Car & Driver - BMW Forum

RexKing86 · 08-13-2005, 12:30 PM

I know this is the E36 3-series forum, but i wanted to make sure you guys saw this C&D article as well as the M3 drivers.

Well if you own a BMW and are active on this forum, i'm sure you get a car magazine. I happen to get C&D, MT, & R&T. However i wanted to ask if anyone has seen the Sept 2005 issue od C&D. Of coarse i am refering to the cover story "Audi's Righteous RS4 ascends the rocket-sedan pulpit. Can this 414-hp thunderbolt smite the wicked M3 and C55?" If you dont get C&D, heres the article in full:

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=9846

BMW's 3.2 I-6 is simply amazing in my opinion. At 1 full litre smaller then Audi's 4.2 and 2.2 litres smaller then the mercedes, yet it still competes with them. C&D reports that the RS4 & M3 have a 0-60 of 4.8 and the C55 just 1/10 quicker w/ 4.7s- but 2.2L bigger... it should be betting both cars by more than 1/10.

C&D has given much praise to this new RS4... and i think its BS. The car is definetly nice, but theres one BIG problem... IT COSTS 80 GRAND! THATS 30k more than an M3!!! THe only thing that the RS4 has on the M3 is quattro. A friend of mine has a 2005 S4 V8, and it really does handle excellent, in all road conditions. I know most of you know that your M3 is pretty amazing, but i just wanted to reiterate it and to say im proud to own a BMW, even if it isn't an M3. biggrin.gif

Bmw1990 · 08-13-2005, 02:08 PM

I also read the article, it was a good read. I agree for the money, THe M3 is simply beautiful. When the new M3 comes out, say good bye to the competition.

toast_mcmann · 08-13-2005, 07:06 PM

I havn't even clicked on the link, but something tells me that the rs4's engine isn't going to be a fair comparison. Meaning the m3 has a 3.2 liter inline six, which is a relativly small engine. The current s4 has a 4.2 liter v8 and barely makes more hp than the m3. The m3 makes 343hp(euro spec), and the s4 makes 355hp. Think about it 2 more cylinders, and 25%more displacement, all for about 12hp. So my point is that the rs4 is going to have a bigger engine than the m3. So find something with an engine similar in displacement to compare it to. Once again rs6 has a twin turbo v8, are you going to compare that to the naturaly aspirated m5. It seams like audi does things like make there engines bigger than m cars, or they match the displacment and strap it with a blower and try to act like they are on the same level as bmw when it comes to building engines. Engine of the year award goes to========>New m5 5.0 liters, 507hp, hell yeah! More horse power than the rediculous v8 twin turbo rs6, but with out the two blowers. Now thats engine making! Why don't you just compair the m3 to a 7.0 liter twin turbo super car?

toast_mcmann · 08-13-2005, 07:20 PM

ok i read the article, it's rediculous that the rs4 is still going to be under 100 hp/ liter.

4evrwyntr · 08-13-2005, 09:16 PM

Well, at least we can rest assured that it is inevitable the e90 m3 will trounce its new fangled opponents without trying. As was the case with the old m5, "old" m3. Although the gap is definitely getting smaller, notice that Car and Driver (among other magazines) continues to pit vehicles 3, 4, 5... 7 years newer than the m models, before one of them finally winds over. Then BMW comes up with something new, and then everyone cries.
Oh well.
Get used to it.
Although, like I mentioned before, the time gap between generations succeeding over the m series is decreasing - a word of warning to BMW. If they keep slacking, then eventually someone will catch up. And it looks like Audi is the one.

dutchbmw · 08-14-2005, 07:48 AM

Nice find!

RexKing86 · 08-14-2005, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toast_mcmann@Aug 13 2005, 07:20 PM
ok i read the article, it's rediculous that the rs4 is still going to be under 100 hp/ liter.

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Heck i think its worse that if you want to just tie an M3 w/ an audi you gotta spend an extra 30 grand. I rather buy a new M3 and a G35 for the same $!

toast_mcmann · 08-14-2005, 06:26 PM

I agree.

buuhh99 · 08-15-2005, 11:06 AM

give me an m3 and ill put 30 grand into mods and see who will win

andrewgrhogg · 08-15-2005, 04:22 PM

I'm imagining the answer is no, but does anyone know what the torque curve comparison is between the RS4 and the M3. Even tho the RS4 only makes a few more horse power it probably develops alot more torque, and alot of it further down in the rpm range. Making it a much "nicer" daily car to drive just from a "get up and go" perspective".