[sg335]

Hey guys. Hope all is well.

Anyone have any numbers on the differences between the two cars STOCK at various road courses? Would have to be with the same driver to be fair. M3 posts some good times, but I only see articles where a mod'd 335 competes and times are close, with some 335's with a lot of mods being faster. Only interested in stock comparisons. Of course a mod'd M3 will be even faster. At a fast or long road course, 2.5-4.0 miles, what is the total time difference? 4 seconds?

M3 rwhp stock is about 345-360 and rwtq is about 247- 268.
335 rwhp stock is about 260-280 and rwtq is about 270-290.

M3 has about 80 more rwhp and about 20 less rwtq stock. Stock suspension and chassis is different of course.

Any info is appreciated. Not bashing either car. Don't know why the mags don't run this article, especially Roundel. I would like to see the whole BMW line up run at the same track and post all stock times. I know, BMW or any other marque would not like to see their less expensive cars "beat" their more expensive siblings. But it would make for interesting reading

[leftcoastman]

Based on my separate-day experiences, I'd say 3-4 seconds on a 2 minute course.

This is with me driving my STOCK car one day....and another instructor driving an E90 M3 on another day with similar conditions. I don't have quality data such as same-driver, same-day comparisons.

[satakal]

at the autocross this past weekend, the M stock winner was an E92 M3 with a time of 97seconds. The 6 cyl stock winner posted a time of 100 seconds. Not at all scientific, but I think it's an accurate representation of how the M is just faster.

[S4to335]

I am sure..stock for stock..the M3 is considerably faster due to suspension and LSD.

[RedGT3]

The M3 will be faster IF it has a good driver at the wheel. (almost not always the case)

[sg335]

The 335 is such a capable car, it is unfortunate that it always gets left out of the "sports car" comparisons like the recent Motortrend October 2008 issue featuring "apex predators". How would the 335 have stacked up in all categories and most importantly for me, lap times?

The relevant cars and lap times to compare the 335 with at Laguna Seca are:

BMW M3 -1:42:96
Ford GT500KR - 1:44:71
Mitsu Evo MR - 1:47:71
Chevy Cobalt SS - 1:47:75
Mazda RX-8 - 1:50:41

Where would the stock 335 have landed? Where would a modified 335 (375-400+ hp) have landed.

BMW 335/Stock - 1:46 -1:49?
BMW 335/Mod - 1:41 - 1:44?

All of the other categories are fun to look at, but do you really need to know or care about the step-steer reaction time differences of .001 seconds? Real world driving is what counts and lap times are one of the best indicators of how a car drives.

There were a few other recent mag articles at some different track with similar cars that a 335 comparison would have been enlightening.

[N54YO]

"The relevant cars and lap times to compare the 335 with at Laguna Seca are:

BMW M3 -1:42:96
Ford GT500KR - 1:44:71
Mitsu Evo MR - 1:47:71
Chevy Cobalt SS - 1:47:75
Mazda RX-8 - 1:50:41"

Wow, the EVO is that slow? I was expecting a bit more out of it. The new Cobalt SS is only a tiny bit behind. Good lord. That is one FWD monster.

[leftcoastman]

Motor Trend did a best handling car (or something like that) a year and a half ago. Stock 335i came in at 1:49.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by N54YO

Wow, the EVO is that slow?

Yes the stock EVO is slow in a straight line (1/4 ET of ~98 i think?)

[BMW MotorSport]

The 335 is a very capable little turbo monster.