In that video the Skyline totally blocked the M from accelerating right to the front. It should be a better car for 20k more than the Z.

 

Not shocked here, but if you spend the diff. in prices on modding the Z, I'm sure the Z will give it a run.....

 

Of course the newer M3s has more horse than the Z, therefore it'll pull a bit harder and be a bit faster on the straights.

But that's about it.

The Z is very comparable with the M3. So let's look at this for a moment. The Z performance is comparable, plus she's better lookin, for about 20K less (as mentioned above). So to legitimize the extra money they had to spend, of course they will talk down on the Z.

The dude that was talkin smack about the handling of the Z obviously can't make a turn if his life depends on it (sorry for the cliche). He sounds like one of the morrons with more money than smarts or skill, that I passed on the track with my Z. That morron had an M3 also. The dude was such an arrogant putz that he was later kicked out.

But to be fair, there are many M3 owners that are not so blinded by their bias, and some of them are actually smart. And these people have give props to the Z.......as can be seen on the linked thread. I a reckon we have the same proportion here, of knuckle heads and others.

 

i was reading that bmw thread and I will agree with them without a dout that the new m3s are much better, but the model right before it? Give me a break. They got like 240hp and weight more. A Z could easily take one. But like I said, those newer m3 are badass.

 

if you haven't test driven both, no need to comment.

 

u mean e36 not e34. THe e36 is (in the us) 95-99. The e46 is the 01- current. Just to clear it up, the e36 responds to mods better than the e46 and there are many boosted bad azz e36's but the e36 is starting to look old. I love my z..

One of the best tuners for bmw m3's - www.aatuning.com

 

Not this again.

 

Is that your Z in the sig?! That thing is freaken sick.

 

Yep, Thanks

 

My bro recently bought an E46. I LOVE that car. Is it faster straight line? Yup. Shift seems longer and not as solid feeling. The steering is excellent. But, for 20G's more we got nearly identical times at the autoX.

 

The E36 is an EXCELLENT handling car on the track. From my experience, the Z is faster from about 2-3rd gear on up in a straight line, but the E36 in the hands of a skilled driver will simply out handle the Z.

From my track events I can tell you that I've passed many E36s and E46s, and have BEEN passed by just as many as well. The E36 should not be dismissed simply because you can beat one in a straight line. If you are racing an E36 in a straight line, you are missing the point.

I would say that the E36 makes a much better track car than the Z. Parts for it are cheaper and readily available.

 

I am a longtime BMW guy and love my BMW BUT they have issues, just like any mechanical device AND I like how he drove one Z and decided all Zs are pos.

By that measure you could drive an Isetta and decide all BMWs were one door 600cc eggs on wheels.

 

fail.

 

600cc...I wish! Early Isettas were 250cc. My '57 Isetta has the "big engine"...300cc. The "Sedan" model does have 600cc, but has a front and rear bench seat and has 2 doors, front and right rear.

 

nice way to bump a 6 year old thread!

 

Good little reading, E36 is fun to play with on the track, but i can usually get away. E46 is really fun to play with, but its a faster car.

 

You mean not everyone likes the same car?! Waah! My feeling are in pain!

I test drove an M3 and was bored by it. So, I suppose I can allow someone to live even if they prefer the M3 over my car.

 

i know a kid who invested about 14k in his e46 m3, and it dynod at 285rwhp. built block and all. waste of money imho, but it sounded great

 

My last car was a BMW M Coupe (321 bhp) that I owned for 4 years. I loved that car and miss it terribly. I only sold it as I moved to the USA from UK. I used to take it to Le Mans every year and it drew lots of admiring looks and comments, despite being surrounded by supercars. I loved the engine, the looks and the sound. However, the handling in stock form was pretty bad and it took some time to master on track. It cost me a fortune to maintain, and it was in the dealers every month with some issue (thankfully it was under warranty).

I have owned my 350z for 3 years now and it has cost me pennies to maintain, with nothing.........nothing, going wrong with it. It doesn't have the visual stimulation of the M coupe or the pull of the engine...........however, it does give 8/10ths of the M Coupes desirability. The 350z handles much better than the M Coupe in stock form. The major thing that breaks the Z for me is the road-noise!

I love my 350z but I would switch for another M Coupe in a heartbeat. If you ever get the chance take one for a test drive do it........much better than the M3.

Am I sorry that I bought the 350Z......no it's a great car for the price!

 

I owned an Isetta in the late '60s. It was fun, but I like my Z better.