meaning that the car was an original 318iS Cabrio converted into a M3 with the 3.2 Liter and 6speed manual tranny).



The US M3 car won all three races by at least a car length!

The crowd was basically M3 enthusiasts and we could not believe it.



The US M3 was stock with the exception of a K&N intake filter but that's about it. I believe tire size played a role here as this car has stock 17" 225/45's all around.



The Cabrio was stock but had H&R adjustables and 18" wheels with 235/40 front and 255/35 rear rubber, he had to lose something there in acceleration.



On a another note, even though they did not race around turns, when they turned at high speeds, the cabrio turned much better I guess due to it's lower center of gravity.

[m3f_WD Pro]

I am a Euro guy but I am not biased in any way !



I think on paper the 0 – 60 (Euro = 5.5) times are very similar, but I am not sure about the 0 – 100 (Euro = 12.2) or in gear times.



From my experiences the Euro M3 is not that suited to ‘street racing’ but excels on the motorway (free way ?!).



Think about it, a Euro will do in the region of 175mph when derestricted …



Unfortunately these cars are only at their best when you are well above the UK legal limit and how often can that be done safely ? :roll:



WD Pro :thumbsup:

[m3f_Predator_7d824d33ea]

if the M3 evo convertable was a 318i before , doesn't that answer your question as to y it lost ???? M3s are built different from the wheels up. if you have a 318i and place a tranny and engine from a 3.2 does'nt mean you'll take a M3. Don't forget there more to an than engine and tranny that makes a M3 fast.



Also the cabrio are less stiff than the coupes or 4 doors and they carry more weight. Also it depends on the gear box if you have a SMG it will be a bit slower than the manual, however as WD PRO said the evo's arn't good for street racing as second gear breaks the MOTRWAY SPEED LIMIT of 70mph!



theres just to much power to put down, and in england its always fuc^ing raining so take offs are always done with the tail wagging.



i no the m3 makes a much more meatier noise than the m3 evo, its due to the vanos systems on each 1.



anyways atleast we aint alking about japanese cars :thumbsup: :beer: :beer:

[m3f_nickanas]

I was told that there was one and only line where all E36s came from.

This means common chassis, welding & bolting from lowly 316s to M3s.



Can anyone confirm this or the opposite?

[m3f_M3AN_5f4dc0ba80]

I was told that there was one and only line where all E36s came from.

This means common chassis, welding & bolting from lowly 316s to M3s.



Can anyone confirm this or the opposite?



This not quite the case for the Euro. For all 'original' M cars (so also now including the e46 US M3) the chassis is sent from a standard production line to the M GmbH production line where the chassis is strengthened and the rest of the car assembled.



As a rule no M cars come off the end of the standard production line although the US e36 M3 and M Coupe/Roadster (first generation) did which, AFAIK, are the only exceptions.