So what would you estimate a heavily modded MS3 performance to be around?

[sfalexi]

In terms of other cars? As you see, I was looking to perhaps buy a more comfortable sporty car such as a Lexus IS350 or BMW 3-series (not M3) if I came into more money I might trade it in. MIGHT.

But I was wondering, for those that know what's capable and what you can do to the car after modding it (I'm looking in Laloosh's and Driver311's directions), what do you suppose the performance would be rated around? Would a heavily modded, but still not in danger of blowing up MS3, be around a stock M3 performance level? Stock Evo? What would you think? And not just straight line (of course). Handling (after suspension upgrades and maybe some better wheels with slightly fatter tires or something). That sorta thing. It'd definitely help to sway me toward the MS3 if with a few thousand worth of mods it'd be comparable to a stock new car that costs, well, more than the mods would cost.

Alexi

 

[numbnuts22715]

This is a reallly hard question to answer...
Its definitely possible to make it surpass both of those you listed based on acceleration and stuff like that.
As for the handling--it might be tought just becasue the ms3 is front wheel drive. The evo handles AMAZINGLY well partly due to the fact that its awd.
I think you could get it up to the point where itd be extremely fun to drive.

off topic-- If you are going to get rid of the ms3 to buy something that wouldnt be able to surpass the level of performance of the cars you listed, whats the point?
Not trying to bash, just wondering what you're thinking.

If you want to get rid of the ms3 to get something better, make sure its something better and not something worse.

 

[sfalexi]

off topic-- If you are going to get rid of the ms3 to buy something that wouldnt be able to surpass the level of performance of the cars you listed, whats the point?
Not trying to bash, just wondering what you're thinking.

Well, basically I find that I don't drive hard. And while I love having a car with pep, I never drive it to it's full potential (never do real hard accelerations, crazy twisties on back roads, etc). So I started thinking about maybe getting a car that has more "comfort" and a little bit of luxury while still having some pep. So I'm wondering whether it's first of all necessary for ME to have all this performance, and secondly whether I would be better set getting a car that already has some nice performance and not have to mod it at all or whether I can keep this car and mod it to be more comfortable while still retaining it's performance.

So if the cost of MS3 and the mods are, let's say, less than the cost of a base Evo IX, then I would strongly consider modding it up. However if to get to that performance level I'd end up spending more mods (or really jeapordizing the stability of my engine) then maybe in the future I'd look at trading for an evo. That's just an example (the evo). Could be anything. Or maybe it'd just so cost effective nothing would be able to beat it perfomance/$$$ by modding.

Alexi

 

[fasteract]

Having had a 500 HP EVO VIII, I am of the opinion my MS3 has more comfort and luxury..EVO has no cruise, sqeaks from dash/center console, seats loose support after a year, no climate control, noisy heater blower. If you don't push the car hard, the EVO and MS3 handle pretty much the same in the curves and wet...accelerating out of a curve in the dry/wet with some enthusiasm favors the EVO.

I hope Cobb's AP will give me a bit more power/boost since the EVO definitely has more giddyup in stock form. A 300HP Speed with an exhaust and coil-overs should cost $5,000 or more less than a stock new EVO IX and will perform pretty well and comparable to the EVO 90% of the time.

I traded for more comfort and a MPG range better than my 230 miles per tank in the EVO in a daily driver.

For bragging rights, I would get a used "this or that" and push its limits with a built engine/suspension...in my case, a 99 S/R ZX2 with forged pistons/rods, turbo running 18 psi max, coilovers, sways, DOT race rubber, etc....a lightweight 260 HP fairly reliable machine quick enough to catch most performance cars in my area for a total investment of $7,500 + my labor.

 

[AutoXRacer]

I loved the S/R ZX2 when it came out... I wanted one so bad... (lol2)

 

[USAF_TRobertson]

Look into the BMW 135i or if you need something bigger the 335i (which comes in a coupe or 4-door).

If I had the money I would get a 135i - it both outperforms and outclasses the MS3 and even comes very close to ourperforming the M3.

I am always drooling over BMW's though.

If I ever get really rich I will have a M3 for my daily driver, an M5 to take downtown, out to eat, on trips, etc. and a M6 as my Sunday car.

Maybe I would keep the MS3 and outfit it with everything Cobb makes as my bad weather car... I really do love the MS3.

 

[wolverine_man]

Look into the BMW 135i or if you need something bigger the 335i (which comes in a coupe or 4-door).

If I had the money I would get a 135i - it both outperforms and outclasses the MS3 and even comes very close to ourperforming the M3.

I am always drooling over BMW's though.

If I ever get really rich I will have a M3 for my daily driver, an M5 to take downtown, out to eat, on trips, etc. and a M6 as my Sunday car.

Damn, I think I'd have to own a gas station to be driving around all those premo gas sucking monsters. But hey, if money is no object . . .

 

[jp4130]

Well, basically I find that I don't drive hard. And while I love having a car with pep, I never drive it to it's full potential (never do real hard accelerations, crazy twisties on back roads, etc). So I started thinking about maybe getting a car that has more "comfort" and a little bit of luxury while still having some pep. So I'm wondering whether it's first of all necessary for ME to have all this performance, and secondly whether I would be better set getting a car that already has some nice performance and not have to mod it at all or whether I can keep this car and mod it to be more comfortable while still retaining it's performance.

So if the cost of MS3 and the mods are, let's say, less than the cost of a base Evo IX, then I would strongly consider modding it up. However if to get to that performance level I'd end up spending more mods (or really jeapordizing the stability of my engine) then maybe in the future I'd look at trading for an evo. That's just an example (the evo). Could be anything. Or maybe it'd just so cost effective nothing would be able to beat it perfomance/$$$ by modding.

Alexi

If your driving style is as described why would you be modding your car for performance? Just to say "ya it's fast". People who do perforamnce modifications want to wring every last bit of speed out of thier cars. If you don't revel in that Than why spend your money to make it faster handle better. You must kind of enjoy high performance cars judging by your examples. One thing the speed has is a huge fun factor, Numbers don't always show how much a car can make you giggle.

 

[sfalexi]

If your driving style is as described why would you be modding your car for performance? Just to say "ya it's fast". People who do perforamnce modifications want to wring every last bit of speed out of thier cars. If you don't revel in that Than why spend your money to make it faster handle better. You must kind of enjoy high performance cars judging by your examples. One thing the speed has is a huge fun factor, Numbers don't always show how much a car can make you giggle.

Well, I'm a bit of an adrenline junky. I've done some sky-diving, snowboarding, and my latest venture that I've been with for a while has been mountain biking. And I always felt like I could really get into some fast car driving. But I'd prefer to do it in a controlled environment (on a track). I've never done it before, but I have a feeling that once if I can get myself to a track I'd end up being hooked. I'd look like an idiot the first few times on a track, but I'm sure I'll learn. I'm just a little too paranoid about cops to throw it around on the streets. But then again, I was in my wife's hyundai and was driving down the highway next to a WRX and I felt a little something stir inside me wishing I had MY sporty little car on the road next to him.

Alexi

 

[jp4130]

Cool man , I'm an adrenaline junkie myself, I ride bmx for my thrills.
It seems like your hooked. I think the speed is decent track car.
If you do mod it, my suggestions is tires and suspension first.
This makes the biggest difference in how fun it is to drive hands down.
Also for the track it will make the car work much better.