The E46 M3 is the best car I have ever owned

[paulmoonraker]

Vladimir said:

paulmoonraker said:

Exactly my point - thanks. I don't really car about peoples opinions.

Do you car about cars though?

Having owned a Cayman S, e92 M3 and 3 Imprezas (which are Marmite, I agree, but still a good car) - errrr... No, I don't care at all.

[kambites]

paulmoonraker said:

kambites said:

Like a balding fat middled aged man who's desperately to try to follow modern youth fashion in the mistaken belief that it'll make him "cool".

Do you really think owning a coupe compares to that? I mean, like, really think that?

In the situation where exactly the same car is available with more practicality and no other drawbacks beyond "style", I think it's a reasonable (if perhaps slightly extreme) metaphor.

If I needed a full four-seater, I'd buy an E46 M3 coupe, but only because there's no saloon or estate available.

[anonymous-user]

Zwolf said:

In terms of E9x M3s, I vastly prefer the saloon. No wife, kids, dog or need for practicality to inform the choice either. So :P

I think it's generally agreed that the saloon, with it's taller roof line and "shorter steeper" boot line makes the best looking E9x M3 because it restores some of the "nose down" aggressive intent into that shape, which the longer, lower coupe form just seems to miss.

[paulmoonraker]

kambites said:

paulmoonraker said:

kambites said:

Like a balding fat middled aged man who's desperately to try to follow modern youth fashion in the mistaken belief that it'll make him "cool".

Do you really think owning a coupe compares to that? I mean, like, really think that?

In the situation where exactly the same car is available with more practicality and no other drawbacks beyond "style", I think it's a reasonable (if perhaps slightly extreme) metaphor.

No it's not. Apart from a few car bores on a forum, nobody would look at a coupe car and comment on the drivers lack of suitability to own such a vehicle. On the other hand, a 50 year old in skinny jeans and good knows what else would attract all sorts of comments.

Further, your confusing your own point - you mention practically which is not age dependant.

[HannsG]

In regards practically.

I went to outlaws over easter.

Full size maxi cosi pram
baby stuff etc
2 overnight bags
toys, presents the lot

The M3 also carried the kid and wife in comfort in the rear. We also own a Saab TTiD Estate.

The Saab is seeing less and less road use on family occasions. If I had the choice I would have bought the M3 before being strong armed into the whole newborn practicality bks.

The M3 is a superbly practical GT.

[slash79]

paulmoonraker said:

I had no problem loading my twins in the back, or fitting a weeks worth of holiday stuff in the large boot of my e92 M3... God only knows why people think they need so much space?

Dogs!! I have 3. Not so keen on them on my back seat.

[paulmoonraker]

slash79 said:

Dogs!! I have 3. Not so keen on them on my back seat.

I put mine in my roof box.

[paulmoonraker]

HannsG said:

The Saab is seeing less and less road use on family occasions. If I had the choice I would have bought the M3 before being strong armed into the whole newborn practicality bks.

Exactly. Some honesty should be applauded.

[Vladimir]

paulmoonraker said:

Having owned a Cayman S, e92 M3 and 3 Imprezas (which are Marmite, I agree, but still a good car) - errrr... No, I don't care at all.

A whoosh parrot, a sprinkling of spelling Police, a drum roll and...


Never mind.

[Leins]

For taller drivers, a coupe or 3-door hatch provides better visibility, due to the B-pillar being further back. There is also plenty of room in an E46 coupe for doing a bit of "Grand Touring" around Europe IME

[nottyash]

I've had 2 and absoloutly love them.
I regret selling them both, but I bought a push chair, and couldn't fit it in the boot, also was difficult for the wife to fit the baby in his car seat hence the last sale.
I keep looking for another now :-)

[nottyash]

Vladimir said:

Whenever I see one on 18s, I can't help but nod in respect to the proper enthusiast.

both mine had 18s on, and I only ever fitted Continental M3 tyres ;-)

[Captainawesome]

Bought mine last year with 27,000 on the clock. Shes just ticked over 50,000. I have loved every single mile. I use it for shopping, transporting family, hoonage, many, many, many trips up to Scotland and she has done it all with no problem whatsoever and left me smiling and looking back at her every time. For me too, this is the best car I have ever owned. It just does everything well. Yes an M135i may give me a run for my money but lets face it....it's not an M3 and never will be and the M in M3 stands for more than just lap times and 0-60 times. I guess you have to be an enthusiast to understand.

I have just ordered the Carbon airbox from evolve and also a full supersprint lightweight exhaust, just waiting for them to arrive and be fitted. Unfortunately I got caught speeding on my way to work in Scotland last week at 113mph so I'm not going to be able to enjoy the amazing noise for a wee while. Hoping to get a reduction through mitigation.

