Gt350 vs e92 M3

[baege]

I am considering both cars.
Anyone cross shop the 2 or come from an e92 to a GT350?
How would you compare them?

Sponsored

 

[AMpowerJ]

Yes. I've had BMW's for a long time. E36 M3, E90 M3, E92 M3, F10 M5, & F80 M3.

Here are some random thoughts/comparisons:

The GT350 is much more raw than any of the BMWs. It feels bigger than any of the other cars except the M5. Much more track focused (which is why I wanted it) than the BMWs. Not as luxury oriented obviously. Gets more attention (can be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective). Feels more planted and secure from a suspension perspective out of the box. Radio sucks if that is important to you on the GT350. Same overall speed as the newer BMWs but doesn't have the torque of the M5 or F80 M3. Engine is much more like the S65 V8 in that you really need to wind it out to hit the torque and power curve. Again made for the track. No DCT if you don't like shifting your gears yourself. Sounds amazing ... much better than the turbo engines especially. I still love the way the S65V8s sounded with an aftermarket exhaust but this still sounds better straight from the factory.

Hope that helps.

 

[Rogue]

The E92 BMW M3 is a really nice car. The GT350 is epic.

 

[nastang87xx]

The E92 is a fabulous car. BUT do be aware that it is feeling a bit long in the tooth. It's not a bad thing, it's just something to be aware of. The 350 feels progressive while still holding onto some of its old school charm and for that and for that I feel like it will age better. The S65 engine is so good. And if I were getting an E92, I'd definitely look for one with the Competition Package and the DCT trans. Suspension is NOT magnetic though. You get comfort or stiff.

Price...this is tough because you can get an E92 M3 for practically bank robbery now. 32 G's will get you into a clean 2011 M3 with the Competition Package. That is a lot of car for the money. The thing is, I feel like you have got to WANT a 350. No if's and's or but's. It's not for everyone despite the statement that it makes. On that note, I also feel like the 350 is now the M3 of yester-generation. The 350 doesn't win outright on any performance category but no one complained about the M3 coming in 2nd place for singular categories. It won't take your head off in the 0 - 60, it won't spank a Vette in the 1320, it won't out-nimble a Cayman S, it won't out skid-pad a GTR. It's about taking all of those pieces and bringing them together to make an unforgettable experience.

 

[arsenalrocks]

have both, both are 6psd.

gt350 has better engine/tranny/damper combo
e92 has better size/steering/visibility/luxury/nimble-ness combo

my perfect car will be having the voodoo engine/tranny/damper on my m3, but not the other way around.

 

[krt22]

If you had to have just 1 and budget really isnt a factor, GT350 hands down for the voodoo alone

I still really like the E92. Its going to be hard not picking one up if prices drop below 30K. I originally went with my 2012 GT over the E92 because I really liked the coyote, rawness, and bang for the buck factor. But now that it's been antiquated by my GT350 I could see myself adding an E92 instead. That V8 is quite wonderful, albeit more refined and civil than the voodoo. I think its one of those cars that wont ever go out of style.

 

[Phillip123]

If you can have both, have them.

 

[daltron]

I had a last gen M3 for a week while my GT PP was in the shop. I wouldn't trade my GT for it let alone a GT350.

 

[Stuntman]

The GT350 has almost identical torque as the F80 M3, which has a lot more below 3,500rpm but is identical to the 350 until 5,500rpm where the 350 destroys it. By comparison the E9X V8 is gutless and needs to be strung out to go fast.

Up top the 350 makes around 50-65whp more than the F80 and over 100whp over the E9X M3. Despite the E9X having a similar redline, it feels more like a high revving, low torque motor, while the 350 has a similar top-end charge as well as a ton more bottom end, just not as much as the F80.

Handling wise the 350 is more tied down and better balanced than the E9X & F8X M3s.

 

[krt22]

Bench racing aside, the E92 sounds fantastic, while the F80 sounds like a lawnmower.

