Test drove a 1998 M3 Sedan - BMW Forum

RexKing86 · 05-21-2006, 10:57 PM

Found a Silver 1998 M3 Sedan 5-Speed about a half hour from my house so I went and test drove it today. It was pretty nice and only one owner, but to be honest, I didnt feel a huge difference between my '97 328i and this M3. Dont get me wrong, the power was there, but not as much as I was expecting. It was completely stock, with 106k, but idk... Anyone else driven both?

Ivan · 05-21-2006, 11:37 PM

i know their 1/4 times arent too far apart. the m3 is faster but not by a whole lot.

RexKing86 · 05-22-2006, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan

i know their 1/4 times arent too far apart. the m3 is faster but not by a whole lot.

How does a E36 M3 compare to an E46 330?

zeaq · 05-22-2006, 03:04 AM

I 've read the UK BMW mag. BMW 328i is 75% to US spec M3. Not sure if i read it right.It was long ago

SHAHAB323IS · 05-22-2006, 09:02 AM

like i said in your other thread

i've driven numerous e36 m3's and regular e36's

people make out the m3 to be more than it really is

granted it's more power than my 323 but i've driven a dinan m3 many times and that car doesn't feel like anything special

but then again even an e39 m5 doesn't feel as powerful as i would like

probably because i've driven an e65 m5, now everything feels less powerful lol

RexKing86 · 05-22-2006, 02:01 PM

Haha, I bet, Im between getting a 330Ci and a E36 M3... I wouldnt mind getting a newer car though...

Ivan · 05-22-2006, 02:55 PM

i think the 330 is just a hair slower than the e36 m3. the 330xi is about as fast though.

RexKing86 · 05-23-2006, 10:48 AM

The AWD cars are faster?? Xi is faster than I an Ci?

Teh Prof · 05-23-2006, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RexKing86

The AWD cars are faster?? Xi is faster than I an Ci?

That makes no sense to me at all. They are heavier with the same power, and the drivetrain loss should be greater since there's more drivetrain.

Ivan · 05-23-2006, 11:26 PM

awd cars have more grip at launch, thats all that comes to mind.

drz · 05-23-2006, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan

awd cars have more grip at launch, thats all that comes to mind.

X-drive is not full-time AWD; it defaults to RWD if there is good traction in the rear. Regardless, you can get a decent launch with AWD, but with the xi's, it is not good enough to give you a better 0-60 or 1/4 mile time. x-Drive is just too heavy, an dthe drivetrain loss is just too much.