C5 vs M3 question on handling
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Franklin IN
Originally Posted by donkeykong
I disagree with your entire statement. You can't say upgrade the suspension, gears and tires and then race a stock M3. That's the same mentality that ricers say in regards to our beloved Corvette. "My Civic would have won if it had a turbo charger on it."
You have to compare stock vs. stock. In 1997 Car & Driver rated the E36 M3 "The best handling car at any price." That was head to head with the C5, NSX, 911, Ferrari 355 and Viper. The car is hardly a pushover. Stock vs. stock the Corvette was defeated along with the other exotics. We can love the C5 but it can't win in every department, but it sure can compete however.
Johnny
You have to compare stock vs. stock. In 1997 Car & Driver rated the E36 M3 "The best handling car at any price." That was head to head with the C5, NSX, 911, Ferrari 355 and Viper. The car is hardly a pushover. Stock vs. stock the Corvette was defeated along with the other exotics. We can love the C5 but it can't win in every department, but it sure can compete however.
Johnny
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
Originally Posted by C5~Missle
Totally disagree... and so do the BMW folks... just go over to the bimmerforums and see... They have great respect for the C5 especially the Z06. The Z06 has a better chassis, full frame not unibody like BMW.
No struts on the vette and the suspension is far superior to the BMW.
lower center of gravity, etc.. so many advantages over the BMW.
Life in the vette begins at 100mph... much better designed for speed than the M3... sorry.. you need to learn to how drive the vette a bit better...
No struts on the vette and the suspension is far superior to the BMW.
lower center of gravity, etc.. so many advantages over the BMW.
Life in the vette begins at 100mph... much better designed for speed than the M3... sorry.. you need to learn to how drive the vette a bit better...
yep I have no idea what i'm talking about ..
tell ya what, you find me a thread on a respected BMW forum where it CLEARLY says a c5 is superior
2004 C5 vs. 2004 M3
btw. what year is your son's m3?
Last edited by Neablas; Feb 4, 2005 at 07:37 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by 86IROCZ
Speaking to a guy at work who has owned various cars. He went on to saying that the best car he has driven in regards to handling has been the M3 je said that it handled way better then a C5 vette.
Now I found that a bit hard to believe that the M3 would kill it so badly in that department. So the question is would anyone who has driven both care to comment?
Now I found that a bit hard to believe that the M3 would kill it so badly in that department. So the question is would anyone who has driven both care to comment?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by C5~Missle
I get to drive my son's M3 and I have been to BMW driving school. The BMW is very well balanced and easy to drive fast. The M3 feels easier to drive to its limits... but once the limit is reached, it becomes a handful.
The C5 is a bit more work to drive to its limit than the M3... but when pushed to its limits, its more predictable.
The C5 is a bit more work to drive to its limit than the M3... but when pushed to its limits, its more predictable.
I've heard this often - that the "M3 is easy to drive fast" through turns, particularlly on roadcourses.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by EnglandGreen
I disagree.
Update your suspension, gearing and change your tires and you'll sing a totally different song.
The C5 is almost 50/50 front/rear balanced and is very easy to slide the front, rear or all 4 tires in the hands of a good driver.
The M3 - for all it's hype, is a sedan first and a "sports" car second. The inline 6 does not have the torque of your C5 or the horsepower.
I'll take a C5 any day and mod the suspension/gears/tires and blow any M3 (even a modded one) out of the water at any speed on any course.
2 cents deposited.
EG
Update your suspension, gearing and change your tires and you'll sing a totally different song.
The C5 is almost 50/50 front/rear balanced and is very easy to slide the front, rear or all 4 tires in the hands of a good driver.
The M3 - for all it's hype, is a sedan first and a "sports" car second. The inline 6 does not have the torque of your C5 or the horsepower.
I'll take a C5 any day and mod the suspension/gears/tires and blow any M3 (even a modded one) out of the water at any speed on any course.
2 cents deposited.
EG
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Paras
I think that the comparison would have to take into account the type of suspension on the Vette. There's a significant difference between the FE1 suspension and Z51 suspension. From my experience, I haven't found switching to non-runflats making that much of a difference...
When I got rid of my Runcraps, I first tried the S02'S. They were so much better. But at someones recommendation, I swapped them out on a 30 day satisfaction guarantee progam for BFG-KD's and then were we talking about a whole differemt ball game when it comes to cornering.
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Brett Foote
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 1
From: San Bruno Ca
I've, personally have not driven the M3, but I have personally spanked ALL I've ever ran into. Turns or straights.
Could be B.S. huh..... I've posted many kills on videos, so talk is cheap. This guy needs to get behind the wheel and show me.
My car and driver mag says:
2003 M-3 VS 2001 standard C-5
Braking @70 161 ft. 162ft.
Skid pad .87 .92
1/4 mi. 13.6 13.1
gas mileage 16 av 23 av
taken from C&D May 2004.
Could be B.S. huh..... I've posted many kills on videos, so talk is cheap. This guy needs to get behind the wheel and show me.
My car and driver mag says:
2003 M-3 VS 2001 standard C-5
Braking @70 161 ft. 162ft.
Skid pad .87 .92
1/4 mi. 13.6 13.1
gas mileage 16 av 23 av
taken from C&D May 2004.
Last edited by Scubanme; Feb 4, 2005 at 08:04 PM. Reason: wanted to add info
