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C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

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Old 11-19-2003, 02:44 PM   #1
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STI or M3?

i've been contimplating if i should sell my 2002 C230 and buy a new 2004 M3 SMG or keep it and buy a new 2004 STI,what do u guys think?
And as most of you know,i have a pulley,sways,eibach springs,and c32 brakes and wheels on my coupe,so not your ordinar coupe if u know what i mean.
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Old 11-19-2003, 02:47 PM   #2
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Get the 2004 BMW M3.
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Old 11-19-2003, 02:49 PM   #3
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You should sell the car and sell all the mods to me
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Old 11-19-2003, 02:55 PM   #4
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Get used clean C32 below 40 K ! you blow doors off of STI and M3!!!!
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Old 11-19-2003, 03:07 PM   #5
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I got to make two runs at an autocross last Saturday in an Sti. The thing is absolutely amazing. You might want to test a Lancer Evo VIII, also.

If I were making your choice, I would keep the coupe and buy either the Soobie or the Mitsu. Spend a few hundred on the Sti and it will make 300 hp at the wheels.
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Old 11-19-2003, 03:21 PM   #6
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depends on which you think would be cost worthy. I know that the insurance fee for the 3-series has always be high, not just the M3's.

I personally vote for the M3, but if that's gonna be your commuter car I suggest you keep the current and get the STi or the EVO8. Two hours riding in my friend's 02 SMG on the freeway almost made me puke, ride's too harsh.
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Old 11-19-2003, 03:29 PM   #7
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I would get the M3 just because they don't completely self destruct on impact. Secondly, check the subie forums, WRX and STIs are the hottest item on the stolen car market right now....
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Old 11-19-2003, 06:17 PM   #8
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This again, the STi is turning out to be a major pain to mod. Not as reliable as the older STi's.
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Old 11-20-2003, 08:46 AM   #9
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Keep the coupe and buy the STi, that way you have a comfy cruiser and a land rocket.....
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Old 11-20-2003, 03:35 PM   #10
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I would go with the M3, although the STi can be fun.
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Old 11-20-2003, 06:04 PM   #11
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this thread is worthless since it isn't a poll.
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Old 11-20-2003, 06:05 PM   #12
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btw, i pick M3. get it before they make it ugly too.
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Old 11-20-2003, 08:59 PM   #13
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I'm a Supermod over at Nasioc.com which is THE LARGEST Subaru site this side of the ocean and maybee of europe as well.

There have been close to 0 reports of stolen STi's. Wish I could say the same about the Evo which you can use the stolen engine in a regular Mirage, Lancer, Eclipse, Galant. You don't need stolen cars when almost every other vendor imports whole STi drivetrains from Japan

To mod, it is as easy as the WRX as the parts(most of them) are interchanchable (header, up-pipe, down-pipe, most of the exhausts, intakes) The only part still not out but in testing as we speak is the piggyback ECU called Utec from TurboXS (www.turboxs.com)

My other car (02 WRX) is close to stage 4 and at stage 4 you can keep up with an almost stock STi. When Moded, the STi is a true beast.

Brakes are the same as the evo but the Subie has a bulletproof tranny, DCCD (driver controled center diferential)

Now, if it's for comute, get the STi. If you are going to Auto-X or Solo-X two times or more a month, get the Evo (whigh is hader, stiffer ride for a commuter.

And about the comment about getting an C32 and blowing the doors off a STi :p

My car, still with stock turbo will beat M3's, C32's, beat an NST at top speed and even out with a new Carrera 4S. Once turbo is upgraded it's a whole new ball game.

Don't get me wrong C32's and M3's are wonderfull cars but the bargain for the buck is with the STi/Evo. I would love a C32/M3 as a third car cuz Subaru is my first.

Can't beat AWD!!!
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Old 11-20-2003, 09:35 PM   #14
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m3 anyday
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Old 11-20-2003, 10:51 PM   #15
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Originally posted by Jon200
Keep the coupe and buy the STi, that way you have a comfy cruiser and a land rocket.....
This option gets my vote. I had an 84 Subie GL wagon. Horribly engineered, but it held up well in the head-on with a much larger car.
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Old 11-21-2003, 12:36 AM   #16
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Old 11-21-2003, 01:56 AM   #17
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Leonardo pretty much drove the point home IMHO.

Various magazines across the globe (i.e. C & D, Road & Track, Best Car) stated that the Lan EVO is a better handler than the STi, which is most likely true given its lighter weight and more aggressive suspension setup. However, the US model actually is missing several components compared to its Japanese counterpart.

The US Spec STi has a 2.5 liter engine mated to a 6 speed which gives it a decisive advantage over Lan EVO in a straight line. From my understanding, no one else gets the 2.5 liter engine but correct me if I am wrong.

Price difference is about 2 grand....

STi would be my choice

The M3? If you want better styling and the prestige of a German name.
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Old 11-21-2003, 05:27 AM   #18
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Get used clean C32 below 40 K ! you blow doors off of STI and M3!!!!
A C32 AMG "blowing the doors off a M3?" Right.
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Old 11-21-2003, 05:27 AM   #19
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Get used clean C32 below 40 K ! you blow doors off of STI and M3!!!!
A C32 AMG "blowing the doors off a M3?" Right.
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Old 11-21-2003, 05:29 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally posted by Kain
A C32 AMG "blowing the doors off a M3?" Right.
come back when you've driven both...or should I say when you get a license.

kids these days...
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Old 11-21-2003, 05:44 AM   #21
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A C32 AMG "blowing the doors off a M3?" Right.
Still here?

e46fanatics is the site for you. You can bash MB 24/7 and get lots of respect for doing so as well.
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Old 11-21-2003, 06:45 AM   #22
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Why move down?

That's like trading a Maserati for a Corvette...
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Old 11-21-2003, 08:02 AM   #23
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Check out an autox, like Lynn, the STIs are way cool. There were 2 new Evos (stock) at the last Autox , they both understeered excessively. Subi got the WRC driver champ this year. Never been an M3 fan, especially after the warranty expires. For 50k I'd go for a used SL. SL prices on the previous body, 2nd gen., are now in that range. At least drive an SL before you decide, at high speed it is fantastic.
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Old 11-21-2003, 09:56 AM   #24
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Ultraseven, you are correct, we are the only ones to get the 2.5t

Forgot to mention, last weekend we had our road race (SCCA) and there were 3 M3's, 2 Evos, 1 Z06 Vette and 1 STi amongst others. The vette blew the engine and the victory overall went to the STi prepped for the race with only a weeks notice, riding on cheap Progress springs, Turbo back exhausr, and a fuel regulator.

Then came the M3's, Porsches and the rest. Evos were out of the top 5.

That should help ya decide! An STi with bolt-ons against better tuned cars.

Rick, it's not stepping down if you keep the add MB and the STi as a second car:p As I've don with the WRX and the MB

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Old 11-21-2003, 10:44 AM   #25
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I thank everybody for there replies,i went and drove,many cars in the last few days,but all in all it still comes down to the M3 and STI.
The M3 is a gorgeous looking car with the stock 19's,and has a faboulous engine to boot,but i'd rather keep my Benz,and get an STI the car is a rocket,and i would have a coupe with an auto,and a small sedan with a manny AWD.Two entirley different cars for the price of the one M3.
Does anyone know what are the simple mods for the STI?besides exuast,blow off values,and suspension,and replacing the turbo guys is out of the question,someone said u could spend a few hundred dollars and get 300 hp to the wheels,how is that as there r no chips with enough R&D.
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Old 11-21-2003, 10:44 AM
 
 
 
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