Subaru WRX (WRC) vs. E46 M3 (GTR)

[E36DJ]

Okay this is completely insane, I know. This guy I know is trying to argue that the "incredible rally-bred handling and cornering/traction" of the "incredible" WRX will beat that of an M3.

No folks, not on dirt, on a regular track..
Does anyone know slalom and skidpad results for the two cars?

The other issue is that he compaired the race versions of each car.

The M3 GTR and the WRC.
I don't know exactly what he's smoking but oh well, help me build an argument.
I told him Motor Trend rated the E36 M3 best handling car in north america.. I guess that wasn't enough for him.

[M34EVER]

WRC cars can handle REALLY REALLY good, he might be right.

[t2apped]

wrc = awd?

[kiley_sean]

This is going to be at least a 5-page thread. I predict by the 2nd page that this topic will turn into Japanese vs. German cars. Who wants to put money on it?

[onebadm5]

yes, please someone kill this thread. WRC cars have awesome grip, but im not sure that alone will make them win against a tarmac bred sports car.

[BLOWN3]

In racing trim, the M3 GTR will probably win.

The WRC rally cars are capped in terms of peak power (~300bhp with inlet restrictor) but they produce a lot of torque which is good for sliding through dirt etc. The lack of power will probably be apparent on the track. But then depends on the track i.e. lots of corners or straights, etc.

I guess what i'm trying to say is - no one will know until it's done!

t2apped: WRC = World Rally Championship i.e. the ones which have sequential gearbox, no air cond, etc

[E36DJ]

Haha..

I know that WRC cars handle quite well but drifting is a large part of any WRC car, in contrast the M3 (as a GT style car) was created to grip at all costs, on a road style track.

I doubt, for example, that a WRC could get anywhere near the Nuremberg lap times an M3 can achieve.

I'm really curious about the slalom results though.

I keep telling him they are two totally different cars designed for totally different things from the ground up. Ground clearance and aerodynamics would be a huge disadvantage to the WRC. One example alone is the clearance needed in the wheel wells for the suspension travel.

Maybe someone knows the aerodynamic coefficient of the WRC vs. the M3? haha

[schmagekie]

well, heres the wrc stats:
http://caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddri...Sedan&class=42

although the wrx (wrc version) only has .85g roadholding, its meant to powerslide and accelerate very fast (i have a sick vid of it if anyone wants it, IM me, my sn is schmagekie)
i think it would be a very close race...

[TheFallen]

m3 gtr > wrx.... no matter what...

obviously you don't take the gtr off roading, but what kind of idiot takes a damn GT car off roading ?

[///BMW]

i am going to say stock to stock that the subaru is goin to take it simply because of the AWD, my friend has a legacy and damn that thing rails, i thought my car handled well, shit! so thats my opninion.

[BLOWN3]

Originally posted by ///BMW
i am going to say stock to stock that the subaru is goin to take it simply because of the AWD, my friend has a legacy and damn that thing rails, i thought my car handled well, shit! so thats my opninion.

I dunno man - if you mean race-track, then I'd have to disagree. I think a stock E46 M3 (252kW) will will beat a stock WRX (160kW... both cars Australian specs) because it handles so well and doesn't need AWD.

In wet conditions, the WRX will have a slight advantage but overall, I think the M3 will be the better car (stock).

If you compare a 330ci (170kW) with a WRX (160kW) then maybe the AWD will shine through.

But let's not get off-topic so soon

[M3PiNoYdRiVeR]

Originally posted by kiley_sean
This is going to be at least a 5-page thread. I predict by the 2nd page that this topic will turn into Japanese vs. German cars. Who wants to put money on it?

I bet u 1 buck

[ultim8DTM5]

Originally posted by M3PiNoYdRiVeR I bet u 1 buck

i see you mang and raise you 2

[E36DJ]

Okay, this is what I found.

Factory '01 M3
60-0: 112 feet
Lateral accel: .91 g
Slalom: 65.1 MPH

'02 Subaru WRX (460 pounds lighter)
60-0: 115 feet
Lateral accel: .82 g
Slalom: 62.8 MPH

I'm happy
The brakes the E46 comes with are stellar, beating an '02 WRX that is almost 500 pounds lighter... wild.


I just discovered an M3 GTR review from Car and Driver (Milner's E46 M3-GTR Team PTG)
Standing 1/4-mile 11.4 sec @ 127 mph
1.4 g roadholding on the track (he just glanced in one of the turns on the track, downhill.)
3.4 seconds 0-60!!

[E36DJ]

Makes you wish they produced the street version GTR.

BMW would have a supercar with a 0-60 time in the same catagory as the Ferrari F50 and Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0.