 

[Dave2013M3]

As a current owner of a 2013 E92 M3, I too am considering a new GT350.

The issue I have with the GT350 or the S550 in general is that they are big and heavy cars even in GT350 guise. The E92 M3 looks svelte compared to a S550 when sitting next to each other. I spent quite a bit of good time in a GT PP and there is no way I would get out of my E92 M3 for a GT PP.

The GT350 because of the Voodoo 5.2L motor is the reason why I would consider it. The GT350 is quicker than a E92 M3 but not by that much due to the gearing with the M3. The GT350 with its longer legs is not geared for straight line, the engineers didn't want you shifting in mid corner.

I have to be honest I am having a total love affair with my E92...yes I would love to have a GT350 but not if I have to pay an ADM. There are only 2 cars I would get out of my E92 M3 that I would consider...

1. 2017 GT350
2. 2017 Porsche 911S...(wifey needs lots of convincing on this one)

The E92 M3 is really a great car and it is such a balanced car. Its not the quickest car, nor the best handling car but it does everything so darn good...balance.

One other thing I am going to bring up and it may brings me some flaming...but I am very disappointed with the build quality of the Mustang in general. Some of the cars I went to look at just were not buttoned down that good when it comes to fit and fitment. The Shelby I saw at SouthBay Ford had huge gaps and ill fitting trunk and hood, some of the issues that have been discussed on this very board. The interior materials in the E92 M3 is still better than the Mustang and this is what happens when you get older, you start caring about such things.

As far a finding a 2011 E92 M3 with ZCP and DCT they generally go in the high 30K to mid 40k range depending on which area of the country you live. You live in Cali you will pay darn near $40k for a 2011 M3 with low mileage, higher mileage cars you can get in the mid $30k range.

My E92 M3..

The car is not on the OEM ZCP wheels...they now have VMR Flowformed V810 wheels in 19X10 and 19X11 with Michelin PSS 275/30/19 and 295/30/19.

Dave

 

[krt22]

As a current owner of a 2013 E92 M3, I too am considering a new GT350.

The issue I have with the GT350 or the S550 in general is that they are big and heavy cars even in GT350 guise. The E92 M3 looks svelte compared to a S550 when sitting next to each other. I spent quite a bit of good time in a GT PP and there is no way I would get out of my E92 M3 for a GT PP.

The GT350 because of the Voodoo 5.2L motor is the reason why I would consider it. The GT350 is quicker than a E92 M3 but not by that much due to the gearing with the M3. The GT350 with its longer legs is not geared for straight line, the engineers didn't want you shifting in mid corner.

The E92 is no feather weight either, I would say its a wash (within ~100lbs). Despite the heft, the GT350 handles like a much smaller car.

As for the gearing, I would say the longer gears are also complimentary to the wider power band. It may not have been the engineers not wanting you to shift, its that its not required and makes for faster lap times.

 

[Stuntman]

The 2015 GTPP is faster than a Boss, which is faster than the E92 M3. What's your car weigh? 3,600 lbs? Even with a sub 3,600lb stripper, the 350 is only a couple hundred pounds heavier and has a FAR better tire size to weight ratio than the E92 with its undersized tires.

I love the looks of the E92 M3 and agree the GT looks bulky with its large hood, but the GT350 fixes that and looks a lot more lean, like the M3.

The 350 is geared lover because its powerband is >3,000rpm wide while the M3 needs shorter and tighter gearing to keep it high in the revs where it's power is. I can understand that for canyon carving, the shorter geared M3 would be more involving and require more shifting, but the 350 will blow it's doors off with torque and grip.

 

[arsenalrocks]

lol M3 is not a slow car, 12.6/12.7s all day long. gt350 is what? 12.4/12.5?

The m3 is much closer to a perfect car, than the gt350. In fact, I would take a stroker M3 over a gt350 any day of the week.

 

[krt22]

I would not, to each their own :cheers:

Sponsored