 2006 BMW M3/2006 Audi S4 test drive, What was I thinking? |
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 Sep 30 2009, 12:30 PM
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#1
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Track Racer  Group: Mazda Members Posts: 373 Joined: 17-November 07 From: Washington DC Member No.: 33,092  |
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. |
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Sep 30 2009, 01:33 PM
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#2
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Track Racer Group: Mazda Members Posts: 419 Joined: 12-February 08 From: Burlington Vermont Member No.: 35,938 |
sweet review...i may just have to make a trip to a stealership just to drive something else!
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Oct 1 2009, 01:54 PM
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#3
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Track Racer Group: Mazda Members Posts: 866 Joined: 10-July 06 From: Northern California Member No.: 19,328 |
Your review was very heartwarming. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/5.gif)
I always wondered about those S4s, I kinda thought they would drive like a boat. |
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Oct 1 2009, 02:41 PM
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#4
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Mazda6Club Brewmaster Group: Mazda Members Posts: 2,559 Joined: 16-May 07 From: Portland, Oregon Member No.: 27,389 |
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.
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Oct 4 2009, 07:55 PM
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#5
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Track Racer Group: Mazda Members Posts: 373 Joined: 17-November 07 From: Washington DC Member No.: 33,092 |
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.
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Oct 28 2009, 03:02 PM
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#6
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Drivers License Group: Mazda Members Posts: 51 Joined: 27-November 08 From: Rancho Cucamonga Ca Member No.: 44,079 |
Great Review
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Oct 28 2009, 03:03 PM
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#7
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Mazda6Club Brewmaster Group: Mazda Members Posts: 2,559 Joined: 16-May 07 From: Portland, Oregon Member No.: 27,389 |
QUOTE (Kelbin @ Oct 28 2009, 04:02 PM)  Great Review I think you're spamming. |
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Nov 7 2009, 06:54 AM
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#8
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Max Power Group: Mazda Members Posts: 2,108 Joined: 31-May 03 From: Middletown, Oh Member No.: 2,133 |
Did you ever consider the IS-F?
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Yesterday, 06:34 AM
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#9
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Track Racer Group: Mazda Members Posts: 120 Joined: 27-August 09 From: Huntington, KYOVA Member No.: 51,333 |
QUOTE (mmarfan @ Nov 7 2009, 09:54 AM) Did you ever consider the IS-F? 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. |
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