Anyhoo, your car is beautiful. I own a supercharged one too but am going to be selling her as I feel the power level is just about right as standard and I prefer driving the standard one.

Lovely to see a thread like this as these cars really do seem to get under your skin. I absolutely adore mine and am hoping never to sell her.

from one M3 lover to another!

[fatboy b]

Lovely cars. Just loved mine, bit sadly the end of a fantastic era for BMW. Nothing since looks as good.

[Captainawesome]

Vladimir said:

Whenever I see one on 18s, I can't help but nod in respect to the proper enthusiast.

hahahahaha yes everyone driving an M3 on 18s is a proper enthusiast....hahahaha or they couldn't find one with 19s in their price range, prefer the look of 18s, bought on condition and not wheel size or a million other reasons.

Everytime I see an M135i I sob a little for a man who has to be so compromised.

[HannsG]

Captainawesome said:

Bought mine last year with 27,000 on the clock. Shes just ticked over 50,000. I have loved every single mile. I use it for shopping, transporting family, hoonage, many, many, many trips up to Scotland and she has done it all with no problem whatsoever and left me smiling and looking back at her every time. For me too, this is the best car I have ever owned. It just does everything well. Yes an M135i may give me a run for my money but lets face it....it's not an M3 and never will be and the M in M3 stands for more than just lap times and 0-60 times. I guess you have to be an enthusiast to understand.

I have just ordered the Carbon airbox from evolve and also a full supersprint lightweight exhaust, just waiting for them to arrive and be fitted. Unfortunately I got caught speeding on my way to work in Scotland last week at 113mph so I'm not going to be able to enjoy the amazing noise for a wee while. Hoping to get a reduction through mitigation.

Anyhoo, your car is beautiful. I own a supercharged one too but am going to be selling her as I feel the power level is just about right as standard and I prefer driving the standard one.

Lovely to see a thread like this as these cars really do seem to get under your skin. I absolutely adore mine and am hoping never to sell her.

from one M3 lover to another!

Airbox and a Supersprint! Your car is going to sound brilliant.

I have done a few mods, but want to do a few more. Nothing extreme just a few tasteful ones. Not to detract from stock etc. The car in the pic is dropped on Eibachs. Also have Eurotips on the rear, have a Milltek centre exhaust section to fit and also a rear diffuser to go on. Will be ordering a Big Brake Kit too and will finish the car of possibly with some CSL wheels.

Regards the exhaust, I was considering a full aftermarket system. But I ferry my son around a lot so need to avoid a full on sound. Hence the reason for the centre section.

Edited by HannsG on Monday 21st April 19:11

[cava]

Leins said:

For taller drivers, a coupe or 3-door hatch provides better visibility, due to the B-pillar being further back. There is also plenty of room in an E46 coupe for doing a bit of "Grand Touring" around Europe IME

Exactly what I was going to say. The B-pillar has always been in the way on the 4 and 5 door cars I've owned, and I find it very annoying indeed.

Also, the E46 coupe is more practical for me because it has folding rear seats whereas the saloon doesn't. Handy for carting my mountain bike about.

[McSam]

I'd really like a go in one, just to see how it really compares to my current E46 328i.. I get the feeling the M3 will clearly be able to do all the focused driving so much better, but not sacrifice the daily usability that makes me like the E46 so much in the first place.

Though in the above saloon/coupé debate, perhaps it's worth pointing out that if they made a saloon, we'd just be bhing about why on earth the seats don't fold and how this makes it worse than the coupé for some stuff

[kambites]

cava said:

Leins said:

For taller drivers, a coupe or 3-door hatch provides better visibility, due to the B-pillar being further back. There is also plenty of room in an E46 coupe for doing a bit of "Grand Touring" around Europe IME

Exactly what I was going to say. The B-pillar has always been in the way on the 4 and 5 door cars I've owned, and I find it very annoying indeed.

Also, the E46 coupe is more practical for me because it has folding rear seats whereas the saloon doesn't. Handy for carting my mountain bike about.

I'm sure the last E46 saloon I drove had folding rear seats? Wasn't it an optional extra on both body-styles? The estate certainly does.

I must admit the B-pillar position was something that I hadn't really considered. I'm only six foot, so I've never really had a problem with rear 3/4 visibility.

[HannsG]

kambites said:

I'm sure the last E46 saloon I drove had folding rear seats? Wasn't it an optional extra on both body-styles? The estate certainly does.

I must admit the B-pillar position was something that I hadn't really considered. I'm only six foot, so I've never really had a problem with rear 3/4 visibility.

I'm pretty sure the folding seats was a £1000 option..