BMW E46 M3 vs RS4 V8 @ Bedford 28/2/11

[sonny]

There are a lot of members on here that own the e46 M3 aswell as the RS4 (think I can name 4). The way you introduced yourself and the video did not do you any favours imho. If you would have posted the video with a good debate/chat than this thread would have ended up better than it did, alas. As mentioned on the thread elsewhere it is how the car is being driven, I have passed many M3 on track and have had M3s pass me on the track. SIMPLE, down to driving skill at the end of the day.
Regarding weight M4 is what around 1400kg, RS4 Saloon is around 1700kg iirc.

[SR71]

I haven't even watched the video but I was struck recently by the recent Top Gear shootout between the M3 and RS5.

Now I'm sure the Stig could have lapped a bit quicker in the RS5 than JC but even in the wet the M3 was quicker than an all-singing, all-dancing, torque vectoring 4WD system in a RS5.

In addition I've always been curious about the fastestlaps wet times for the 997 GT3(RS) which is about the only car that can beat the RS4 in the wet, but, again, is a 2WD car.

The great thing about the RS4, though, is the confidence it engenders when driving at 9/10's, which means that even on the road, you can exploit the performance. In contrast, the M3 driver will be on the ragged edge, with every hedge getting progressively more and more menacing.

My neighbour had a CSL and he frightened himself silly in it one day in the wet. That said, in the dry at the track, that car is sublime.

[XKaLiBaR]

There are a lot of members on here that own the e46 M3 aswell as the RS4 (think I can name 4). The way you introduced yourself and the video did not do you any favours imho. If you would have posted the video with a good debate/chat than this thread would have ended up better than it did, alas. As mentioned on the thread elsewhere it is how the car is being driven, I have passed many M3 on track and have had M3s pass me on the track. SIMPLE, down to driving skill at the end of the day.
Regarding weight M4 is what around 1400kg, RS4 Saloon is around 1700kg iirc.

M3 weighs 1550kgs. CSL weighs around 1400kgs, depending on what options have been added, like air con, xenon lights, stereo system etc. Currently, mine weighs 1500kgs.
A standard RS4 vs an e46 M3 will anhilate the M3 on the straight. But Evolve Automotives have a new remap, which brings the E46 on par with the RS4 and the E92 M3. Its neck and neck vs the E92 in a straight line, with this remap from evolve. Id like to meet an RS4 in the dry again, to see the improvement.

[Scotty]

I've got a video on me passing an E46 at Castle Combe ..... when I was in a TT. On the way down there he opened gaps all the time on the motorway.

It just doesn't prove much.

Not sure why people post such stuff on t'internet rather than "Was this anyone on here? It was fun playing together <thumbs>".

[psg001]

all figures from EVO

RS4 saloon - 1650kg, 255 bhp / tonne
E92 M3 coupe - 1655kg, 254 bhp / tonne
E46 M3 coupe - 1570kg, 219 bhp / tonne
E46 M3 CSL - 1385kg, 255 bhp / tonne

the CSL is hampered by the SMG automatic transmission, would have been much better with a manual.

I dont think the standard E46 M3 with remap (N/A engine, remap, even with cats and exhaust will struggle to yield much more power. your claimed improvements were only 20bhp over stock) will contend with the E92 M3 or B7 RS4 in a straight line. The CSL would with a manual box.

i've had an E46 M3 for the last 8yrs, there IS a significant palpable difference especially in a straight line, the RS4 pulls much harded especially above 80mph and is so much more secure in the corners.

[Scotty]

I can tell from that pic that you're a BMW driver too

[XKaLiBaR]

the CSL is hampered by the SMG automatic transmission, would have been much better with a manual.

I dont think the standard E46 M3 with remap (N/A engine, remap, even with cats and exhaust will struggle to yield much more power. your claimed improvements were only 20bhp over stock) will contend with the E92 M3 or B7 RS4 in a straight line. The CSL would with a manual box.

i've had an E46 M3 for the last 8yrs, there IS a significant palpable difference especially in a straight line, the RS4 pulls much harded especially above 80mph and is so much more secure in the corners.

I wish they would of made the CSL with a manual box, as i get sick of CSL drivers thinking they are gods of the track, as they do not have to waste time learning about changing gear and heel and toe.

Mate, get the evolve remap on your car, and you will see what i mean. The car is night and day with the remap. The exhaust doesnt do much for the M3.

[neckarsulm]

as i get sick of CSL drivers thinking they are gods of the track

" "

[ARSEY4]

I haven't even watched the video but I was struck recently by the recent Top Gear shootout between the M3 and RS5.

Now I'm sure the Stig could have lapped a bit quicker in the RS5 than JC but even in the wet the M3 was quicker than an all-singing, all-dancing, torque vectoring 4WD system in a RS5.

The footage of JC versus the stig is edited to give good shots for the programme, you cant get an accurate picture of how a race would pan out from the TG footage. On several shots the dstances were different so wipe that one from the slate and ignore as a source from which to comment. The Undertseering shots of the RS5 were just ridiculous, however the two laps performed by the stig in the wet were very interesting. I would never have have thought the M3 would be quicker in the wet and would love to hear the stigs comments about why it panned out that way. Either TG are in BMWs pockets or the RS5 is a dog on the track.In any case both are lovely cars so all this tagger waving is nonsense. Mind you with some RS cars falling into the twenties you are going to attract the chavs!

[ArthurPE]

I didnt realise RS4s weighed 2000kgs? Thats a very old video, hence the camera phone stuck to the back of the rear view mirror lol. I didnt have my recaros then, i did have aftermarket suspension, but one of them was leaking, I didnt have the remap (which is why he pulled on me slightly on the straight and i believe I was on Michelin PS2s in that, so yeah, sport tyres.

they don't weigh 4400 lbs (2000 kg)
they weigh ~3850 euro/3950 US
M3 3350/3400

500 lb difference...your math skills ~ the same driving skills :smiley face:

[adsgreen]

Ive driven the dunsfold track and it does flatter lighter cars

[XKaLiBaR]

I didnt realise RS4s weighed 2000kgs? Thats a very old video, hence the camera phone stuck to the back of the rear view mirror lol. I didnt have my recaros then, i did have aftermarket suspension, but one of them was leaking, I didnt have the remap (which is why he pulled on me slightly on the straight and i believe I was on Michelin PS2s in that, so yeah, sport tyres.

they don't weigh 4400 lbs (2000 kg)
they weigh ~3850 euro/3950 US
M3 3350/3400

500 lb difference...your math skills ~ the same driving skills :smiley face:

Ahh that makes more sense. In uk we deal in kgs, not in lbs.

[PetrolDave]

In uk we deal in kgs, not in lbs.

You youngsters might deal in kg, but I was brought up with lbs and they still make more sense to me than kg.

If someone says to me "x is 50mm long" I have to translate that into 2 inches before I can visualise how big x is.

I was also brought up with £sd not this new fangled decimal £p currency!

[Scotty]

hehehehe new fangled = just over 40 years ago

[aligod78]

353bhp? Not too shabby, must say. Would be all over me on a track for sure. But just wondering, how good did it feel, after what happened with the blue one? Good I'm guessing, lol. So, whose is the 2nd RS4, or indeed the blue one?