I am not overly familiar with these cars but I had a decent but short runin with one on the highway today. He came scooting up behind me in the distance and as he got close, I put the ol' foot into the blades. He came beside me and we were side to side. I had to slow down due to the car that moved in front of me. The guy then passes in front of the car and gives me the rear flashers like he had accomplished something. Wow....

I had no problem keeping up with him but he definitely has the aerodynamic advantage. His car was lowered and it had a wider wheel combination. I had my wife with me so I wasn't about to scare the crap out of her either. Rather save meetings like that for a safe place like the track.

Just curious.....
How fast are those cars?
Would the relatively stock L be able to take one off of the line?

Let me know....Thx Buds!

Paul G.

 

Good driver:

M6 13.1 @ 108

SMG 13.3 @ 106

 

 

the new m3 has 333hp and does the 1/4 in the low 13's. they are stock with the lowered suspension and fat tires. they come with 6 speed or "paddle shift" f1 style tranny's.

 

The current model is baddass; but, the older ones aren't very strong on the straight away.

 

It was definitely a new one with the 4 exhaust tips out the back. Very cool looking car!

Probably a good thing that I backed off a bit. The red Grand Am that crossed my path in front was in an utter panic when I came up behind her.

It's like looking into the mouth of "Jaws" as you look behind and see this menaching gray object approaching at a high rate of speed.

Kind of gives me the chills now that I think about it!



Paul G.

 

An M3 will beat a stock Lightning in both 0-60 (about 5 sec) and 1/4 mi. (mid-13's at about 105).

And, in the hands of a skilled driver, will absolutely decimate a Lightning on a road course.

But it can't haul stuff and my 6'6" *ss won't fit inside -- especially with a helmet.

 

Very true Tim.

However most m3 drivers you would encounter on the street are clueless to the true capabilities of thier vehicle, and wouldn't know how to get that out of it. They just bought it for the status and prestige.

 

I wouldn't worryabout one ,if it has the Dinan upgrade it's quicker but like he said: snobs can't drive-em. I work at a beamer dealership and they're always in for service. the M5 and Z8 are alot better but, then you have 50 series V12's too.

 

Decimate this.

 

I mean a STOCK Lightning vs. a STOCK M3.

Spend the same amount on mods as you have, George, on an M3, and it will still smoke you.

 

And exactly the same thing is true for Lightning owners. Most don't know a road course from road kill.

Don't underestimate the Beemer faithful. At the NASA open track events that I run, there are LOTS of well-driven Beemer. M3's handle like they are on rails bone stock.

An M3 is not my cup of tea, but there is no reason to get all Lightning-snobby. Isn't that exactly what the folks around here accusing the Beemer guys of?

 

An M3 is a badass roadcar, and will outhandle any lightning. Tim is again right that most lightning owners aren't capable of driving their trucks either, but on the street and automatic pickup truck is much easier to handle than a high revving sportscar. WhenI said most bimmer drivers, that was excluding BMW enthusiasts. These are two completely different breeds of people most of the time.

FYI, my dream garage includes an M5. Most badass car ever!

 

I would have had a 2000 M3 (New style) when they came out. I was on the waiting list, then they hacked on a $7,000 premium. I told the dealer to give me oral gratification. I just marched on over and got my 2000 6M Vette.

I still have a love for a Laguna Seca Blue SMG M3 with 19's and some engine work. I dorve both SMG and 6M. Both are fun!!

I felt like Juan Montoya with the Launch control with the SMG!!!!

 

Just because I like to be contentious. Outhandle ANY Lightning? If you're talking about a stock M3 on stock rubber, I don't think so. I don't think you appreciate how well a race prepped Lightning will handle. I haven't been all that impressed with the stock M3s I've seen on the autocross course. Lots of body roll and understeer. Obviously set up with a cushy luxo boulevard ride. Put some stiff springs and shocks and sticky tires on those puppies and it would obviously be a different story, though.
And the M5 the most badass car ever? Guess it depends on your definition of badass. Badder than a Saleen S7? Ferrari Enzo? Heck it isn't even a sports car, its a fast saloon. I think the M3 has a lot more potential to get around a road course quicker. It has about the same power to weight ratio and is much lighter, and weight is the enemy of handling. But for a heavy luxo car the M5 is indeed a nice ride.