Given the responses to Gobble in this post I felt compelled to responsed. You see I am the E46 M3 Gobble is trying to keep up with. Let me strart by saying I think the NSX is a great car. Wonderful lines, great engineering, resonably quick on the track - anyone should be proud to own one. Second I am fortunate enough to be in the economic position of being able to afford any fun car I wish up to the level of a 360 Modena. Given that I chose an E46 M3, why?
Before that discussion let's clear a few things up about Gobble. Gobble is actually quite a good driver, in fact he is an instructor at the Milwaukee PCA DEs, as am I. Second Gobble is quick and regularly toasts non turbo 911s and just about any other non-modified make. When I tracked an E36 M3 we were about the same track speed, albeit Gobble had 30 hp on the E36. Finally a few of you really ought to know what your talking about when you make statements, your ignorance makes you look foolish. Example one, I am looking at the acceptance information for the Milwaukee PCA event at Road America on May 8. There are three run groups, four run sessions each and a fifth for groups II and III. each session 1/2 hour. It should be apparent that different PCA and BMWCCA locals will run different depending on participants etc. Example two, the weight of the E46 M3. BMW publishes model weights with a 150 lbs. driver, 15 lbs. of luggage, 90% fuel load and a commonly optioned car. Thus the weight published of 3,450 equates to about 3,200, in addition I didn't order a sun roof or power seats to further reduce weight. Consequently I run around 3,150 dry. Finally I have Koni DA suspension, all sperical , camber plates etc as well as a BBK and run 265/35 Rs all the way around on the track.
Now let's look at the E46 M3. When you can afford just about any car you want why this one. Plain and simple if you want a car to run on a track you can't beat it. Why did I conclude this? Its based upon results. Go back to the 2001 ALMS season. Team PTG puts a 4L V8 in a M3 so that it can come close to the HP of the Porsche Cups, vettes, turbo NSXs run by Cunningham etc. Results, manufactures win, driver win complete domination, why?. Next look at Speed World in 2003. In the touring car group running 325s Turner Motorsports dominates (driver and manufacturer) with outrageous weight penalties, why?. In the GT class PTG runs M3s with the 3.2L six, they are out horsepowered by 100 or more by every other car in the class yet on the short tracks they dominate, why? Heres why. BMW just got it right. The 3 series, particularly the M3, is a blazingly fast track car because the geometry and dynamics are better, its designed to excell on the track. Unless it is seriously out horsepowered the M3 is just a faster car on the track. Its as simple as that.
We all make car selections based on personal preference and objectives. The NSX is a great car and if you want a two seat sports car that looks like a ferrarri at a reasonable price it is a great buy. But if you want a car that can be a track monster at an outrageous bargin the M3 is the car for you. This isn't a knock on the NSX its just a fact.
In conclusion, rather then giving Gobble a hard time why don't you just focus on helpful suggestions.
and when its time for a clutch go with an alluminum flywheel.
