"E92M3" (E46M3)
08/02/2015 at 17:07 • Filed to: None
2
26|
"E92M3" (E46M3)
08/02/2015 at 17:07 • Filed to: None | 2
| 26 |
Some of you may remember !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! post last week. I promised a full review, and after a week with the car I’m ready to showoff my after detail pictures and thoughts.
Exterior: 8/10
The 997 GT3 is a fabulous design, an evolution of the 911’s iconic shape with added aero from the base version. Even though the 991 is out the 997 doesn’t look too dated yet. Maybe that will change in a couple of more years. I’m docking a couple of points because this car is silver, and I’m not a fan of the 911 Cup rear spoiler (although it is function over form).
Interior: 8/10 The interior of this particular car is all business. With 2 racing seats, harnesses, a racing wheel, and a traqmate data recorder. The OEM interior bits have a simple design and have a real quality fit and finish to them. There’s no finish rubbing off the center stack, or console. A lot parts feel engineered to be light, for example the door handles. They’re plastic, but don’t feel cheap either. The pop-out cupholders are so much better engineered than the ones in my E92.
Acceleration: 9/10
Here’s where things get interesting. This car screams! It’s got more torque than I would of imagined for a NA 6 cylinder. It begs you to just keep your foot planted, and reach redline before changing gear and listening to that beautiful soundtrack again. Do it twice and you’ll be at triple digits before you know it.
Brakes: 9/10
They are massive, the car doesn’t weigh much. Pedal feel is excellent, initial bite gets better and better with heat.
Ride: 5/10
Here’s where this car gets punished. It’s PASM stock setup was swapped for JRZ Pro Coilovers, and that’s a real shame. PASM offers so much flexibility and coverage for every situation. While the JRZ’s offer slightly better track performance compared to PASM in Sport Plus they mercilessly beat you up on the street. Add seats that don’t recline with high bolters and not much padding, and you’ll want out of the car in half an hour.
Handling: 5/10
I discussed the handling above. I’m giving this car a 5 because it’s only great half the time (on a smooth curvy road or racetrack). It handles flat, and has zero body roll. Tons of grip provided the pavement is perfect. The Toyo R888 tires work, but they aren’t forgiving.
Gearbox: 10/10
This gearbox is probably the best I’ve ever experienced. I once owned an S2000, which is regarded as having the best shifter feel of anything on the planet. I might have to disagree with that now, it’s that good. The gearing is perfect for this engine. Most cars either have a very short first gear to get you off the line, or too tall of a first gear. Every gear feels the perfect ratio.
Audio: 3/10
The stock sound system is crap if I’m honest. I’ve had rental Chevrolet compacts with better sounding speakers. I guess it’s Porsche’s way of reminding us that you don’t need music with that amazing soundtrack in the back.
Toys: 1/10
Who needs toys, this car is a toy itself. There’s a sportchrono stopwatch thing on the dash if you feel like your hands aren’t doing enough.
Value: 7/10
This is tough to judge really. This car was over $160k brand new, but even after depreciating 50% it’s still what I would call expensive. For $80K there’s not much else you can buy that’s this much fun though. I’ve driven the new Corvette, and it’s just doesn’t compare. I can’t imagine the Z06 version could match the experience, although it’s faster. If it was me I would just get a Carrera S with PASM for $50-55K, enjoy it and the money I saved. It offers 90% of the performance a discounted rate.
Overall Score: 65/100
Without a doubt a stock version would of scored higher, and that’s the way I’d want mine. Here’s a few more pics for your enjoyment.
Berang
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 17:15 |
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Handling 5/10? What does it handle like? A Datsun B-210?
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E92M3
> Berang
08/02/2015 at 17:17 |
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Like the shocks were removed and solid steel bars were bolted in place.
dogisbadob
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 17:19 |
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eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! How the fuck do you get to anything under there? :(
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dogisbadob
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 17:20 |
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nice Civic
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Berang
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 17:34 |
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Pedant mode: that’s more
ride
than handling.
