nitelyfe

My friend just got a 99 M3 (E36) and we ran a little Friday night. Surprisingly, I hung with him. Those things have such a consistent power line that I only caught up when he shifted. Luckily its a new tranny feel to him so he hasn't quite got the quickness down. As far as I know, our car and the E36 M3 are pretty similar. They both have about the same WHP and Torque. The major difference I think is weight (about 3-400lbs) and the bimmer's magnificent tranny. Anyway, thought I'd share that one with yall cause I expected to get spanked. GO CL-S!

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

The major difference is an M3 would spank us in the twisties all day long. We are pretty even on the straight line though. Nice run.

rondog

iTrader: (1)

yeah, but he's an auto vs a manual, try a 6speed cl-s and he'd def hang better and or beat him. with I/H/E, he will do the same also. I friggin love the power my car has gained lately, all on it's own too. but the Beemer will own on the twisties as stated.

RUF87

Go run, and be safe.

No twisties in North Central Texas so we pretty much own them here.

Ruf

Chaptorial

What mods you got other then rims?

brianlin87

iTrader: (1)

so if the 99 M3 were a manual and the CL were the 5spd-auto, we'd still hang with or beat it?

NOVAwhiteTypeS

stock for stock pretty hard, but w/ i/h/e a cl-s will take it from 0~110mph.

its bmw's aggressive gearing

bigman

Yeah, the key is catching them down low rolling or off the line. If you get a maual vs manual, It would be on the driver up until about 100, then the Bimmers gearing should win the race. If you get him from a 50 roll, i think stock for stock the bimmer would still pull slightly. If the 6 speed is modded, than it should take the bimmer till a little over 100 once again. But if the bimmer is modded, then expect it to hand you your ass.

F23A4

Quick poll: How many people buy that "240hp" rating on the E36 M3? Hint: not me!!

Python2121

^^ its probably making 240 at the wheels

Mike

what are your mods? moving racing stories.

nitelyfe

Like I said, all the difference between the cars is in the tranny and weight. Other than that we're very equal. He wants to run again when I get my i/h/e and he gets his intake and software. That'll be a dope race, I'll try to get it on video and share.

What kind of exhaust do you have?

nitelyfe

Big fat nothing besides ICE. Only had the car for about 4 months.

nitelyfe

Thats exactly what the race was... I was 5spd-auto switched over to the tiptronic and he is 5spd manual. I semi-hung with him. I would catch up and be even when he'd shift. GOD I love not having a clutch .

nitelyfe

The E36 is 205-210 WHP... very close to what we have. The E46 is 333 crank HP.

Chinisimo

i was closed to be buying a e36 m3 :tears:

nitelyfe

Chinisimo
How much would you have paid? My friend paid 3k more for his than I paid for my CL-S and its 3 years older (mine is an 01). If you ask me they're overpriced. I heard the E46s are being marked up by at least 10k... makes me !

pimpscls

i love those M's there one of the best cars ever built, from 240hp it does so much and also, when modded its just insane!!!!!!!!!!

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

Eh...

I admire their performance. But EVERYONE has them and they look way too much like the regular 3 series. The new M3 is leaps and bounds beyond the previous model. I'm not all that impressed by the E36.

nitelyfe

Also, our interior features are miles better than the e36.

numbaonestunna

between the boat CL-S and the M3... even the e-36. It handles like it's on rails. I hate to say this, but I'd ditch my car in a second for a E-46, even though it's slower....

nitelyfe

No comparison?? The E-36 and the CL-S are almost identical in power. In fact, I think we have more torque. Your correct about the handling but, I'm correct in saying our interior is MUCH nicer.

And what kind of car are you driving thats faster than the e46? Or do you not realize they have 333hp?

cyberhide

Ok, I'm gonna stick my 2 cents in (being the owner of the e36 m3 in question). I believe the engines are exactly on par (accept some additional torque in the cl-s engine). The weight is the only thing that makes the m3 slightly faster. I also know I havent perfected my clutch drop yet, so time will tell if this holds true.

Also the e36 and e46 m3's are cars in totally different leagues. The e36 m3 does 0-60 in 5.8s. The e46 m3 does the 0-60 in 4.8s. The e36 m3 puts 205-210hp to the ground, while the e46 m3 puts 275-280hp to the ground.

-Chris

numbaonestunna

'03 Cobra. I ran one last week, from a dig, 5 mph, and 20, and beat it soundly every time. BUT... after I drove it (it was my friend's) I would have taken it in a heartbeat. When I say no comparison, I AM talking about the overall driving experience. I suppose if you're talking about stuff other than driving, then maybe you can compare with the CL. <shrug> Without looking, I bet the E-36 stops better than the CL, I know it handles WAY better than the front heavy FWD CL, and it inspires a LOT more driver's confidence. CL is a sweet ride, I'm not knocking it, but it has mad torque steer (especially modded) and it's fat like a pig (brakes don't work too well).

pimpscls

like i said that m3 is a masterpeice and one day ill buy one and track it even in 20 years, its my dream car

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

Why not trade in your CL-S and get one now then. You could get a late 90's model for what you'd get on your CL-S trade in.

Not exactly what i'd call a "dream car" considering they are old and not really exotic.

flint

iTrader: (2)

if not a "dream" car, then at least a drivers car. You have to spend some time actually driving one to appreciate them.

haiduc

noooooo! please tell me you dont plan on dumping the clutch on a launch. BMW's do not like to be launchced at all. You will get better results by slipping the clutch slightly. Sub-frame bolts and diff bolts tend to get expensive to repair.

nitelyfe

I think he is more referring to getting the feel of the clutch down so he can optimize shifting efficiency. Its supposedly is unlike any clutch out there. Even different than his old car- 330i. I will give my opinion as soo as he lets me drive it... hint hint to Cyberhak

Right Chris?

roo97ss

I've been around for a while, but not a big poster. I've had my cls for 2 years. I can't comment on the e36 car, but I can comment on the s52 (3.2 240 HP motor) which is in my 00 M roadster that I just bought.

I've been into fast cars for a long time, a few mustangs, camaro, firebirds, etc. My last car was a 99 SS auto, running 12.9@109 very fast and solid, but nothing like the little roadster.

This cars turn in is fantastic, and the braking is great, and the gears are very close together and it pulls very well through all the gears.

This is clearly a fair bit quicker than the cls, which unfortunately is an auto, but with headers and cold air. Handling is not even comparable so forget about the back roads, and straight line, top of 3rd in the cls it kind of hangs, but is still falling back a bit.

The switchgear is better in the acura, interior better but this car is about driving, not riding. That's the impression i've gotten from the 3 series and 5 series cars i've driven...but owning one it's true....Drivers car, much moreso than the luxury sport coupe of the CL type S and even as much as the hulking camaro SS...recently departed.

Joe