This is some info for those of you discussing whether the 350z or m3 is faster. The m3 is clearly faster than a 350z on the straightling. I think we all know that. if you think otherwise; you're probably in denial. As far as putting both cars on the track, the 350z out-performs the m3.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....article_id=469

here is an article on the road and track website that compares a track 350z to an smg m3, a 911 targa and a c5 corvette. The 350z is the second fastest car from the four, only being beaten by the vette. What can we learn from this: the 350z outhandles the m3. 287hp v. 333. the only other thing that can account for a the 350z getting a better lap time is handling. Read that article if you already haven't. it's interesting. and make sure to look at the last page of the article, it's got all the lap times and other specs.

 

bring your Z to the track and race an M3. See what happens.

Win or lose, you need to stop mag racing.

 

Man, you really have never driven or raced against an M3 have you?
We can tell...

 

Despite the fact that the article is more than 2 years old, its still a tribute to the performance of the 350Z. In the right hands, the 350Z is a capable contender at the track.

 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Z. GREAT handling (of course) and speed in ALL gears.
I've driven both the older E36 and new E46 and they are way more fun to drive and feel a lot more solid IMO. I lose to the E46 all the time at the track. I haven't raced him on anything except drag course though.

 

Don't get me wrong but I OWNED an e36 M3 for 3 years and my Z is definitely more solid and more fun to drive. I like the Z better than the E36 in everyway, hence the reason i bought one and sold my E36.

 

Man, you just can't win around here.

If some guy posted this thread claiming in his experience with M3 on the track, that the Z handles better and is faster on the track. People will flame him for not offering facts and proof and just his personal experiences. Flaming him that he is bias, etc.

But if some guy comes here posting a link from an independent test on a track between the two cars with drivers who do this for a living and then give a huge page spread on their research and testing. People will come and flame him for not having personal experiences on the track.

It's like you can't win no matter what you do around here.

 

i concur....very well said.

 

^ I agree...

But I still believe that if ANYTHING, they may be equal...

 

Good point. The forum seems to be…moody. Sometimes members are congenial, at other times they’re adversarial. You’ll notice similar replies in “street racing:” a member will post “I killed a Mustang,” and at times may be given a thumbs up. At other times the OP is asked for “proof.”

 

+1000 Haters go away!

 

+1

 

I posted about the same article in another M3 thread....It doesnt matter...Those who want to believe the 350z cant beat an M3 on track will always believe that and vice versa...So dont take it too seriously

 

I have the Best Motoring DVD where four professional drivers in a bone-stock 350z, M3, Boxster, and S2k square off.

The Z beats them all.

In the hands of a good driver, the Z is quite a capable car.

 

The Z barely edged out the M3.. but I believe they are pretty much equal on a track but not drag racing. Stock to Stock.

 

Will agree on this point. THe M3 will take the Z in a straight line race. But even if its a drivers race on a track... $30k vs. $50k is pretty damn good compliment.

 

They are not equal, try buying a M3 for the same price as a Z

 

a new M3 is gonna set you back at least 60 grand ...dude.

 

R&T has the worst acceleration times ever!

Maybe they can drive around a track, but they sure can't drag race.

Funny how M/T has run 13.7 with two different Z coupes. Oh well. Magazines.

 

I saw that article a few years back - I've never driven a 350Z so I can't comment first hand on what it is capable of but I've been on the track with 350Zs on several occasions at Nelson Ledges and BeaveRun and have always been much faster...of course the driver has something to do with it....and, honestly, I don't even have that much experience...I run in Intermiate and occasionally Advanced....where I mostly get my a_ss handed to me

Also, the type of course layout will also have a big influence on which car will be faster and by how much. The M3, which has a large HP advantage, will obviously favor a longer track that has faster sweeping turns...a shorter track might be very momentum-oriented meaning that HP isn't as important.

Magazine racing is, well, magazine racing...even if it's the same driver, who knows how good he is with both cars? ....for example, someone who is very experienced and comfortable with driving a M3 on the track won't be able to step into a Porsche 911 and expect to be as fast...P cars have very different handling characteristics....with that in mind, I think a M3 is capable of going faster around a track than a 350Z if both cars are driven to the absolute limit...of course, I'm biased but that's my opinion based on my experience...and, in reality, both cars are not even in the same class so maybe they shouldn't even (technically) be compared. The 350Z is a purpose-built 2 seat sports car while the M3 is a sedan based GT capable of carrying 4 people comfortably. Either way....both cars are great on the track and most people would be happy with either one...myself included.