Hi everyone -- new owner
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
I agree, although (to MBHustlas credit) the M3 is a better "driver's car" IMHO.....at least that was the impression I got after an hour long test drive when I was deciding which car to get (C43 or M3). To be honest, the build quality wasn't too bad, although the C43 is very nice in comparison. BUT....it just seems like kind of a dick comment to make to someone who is showing off their new car that they are proud of for the very first time.
I beg to differ with you concerning the quality of the E36M3. I know alot about the build quality of the E36 M3 from building them from head to toe and they just don't match up quality wise to the W202 C43. The metal and rear subframe issues with these cars are ridiculous. The rear subframe literally tears away from the suspension mounts as do the rear shock towers. Very bad job by BMW. I've been through it all. The Merc has an entirely diff setup with much bigger suspension parts. I know this from all the suspension wrk I've done with my car.
But you are both right the M3 is a joy to drive that is,when modded I find despite the suspension issues. It's a fragile car IMOP but the inline 6 is a joy
.
Last edited by ProjectC55; Dec 16, 2006 at 05:14 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
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1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
I agree, although (to MBHustlas credit) the M3 is a better "driver's car" IMHO.....at least that was the impression I got after an hour long test drive when I was deciding which car to get (C43 or M3). To be honest, the build quality wasn't too bad, although the C43 is very nice in comparison. BUT....it just seems like kind of a dick comment to make to someone who is showing off their new car that they are proud of for the very first time.
Union - It's a beautiful car you have and I wish I could have obtained mine with that low mileage, enjoy it and Merry Christmas to all!!!
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 3
From: Fallon, NV
BMW and Mercedes
LOL! Yea because the poster was talking about his C43!
I beg to differ with you concerning the quality of the E36M3. I know alot about the build quality of the E36 M3 from building them from head to toe and they just don't match up quality wise to the W202 C43. The metal and rear subframe issues with these cars are ridiculous. The rear subframe literally tears away from the suspension mounts as do the rear shock towers. Very bad job by BMW. I've been through it all. The Merc has an entirely diff setup with much bigger suspension parts. I know this from all the suspension wrk I've done with my car.
But you are both right the M3 is a joy to drive that is,when modded I find despite the suspension issues. It's a fragile car IMOP but the inline 6 is a joy .
I beg to differ with you concerning the quality of the E36M3. I know alot about the build quality of the E36 M3 from building them from head to toe and they just don't match up quality wise to the W202 C43. The metal and rear subframe issues with these cars are ridiculous. The rear subframe literally tears away from the suspension mounts as do the rear shock towers. Very bad job by BMW. I've been through it all. The Merc has an entirely diff setup with much bigger suspension parts. I know this from all the suspension wrk I've done with my car.
But you are both right the M3 is a joy to drive that is,when modded I find despite the suspension issues. It's a fragile car IMOP but the inline 6 is a joy
. Overall comparison, I obviously preferred the C43 enough to buy it (at a significant premium over the M3 notably), but they both have incredible engines in their own rites. E36 M3 just feels lightweight and fast...like a little go-cart, especially w/ the manual trans. Torque was unreal compared to what I expected....it is a "revvy" engine, but not overly so at all and the pull from a stop was fun every time. C43 just has an awesome throaty noise all the time, and is the perfect everyday in town driver. Always has tons of power available when you need it and doesn't need to go hunting for the right gear if traffic suddenly stops ahead and you need to jump around someone (for example). It lacks the sporting feel of the M3, but like was mentioned before, it is more refined and I believe the folks who buy them aren't looking for a track toy. That said, I can have plenty of fun on backroads and twisties/canyons with the gated shifter....just my .02 about the C43.
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 117
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From: Iowa
98 C43, 86 Porsche 951, 98 Volvo S70 T5M
Congrats on the new car. It is very nice and low miles. Great pick up. 
I too just bought a C43. Not as low miles, but it could pass for nearly new. Absolutely love the car so far. I miss having a trip computer, but the torque makes up for it.
As far as the drive by poster about the M3. I doubt he has ever driven a C43. M3s are nice cars and handle well. They are pretty fun. I was looking at getting one for a while and have driven a stock M3 and a fairly modded up M3. Neither had any torque to speek of. Both pulled ok when you revved them up really high, but at normal rpms they were nothing to write home about.
They wouldn't put you back in your seat like the C43 does. The M3 is more mystique than real capability to 90% of the people driving them. I guarantee unless you really know what you are doing you won't get even close to stock published times of an M3 0-60 or 1/4 mile. Those times are a "professional driver, closed track" kinda numbers. The average joe aint pulling them off. Not with any of the ones I drove. They just didn't seem that fast. I could be wrong because I've never tracked one, but they don't feel that impressively fast when driving them. Not compared to other cars I've owned. Ok, the modded M3 did have impressive top end, but still no torque. It also had more than a couple of mods done. It still doesn't compare to my 951 at all and I hear guys with M3s talking smack about taking on modded 951s.
I too just bought a C43. Not as low miles, but it could pass for nearly new. Absolutely love the car so far. I miss having a trip computer, but the torque makes up for it.
As far as the drive by poster about the M3. I doubt he has ever driven a C43. M3s are nice cars and handle well. They are pretty fun. I was looking at getting one for a while and have driven a stock M3 and a fairly modded up M3. Neither had any torque to speek of. Both pulled ok when you revved them up really high, but at normal rpms they were nothing to write home about.
