i'd be scared of getting bored as they only have like 250bhp standard dont they?
How does it compare to your e46 m3?
Was waiting for the M3 comparison
To be honest, the M3 would absolutely r4pe the R32 speed wise, there is simply no comparison, except off the line in the damp. The M simply pulls and pulls and pulls, you dont really realise how quick it is until you are able to fully unleash it abroad (like the Brecons in Wales lol). Yes its rapid below 70, but its only really getting into its stride then, the way it continues to pull through 3rd, to 4th and into 5th is simply immense. And the wail. Oh the wail. Its like driving a truck normally however, which meant for my daily commuting, i simply got fed up with the heavy clutch, jerky throttle and feeling that i was always 'reining it in'. However, for that weekend in Wales, it was simply incredible, however, to have fun in it, you need to be doing some seriously silly speeds (which is daft on the road), & the standard brakes are sh1te.
The R32 by comparison is slower, but still sounds epic, so you can safely drive it around at more 'maximum attack' than the M3 without worrying about blue flashing lights all the time. On the motorway, when it kicks down in DSG it is rapid, no question about that, it will happily ruin a clio 1*2/197/200 as ive found out a couple of times, whilst drinking a cup of coffee with my arm on the armrest. Handling wise it is a much 'safer' proposition than the M3 in that you simply turn in and go around a corner, no need to worry about oversteer or for 99% of the time, understeer. At road speeds, you would have to be driving like a right mong to get it out of shape.
Which i guess is where the issue lies, the R32 is a stunning way of travelling quickly and id probably put money on it being able to keep an M3 honest on a back road as its so much easier to drive for most drivers. The M3 requires skill to peddle really quickly, which it where its 'Evo'ness comes from, its able to really deliver at eight-tenths plus, whereas the R32 doesnt have the ability to give that last two-tenths of driving pleasure.
As a daily, the R32 is better imho, its a 5 door family hatchback so immensely practical and without the constant fear of M priced breakages. Will it still keep me amused in 6 months time now my commute is shorter and driving is more for pleasure? Im not sure, but conversely, im not sure id want to go back to the worry of ///M ownership at the moment.
