Are E46 M3's fun?

[CABC]

mercer868 said:

What are you on about. They feel a lot lighter than they actually are and their steering is very accurate

true, but op states w/end car on fun empty roads. there are more appropriate options in that case.

[mercer868]

I have had my E46 M3 for 6 months now and previously I had an E92 M3. The e46 M3 is extremely fun to drive, thoroughly engaging and superbly accurate when on a b road blast.

The induction noise is fantastic and the engine is outrageously good, even compared to today's cars and it is 15 years old technology. You can pick up a decent one for £10k and it is a great car for the money.

I, only yesterday, took mine out for a drive across the black mountains with 12 other supercars and it kept up well with everyone being decent drivers. The front end turn in is top notch. It is also hard to describe, but you really do get the feeling you're connected to the road through your hands.

I have the SMG gearbox but I have CSL software on it which helps. Only £150 and makes the downshifts better.

Compared to 328's for example, it is a world above them. Just read every review of it and what well respected journalists think of it as a car. 5 star reviews all round.

I am a bit biased

Go test drive one. I live in bath if you want to have a ride.

Edited by mercer868 on Monday 19th September 16:55

[Leins]

mercer868 said:

SidewaysSi said:

I found the standard E46 M3 deathly dull to be honest. Too heavy with poor steering.

What are you on about. They feel a lot lighter than they actually are and their steering is very accurate

I suspect he means steering feel, or lack thereof. IMO it's one of the (few) downsides to the E46 M3, in that the levels of communication coming back through that wheel aren't brilliant

[The Big G]

If you want a TVR, then 10k will happily get you into one. It will buy you a good wedge or s series. You may also be able to find a chimaera too. They will always put a huge smile on you're face, even if you haven't picked the biggest engine. To me the smile factor is the most important part to owning a second fun car, just look at how highly regarded the MX5 is on here!

The e46 m3 to me is a fantastic compromise if you can only have one car, for a second car, far more better options out there

[nunpuncher]

Compared to other M3s it can be regarded as fun. However, compared to something like an elise it's not really much fun. Don't get the convertible though, it's like a different car and it's st.

When I bought they were right at the bottom of their depreciation (about 3 years ago). There were a load of dogs about then and having a look now it seems there still a load of dogs about only people want more for them. Given the fact so many were owned by tools like me who didn't spend the necessary money on them at a certain point in their life combined with the potential hideously expensive issues (vanos, head gaskets, cracked floors and the bloody inside out rusting arches) I'm not sure what the attraction is at current prices. I think a lot of people have somehow managed to convince themselves it's the last mechanical/analogue feeling car of it's kind.... which it's obviously not.

[mpit]

I think fast heavy coupe/saloons like M3s are too fast and not engaging enough to be fun on public roads.

I run a modified E92 mostly for track and it's great in that environment, however.

A similar power to weight ratio in something Lotus or TVR would offer enough driver involvement to make them 'fun', however.

But ultimately, everyone's definition of fun is different - I think it's hard to beat a small, light hot hatch for fun on the road without being a dick about it.

[mercer868]

Clarification on fun is needed. Of course the e46 doesn't hold a candle to the likes of lotus/tvr/Caterham for fun to be had. But to be used as an easy to live with daily then it's more fun than most.vague I know.

Also in response to a few. Mine is stock and very well looked after. Rare to find a stock one

[s m]

mercer868 said:

Clarification on fun is needed.

What is "fun"?

[bennyboysvuk]

I've not driven an S2000, but have driven an E46 M3 extensively. If you intend to drift at every given opportunity, then the M3 will be for you. It is extremely good at that. With some mild geo tweaks it will also be completely understeer-proof too.

I'd avoid the heavier convertible though. If you intend to go that route, get the Z4M Roadster.

[Shnozz]

mercer868 said:

Clarification on fun is needed. Of course the e46 doesn't hold a candle to the likes of lotus/tvr/Caterham for fun to be had. But to be used as an easy to live with daily then it's more fun than most.vague I know.

