View Full Version : The sportiest BMW?
Masskrug
10-21-2003, 02:04 PM
IYHO, What is the sportiest 1. current model, and 2. any model, BMW (4wheels)?
Me:
1. Z4, hands down. Definitely the most chuckable and lithe.
2. Dunno, I haven't driven enough old Bimmers to give an educated opinion.
1. Sportiest? There isn't a question as they only make one sports car currently- the CSL.
2. Ever? The E30 M3.
dredmo
10-21-2003, 02:19 PM
Newest CSL gets my vote, but if we are talking affordable, the Z4.
Nick M3
10-21-2003, 02:32 PM
The Z4 has the best chassis, but the E46 M3 is the sportiest OVERALL PACKAGE.
There isn't a question as they only make one sports car currently- the CSL.
Z4 isn't a sports car :dunno:
Currently: CSL, no doubt is the most focused sports car. In the US, Z4 3.0L.
ever? I dunno, there are a lot of candidates. 3.0 CSL, and M1 come to mind. The E46 CSL is probably the most capable, and may be the most intense...
clyde
10-21-2003, 02:40 PM
There isn't a question as they only make one sports car currently- the CSL.
Z4 isn't a sports car :dunno:
The Z series cars are the only sports cars that BMW has made in recent memory. The CSL doesn't qualify. As capable as it may be, it's not a sports a car. It's something else.
The HACK
10-21-2003, 02:40 PM
Current? Define sporty and define the market. There are a lot of models we can't get here in the U.S. that's "sporty".
Ever? Big Mac.
I'd include the Z4 and M Coupe but not the Z3.
Mathew
10-21-2003, 02:41 PM
3.0 CSL, and M1 come to mind. The E46 CSL is probably the most capable, and may be the most intense...
Ditto
The M1, out of the box, wasn't that stellar of a performer
No idea what "sportiest" means.
If "sportiest" just means "highest performing," the current M3 is clearly the sportiest current BMW. The CSL is the most extreme version, but the "base" M3 is "sportier" than anything else, including the Z4.
If "sportiest" includes some sort of ineffable qualities like 2 seats or convertible, the Z4 might inch into the lead. But the Z4 is a 2 seat, convertible 330, not a 2 seat, convertible M3, so if 2 seat and convertible aren't relevant, the M3 takes it.
The HACK
10-21-2003, 03:32 PM
Well, judging from the responses on the 3er board, I'd have to say The ZHP as the most sporty now and ever. :lol:
No offense to those of you with ZHPs, I know how easily you can be offended. :twisted:
1. M3 CSL
2. E30 M3. I owned a '87 E30 325is. What a blast to drive!
lemming
10-21-2003, 05:56 PM
dammit.
i want to know, if anyone can find one, a time for the Z4 3.0 on the nurburgring by BMW test drivers.
until i know that:
the E46 CSL for both #1 and #2.
Masskrug
10-21-2003, 07:55 PM
Hmm, I guess I forgot that BMW is actually making the CSL. I've never driven one, probably never will, so I can't really comment.
I've never driven an E30M3 either, just lots of E30's. I hope to get a chance one day.
For those voting M1, have you ever driven it? That'd be cool if you did!
As for the word "sporty", it is definitely an elusive word to define:
The E46 M3 is too isolated and the sense of mass is hard to overcome, even with all that HP and torque. The Z4 just seems more immediate to me, more responsive to weight shift, more sensory.
Please add your definition of "sporty" to your responses!
lemming
10-22-2003, 05:10 PM
the benchmark for the CSL was/is the 996 GT3.
and i think they surpassed the standard, to be honest with you.
3.0 CSL was kindda fun to drive... But the original engine blew up and Terry put a weaker engine in it... it had the 1st gear at the bottom left...
http://gallery.andrewng.com/albums/AustinBimmer/113_1305_IMG.sized.jpg
gek330i
10-22-2003, 07:47 PM
E30M3(?)
http://motoyen.com/media/albums/pictures/Sport_EVO.jpg
Chris330Ci
10-22-2003, 10:04 PM
We didn't clarify US availability nor street legal. ;)
1. http://www.bmw.com/common/images/products/automobiles/m/csl/download_04_832-624.jpg
2. http://www.highresautoimages.com/bmw/m3gtr25.jpg
Current sportiest car would have to be the M3, although I hear the Z4's handling is superb. It depends on how you define "sports car," but if your intent is to go to the track, autocross, or Nurburgring, I would pick an M3 8 days out of 10 and an M5 for the other two.
BMW's sportiest car of all time? That's a toughie. For all practical purposes, the answer is definitely the E30 M3. What a fockin' unbelievable machine. Once could successfully argue that the M1 is sportier, but it unfortunately suffered from a somewhat bastardized upbringing and never fully realized its potential. The M3, on the other hand, remains one of the most feared cars of all time. Awesome. :)
Bruce330cic
10-22-2003, 11:34 PM
Sportiest is the 330 cic.... :smile:
lemming
10-23-2003, 10:21 AM
well: my "standard" is how cars lap the nurburgring because not only will that bring out HP, but handling, and weight.
the stock E46M3 is faster than the gruppe N e30M3 1100kg car around the 'ring and the CSL is a sub-8minute car.
that tells me as well as the e30m3 handles, that the e46M3 handles well and has a better power to weight ratio as well as a flatter power curve. the bar is sliding to the far right and the new M3, love it, hate it, or neutral on it, is one of the finest cars BMW has ever made for street and for the track (in PTG V8 guise).
http://www.nordschleife.no/
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