[IndyMike]

Originally Posted by JAX S50

I hope to pick one up very soon. I'm in the market for a new DD to replace my E36 M3 sedan (auto). Most guys are saying the Fiesta ST is the new generation E30 M3 because of the way it drives so I drove one a few weeks ago. Let me say the chasis is very stiff and, yes, its not the most powerful thing out there...but for the money, I think it's a great little package overall. As a current owner of a 1M and former owner of an E30, E46 and E90 M3, in terms of overall performance, the ST dosen't even come close, but it is a very fun little car. I can't think of something better new or used for the money. I'm no authority really on anything, and this is just my opinion as I am an enthusiast of all cars with a bias toward BMW of course. Flame suit on!!

I'm in the same boat. I have an R32 as a daily driver, and at 6.5 years and 68k miles it's time to start thinking about another car that is just as fun and potentially reliable as the R32 has been.

As I'm looking out the window there's still 13 inches of snow piled up on my front curb, and after 2 days of minus double digit type weather the roads around the Indy metro area are like trying to drive on the moon.

I wouldn't drive the RWD E91 with dedicated snows on our roads that have treacherous potholes lurking all about, and I'd be certifiable to even consider nosing the 1 Series M Coupe out of it's cozy spot, even though I'm dieing to do since I last drove it on 1 Jan.

These conditions beg for a Fiesta ST (FiST)......a $25k beater with a warranty that in the best of conditions you can wind out and still have a blast as a daily driver, and in the worst you couldn't give a snot if it jostles you about on pockmarked roads or incurs curb rash along the way.

The only thing holding me back is it doesn't come with HID's, which in these neck of the corn stalk like woods is a decided necessity/safety feature. So I'm hoping the 2015 model year will offer it as an option.

The E46M3 is to be a prized possession, and would have a place any day in my virtual car stable.

But it's not suited to be a DD in the current climes I reside in, nor is it a better weekend warrior than the 1 M.

So which car is "better" is ultimately relative to the situation and intended purpose of the individual.

[shivaswrath]

With end of year incentives, my buddy bought a Focus ST for $23,781... Now that's a flipping deal!

[NewM3driver]

Seriously... "this car has a good deal of torque steer but I kind of enjoy it"????? really? I'm a bit sorry I wasted 5 min of my life listening to such nonsense. "the M3 is 2 seconds faster to 60 but it really doesn't feel it"????? Just look at that ford plastic horrifically designed interior. You need to be so totally clueless to think that is OK. Look at the steering wheel.... lol

Guess anyone could make a video review. I'm sure he wouldn't like the antiquated look and feel of the 993 porsche either. This guy has no class at all. none. nada.

[Kolyan2k]

I once asked Matt to do the same comparison with S2000 vs other modern cars. He said S2000 is too old......

I think its nice to see those type of "reviews" whether people agree with it or not

I am kinda skeptical on this, but I haven't driven M3 in a long time and I have never seen or driven Fiesta so its not up to me to judge

[Gastoys]

In five years the fiesta will be worth $5k and the M3 $20k. The Fiesta is Ugly and Cheap! M3 all the way. I would buy a E36m3 over the fiesta too!

[AlexN]

Originally Posted by xboxgod

My buddy has a CLEAN 2003 M3 convertible with 40,000 miles on it and is asking $20K and no one is interested. He will probably end up selling it for $17-18K.

My other friend is looking to buy one and is looking at a CLEAN 2003 M3 with 80,000 miles and they only want $14K.

If you friend was selling a coupe with a 6sp tranny he could have sold it for more than $20k with that mileage.

Also - the M3 will have much less depreciation. I actually sold one in 2010 and picked up another one in 2013 (both cars were 2006 models) and I was amazed as to how little the car depreciated.
If you find one that is properly maintained and has all the usual E46 pitfalls taken care of (VANOS, rear subframe) it wont cost very much to own.

[MLKN]

I am leasing a Fiesta ST. It is my third car. When lease is up I am considering the new M3. However, the car is ridiculously fun to track and autocross and drive to work. I haven't driven the used M3 though. I also doubt most commenters have driven both to make a fair assessment. There is a reason everyone puts it at the top of their list for 2013 car comparison (Top Gear, C&D, etc).

[Ezio]

amazing how a 2003 E46 M3 is over 20k. gotta love that. i hope the E90 does well also.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by JAM3S

Its a price point comparison......

The cars are also similar performance wise, your E92 wont touch the R8 ever.

Well I'm an idiot.. Ha. Didn't know it was a price point comparo..

[ORIGIN M.]

Fords world platforms.

It's the best of Ford and they are the leading american car company accordingly.

[John_01]

That's the most idiotic car comparision ever. He is right about the costs of maintaining a 10 year old BMW, but to put it nicely, the rest of it reveals more about the reviewer than the subject.

[Robert]

He made some validate points but others I cannot agree with as a car enthusiast. One is although m3 is a perfect sports car, nice steering, handling, decent power it does not have latest electronic entertainment gadgets like bt sync, mp3 and blah blah. Seriously what else do you want from a driver's car, accessories are icing on the cake.

The e46m3 is so classically proportioned I will always have it over the oddly heighten sub-compact whose intention is to maximize interior space over a short wheel base. Even if I cannot push the m3 to the limit on streets, it's still a beauty at standstill.

[RazBimmer]

Originally Posted by Akopley

you could get a 335i with tune for less than 25k and smoke 99% of cars on the road...way better than having people question your sexuality while driving a fiesta.

I second that!! Lol

[Efthreeoh]

So here is a modern day Ford vs. a modern day BMW. Motor Trend did a comparison test between stock EO tires vs. performance tire to see how it affected lap times. Track: Willow Springs. Driver: Randy Probst. Cars: BRZ, 2013 Ford Mustang V6, and a 328i. The Mustang had a better lap time than the 328i on the stock OE tires AND on the performance tires.

