Bobcat

How does the 240hp M3 compare to the GS400 in terms of speed, especially launching speed from a dead stop. What about the 330ci? Would they be disappointing in terms of engine power and performance after driving a GS for a year?

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

M3 will smoke a GS400. 330 is probably a close call - depends on the driver.

If you have no significant mods on your GS400, either Bimmer will feel HUGELY more capable in handling and steering accuracy and ability.

They're GREAT cars. My only problem with them is they feel pretty cramped for me.

Plus, M3's aren't known for great reliability after a couple of years.

Bobcat

bit ..

is that true for the pre-2001 M3?

in 2001 the engine got upgraded to 333 hp, prior to that, 99 and earlier, they had 240 hp. do you think a 240 hp version would smoke the GS? (I can't afford the newer ones).

kyle3481

i thought GS400/430 can hang with the pre2001 M3 pretty well isnt it? either on the high way or 0 to 60....any one can solve this confusion??

MrIan

From 0-60 M3's(pre2001 included) should be able to beat a GS4/430. But on the highway the GS should be able to hang with it.

ShowGSLuVv

Pre2001 M3's will beat a GS430/400, because my friend has an M3 and his brother has a GS400 though i've never witnessed them race, they told me that the M3 will get the GS400, and about differences in a 330CI, I raced one lastnight and I beat it every time except for once when I got a bad start, If someone who knows how to drive the triptronic shifting or whatever it's called, then it'll be a little closer race, but the GS will pull it on every gear, up to about 85 i was about 2 cars ahead of it

ShOwGS

RacingAristo

I had a 97 M3 and the best I could do it 5.5 seconds from 0-60 if I drop the clutch. But I'm not sure after 60 mph.... V8 may take over.

GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

tiptronic is nothing more than an auto-tranny with manual controls like the E-shift. It's not SMG, and it's not faster than just let the automatic do its job.

///MDex

FWIW, a slightly modded GS4xx will easily keep up and maybe beat a stock E36 M3 on typical city streets and highways - I've done it.

A slightly modded GS4xx will easily take a 330 on typical city streets and highways - I've done that too.

A slightly modded GS4xx should not loose as much face to an E46 M3 in similar situations. I'd love to run up against a new M3 from a light; I know I would be the underdog, but I'd like to see how close anyway.

With suspension mods, chances are even better in keeping even with a Ex6, but keep in mind, the GS is usually at a weight and always a size disadvantage.

The remaining comments by Bit hold true - they are great handling cars right out of the box. I am a previous E46 owner and could easily out maneuver a friends Camaro SS (and a lot of tother cars) on some curvy city steets, but he would rip me a new one in any kind of straight.

HTH

fever

Before I jacked with my intake and exhaust I took out an E36 M3 from 0-80. Hey, maybe he couldn't drive but after he went to second it was bye-bye.

ThemisN

I twice have raced an M3 , and both times they could not pull on me in my GS4. Those M3s will beat a GS4 to 60, as we have all experienced aggravation with its lag off the line....however the GS4's ability is in highway racing (60 mph+++)..ahh..how nice it is to have a v8. Both times the guys in the m3 saw me behind them and i noticed how they downshifted and got on it...i mashed the gas and that damn m3 wasnt goin anywhere! I personally wouldnt switch from a GS4 to a pre-2001 m3, but thats all you.

kyle3481

how about a GS430 with......LSD( RMM states it will shave off 0.4 s....0 to 60) and intake. Ltuned suspension/TRD sways/front/rear STB. how will it againt the M3? both previous and the new one

RacingAristo

I've seen so many new M3 and M5 lately in my area (Westwood). They have been trying to challenge me but with girlfriend next to me, I....... couldn't race with them.

M3 goes 4.6 seconds from 0-60. According to the number, most likely I'd lose.

M5.... it could be a tie from 0-60. If I trust the number from SRT, cut 0.5 second for TC and 0.3 second for intake/ecu, my GS (5.7 second, bone stock) would be running 4.9 seconds more or less(with lighter cat-back).

kyle3481

hey RacingAristo

i just got the RMM LSD 3.76 gearing, as RMM stated, it will shave off 0.4s 0 to 60......but wonder if it is true....i will be very happy if it can shave like 0.3 s.... do you think a GS430 with RMM LSD can hang with pre2001M3 0 to 60???

RacingAristo

From what I heard, LSD doesn't cut 0.4 second and it only helps at launch. Depends on the M3 driver. If he drops the clutch, tough call, he may win the race but not by much. Your GS will most likely catch up at high speed (thanks for the V8).

I raced with a new M3 before and won the race but I guess that guy didn't shift it right or something or is my car really that fast? haha.