NA-1

The BMW saleman told me M5 is actually faster than the E46 M3, but I kinda doubt that since M3 is about 500lb. lighter.

lvs2k

M5 has 394 hp and weighs 4024 ibs. versus M3 at 333 hp and 3400+ lbs. power to weight ratio is slightly better in the M5, but still probably a toss up.

Jay Li

I've read that BMW has said the M3 is supposed to be the faster car...maybe the gearing in the M3 allows for better acceleration.

loft846

hey NA-1~
the dealer said that M5 is more furious, n fast!

nvmys2k

M5 will smoke the M3. In addition, M5 has 368 lb-ft of torque comparing to 262 lb-ft of torque for the M3. Last but not least, M5 can do 13.7 sec in 1/4 mile. And of course, M5 would break your bank much quicker than the M3.

Scot

I think the M3 is touted as "the fasted M car ever". It has the same rating to Sixty (4.8 seconds I think) as the M5.

Gearing and lighter weight make up for it's reduced torque (in comparision to the M5).

Both are pretty damn fast.

Scot

nvmys2k - M5's do low 13's...MT got a 13.0 on their sloped track (that is also the same track that got our S2000 down to a 13.8)

lanbrown

The fastest doing what? Around a track the M3 would really shine, but the extra power in the M5 will make it better in a straight line.

Lance

Bernie

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lanbrown
[B]The fastest doing what?

flava

nope. The E46 M3 is faster 0-60, albeit slightly, but the M5 is faster at higher speeds with the huge amounts of torque. Jay Li is right, the gearing has A LOT to do with it. BMW does state that the M3 is the "most accelerative BMW ever."

this is a hot topic on the M3 board. do a search at http://forums.roadfly.com/bmw/e46m3/ and see what comes up.

Bernie

[QUOTE]Originally posted by flava
[B]nope.