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From ST, to M3, maybe to RS?

4066 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Apex Missing Ape, 
A
Hi all,

A little about me: I'm an Alabama guy that's pretty active in HPDE and going to drag strips. I had an ST ST3 for about a year. It was a blast but it was a little too tame for me. I sold the ST and bought an E92 M3, which was promptly destroyed (only had it for 3 months!) by an F-150 smashing into my car and sending me into a guard rail. Good times. Right now I'm driving my 2008 G8, which is a fun car that runs mid 11s in the 1/4, but it's not exactly nimble in its current configuration.


So, here I am, lusting after this RS. It seems to fix the few issues I had with my ST, namely, it being FWD and a little on the slow side. I haven't decided between buying the RS or replacing my M3 with another one yet. I'm really leaning toward the RS.

Anyway, hello!
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Sorry to hear about the M3!

I have not driven an RS yet, but I think an RS and an M3/M4 will feel substantially different to drive. It depends what you're looking for. Would you be getting another E92, or is an F10 M4 on the table? You can't go wrong with either of those or a Focus RS. Welcome!
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Apex Missing Ape said:
Hi all,

A little about me: I'm an Alabama guy that's pretty active in HPDE and going to drag strips. I had an ST ST3 for about a year. It was a blast but it was a little too tame for me. I sold the ST and bought an E92 M3, which was promptly destroyed (only had it for 3 months!) by an F-150 smashing into my car and sending me into a guard rail. Good times. Right now I'm driving my 2008 G8, which is a fun car that runs mid 11s in the 1/4, but it's not exactly nimble in its current configuration.


So, here I am, lusting after this RS. It seems to fix the few issues I had with my ST, namely, it being FWD and a little on the slow side. I haven't decided between buying the RS or replacing my M3 with another one yet. I'm really leaning toward the RS.

Anyway, hello!
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welcome to the boards AWD FTWWW!!!!!!! pics of the G8.. mean monsters those were ;)
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Professor G said:
Sorry to hear about the M3!

I have not driven an RS yet, but I think an RS and an M3/M4 will feel substantially different to drive. It depends what you're looking for. Would you be getting another E92, or is an F10 M4 on the table? You can't go wrong with either of those or a Focus RS. Welcome!
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I think I'd be pretty happy in a somewhat lightweight AWD beast like the RS. I loved the rotation mid corner I could get in my ST, but wasn't thrilled with the push under hard acceleration while turning. AWD should fix that right up.

If I choose another M3 it would definitely be an E92. The M4 is better in every objective measure than the E92 M3, but winding out that S65 V8 to 8400 RPM is too addictive. That's the way I want to remember the M series. If I were to venture back into the $60k+ market again I'd probably choose the GT350R over an M4.

I've already called my Ford dealership about the order banks, but no word on when they'll open. I can hardly wait!
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Jobber said:
welcome to the boards AWD FTWWW!!!!!!! pics of the G8.. mean monsters those were ;)
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Yeah, the G8 is my baby. I bought her new in 2008 and we've been through a lot together!







And my gone but not forgotten M3 :(
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C
The M3 is great, and though its a luxury car, a lot of people have one. The Focus RS will actually be more exclusive in the end.
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Isn't that generation of the M3 the generation that a lot of people want? the one that only had a V8 engine?

I think they also came as a sedan too.
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centurion said:
Isn't that generation of the M3 the generation that a lot of people want? the one that only had a V8 engine?

I think they also came as a sedan too.
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The purists hate the E92 M3 because of the engine, and the prefer the I-6. The vast majority of enthusiasts loved that generation because it w2as such a phenomenal motor. I think they will be one of the more sought after M cars later on. The United Sportscar and LeMans racers still use the S65 engine in their programs. It's great!

The E90 is the sedan, E92 is the coupe, and E93 is the convertible.
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I'm not very picky about the engine. By that I mean I don't care if its 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder or whatever. I care more that it is fun to drive and efficient. I don't like an engine just because it is "bigger".
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Cosmonaut said:
I'm not very picky about the engine. By that I mean I don't care if its 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder or whatever. I care more that it is fun to drive and efficient. I don't like an engine just because it is "bigger".
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Ha, it's definitely not an efficient engine. The 4.0 V8 in my old M3 went through a lot more fuel than does my heavier, bigger, G8 with a monster 6.2 that's putting out about 130 more HP and about 180 more TQ than the Beemer.
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Fun engines usually aren't very fuel efficient. Granted the industry is moving towards better fuel economy for the more powerful engines but I don't think it'll be easy to find now.
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ExtremeFocus said:
Fun engines usually aren't very fuel efficient. Granted the industry is moving towards better fuel economy for the more powerful engines but I don't think it'll be easy to find now.
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They aren't but these days if you're buying a vehicle like the RS it's going to be the most fuel efficient fun you're going to have. Great middle ground.
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My ST was a lot of fun and pretty fuel efficient when I drove it like a Prius owner. When I put the hammer down I paid the price, though. That I can work with with. If I want to play I've got to be willing to deal with the consequences. It's a lot like when I drink, come to think of it.

The RS strikes a balance between utility, economy, and speed that I can't resist.
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