Just a question, or a couple.

has there ever been a stock 3 series that beats an M3?

has there ever been a modded 3 series that beats a modded M3.

Apples to apples Mods folks. And yes, this includes performance in the twisties (which is the best part IMHO), and yes I have a '95 M3 (stock), I just want some intelligent answers and/or conversation. and yes, I will either buy the new M3 or the M6 (depending on how much information I can get, how fast, and how credible)

BTW, my 12 year old M3 is much more fun to drive than my 2006 vette (except when flooring it)

I think your posting in the wrong section for the answers you want.

The only thing that beats an M car is a 318

To answer you seriously (and mbanks, why does everyone constantly take cheap shots at 318s :( makes me sad, lol) no. BMW would be crazy to make a regular 3 faster/better than the M3, because who would pay more for the M3 then? There have been "special" M3s like the M3 CSL which have more power and are lighter than regular M3s but those are still M3s (sort of like a Mitsubishi Evo and then the Evo MR)

If you put equivalent mods on a 3 series and then an equivalent M3, the M3 started out with more power and will usually end up still faster but I guess there might be some rare situations where something like a 335i which is very close to the M3 might take better to being chipped or something. (in fact I think the 335i does get larger gains from being chipped than an E46 M3 due to it being twin turbocharged)

The ONLY non-M 3 series to be "better" than any M is the 330i ZHP. On paper it's faster than the E36 M3 with a stiffer chassis and handled better. Supposedly.

At best it was on-par with the E36 M3.

The ONLY non-M 3 series to be "better" than any M is the 330i ZHP. On paper it's faster than the E36 M3 with a stiffer chassis and handled better. Supposedly.

At best it was on-par with the E36 M3.

I think he was talking same gen to same gen comparison....

There is an E30 M3 and an E36 328i with 900hp. Crazy big snails in the cars. The E30 M3 is in Sweden and the E36 is here is USA, but I am sure that if you did the same modes the E36 M3, it would be faster. The M3 is supposed to the Cream Of The Crop when it comes to 3 series, so if you made a 3 series faster then an M people with M cars would be pretty pissed off. I know I would! But even if they did make a 3 series car faster then the M car, the M car would still look better have better options and handle way better. I watched a Porsche 911 all wheel drive beat a Yamaha R1 on a track.

There is an E30 M3 and an E36 328i with 900hp. Crazy big snails in the cars. The E30 M3 is in Sweden and the E36 is here is USA, but I am sure that if you did the same modes the E36 M3, it would be faster. The M3 is supposed to the Cream Of The Crop when it comes to 3 series, so if you made a 3 series faster then an M people with M cars would be pretty pissed off. I know I would! But even if they did make a 3 series car faster then the M car, the M car would still look better have better options and handle way better. I watched a Porsche 911 all wheel drive beat a Yamaha R1 on a track.

yes and no

you can't use 911 vs R1 as in example.
normal 3 wouldn't be as bad in stopping vs m3, as R1 vs 911

The thing is that given money you can make any car fast.
The beauty of the M3 is that it's the shit right out of the factory, there's no need to modify it, no need to worry about your mods, etc... you already have it (yes you pay a premium, but it's worth it imho)

yes and no

you can't use 911 vs R1 as in example.
normal 3 wouldn't be as bad in stopping vs m3, as R1 vs 911

The thing is that given money you can make any car fast.
The beauty of the M3 is that it's the shit right out of the factory, there's no need to modify it, no need to worry about your mods, etc... you already have it (yes you pay a premium, but it's worth it imho)
Yeah, I was kinda think about leaving that out, but I through it in just for a laugh. I agree with your outa facorty comment as well. E30 E36 E46 M's are the Shizznight!

The only situation I could think of would be a

chipped e46 m3 vs a chipped e92 335i

that would be mod for mod and only in a straight line.