2006 BMW M3/2006 Audi S4 test drive - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 / Mazda Atenza Forum

y2kc0wb0y · 09-30-2009, 04:30 PM

As some of you know I'm a track guy that likes to take the twistys at high speed. I've done two HPDE sessions and I'm completely addicted. HPDE's are like going to a car show and actually getting to see the cars perform too.

Anyway, I've been a big fan of the E46 M3 for a long time. Not only because they look sexy, but they handle very very well for 3000lbs + car. Been kicking around doing a full time track car or trading in the MS6 for a slight more focused track car. Fast forward today: Best part about Fairfax Va is there a luxury used car dealership on almost every corner. Shine the shoes, comb the hair and sport the Ray-Ban's tyipcally will get you a test ride in anything South of $50K. The victim..2006 6spd M3 in "mint condition" LOL. this car had been clearly wrecked before with visable signs of paint work and classic fender mis-alignment but it had a willing N54 powerplant and a non-restrictive saleman that said "drive it like it was your own" LOL "hang on skippy, this could leave a mark"...

The car climbs onto the cams around 3500rpm and just pulls hard all the way to about 8k. The N/A motor just dances and has a wonderful exhaust note. The clutch was sadly punked out but the engine performed extremely well. However, I think a well tuned MS6 or MS3 would probably give it fits from 40-100MPH. Next was the the curves were this car clearly shines. The turn in is a lot quicker then my MS6 and the car feels very planted even with stock suspension and OEM tires. The input from the steering wheel is right on and you feel the car communicating the information regarding the road and traction from the word go. End results, I need another ride in the E46 M3 with the Competition Package that has even quicker steering and better suspension before I can make a total opinion but at the moment I don't think you gain that much for the money. MS6 FTW!

To round out the used car session, was a 2006 Audi S4. Coming from a long problematic history with a 1996 A4 2.8, I can tell you I'm not about to own another Audi, but the salemen insisted I drive this car; which was around the same price as the BMW. I'm glad he did. This car is sweet. 6spd 4.2 V8 with Quattro, Recaro seats and tons of buttons and information to pour over. The car's drove good and had a lot of power down low. I'm not sure it was any faster than the M3 but it handling was sharper, more focus although it had some body rool...Now do I know if this car can take the turns like the M3 with all that V8 weight hanging over the edge of the car? I don't know but I wasn't about to really push it and find out. If I had to take my car or this I would probably take.....wait...I looked down at the Instant MPG gauge and notice it never was really above 14MPG no matter how low I got the revs....can you say Gas Guzzler?

In the end, I completely happy to pull away in my MS6. I still love this car with a passion and would feel pretty slighted if I turned it in for one of these aforementioned cars. I'm still interesting in driving the M3 with the Comp package but I imagine that I'll proabably end up just getting a pure track car and keeping my MS6 at this point. Bottom line is go out and test drive a few car you're interested in and then come back to the MS6 and re-feel what you have...You might be surprised at your reaction. I was.

speedtown · 09-30-2009, 05:33 PM

sweet review...i may just have to make a trip to a stealership just to drive something else!

priceprince · 10-01-2009, 05:54 PM

Your review was very heartwarming.

I always wondered about those S4s, I kinda thought they would drive like a boat.

triplejumper18 · 10-01-2009, 06:41 PM

I'm driving a beat to hell 2007/2008 Mazda6i for today and tomorrow while my MS6 is getting the drivers side rear axle and PTO replaced. It makes me miss my MS6 so much.

y2kc0wb0y · 10-04-2009, 11:55 PM

Thanks guys I still argue that the MS6 is one of the best values on the market for the money. Even if compared to some more expensive hardware.

KwRio142 · 10-28-2009, 07:02 PM

Great Review

triplejumper18 · 10-28-2009, 07:03 PM

QUOTE (Kelbin @ Oct 28 2009, 04:02 PM)

Quote:

Great Review[/b]

I think you're spamming.

mmarfan · 11-07-2009, 09:54 AM

Did you ever consider the IS-F?

muSh · 11-19-2009, 09:34 AM

QUOTE (mmarfan @ Nov 7 2009, 09:54 AM)

Quote:

Did you ever consider the IS-F?[/b]

Props for having the will power to try out other cars. I have drooled over the Volvo c30s since they came out. I am afraid to drive one because I might leave with it. I just sat in one a few months ago and that almost turned me.

dnlsmith67 · 12-18-2009, 04:02 AM

You should not be worried about this. Its a good one.

