drove E46 m3, then raced G35c in my S2000
11-11-2006, 06:28 PM
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drove E46 m3, then raced G35c in my S2000
Finally got to test drive my friend's E46 M3 tonight. He has a SSK so the shifts are very rigid and hard to do even though the throws are shorter. It was 95% highway and here are my thoughts:
The car is SMOOTH thoughout the powerband. And since my car is AP2, it was great to see the a 8k redline on the M3 as well. The car feels much heavier than mine, but the cornering and handling is nevertheless well balanced w/ lil body roll. It's no wonder everyone praise it as the benchmark because in everyday driving, you just can't find anything else that does well in just about every category. I never really get to push the car - in terms of redlining every gear. I had trouble getting into 3rd gear due to the SSK. For some reason, I miss it often because 3rd and 5th is vauge whereas the S2K gearbox is instant diagonal click on. But on the highway, I could be in 6th, press the gas, and the car still FLIES! that was the most impressive thing about the car, it was such a highway monster. also, the 3rd gear in M3 is VERY versatile, you can use it as the accleration gear, or a cruise gear around town. The last thing is that the car doesn't feel like it's going fast. I was cruising at 80 when it felt like 50. Impressive car indeed.
Here's what I didn't like about the car. Where's the passion? I didnt feel excitement - granted i didn't push it fully. But somewhere along the way I just didnt get that sense of FUN that I get when I'm in my car. The car feels GT for the most part and doesn't seem tossable - even though it handled every turn superbly. Of course, it all depnds on what you want. If it's a cruiser or daily driver or just an all around car, the M3 is the one. But since i'm in a quarter life crisis and prefer the top down fun car, I picked the S2K. I'm actually very happy tonight, because when I was buyin my car the only other choice other than the Boxster S was the M3. There is now no regrets. If right now is the end of time, and price/$ was not a factor and I have only a choice between a S2000 and a M3 I'd have to pick the S2000 for the fun factor. It doesn't mean the S2K is more of a car. Not at all. It just means I'm happy with the car that fits my needs.
After I got back into my car on the way home. A G35coupe w/ music blasting came up next to me egging me on. Started revving on me even when there was a ton of traffic ahead of both of us. I just wanted to ignore him because I've been driving a G35C all summer and knows what it can do. Yet this guy won't leave me alone it seems. So he finally signs for a right turn and i knew it was a wide open road w/ a bit of a curve at places so I decided to follow him in. I rev-match downshift to 2nd and is on his tail after the turn. In fact I almost rear ended him and had to lift throttle. I get into the left passing lane after we both get on it and just pulled on him the entire time. It was really surprising how easily I was able to gain on him and move ahead because I had played Golf earlier and had a bag full of clubs with another bag in the back. My car felt heavy and yet it easily beat the G35c.
It's not much of a story but it was a good night of fun driving.
The car is SMOOTH thoughout the powerband. And since my car is AP2, it was great to see the a 8k redline on the M3 as well. The car feels much heavier than mine, but the cornering and handling is nevertheless well balanced w/ lil body roll. It's no wonder everyone praise it as the benchmark because in everyday driving, you just can't find anything else that does well in just about every category. I never really get to push the car - in terms of redlining every gear. I had trouble getting into 3rd gear due to the SSK. For some reason, I miss it often because 3rd and 5th is vauge whereas the S2K gearbox is instant diagonal click on. But on the highway, I could be in 6th, press the gas, and the car still FLIES! that was the most impressive thing about the car, it was such a highway monster. also, the 3rd gear in M3 is VERY versatile, you can use it as the accleration gear, or a cruise gear around town. The last thing is that the car doesn't feel like it's going fast. I was cruising at 80 when it felt like 50. Impressive car indeed.
Here's what I didn't like about the car. Where's the passion? I didnt feel excitement - granted i didn't push it fully. But somewhere along the way I just didnt get that sense of FUN that I get when I'm in my car. The car feels GT for the most part and doesn't seem tossable - even though it handled every turn superbly. Of course, it all depnds on what you want. If it's a cruiser or daily driver or just an all around car, the M3 is the one. But since i'm in a quarter life crisis and prefer the top down fun car, I picked the S2K. I'm actually very happy tonight, because when I was buyin my car the only other choice other than the Boxster S was the M3. There is now no regrets. If right now is the end of time, and price/$ was not a factor and I have only a choice between a S2000 and a M3 I'd have to pick the S2000 for the fun factor. It doesn't mean the S2K is more of a car. Not at all. It just means I'm happy with the car that fits my needs.
After I got back into my car on the way home. A G35coupe w/ music blasting came up next to me egging me on. Started revving on me even when there was a ton of traffic ahead of both of us. I just wanted to ignore him because I've been driving a G35C all summer and knows what it can do. Yet this guy won't leave me alone it seems. So he finally signs for a right turn and i knew it was a wide open road w/ a bit of a curve at places so I decided to follow him in. I rev-match downshift to 2nd and is on his tail after the turn. In fact I almost rear ended him and had to lift throttle. I get into the left passing lane after we both get on it and just pulled on him the entire time. It was really surprising how easily I was able to gain on him and move ahead because I had played Golf earlier and had a bag full of clubs with another bag in the back. My car felt heavy and yet it easily beat the G35c.
It's not much of a story but it was a good night of fun driving.
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