STI or M3?
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: COMPTON,CA
C32
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.
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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Joined: Nov 2001
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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.
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.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
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.
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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Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 37
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From: San Juan, Puerto Rico
W203 C320 Wagon
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!!!
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!!!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
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C320 Coupe
Originally posted by Jon200
Keep the coupe and buy the STi, that way you have a comfy cruiser and a land rocket.....
Keep the coupe and buy the STi, that way you have a comfy cruiser and a land rocket.....
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: san francisco
C32
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.
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.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 218
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From: Ohio
'02 C230K
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.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 37
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From: San Juan, Puerto Rico
W203 C320 Wagon
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
Leo
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
Leo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: COMPTON,CA
C32
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.
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.
