How does my car compare to a stock BMW M3 coupe on a roadcoarse or autox?
 

Just wondering. Just how much better are they. All I have for suspension mods are: 275/40-17" Goodyear F1 GS-D3 tires on 17x9" SS rims, 35mm Front Sway bar, Bilstein HD shocks, and sub frame connectors, and the power level in my sig (about 320 hp and 355 tq at the flywheel) compared to the 2004 BMW M3 Coupe
> 333 hp @ 7900 rpm, 262 lb-ft. torque @ 4900 rpm
> 0-60 4.8 sec.
> 3100 lbs.

Assuming equal drivers, what are your experiences racing against the BMW M3's?

There is one that I see on my way to work all the time and I've wondered how I would stack up.

Thanks,
Dan

I hope we're not talking about street racing. If you are hp/weight will decide that one...

If you are talking road racing or autocross, this car will beat most lightly modded f-bodies. Look no further than the SCCA autocross classing to realize this fact...

Those are very nice cars and I almost bought one for my wife. However, they are expensive. It is up to the buyer to decide if the significantly higher price is justified by the increment increase in performance. IMO, it is not worth it and I'll stick with my f-body.

Thanks for the feedback.

No, I'm not talking about street racing. I think I'd be pretty even on that one. They run mid 13's, which I should be running also. (Will know in a week or two)

My question was geared more towards the handling on a road coarse. I see that the M3 with the lower power engine is in the same class as the Camaro SS. My suspension setup is better than a stock Camaro SS.

The higher HP M3 is in the A class, one above the Camaro SS. I'm also making more power than an SS, so I was just wondering if it would even be mildly close on a road coarse or if it would be a total emarassment.

Dan

I think the straights would be close. I think the turns would favor the M3. The chassis on those cars are unreal. I have driven a few and ridden in a few in autocross.

More than once when driving my wife's 525i, I've looked over at her and said "if I could have this car with my Firebird motor, I would be unbeatable". The M3 is better setup and much closer to the the Firebird motor.

In the end on the road course or autocross course, the M3 driver will need less skill to attain the same lap times over the f-body driver. That's what makes beating them so sweet!

I managed to keep up with one at a drivers education event last September but it took me really pushing the car to do it. He actually pulled me on the straights but I don't have your horsepower and the car is an A4 to boot. I've got a couple more suspension mods than you but I was running on my 245/50 16 street rubber at the time.

Thanks for the reply. Good info.

Did he pull any in the corners? I'm wondering what kind of cornering speeds we can handle vs them.

At least it doesn't sound like the race is over after the first corner.

Dan

An M3, especially the E36 (smaller last gen), is superior on an autox course. On a road course, their advantage is basically minor to null in my experience.

Probably about even on a road course. You'll have the advantage on the straights, and probably accelerating out of the corners. The M3 will have the advantage in the braking zone, and carrying more speed through the corner. The M3's problem is that all it's power is at the top end and it doesn't have a lot of low end torque. If the M3 has the SMG (F1 style paddle shift), then I might give the edge back to it because it'll be easier to stay in the power band.