Who do you guys think would win around:

a) a tighter lower speed track

b) a straighter higher speed track

c)autocross

Under what conditions, why and so forth.

a) 330ci, this would be the closest because the M3 has tight gearing and a generally tight suspension, but it would still be outrun by the 330ci.

b) 330ci, bye bye M3. This thanks to the horsepower difference.

c) 330ci. These things do really well in BS.

I love the e30 M3 to the extent its probably my favorite BMW of all time, styling wise, but it really needs some motor work and suspension work to be competitive with the newer 330ci.

ya but dude I bet if you brought your Mr2 on the track, man that thing would like whoop ferrari's and stuff...

Interesting. ANyone else have an opinion? My roomate and I were discussing it.

Power to weight ratio is pretty similar on both, with the acceleration bias going to the 330ci for a smoother torque curve.

The 330ci suspension is superior, however it is also lugging around 500 extra pounds tha the e30 m3 doesn't have.


Also, just to note, this should be a comparison of the cars the day they came from the factory...so assume the e30 m3 suspension isn't worn out etc.

It's a pissing match to be honest....

Given that you are comparing brand new 330ci and a brand new E30 M3...

The 330 has 225hp and 214lb/ft of torque and the E30 M3 has 195hp and 170lb/ft of torque. So as you know there is a difference.. torque helps in the corners. E30 M3 0-60 in 6.9 secs (some say 6.7) while the 330ci is in the 6.5s.

If we are comparing factory from factory. 330ci has better grip right off the bat which means better braking power. The E30 M3 had 1980s grip, boo. So the 330ci would out brake the E30 M3 due to grip. Now if both cars had the same tire choice then I would *assume* that they would be close in braking power. Then we can argue that well the 330ci doesn't use 15" wheels, so gearing would be different.

Here is my take. If both drivers are equal and the cars are new. (both) the 330ci would have a hard time with leaving the E30 M3 in it's mirrors. The 330ci driver would have to push the car to it's limits (which means understeer) and the E30 M3 would fly by. Then the 330ci would catch up due to having extra HP/TQ. I believe it would be more equal than one car blowing away from each other.

Nothing beats having 2 more cylinders and an extra 1.7 liters. BUT... the E30 M3 would not be left behind.

I think what really matters is what you get while driving both cars... People who know about the E30 M3, know it's RAW. It was built for one reason, to be able to compete in the DTM series. The 330ci was built for the average businessman.

It's about balance. The E30 M3 = balance. There are only very few cars out there that are about balance...

I would say depends on what track. I was at VIR last weekend and in one of the groups, there was a E30 M3 and a 330. The E30 M3 was fast, very fast. I know that the E30 makes you learn how to drive her fast and gives no room for mistakes, while the 330 can pull you out of mistakes and trouble with her torque. At the track last weekend, the skill level of the two was not the same, but I would still go with the E30 M3. She is so light and has so much power when you keep the rpms up. The E46 is so heavy. You can carry so much more speed coming out of the corners. Just my opinion.

I am regularly faster on the local tracks and in autox in my stock E30 M3 than the guys that show up with an E46 330i except for the ZSP equipped cars-they seem to kill me no matter what. Between the more aggressive suspension and extra rubber, the ZSP is one nice machine. Aside from the ZSPs, I find the E46 generally pretty sloppy and unable to handle the tighter corners and courses. The lack of a limited slip also prevents it from aggressively putting power down out of corners which takes off straightline speed.

my 06 330i however is much like the ZSP and and I typically turn 5% faster lap times than in my E30.