Hey guys,

My dad bought my brother a used 2002 m3 recently and its a beast. I really like the g coupe a lot and i'm thinking about getting one, has anyone here driven an e46 and can honestly gauge the difference in performance and other aspects of the two cars? I know that the m3 is faster, but to what degree? And what about the overall feel of the car?

thanks

 

you should drive your brother's M3 and find out.

 

u have a really lucky brother...

2004 G35c Twilight Blue/black 6MT
Aero Package -- Splash Guards -- Premium -- Trunk Mat

 

One of the guys that came to the So Cal meet a while back said his father had an E46. He has driven both and told me that believe it or not he felt the G35 was actually a little more nimble steering wise. However his honest truth as far as acceleration between the two was all in the E46 M3. I think alot of people here including myself are BMW fans and would love to have an E46 if given the choice. Value wise the G is the biggest winner hands down. So maybe if you were to by a NEW G put the almost 10k cash you saved over the M3 into mod's for your G. Then you would EASILY kill an E46. All depends on your pref's. I would say in short if you want all bling (more people have em' like your Bro) and tons of zing, the E46. If you want a car that less people have (at least for now), alittle more reliable (my opinion), and you don't want SMG, go for the G. My wallet screams G and my adrenaline screams M3! Good luck mang your getting great cars either way. [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

-Jason
Laser Red '03 6MT

 

I've driven my friend's dad's E46 M3 6MT. The car is a BEAST. It rev's to 8k (IIRC) and pulls all the way to redline. You will spend more time in the repair shop later down the road.

But the downside is there isn't much the aftermarket can do as that engine has been EXTREMELY high tuned. You're STUCK with a mid-low 13 sec car - fine for some.

Like RedRok8 said,
I'd say take the money you'd spend getting the M3, put it into a nice Turbo or Supercharger, and you'll smoke the M3. With a Turbo or super, you'd be faster than a M3, along with many other things in the road. Plus, you'd have something unique.

2003.5 6MT Premium Black Coupe Al. Pedals Grounding kit Borla TD exhaust PIAA Z-tube Pop-charger

 

AA is about to release their supercharger for the e46 M3.

Estimated 360Hp to the wheels.

Twilight Blue G35 Coupe 6MT
Premium - Nav - Aero - Trunk Mat
Injen CAI

 

I have a friend with an E46 M3 (lowered, $10k wheels/tires,...) and have ridden in it a couple of times. I had an E46 325 I just traded for a G35 Coupe 6MT and have the following observations :
(1) G35 Coupe has more torque than M3 (8 lb-ft), both peak just below 5000 RPM
(2) Using hp=torque*RPM/5500 ratio, G35 almost certainly has more hp than M3 up to around 6000 RPM - clearly the expensive Bimmer straight 6 pulls more strongly to 8000, as peak hp is 333 at 7900.
(3) Weight is very similar (~3450 lbs) on both cars.
(4) Coefficient of drag favors G35 (0.28 aero compared to 0.33 M3) once in the high speed range.
(5) Clearly M3 is faster - 4.9 sec 0-60 mph vs 5.2-5.7 sec various quotes for G35 and, if you can keep it racing on a track in the 6000-8000 RPM range it will most likely continue to outaccelerate the G35 Coupe despite higher Cd.
(6) But, day to day use (0-6500 RPM), G35 will outpace the M3. Or you could install any number of aftermarked superchargers/turbochargers for the G, still be much cheaper than the M3, and trounce it in acceleration.
(7) Handling certainly favors the M3. Though it too is a little nose heavy compared to the lighter engine 325, it isn't as significant a deficit as the G35 Coupe's 53/47 front/rear ratio. And the M3 is extremely well tuned handling-wise, while the G35 is rather brutish in comparison (but still way better than most cars).
(8) If any long race is being held, the G35 Coupe's far superior fuel efficiency (20/27 6MT compared to M3s 16/24) could keep it in the race.

If anyone could show some solid real world comparisons or complete torque curves of both cars I'd love to see it.

Otherwise, I think the M3 Coupe looks slicker but at the same time more pedestrian, since there are soooo many E46 BMWs out now and the M3 bares a strong resemblance; on the other hand, the G35 Coupe differs more from the sedan and is much more modern. Interior design goes hands down to BMW, although the Nav on the Infiniti is much better.

I've rambled enough - both are great cars, but the BMW is certainly more ready for the track as shipped.

...Bruce

 

thanks for the responses, i never realized that the G35 has more power up to 6500...interesting....and just to clarify, i have driven the m3 many times, i was asking if any of you have as well so you could compare it to the g35....I have never driven a G35 but I love the looks and the overall package
And with regard to the supercharger/turbo option, I dont think its wise considering the engine wasnt built for that stress and the warranty would be gone.

thanks

 

As I have posted before, my friend just got an brand new m3 over the summer and he let me drive it. Honestly the suspensions is too rough and that car seriously needs a short throw shifter. The car is a beast once you hit that sport button, though. Never felt any car pull like that one before.

 

And I bet the kit will cost at least $10k

the Greddy kit pushes the same HP and it like $6k for our car.



If you're worreid about voiding the warranty and won't do any serious performance mods, I'd say go get a M3 because it's really fast stock, as long as you have the funds in that case.



2003.5 6MT Premium Black Coupe Al. Pedals Grounding kit Borla TD exhaust PIAA Z-tube Pop-charger

 

haha im a HUGE G fan and i love it, but i think ppl are being a lil bit TOO bias on this thread... The G35coupe is an awesome car, but frankly i think the m3 and g are on two diff levels... i like the looks of the m3 alot more and i love the interior alot more. If i had the money i'd get the m3... but thats just me. m3 is a beast like everyone has stated before

 

ya your right..id take an m3 anyday

2004 G35c Twilight Blue/black 6MT
Aero Package -- Splash Guards -- Premium -- Trunk Mat

 

M3 handling isn't so superb to our Gs, but speed wise, it is pure power.

Black / Black 2004 GcoupeMT. Premium. Splash Guardz.

 

Count me in for the I'd take a e46 M3 anyday category. They are in a different class and I think the the G35 has no competition with the M3.

 

My dad owns a 2002 M3. Its seriously in a class of its own, even though a ton of people in LA have it. My friend's souped up SRT-4 can keep up with it though, so power wise, it should be more for the price paid. Also, the rasp is nothing compared to my G. I love my G, but theres just something about that E46 that no car can mimic.