fun comparison of the day: the BRZ is the new BMW E30 M3

[torquemada]

BMW E30 M3
wheelbase 101.1 in
2 door coupe
195 hp (6750 rpm)
170 ft lbs (4600 rpm)
4cyl 2,302 cc displacement
6.9 seconds 0-62 mph (0-100kmh)
143 mph top speed
2,724 lbs weight lbs
$34,900 retail in U.S.

because there is a lack of red BRZ



Subaru BRZ
wheelbase 101 in
2 door coupe
200 hp (7000 rpm)
150 ft lbs (6300 rpm)
4cyl 1,998 cc displacement
under 7 seconds 0-60 mph
143 mph top speed
2,690 lbs weight lbs
$25,000 (est) retail in U.S.

[SUB-FT86]

I Agree!!!!

I wish the BRZ had a engine of comparable size(2.3-2.5l) so it could produce the same or better torque of the E30 M3 though.

[Voodoo Rufus]

The specs are surprisingly similar. Nice comparison!

[mines13]

Originally Posted by Driftster

I think this new BRZ/GT86 is a smart car, a very smart car brought out at the perfect time in the automotive world to be a sure fire hit and generate tons of money..

but...it's lacking the character of the M3 in a HUGE way..

Spec wise i'm fairly sure the BRZ/GT86 would turn out to be the superior on track vehicle stock for stock..

but once modification came into play it's a new ball game...


Let's not forget the M3 engine and the engines associated with it's timeline were some of the strongest engines for abuse ever produced outside of American big blocks...


I don't think any other 4 cylinder in the history of automobiling can claim that factory racing teams bought them used, set them out side in the rain and snow, were frequently urinated...And finally brought indoors cleaned up, turbocharged to in excess of 1300HP and put into a formula 1 car..


And i doubt the Fa20 will pose a threat to that story.

Great story, except the E30 m3 engine was never used in f1. the 1.5l inline 4 was pupose built for f1. I think the OP makes a great point with the comparison.

[WingsofWar]

86/BRZ will still need to build a reputation and fill in some big shoes. E30 M3 is one of those shoes with legendary status. Even stat for stat...we still cant compare those cars.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by mines13

Great story, except the E30 m3 engine was never used in f1. the 1.5l inline 4 was pupose built for f1. I think the OP makes a great point with the comparison.

The story is that the blocks were sourced from high mileage cars (since they'd been proven to be free of manufacturing defects). The rest of the F1 engine was built around it. But the way I remember the story it was the M10 block (the engine on which the S14 is based, but not the S14 itself). I've never seen official documentation or anything, but that's what I remember.

[mines13]

Originally Posted by Mitch

The story is that the blocks were sourced from high mileage cars (since they'd been proven to be free of manufacturing defects). The rest of the F1 engine was built around it. But the way I remember the story it was the M10 block (the engine on which the S14 is based, but not the S14 itself). I've never seen official documentation or anything, but that's what I remember.

the block dates back to the 1960s, pretty much all bmw 4bangers into the 1980s can vauglely trace their lineage back to the m10, but they are not the same. in the same way an ls3 can trace its history ack to an iron block 327/350 from a malibu, chevelle, etc from the 60s.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by mines13

the block dates back to the 1960s, pretty much all bmw 4bangers into the 1980s can vauglely trace their lineage back to the m10, but they are not the same. in the same way an ls3 can trace its history ack to an iron block 327/350 from a malibu, chevelle, etc from the 60s.

What I had learned was that they used the block as a starting point. Instead of manufacturing a dedicated block just for racing, they used existing blocks and did their machining from there, and those blocks were pulled from high mileage vehicles instead of straight off the assembly line. I'll try to find sources.

[random]

Interesting comparison... there are definitely some similarities.

One other observation though: this means the FR-S/BRZ has finally shown up to the party about 25 years after the E30 M3.

[Eldorian]

This thread reminds me of how ugly cars from the 80s were. Looks like the Hammerhead-i Eagle Thrust.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by Eldorian

This thread reminds me of how ugly cars from the 80s were. Looks like the Hammerhead-i Eagle Thrust.

You shut your whore mouth! That car is gorgeous

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Eldorian

This thread reminds me of how ugly cars from the 80s were. Looks like the Hammerhead-i Eagle Thrust.

[Debo]

love the E30...

[torquemada]

this means in ten years it has doubled weight, power and price