LongbowMkII
> Berang
08/02/2015 at 17:45 |
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If the suspension is too stiff it won’t keep the tire in contact with the road. There is such thing as too stiff.
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E92M3
> dogisbadob
08/02/2015 at 17:51 |
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You pretty much have to drop the engine and whole rear subrframe to do anything other than an oil change.
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E92M3
> dogisbadob
08/02/2015 at 17:53 |
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It’s from a GT3 Cup car, but you probably don’t know anything about that. It’s not my favorite either, which you would already know if you read past the first sentence.
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E92M3
> Berang
08/02/2015 at 17:56 |
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You’re right. It handles flat, there is zero body roll. Tons of grip provided there’s no bumps in the road.
PS9
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 18:09 |
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Spark plug swap = $50 in parts, $5000 in labor.
904 GTS
> dogisbadob
08/02/2015 at 18:12 |
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If you need to, you drop the engine. Not difficult to do. Then you have room around aplenty.
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904 GTS
> Berang
08/02/2015 at 18:14 |
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Datsun B210 was a GREAT handling car, even in a stock form. Japanese 2002, remember?
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dogisbadob
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 18:15 |
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Yeah I know, I was just being funny :p
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E92M3
> PS9
08/02/2015 at 18:19 |
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Pretty close, it’s $2000 in labor just to remove and reinstall the engine/subframe, plus whatever is getting done. Crazy
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904 GTS
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 18:23 |
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Clearly set up 90% track, 10% steet use, just to get to the track...
Almost INFINITELLY adjustable, if yours, visit a reputable P shop that knows what they are doing and have it changed EXACTLY to YOUR requirements - the beauty of P cars, SO adjustable!
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E92M3
> dogisbadob
08/02/2015 at 18:26 |
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It might as well be from APC. Cause that’s what everyone instantly thinks.
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E92M3
> 904 GTS
08/02/2015 at 18:27 |
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True, the coilovers are adjustable. If it was mine I would set them to a softer setting.
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904 GTS
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 18:47 |
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Albeit a 997 GT3 Cup engine, with no exhaust, pretty simple to take out - as anything, if you know how... ;- )
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904 GTS
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 18:48 |
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Pretty small price to pay for SOOOOOO much fun, IMHO.
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PS9
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 18:58 |
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APC?
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904 GTS
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 18:58 |
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THREE mani reasons for that Cup wing:
1. SIZE - FAR MORE EFFECTIVE, compared to stock, if primary purpose is TRACK USE.
2. HIGHT - FAR MORE effective, by being in more of UNDISTURBED AIR,
3. HIGHT - FAR MORE easier to see to the back, as the standard wing is in the way.
For just a street use, a good solution is to get those extended side support pieces yet use the standard wing, so you can monitor who’s behind you better, with unobstructed visibility.
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904 GTS
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 19:05 |
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YES, you could do BOTH - change springs as well as shocks settings, if you would plan NOT to use the car on the track. Think better solution, at least to begin with, is to adjust the shocks to softer setting, wihic is VERY EASY to do on JRZs. Just need to remember how many clicks you softened them by, to later restore the shock stiffness when you get to the track. Not as easy as pushing the button on the fly, but not much harder, actually.
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904 GTS
> E92M3
08/02/2015 at 19:25 |
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It really does not matter what others think, does it? For those who know, knew better. Those who don’t know, it does not matter anyway. My favorite saying ... ;- )
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E92M3
> PS9
08/02/2015 at 19:30 |
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Yes, to the untrained eye it looks just like this .
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Berang
> 904 GTS
08/03/2015 at 01:31 |
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You’re thinking of the 510. Contemporary reviews of the B210, by people who were used to driving awful handling 70s cars - said the car handled and rode terribly.
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904 GTS
> Berang
08/03/2015 at 01:38 |
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How right you are - the 510 of 70’s or 80’s, of course. Peter Brock and BRE. Those were really GREAT cars. AMAZING drivers!