They wouldn't put you back in your seat like the C43 does. The M3 is more mystique than real capability to 90% of the people driving them. I guarantee unless you really know what you are doing you won't get even close to stock published times of an M3 0-60 or 1/4 mile. Those times are a "professional driver, closed track" kinda numbers. The average joe aint pulling them off. Not with any of the ones I drove. They just didn't seem that fast. I could be wrong because I've never tracked one, but they don't feel that impressively fast when driving them. Not compared to other cars I've owned. Ok, the modded M3 did have impressive top end, but still no torque. It also had more than a couple of mods done. It still doesn't compare to my 951 at all and I hear guys with M3s talking smack about taking on modded 951s.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,475
Likes: 5
From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
Congrats on the new car. It is very nice and low miles. Great pick up.
I too just bought a C43. Not as low miles, but it could pass for nearly new. Absolutely love the car so far. I miss having a trip computer, but the torque makes up for it.
As far as the drive by poster about the M3. I doubt he has ever driven a C43. M3s are nice cars and handle well. They are pretty fun. I was looking at getting one for a while and have driven a stock M3 and a fairly modded up M3. Neither had any torque to speek of. Both pulled ok when you revved them up really high, but at normal rpms they were nothing to write home about.
They wouldn't put you back in your seat like the C43 does. The M3 is more mystique than real capability to 90% of the people driving them. I guarantee unless you really know what you are doing you won't get even close to stock published times of an M3 0-60 or 1/4 mile. Those times are a "professional driver, closed track" kinda numbers. The average joe aint pulling them off. Not with any of the ones I drove. They just didn't seem that fast. I could be wrong because I've never tracked one, but they don't feel that impressively fast when driving them. Not compared to other cars I've owned. Ok, the modded M3 did have impressive top end, but still no torque. It also had more than a couple of mods done. It still doesn't compare to my 951 at all and I hear guys with M3s talking smack about taking on modded 951s.
I too just bought a C43. Not as low miles, but it could pass for nearly new. Absolutely love the car so far. I miss having a trip computer, but the torque makes up for it.
As far as the drive by poster about the M3. I doubt he has ever driven a C43. M3s are nice cars and handle well. They are pretty fun. I was looking at getting one for a while and have driven a stock M3 and a fairly modded up M3. Neither had any torque to speek of. Both pulled ok when you revved them up really high, but at normal rpms they were nothing to write home about.
They wouldn't put you back in your seat like the C43 does. The M3 is more mystique than real capability to 90% of the people driving them. I guarantee unless you really know what you are doing you won't get even close to stock published times of an M3 0-60 or 1/4 mile. Those times are a "professional driver, closed track" kinda numbers. The average joe aint pulling them off. Not with any of the ones I drove. They just didn't seem that fast. I could be wrong because I've never tracked one, but they don't feel that impressively fast when driving them. Not compared to other cars I've owned. Ok, the modded M3 did have impressive top end, but still no torque. It also had more than a couple of mods done. It still doesn't compare to my 951 at all and I hear guys with M3s talking smack about taking on modded 951s.
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 117
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From: Iowa
98 C43, 86 Porsche 951, 98 Volvo S70 T5M
<thread jack>
The 951 is the Turbo model. Otherwise know as a 944 Turbo. I got used to calling it a 951 because the guys on the Volvo boards would think I was talking about a 940 4 door. :p
My 951 has (as far as I know) an Intake, MAS upgrade, Chip and Cat back. It hands down is faster than any E36 M3 I've ever been in. No experience with the E46 though. You punch the throttle and it plasters you back in the seat, HARD. You get to over 100 Mph fast and it will keep pulling even over 140.
</thread jack>
The 951 is the Turbo model.
Otherwise know as a 944 Turbo. I got used to calling it a 951 because the guys on the Volvo boards would think I was talking about a 940 4 door. :pMy 951 has (as far as I know) an Intake, MAS upgrade, Chip and Cat back. It hands down is faster than any E36 M3 I've ever been in. No experience with the E46 though. You punch the throttle and it plasters you back in the seat, HARD. You get to over 100 Mph fast and it will keep pulling even over 140.
</thread jack>
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,475
Likes: 5
From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
<thread jack>
The 951 is the Turbo model. Otherwise know as a 944 Turbo. I got used to calling it a 951 because the guys on the Volvo boards would think I was talking about a 940 4 door. :p
My 951 has (as far as I know) an Intake, MAS upgrade, Chip and Cat back. It hands down is faster than any E36 M3 I've ever been in. No experience with the E46 though. You punch the throttle and it plasters you back in the seat, HARD. You get to over 100 Mph fast and it will keep pulling even over 140.
</thread jack>
The 951 is the Turbo model.
Otherwise know as a 944 Turbo. I got used to calling it a 951 because the guys on the Volvo boards would think I was talking about a 940 4 door. :pMy 951 has (as far as I know) an Intake, MAS upgrade, Chip and Cat back. It hands down is faster than any E36 M3 I've ever been in. No experience with the E46 though. You punch the throttle and it plasters you back in the seat, HARD. You get to over 100 Mph fast and it will keep pulling even over 140.
</thread jack>
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
98 C43, 86 Porsche 951, 98 Volvo S70 T5M
To the OP Very nice car. Hope you are enjoying it as much as I am my new one.
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