e46 m3 IS faster than the 996 carrera, that's probably why a lot of m3 guys think that they are faster than the 997 w/ some mods. but the 997 is sooo much different and a lot quicker than the 996.

 

Case in point...me.

 

I actually think a 996s can take an e46 M3..
My buddy let me drive his 99 base carrera cab 6-mt.. So we decided to call my friend withthe M3.. at the time he only had 4:10's, straight pipe , mufflers, software and some lightweight stuff.. From second gear roll he took me by about a car or so but off the line he only took me by about half a car till about 70. So im guessing stock for stock a 996S will be able to edge away from an M3.

 

they didn't make a 996 carrera S, just the carrera 2 and the carrera 4S, the latter being the slower one. they also made the carrera 4 which was very slow IMO. but ya with equal drivers the 996 carrera 2 is on a par with the e46 m3.

newayz, both are great cars, and plenty of fun on the track.

 

I think many people don't bother to check if it's a 997S vs. a 997. THe latter has less hp than an M3 and only a weight advantage over the M3.

 

hmm.. If it wasnt for the extra weight of the awd drive on the 4s then i guess it would take it.

 

whats the difference in terms of power between the carrera 2 and the 4s

 

empunker, no offense but you are very wrong. the 996 stock in any form with a 6MT is just as fast and in most cases faster than a stock m3 with 6mt or smg. the 996 c2 coupe runs about a 13.2-.3 at 107. the 4s im afraid to tell u is faster. the c4s is a very fast car. dont forget, the new 997c4s runs the same in the 1/4 as the c2s and at the same mph nonetheless. check this out for the 996 C4S:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ures_spec.html

That test states a 1/4 mile of 12.9 at 108.7(109 bascially). I have also seen another test for a 13.0@108 and a 12.8@109. NO WAY AN M3 WILL EVER EVER TOUCH THIS CAR. so please get ur facts striaght. any version of the 996 with a 6 speed is faster in stock form than a stock m3. m3s run anywhere from 13.2-13.6 stock at around 105-106 except for the occasional freak car that will run 13.0-.1 at 106. no way will they keep up with a 996 from a dig or a roll.

I have also driven the m3 serveral times. it does not have the punch or the pull that my carrera 4 has. it just doesnt have that overpowering force when you mash on the throttle, but then again Porsche ponies are more powerful.

 

i am little suprised by this.

With 4.10 gear and all the goodies that your buddy has...it should be as fast as Carrera S? M3 can do 13.5 stock correct?

Well being an M3 owner, I tend to be objective when it comes to a subject like this. But at the same time, 911 is my favorite car all time so...it's kinda good thing to know that 997S is faster than M3 but at the same time i feel like..damn!

 

chip , intake , exhaust and **** like that doesnt do anything to an M3 as far as performance.. The main N/A mods that actually somewhat alter the performance of an M3 are 4:10 gearing, and cams with tunning. weight reduction is also key.

 

The M3 is also heavier then the heavy C4S. A C4S is 3250 and a M3 is 3520. M3 is a great performer at a good price point, but it certainly doesnt out perform the 996. If anything its a drivers race. However M3 is much easier to mod (if your staying NA).

 

good performer for the price although ive always found it to be slightly over priced. the 996 platform is stellar, was just made that much better with the 997. the e46 does not out perform the 996 and i highly doubt the e90 or e92 whatever theyre calling it will outperform the 997. i mean the new m5 is a dissapointment IMO. most people are only running high 12s at like 113-115 in that car. the best time on dragtimes is 12.4@117 . they can barely keep pace with a 996TT and have that much more hp, and yes i realize they weight a few hundred pounds more. and the m6 isnt much better. they seriously need to get rid of bangle too.

 

try telling the C4S out performs an e46 M3 on the BMW forums(E46fanatics.com) tell think your crazy..

 

im trying to get on there to set those guys striaght. they are completely naieve to think an m3 will keep up will equal drivers in a 996. just ridiculous. they just do not want to realize that although a great car an m3 will always be inferior to the 911s. sorry but that is the blunt truth and they must come to the realization some day. im sure they will and will step up to a 911 and look back and agree that they were WAY off.

 

As someone who has had an E46 M3, 996 C2, and now a 997 C2S I can tell you factually the difference in performance - however, people just can't get over their pre-conceived notions so I have just generally given up.