M3 to '18 M2 or '17 GT350?

[Cerberus]

Originally Posted by macdude357

The video in Post #41 shows the M4 beating the RC-F by 3/10's not the other way around:

RC-F 1:24.05
M4 1:23.73

Both those times are significantly quicker than the 2011 m3 zcp they tested at 1:27.67. I'm surprised the Lexus is almost 4 seconds quicker than the e92 m3.

[macdude357]

Originally Posted by Cerberus

Both those times are significantly quicker than the 2011 m3 zcp they tested at 1:27.67. I'm surprised the Lexus is almost 4 seconds quicker than the e92 m3.

In that case, "they" is unknown. I'm not sure that time is representative of the car. Randy did a 1:26.37 in an M235i. I think we'd all agree that an M235i is not faster than an E92 M3.

[Cerberus]

Originally Posted by macdude357

In that case, "they" is unknown. I'm not sure that time is representative of the car. Randy did a 1:26.37 in an M235i. I think we'd all agree that an M235i is not faster than an E92 M3.

I have no idea regarding the conditions of the test day, but was the same professional driver.

Agreed, I would be very surprised if an m235i was quicker than the e92 m3.

[macdude357]

Originally Posted by Cerberus

I have no idea regarding the conditions of the test day, but was the same driver.

Agreed, I would be very surprised if an m235i was quicker than the e92 m3.

So it was Randy. Interesting they don't give him credit here:

http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/willow...eets-of-willow

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Cerberus

Both those times are significantly quicker than the 2011 m3 zcp they tested at 1:27.67. I'm surprised the Lexus is almost 4 seconds quicker than the e92 m3.

A lot of things could contribute to that. Here are a few that come to mind:

1. different weather conditions each day
2. track condition (track temp, repaving, regrading, etc)
3. new tires (E92 shipped with PS2 or P-Zero, new cars are all the superior PSS)
4. driver experience (the more Randy drives that track, the more familiar he will get with it)


I would think the tires alone might be worth a few seconds. The PS2 was a good tire when it came out, but the newer PSS is far superior by every measure that I've seen.

[Cerberus]

Originally Posted by dparm

A lot of things could contribute to that. Here are a few that come to mind:

1. different weather conditions each day
2. track condition (track temp, repaving, regrading, etc)
3. new tires (E92 shipped with PS2 or P-Zero, new cars are all the superior PSS)
4. driver experience (the more Randy drives that track, the more familiar he will get with it)


I would think the tires alone might be worth a few seconds. The PS2 was a good tire when it came out, but the newer PSS is far superior by every measure that I've seen.

That would make a lot of sense. I know the PSS on mine are very capable tires. Then again, Pobst would probably still run circles around me if he had tires from a Prius. LOL

[iBoosted]

Someone must have found this from the M2 boards... the M2 votes are steadily climbing lol

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by dparm

A lot of things could contribute to that. Here are a few that come to mind:

1. different weather conditions each day
2. track condition (track temp, repaving, regrading, etc)
3. new tires (E92 shipped with PS2 or P-Zero, new cars are all the superior PSS)
4. driver experience (the more Randy drives that track, the more familiar he will get with it)


I would think the tires alone might be worth a few seconds. The PS2 was a good tire when it came out, but the newer PSS is far superior by every measure that I've seen.

This exactly...

[Rajmun340]

None , the M2 is a joke . E9x is too narrow why get even more cramped interior. Wider track is where it's at (GT-R , porsche).
The GT350's engines are known to start 'tap dancing' early and self destruct.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

The GT350's engines are known to start 'tap dancing' early and self destruct.

Source for that?

[R3dliner]

No Camaro ZL1 contender? I just saw the review and the LT4 would kill a GT350 or a M2.

[blue flowers]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

None , the M2 is a joke . E9x is too narrow why get even more cramped interior. Wider track is where it's at (GT-R , porsche).
The GT350's engines are known to start 'tap dancing' early and self destruct.

I have never heard anything about GT350 engines popping and have seen many of them regularly at track events - either way, that's what a warranty is for.

Do you have a source on that??

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

None , the M2 is a joke . E9x is too narrow why get even more cramped interior. Wider track is where it's at (GT-R , porsche).
The GT350's engines are known to start 'tap dancing' early and self destruct.

I'm a pretty big guy at 6'6" and 270 and don't feel like the E92 is too narrow or cramped even with a helmet.

[TheDirtyThirty]

What about the Camaro SS 1LE or ZL1?

[dparm]

Originally Posted by blue flowers

I have never heard anything about GT350 engines popping and have seen many of them regularly at track events - either way, that's what a warranty is for.

Do you have a source on that??

I think I saw two people on the GT350 forums, and both had ridiculous oil consumption in the first thousand miles (several quarts per hundred miles). I just chalk that up to a manufacturing defect.

[M3ANMACHINE]

The engine in the gt350 may be great, but coming out of an e9x m3, I couldn't jump into a mustang at all strictly due to interior build quality and the length of the hood. After sitting in a 5.0, I just didn't feel right.

The m2 however seems to be a natural transition from the e9x m3, although slightly smaller, has the bmw fit and finish, needs only some small tweaks and can be "better" than the e9x. Swap in f8x m3/4 seats, SS brake lines, decent suspension, and you're flying.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

The engine in the gt350 may be great, but coming out of an e9x m3, I couldn't jump into a mustang at all strictly due to interior build quality and the length of the hood. After sitting in a 5.0, I just didn't feel right.

The m2 however seems to be a natural transition from the e9x m3, although slightly smaller, has the bmw fit and finish, needs only some small tweaks and can be "better" than the e9x. Swap in f8x m3/4 seats, SS brake lines, decent suspension, and you're flying.

The GT350's interior is typical Ford: not luxurious but perfectly useable and functional. I agree that long hood is a big change but you'll get used to it eventually.

I'm actually not a fan of the 2-series interior. The material quality feels lower than other BMWs because it was being built to a price. The Audi A3 suffers from a similar problem as does the Mercedes CLA/GLA.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by dparm

The GT350's interior is typical Ford: not luxurious but perfectly useable and functional. I agree that long hood is a big change but you'll get used to it eventually.

I'm actually not a fan of the 2-series interior. The material quality feels lower than other BMWs because it was being built to a price. The Audi A3 suffers from a similar problem as does the Mercedes CLA/GLA.

Agreed. However the simple change of the M3/4 seats into the m2 makes a drastic difference

[dparm]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

Agreed. However the simple change of the M3/4 seats into the m2 makes a drastic difference

Interesting idea, but the whole point of buying cars like these is that they're "ready to go" from the factory. I'm not interested in modding.

[blue flowers]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

Agreed. However the simple change of the M3/4 seats into the m2 makes a drastic difference

Lol, what's that cost?

[Datka]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

Agreed. However the simple change of the M3/4 seats into the m2 makes a drastic difference

if $4k is simple just for oem seats, then go for it

[digwm3]

gt350 get the r! get the carbon fiber rims! BEST CAR FOR THE MONEY WITHOUT A DOUBT