The 94-99 M3s have 240 horsepower to the crank. The 94-99 euro M3s have 286 to the crank and came with individual throttle bodies, euro headers, and mass air meter.
The new M3's can keep up with regular vette's, not the Z06. It doesn't have enough of a weight advantage to make up for the 72hp difference in power. The M3 CSL may be able to, but its not very practical with all of the weight taken off (like the trunk floor being made out of cardboard for ex.). The SMG gearbox is an option, the regular manual comes standard. They are nice cars though.
an excellent driver can get an m3 into the 12's, similar to a new vette or '03 cobra. FWI the CSL has been proven to be no faster than a manual transmission m3. $20,000 premium for same 0-60 time
I am not sure if the 99 m3 has the same enging as the 03, but a guy at are track runs a 03 and that thing is awsome. It is bone stock with a 6 speed. He turns 8.6 with 1.9 60ft times in the 1/8 mile.
I had a run in with a M3 about a month ago. I was driving along and just cruised by an M3 where we met up at the light ahead. My car sounds a lot more fierce with l/t even at idle, and I guess that turned the other guy on to see how fast I was. Well the light turned green, I broke the tires loose a bit but that M3 just pulled so strong off the line. It was a car and a half length ahead of me before traffic ahead slowed us down. My car is mainly a stocker, but no doubt the M3 was the faster car. That's fine by me because there is no car in the world that sounds as good as a small block Ford!
BBK L/T headers, hi-flo cats, Mac cat back, 3.73 gears, FRRP wires, Pro 5.0 shifter. Motor is all stock.