Rick Kim

In Australia the projected price is $135K Au$ which is about $85K US$ but you can't do a direct conversion because AU has much more taxes then in the US.

Same with the new M5 which costs $195K AU$ which would put it at $130K US$.
see what I mean?

Rick Kim

Rick Kim

Right now if you compared the Euro E36 M3 versus the US E36 M3 the 0-60 times are only about .3sec difference. The Euro has 320hp, the US has 240hp. US M3 does about 5.7 or so and the Euro does about 5.5 or a little less. However, the US version is limited (by gearing) to a top speed of about 150 maybe a bit more or bit less. The euro version goes up to 170+ due to the taller gearing and the 6th speed helps as well.

When BMW brought the M3 to the US we got the less powerful engine but to compensate we got taller gearing (well differential wise) which gave 0-60 performance almost as fast as the euro version but cost $15K less.

Now the new E46 M3 will probably have the same gearing as the E36 Euro M3 which means the 0-60 time wont improve too much just by looking at the HP difference. But there is ofcourse the fact that the new E46 M3 has a much higher redline (7200 vs. 8000+) which will allow it to stay in the gear longer so you never know.

But where the big difference comes in the new M3 is the performance above 80mph. When comparing the older E36 M3s the biggest difference came after 80mph. The euro version just runs away from the US version like it's standing still.

What is my point in all this? nothing much just wanted to clear the confusion a bit. Will I buy the new M3? Nope i don't like the design. But then again I drive a M Coupe which many consider to be the ugliest BMW ever. (except maybe the Issetta

Rick Kim

P.S. Looking to buy 2001 S4 or RS4 hopefully

Chris

Said to be fasted M yet. I have no doubt it can pull 4.7