mgdsh

with AT LEAST some type of clutchless manual if not a traditional manual. Even if was an option...

*edit* forgot to add... chicktronic doesn't count as a 'manual' in my book :/

mgdsh

when it comes to talking about the M3, especially after it gets a bad review. Saying things like they'll 'make up their mind after they test drive it.' It's funny how they knock on the RS4 any chance they get and probably have never driven an RS4, not to mention an Audi.

Real 'objective'

Gotta love the rationalism there. They could fuel a psych convention.

I can't even imagine how disappointed they will be if/when the E92 comes to the US with a base price over $60k. Half of their arguments rely on the fact that many of them think that car will actually come in below sixty. The others rely on weight, and track performance, when admittedly most of them will never even track their cars.

justhacking

MB's manual trans sucks.

TheAssMan

That doesn't make the R8 less desirable, and were price no object, I'd still pick the R8 every time. I mean, the interior alone is in another universe compared to the M3 & 3 series. But I have no doubt the M3 will be a spectacular performer.

06A8

you have got to be kidding me to even think that..

nirad

and IIRC, the Euro M3 is heavier than the Euro RS4 according to comparison tests.

TheAssMan

is .1 seconds and 1mph less than the R8's, and this was done on a very traction limited surface. As far as the M3 "losing" two comparisons with the RS4, those were very preliminary and subjective decisions. I can produce two tests that show the M3 "beating" the RS4 as well. I happen to think they're both phenomenal, but the U.S. spec RS4 have what doctors call a bit of weight problem. And seriously, I can't understand why some of you are so insanely defensive about the R8. It's many wonderful things, but a straight line terror it isn't.

mgdsh

different markets. What we can't understand is why some of you love to compare the R8 and M3 so much?

The R8 is geared more towards the 911, AM, M6, and Maserati crowds.

Silver Fun

Any prelim. times are just that. My bet is when both cars are broken in the straight and twisty, times will favor the R8. Only time will tell, anything printed now is just a guess. I am sure we all agree that any car has a "range" of 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.

nirad

lots of cheaper cars are faster in a straight line than either the M3 or R8, but above a certain point that's not a very important factor in a performance car. handling, the chassis design, and the ability to put down power are more important. the fact that the R8 is faster around some circuits than an F430 and Gallardo means it has performance that the M3 can't approach.