Is the 348 a dethtrap?

Its all relative. Sure, if you're going to drive the car at 275kph without any form of driver training, then you're asking for trouble.

There are many posts on this forum relating to handling improvements at high speed (front spoiler, spacers, wheels, suspension etc). I think the majority of the 348 owners know their limits and respect their cars.

If you want to race/track the car, go for one of the later GTB models (has the wider track and rear suspension mods + spolier & battery at the front). The ultimate track car is the GTC (competizione). This car has kevlar elements, race seats, drilled pedals, the upgraded engine and other mods.

To go to the ultimate level, get a 348 Challenge car and make it road legal(that would be cool).

Either way, an M3 is German, reliable (yawn) and a 2+2. Completely different car and has about 10% of the road presence of a 348! (that's enough for most of us) ps - the 348's quicker too...

 

The 348 is quicker. That was my bench mark for buying it, no point having a "supercar" if anyone in an M3 can show it a clean pair of heels. Though in most things, in real day to day A-B driving there would be little in it and although the 348 might grip better, you could probably push the M3 harder.

The 348 is a phenominal car for handling. Very well balanced, very nuetral. I have only spun mine once, that was on a track taking a right hand bend at 100mph (170kph). Even then it was a case of, steer in, steer in, bit of opposite lock, bit more, bit more... oh bollox! It didn't suddenly snap out unexpectedly... and in fairness, I was pushing it to find that very point!

It's only a deathtrap if the person behind the wheel is taking things for granted and isn't concentrating.

Great cars - but get the later GTB, GTS, Spider or GTC.

 

Definitely not a deathtrap. The oversteer I have experienced has been predictable and controllable. It is also much more fun than a grippy sedan.
BT

 

Any vehicle in the wrong hands could be considered a death trap. That being said, I feel very safe driving mine. It feels balanced, it stops and steers well, it has a very low center of gravity which helps as well.

Safety comparisons...

No airbags (personally, I prefer it that way)

Comparison to M3?

Apples and oranges.

Good luck with your decision!

Mike

 

Death trap? ..... No!

Comments from some owners say that the 348 is a little twitchy when driven at it's limit.

Compared to an M3, like others have said.... Apples and oranges.
As far as the 348 cleaning an M3's clock, I don't think so.
Performance figures are comparable, with very similar 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.

 

I had a 2001 E46 M3. I sold it and bought my 348 shortly afterwards.

Apples and oranges. The 348 is the "ultimate driving machine."

And no, it is not a deathrap. Sure, the 348 doesn't have "dynamic stability control" to save your life if you decide to be a moron and drive like one. But the 348 handling is very predictable due to the fact that it doesn't have power steering.

The car is also built like a brick sh!thouse.

The later the year, the better the 348. The 1994 cars are the best; then 1993, then 1992, etc. The model designation doesn't mean much. I'd say get yourself a 1994 GTB or GTS. These cars don't exist in the US -- you are lucky!

 

Is it any different from other mid engine cars? My Mondial feels like it will break loose whereas my BMW 325 feels very predictable.

 

The T/348 engine sit quite a bit lower than the earlier models...thus lowering the cg and making handling improved.

- JMG

 

You don't like the '95s?

 

I also thought the handling was "twitchy" when I first got the car, I had come out of a boxster s. I don't find it that way any longer, and now enjoy it, wondering if the boxster was too "civilized" :-]

 

For a good GTS/GTB/Spider (all have the upgraded kit), you'll pay £40,000.

For a good TS/TB you'll pay £35,000 upwards depending on mileage. So expect to pay 10% extra for the better spec.

You can get cheaper 348's, but the majority of these cars have higher mileage 35K upwards or are left hand drive - but for you - LHD makes sense

 

95s are Spiders only. I had thought we weren't talking about Spiders.

 

348 Challenges were road legal, as were 95 355 challenges.

 

You sure Julian?

You can get good LHD TSs for £24-26K RHD for £28-30k

I would think on mainland Europe you could get a good LHD GTS for the equivalent of £32k

My RHD Spider will be going for mid-£30k after it comes back from Spain in a few weeks.

 

With any luck.....yes hopefully it will.

 

I almost bought a 348 challenge car last year for $39k, I heard they can be had cheaper but for the price they are the ultimate bargain in my opinion.

 

I drive alot of cars and can say aslong as the 348 has the wider track its a very good handling car (1990!) nice to have a car without power steering...clutch is a bit heavy being a twin plate on mine though!

Any car will kill in the wrong hands but tbh the 348 aint exactly fast??My XJR is quicker...dont sound nowhere near as good though and both are V8's!

 

I'll go with the apples and oranges thing ! Why bother with an M3? I have a 330i (2001 ,low miles) as a daily driver with M tech suspension and it does the job well and only gives a bit to the M3 on 0-100 kph, cost me £12,000, Plus I have a LHD 348 ts (1993) cost £26,000 (do the math) = £38,000 .... Price of a late(ish) M3....... The defense rests m'laud!
I just read back my post and never really worked out before what a bargain package that is !!!!!! Impressed myself!

 

348's are blast to drive and that's the whole point forget everything else. The safer cars are the more boring they are. You can't escape it.

 

Al - I guess I'm going on what we'd pay for at a dealers. Yeah, you can pick up some good 348's privately at those prices. Your 348 spider at a dealers would still get close to top dollar. Just depends how comfortable you are going privately.

 

Niko,
I used to own a 94 TB factory challenge car that I drove about 14K including many track miles. This was a US car. I think in Europe they made a "Competizione" model. I did find it twitchy at the limit and somewhat unpredictable. I went back to a 328 GTB which is not as fast, but much better balanced IMO. Our resident pro, Roland Linder, told me it was a good move to go to the 328. I used to own a 99 M3 and drove a buddy's 2001. I find them to be very dull. A 308 is more entertaining, even though the Bimmers are much faster and better cars! In all the time I had the 348, however, "deathtrap" or "dangerous" never entered my mind.

DAve