E36 M3 vs Trans am WS6.

[Rakshas]

Which of these would you guys rather have?

I want to use the car as a daily driver, but I also want to mod it, AutoX, little bit of drag, an all around performer.

The TA has the sex on wheels shape, but the reliability isn't so great and it doesn't handle as well as the E36.

The Bimmer has the uper level name, better handling, and a little bit better interior.

(not comparing the actual cars in the pics)

[del]

i voted for the M3. the ws6 would be a better drag car and it's easier and cheaper to modify - and you'd be surprised how little work you need to do to get more power out of these V8's. looks are subjective and i don't care for the WS6 styling. plus the WS6 is an automatic so that automatically makes it a loser in this comparo without even mentioning the advantages the M3 has.

then i noticed that these aren't the actual cars your considering so if the WS6 you are considering is manual, it scores more points in my book. nonehtless, the M3 would still get my vote.

[nbw]

Personaly I would go m3 do to their great handling. BUT if you are planning on modifying the car the Ws6 may be the way to go. The after market for those cars is big and parts are cheap. Same applies to maintence and repair for each car. The ws6/ss's actualy handled quite well for a car of their weight. I drove my freinds 2000 camaro SS T-Top and it wasnt acting like the big rino I would have though it would be...
Honestly, for me its a hard choise. I absolutely love both cars.

[NISSANSPDR]

M3 for track day/road racing, autoX, pimping da ho's/slapping da bitches, hauling the groceries, and overall daily work

WS6 for the straight line drag racing both on the track and off (ie ISR)

I'd take the M3...read Active Autowerks!

[RedLightning]

WS6, so beautiful...

In my opinion you can't beat the Firebird's styling or V8 power.

[NISSANSPDR]

Originally Posted by RedLightning

WS6, so beautiful...

In my opinion you can't beat the Firebird's styling

Bahhahahahahahahahahahahaahahhaahahahahahahahaahah aha

OMG that's a good one...have you seen the interior? I mean I am not going to argue the power or the outside...b/c I liked the outside at one point and time in my childhood...but then I sat inside when I was like 15 and was completely turned off by the car...I am sure it's something you can live w/but after being in such cars like the LS400, SC400, 300ZX, even my dad's 4Runner...I expect a bit more out of interiors...hell it's what you have to live w/and stare at 90% your w/the car

And please dont make this an import vs. domestic thing...it's just a crap interior...

[Kurtdg19]

Of all the pictures of E36's there are, you just had to find the purple one : . I despise the color purple from any car. But anyways, I would rather drive the E36 daily, but for fun in the sun, I'll take the T/A with a 6 speed.

I love the macho style of the T/A's as much as I do the seemless lines of the BMW.

The V8 plays the better tune in my book than the E36. Although very smooth, the E36 doesn't have near the power band that you get from the big V8.

I find the backseats of both the TA and E36 coupe rather useless since I am somewhat tall (6'1"). Haven't been in the 4dr, but I'm sure its a bit roomier.

Once again I must ask.....WHY purple!!

[crayzayjay]

Originally Posted by NISSANSPDR

M3 for track day/road racing, autoX, pimping da ho's/slapping da bitches, hauling the groceries, and overall daily work

WS6 for the straight line drag racing both on the track and off (ie ISR)

I'd take the M3...read Active Autowerks!

Oh, and the M3 doesnt have a slightly better interior. From that pic the WS6's interior looks absolutely hideous.

And Kurtdg19, I happen to like that purple.. Techno Violet, i think it's called. Ok so it sounds a little gay but looks good imo

[Dreamspawn]

Hmmm the T/A outside looks/sound is awesome but the M3 will be the better of the 2. The bmw would i think stay close the the T/A in a drag. Trust me when BMW,Porsche say German engineering they mean somthing. How many cars do u know could last 20+years on the autobahn. *the road with no speed limit*

[chevydrummer76]

Originally Posted by NISSANSPDR

Bahhahahahahahahahahahahaahahhaahahahahahahahaahah aha

OMG that's a good one...have you seen the interior? I mean I am not going to argue the power or the outside...b/c I liked the outside at one point and time in my childhood...but then I sat inside when I was like 15 and was completely turned off by the car...I am sure it's something you can live w/but after being in such cars like the LS400, SC400, 300ZX, even my dad's 4Runner...I expect a bit more out of interiors...hell it's what you have to live w/and stare at 90% your w/the car

And please dont make this an import vs. domestic thing...it's just a crap interior...

By styling I believe he was saying exterior.

[DinanM3_S2]

The only reason anybody should buy a Trans Am over an E36 M3 would be for the straight line capability. The BMW...

a) looks better, although you may want to repaint a purple one...
b) has a better interior
c) handles better, much better (hell, it supposedly handles better then the NSX and F355)
d) is a better daily driver
e) can seat 4
f) is much more reliable

IMO this is an easy choice.

[kman10587]

You're forgetting a few things. The Trans Am...

a. is considerably cheaper.
b. gets better gas mileage.
c. has a fatter, more usable powerband that makes it a joy to cruise in.
d. has a tremendous aftermarket, probably even bigger than the E36 M3's.

I don't appreciate luxury and refinement very much at my age, so I'd go with the Trans Am.

[Kurtdg19]

Originally Posted by crayzayjay

Oh, and the M3 doesnt have a slightly better interior. From that pic the WS6's interior looks absolutely hideous.

And Kurtdg19, I happen to like that purple.. Techno Violet, i think it's called. Ok so it sounds a little gay but looks good imo

hahah! Crazyjay likes purple cars! Now I have somthing to pick on you about

Back on topic: I did forget to mention interior, which the E36 wins hands down. Their isn't any Chevy branded vehicle to date that is as refined as any BMW I've been in. But if you were to drive with you eyes closed, then you wouldn't know the difference.

[Dreamspawn]

Hmmm idk i admit the t/a does have a huge aftermarket and is dead sexy. **IDC bout interior to me i'd rather have a stripped interior save for 2 15s and my HU** He said autox and alittle drag. For auto x the M3 hands down, the m3 could hold its own for alittle drag. But if he wants to drag defintly go with the T/A the 350in is designe that has been profected for along time and will go. And the only chevy i know could hold interior with bmw is the new vette but still thats not a good comparsion just my on that part.

[SuperHighOutput]

The WS6 easy. Everyone so far has seriously underestimated the WS6 at the track. It will kill the M3 in a straight line, and at least match it at the track. Also I haven't heard about any reliability problems with these cars.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....&page_number=1
Here is a link to a Road & Track article where they have some tracks times for a Camaro SS. If you look at the times for the other cars as well you will see that the Camaro lapped faster than a BMW M roadster, a Boxster S, an SLK320, and a Honda S2000. Steve Millen was the driver for all the cars, and it was done at Thunderhill Park in CA.