09-30-2009, 04:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
y2kc0wb0y Track Racer Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington DC Posts: 485 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	As some of you know I'm a track guy that likes to take the twistys at high speed. I've done two HPDE sessions and I'm completely addicted. HPDE's are like going to a car show and actually getting to see the cars perform too. Anyway, I've been a big fan of the E46 M3 for a long time. Not only because they look sexy, but they handle very very well for 3000lbs + car. Been kicking around doing a full time track car or trading in the MS6 for a slight more focused track car. Fast forward today: Best part about Fairfax Va is there a luxury used car dealership on almost every corner. Shine the shoes, comb the hair and sport the Ray-Ban's tyipcally will get you a test ride in anything South of $50K. The victim..2006 6spd M3 in "mint condition" LOL. this car had been clearly wrecked before with visable signs of paint work and classic fender mis-alignment but it had a willing N54 powerplant and a non-restrictive saleman that said "drive it like it was your own" LOL "hang on skippy, this could leave a mark"... The car climbs onto the cams around 3500rpm and just pulls hard all the way to about 8k. The N/A motor just dances and has a wonderful exhaust note. The clutch was sadly punked out but the engine performed extremely well. However, I think a well tuned MS6 or MS3 would probably give it fits from 40-100MPH. Next was the the curves were this car clearly shines. The turn in is a lot quicker then my MS6 and the car feels very planted even with stock suspension and OEM tires. The input from the steering wheel is right on and you feel the car communicating the information regarding the road and traction from the word go. End results, I need another ride in the E46 M3 with the Competition Package that has even quicker steering and better suspension before I can make a total opinion but at the moment I don't think you gain that much for the money. MS6 FTW! To round out the used car session, was a 2006 Audi S4. Coming from a long problematic history with a 1996 A4 2.8, I can tell you I'm not about to own another Audi, but the salemen insisted I drive this car; which was around the same price as the BMW. I'm glad he did. This car is sweet. 6spd 4.2 V8 with Quattro, Recaro seats and tons of buttons and information to pour over. The car's drove good and had a lot of power down low. I'm not sure it was any faster than the M3 but it handling was sharper, more focus although it had some body rool...Now do I know if this car can take the turns like the M3 with all that V8 weight hanging over the edge of the car? I don't know but I wasn't about to really push it and find out. If I had to take my car or this I would probably take.....wait...I looked down at the Instant MPG gauge and notice it never was really above 14MPG no matter how low I got the revs....can you say Gas Guzzler? In the end, I completely happy to pull away in my MS6. I still love this car with a passion and would feel pretty slighted if I turned it in for one of these aforementioned cars. I'm still interesting in driving the M3 with the Comp package but I imagine that I'll proabably end up just getting a pure track car and keeping my MS6 at this point. Bottom line is go out and test drive a few car you're interested in and then come back to the MS6 and re-feel what you have...You might be surprised at your reaction. I was. __________________ White Water Pearl MazdaSpeed 6

09-30-2009, 05:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
speedtown Track Racer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Burlington Vermont Posts: 485 Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	sweet review...i may just have to make a trip to a stealership just to drive something else! __________________ 06 MS6 VRM PG SRI, PG TIP, TurboXS RP, CP-E 3" single exhaust, Forge BPV, TWM Stage 1, Prosport Boost gauge in a Block8head Pod Future Mods- AP, TMIC, 1 step plugs

10-01-2009, 05:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
priceprince Track Racer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 916 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Groans: 2 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Your review was very heartwarming. I always wondered about those S4s, I kinda thought they would drive like a boat. __________________ 2006 Mazdaspeed 6, Liquid Platinum Metallic, COBB SFI and AP Stage 1+, GHL Dual Catback Exhaust, RPM Street Springs, Streetunit rear Motor Mount, Audiolink MP3 input, sharkfin antenna, 18" Enkei EVO 5 wheels with Goodyear F1 Allseason tires 225-40-R18. On factory turbo #2...

10-01-2009, 06:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
triplejumper18 Mazda Guru Join Date: May 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 32 Thanked 35 Times in 26 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: 0 reviews	I'm driving a beat to hell 2007/2008 Mazda6i for today and tomorrow while my MS6 is getting the drivers side rear axle and PTO replaced. It makes me miss my MS6 so much. __________________ 2006 Mazdaspeed6 GT, Whitewater Pearl News at 11: "A local Mazda6 owner's wedding was crashed by 300+ members of an online car club today. Mayhem ensued when cake ran out and Dave from Accolade reportedly blamed the cake shortage on US customs." http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=...oldid=324318080 Centric Brakes from R1 Concepts CLICK HERE

10-04-2009, 11:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
y2kc0wb0y Track Racer Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington DC Posts: 485 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Thanks guys I still argue that the MS6 is one of the best values on the market for the money. Even if compared to some more expensive hardware. __________________ White Water Pearl MazdaSpeed 6

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10-28-2009, 07:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
KwRio142 Drivers License Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Ca Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Great Review

11-07-2009, 09:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
mmarfan Mazda Guru Join Date: May 2003 Location: Middletown, Oh Posts: 2,111 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Did you ever consider the IS-F? __________________ The new: 2006 Mazdaspeed6 Sport Velocity Red 1/4 - 13.739 @ 98.10 (Stock) w/ 1.787 60' Mods: 18" Tenzo Type M w/ 225/40/18 Kumho Ecsta SPT, Tein S springs, Mazdaspeed CAI, CP-E Standback, ETS TMIC, CP-E "Catless" DP w/ 53009 Magnaflow cat welded in, Corksport Exhaust, STRI DSD-SLM II 60mm Boost Gauge, Dashhawk, Synapse BOV; 0 - 60 4.64 (dashhawk) The old: 2003 6S MTX Speed Yellow /18" RSL ADR Mase/ 18" Nakayama Higari/ HIDs (6000K)/ Painted 'stash/ INJEN-CPE /BR Lip /Sprint Springs 1/4 14.503 @ 96.56 Post your time slips! Drag racing tips!

12-18-2009, 04:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
dnlsmith67 Learners License Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	You should not be worried about this. Its a good one. __________________ Daniel Smith