I know what you’re thinking, apples and oranges. But on paper some interesting similarities emerge:
0-60
Elise: 4.7
M3: 4.7
1/4 mile
Elise: 13.4
M3: 13.3
Power to Weight:
Elise: 1950lbs / 190hp = 10.2
M3: 3415lbs / 343hp = 9.95
2005 Lotus Elise Road and Track Spec Sheet
2001 BMW M3 Road and Track Spec Sheet
Yes, they’re both totally different cars. But it’s getting hard to deny that the M3 wears many hats, very well. And with the e92 M3 right around the corner, more and more sub $30k e46 M3’s have been showing up on eBay recently.
dc