Have fun.

http://wot.motortrend.com/performanc...ft-407757.html

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Completely useless review...

A couple of points: This particular M3 was "customized" with changes in geometry/tire width etc... Probably a more "stock" M3 maintained with love drives much better. Also personally, I am NO fan of gadgets in new cars, especially driver's cars, as they are a distraction from enjoying driving.

For a proper driver, NO cheap front drive turbo hot hatch (turbo lag, torque steer and endless understeer will provide as much driving pleasure and proper car control as the M3, of any generation.

Also, just a look at them side by side and the choice is already made...

One last thing, there are plenty of "car reviewers" in the internet, and what credential this guy has? I only trust reviews from real drivers such as Chris Harris...

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

So here is a modern day Ford vs. a modern day BMW. Motor Trend did a comparison test between stock EO tires vs. performance tire to see how it affected lap times. Track: Willow Springs. Driver: Randy Probst. Cars: BRZ, 2013 Ford Mustang V6, and a 328i. The Mustang had a better lap time than the 328i on the stock OE tires AND on the performance tires.

Have fun.

http://wot.motortrend.com/performanc...ft-407757.html

And the Mustang Boss 302 lapped faster than the E92 M3. News?

And if you look, the claimed hp ratings of the two cars and lap times, the 328(1:30.7) is right there with the Mustang(Mustang got 1:30 with the Pilot Super Sports, largely the grippiest dry traction tire offered), more so than the gap of the M3 vs Mustang Basically your link was more about tires than the cars. The Mustang is a damn good package these days and let's not forget, the '11+ V6 basically equals the previous V8 GT in most performance metrics(For example, a V6 ran a faster Lightning lap at 3:12.5 than the E92 335is 3:13.8). So all in all, that is a good showing for a base engine 3 series. Also willing to bet, same PSS' applied to the 328 would have knocked a solid chunk of time off. I have the PSS' on my car which replaced the S001s and the difference is night and day.

[clemsonkev]

Originally Posted by Akopley

you could get a 335i with tune for less than 25k and smoke 99% of cars on the road...way better than having people question your sexuality while driving a fiesta.

yup.... traded my Stage 2+ B5 S4 for a new e90 335i back in 2007.

got a Cobb tune and haven't had a reason to upgrade cars since.

never owned a car this long before.

simply nothing on the mkt that is more fun/pwr per dollar w/ 4 doors IMO. My whp matches the e90 M3, while my car probably blue books just under 20k.

maybe I'll eventually upgrade to an M235i, but my kids will hate me (less leg room)... they can ride in the wife's SUV

[ISLong]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

I don't know, but whatever shred of confidence Matt Farrah had left went out the window with this review.

I get it. The Fiesta ST is a great car, but that doesn't mean the M3 has to be a mediocre car, which is the impression I got from Matt's comments. When he said (4:10), "Revving it out isn't really... an adventure. You don't feel boost building. It's nothing... it's nothing to write home about, honestly," I almost closed the video.

In matters of subjective review, there is something called professional consensus. Professional consensus is the commonly held view of individuals who engage in said subjective measure as their profession. In other words, they hold some authority on the matter. Professional consensus is that the S54 engine is one of the best naturally aspirated, straight-six engines ever built. It revs to 8,000 RPM, has a wonderfully flat torque curve, and makes a very characteristic sound. That Matt can experience this engine with such a lack of enthusiasm tells me that he lacks taste in engines.

Very well said

My 02 m3 was completely stock and revving it to the top of the rpm band made one of the best engine sounds ever in my opinion. Also....besides the driving and all...even if the fiesta is "better" (strongly disagree)....in the words of a famous youtube video....."would you just look at it?!?"

[clemsonkev]

Originally Posted by SeXiPYm3

Here comes the 335 groupies.... I see plenty of females driving 335s every single day!

..... says the dude driving a yellow coupe.

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by skalberti

So they compared an 11 year old M3 with a brand new Fiesta. That's a hell of a handicap they gave Ford.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

And the Mustang Boss 302 lapped faster than the E92 M3. News?

And if you look, the claimed hp ratings of the two cars and lap times, the 328(1:30.7) is right there with the Mustang(Mustang got 1:30 with the Pilot Super Sports, largely the grippiest dry traction tire offered), more so than the gap of the M3 vs Mustang Basically your link was more about tires than the cars. The Mustang is a damn good package these days and let's not forget, the '11+ V6 basically equals the previous V8 GT in most performance metrics(For example, a V6 ran a faster Lightning lap at 3:12.5 than the E92 335is 3:13.8). So all in all, that is a good showing for a base engine 3 series. Also willing to bet, same PSS' applied to the 328 would have knocked a solid chunk of time off. I have the PSS' on my car which replaced the S001s and the difference is night and day.

But look at the lap times of both cars with stock tires. The point being everyone is complaining about a new Ford compared to a 11 year old M3. Fan boyz (not you) hate it when BMW gets matched or beaten by lower-priced hardware; then the discussion goes to interiors, suspension, quality, engineering, blah blah blah. When a V6 Mustang can match or beat a 328i in performance and is almost $10K less in price, then that is what I call good engineering.

[Teutonic]

He "feels" that Fiesta is fast, he would rather buy a car that feels fast than the one that is fast.

If the guy is numb, why argue?

Case closed!

PS
I had both. Fiesta is a narrow (obviously the steering is different you ignorant) jumping goat, there is no comparison, let the guy with his own. He actualy stated that he is an "amateur", so I was wondering why we should even take in consideration his opinion anyway?