Speaking of torque (i.e. no wonder the E90/92 M3 is so fast...)

[John V]

Originally Posted by ff

Agree, great thread.

John, do you have the graphs and calculations set up in Excel (or something similar)? It might be interesting to let people plug in values for other cars. Not that I would want you to do the work, but if we could leverage the work you did from another webpage here at 'mudgeons? Just a thought.

Sure. See attached. it isn't pretty, and isn't necessarily intuitive either... but anyone with a basic knowledge of spreadsheets can figure it out.

[FC]

Originally Posted by John V

I did a quick calculation of the area under the torque curve for each engine. From 1,000 RPM to 6800 RPM for the Z06 and from 1000 RPM to 8400 RPM for the M3. The total area is shockingly close. The Z06 has 0.7% more total area under the curve than the M3.

I expected as much due to the higher redline and flat torque cruve.

[ff]

Originally Posted by John V

Sure. See attached. it isn't pretty, and isn't necessarily intuitive either... but anyone with a basic knowledge of spreadsheets can figure it out.

Cool, I'll see what I can put together. A web page, or mini-site perhaps. Thanks!

[FC]

I would love to see an E46 330i ZHP vs non-ZHP comparo, given all the comments regarding how little performance value the pkg offered.

[rumatt]

Originally Posted by FC

I would love to see an E46 330i ZHP vs non-ZHP comparo, given all the comments regarding how little performance value the pkg offered.

You can start with this

It was when I was comparing the impact of changing the E46 rear diff

You could toss in a modified torque curve pretty easily.

[rumatt]

Whoops... looks like the spreadsheet link is down... Oh well, not sure I have it any more.

[JST]

Check the reviews of the first e36 M3s--even the "real" EU versions were widely acknowledged to be GTs, rather than the rough edged homologation specials that the first ones were.

FWIW, I think the weight gain from e30 to e36 was at least as much as the gain from e36 to e46 or from e46 to e90.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by stuka

The real E36 M3 weighs about 3100 pounds, has a 333HP motor, 6 gear, NO TRACTION CONTROL, and a stiffer suspension, with Aluminum door, hood, and trunk skins.

Doesn't sound that GT to me.

I still want one, if only OBD-II didn't stand in the way.

The "real" E36 M3 was never sold here, so it may as well have never existed.

The Real-Real E36 M3 that was sold here had a list of standard "comfort features" that included:

[quote 1995 M3 Window Sticker]
-Air Conditioning with separate left and right temperature controls, recirculating function and anti-dust, bacteria, pollen and smoke microfilter

-BMW audio system: AM/FM stereo tuner with auto-reverse cassette deck; 250 watt amplifier with 10 high-performance speakers

-Electric central locking system with double lock

-Electric front windows with one-touch operation

-Split Fold down rear seats

-LCD digital quartz clock with outside temperature display[/quote]

Sounds GT to me.

[zach]

Originally Posted by clyde

-BMW audio system: AM/FM stereo tuner with auto-reverse cassette deck; 250 watt amplifier with 10 high-performance speakers

250 watts of muddled mid-range.

[lemming]

Originally Posted by clyde

The "real" E36 M3 was never sold here, so it may as well have never existed.

The Real-Real E36 M3 that was sold here had a list of standard "comfort features" that included:

[quote 1995 M3 Window Sticker]
-Air Conditioning with separate left and right temperature controls, recirculating function and anti-dust, bacteria, pollen and smoke microfilter

-BMW audio system: AM/FM stereo tuner with auto-reverse cassette deck; 250 watt amplifier with 10 high-performance speakers

-Electric central locking system with double lock

-Electric front windows with one-touch operation

-Split Fold down rear seats

-LCD digital quartz clock with outside temperature display

Sounds GT to me.[/quote]



on the one hand, that's what makes the M3 so appealing.

my lesson from M in the past is that i'd rather be more low key and frugal on the daily drive and find something a little more focused for the fun days.