Also in response to a few. Mine is stock and very well looked after. Rare to find a stock one

Fun is, of course, subjective.

However, I have a history in the cars you mention and would say the E46 M3 was just as much fun as any of them. The fact that you can comfortably and progressively play sideways without being a driving God goes a long way in that regard, as does the peaky engine (which is where I felt the E92 M3 was a let down).

Caterhams are something else entirely, but that are also so impractical that its comparing apples with oranges.

[SidewaysSi]

Leins said:

mercer868 said:

SidewaysSi said:

I found the standard E46 M3 deathly dull to be honest. Too heavy with poor steering.

What are you on about. They feel a lot lighter than they actually are and their steering is very accurate

I suspect he means steering feel, or lack thereof. IMO it's one of the (few) downsides to the E46 M3, in that the levels of communication coming back through that wheel aren't brilliant

Indeed. I would actually question what are you on about. If you think an M3 has accurate and decent steering then you haven't driven anything remotely driver orientated. I was talking about feel - the M3 is shockingly poor in that respect.

And for me personally the limits are too high to enjoy on road. People talk about how sideways they are but frankly that requires more commitment than I am willing to give on road. And they are bloody heavy. And the gearchange is a bit crap. And the engine is fine but too heavy and not special enough (no doubt some will say how wonderous the CSL's is but for me that has a shoddy gearbox and still rubbish steering). The E46 M3 is just not my sort of car, sorry.

In contrast I am building an E36 328i. 205 section tyres, 15" wheels, probably no PAS, LSD and lots of other interesting bits. I expect it to be a shedload more fun than any modern M3 and at a fraction of the price.

Edited by SidewaysSi on Tuesday 20th September 22:56

[rb5er]

I can't say I rate the e46 m3 much. Gearboxes are terrible, steering average at best, feel very heavy, not that fast and make a horrid noise.

[n3il123]

rb5er said:

I can't say I rate the e46 m3 much. Gearboxes are terrible, steering average at best, feel very heavy, not that fast and make a horrid noise.

Not a fan then?

[rb5er]

I think they look nice.

[Ali_T]

SidewaysSi said:

I found the standard E46 M3 deathly dull to be honest. Too heavy with poor steering.

And not very fast. I looked at one when they were nearly new, expecting it to be amazing after all the journalistic hype, but it really felt like a slightly faster rep mobile and nothing special. The Monaro VXR I also looked at was far more enjoyable, and the C5 Corvette (standard, not Z06) felt far quicker. Mind you, I bought an RX8 instead of all of them so I probably paid far more money on fuel!

[ManOpener]

n3il123 said:

rb5er said:

I can't say I rate the e46 m3 much. Gearboxes are terrible, steering average at best, feel very heavy, not that fast and make a horrid noise.

Not a fan then?

Don't worry, he's very outspoken on all sorts of cars that are widely praised. You get used to it after a while.
I can't think of a contemporary equivalent (IE, two door, four seat, rear wheel drive coupé) of the E46 M3 that does "fun" more whilst remaining as usable or approachable, with the possible exception of the likes of the Monaro.

[Kitchski]

The good? The engine is an absolute peach. The driving position is good, the built quality is just right (not OTT solid and cold, nor is it rattly), it's fairly comfy and they're fairly handsome if not absolutely stunning. They can also be used daily without issue. They're nice to drive at 8/10ths, but I've never driven one absolutely flat out. Wouldn't imagine one would be as rewarding or involving as an S2000, but then the S2000 is an itch I've never scratched.

The bad? They're a bit 'look at me' for my tastes. The brakes don't feel confidence-inspiring and the SMG gearbox is cack, as far as I'm concerned. There's not much in the way of character going on, and I wouldn't call one lovable, but then different people enjoy different things.

I don't get people who say they aren't quick though. How quick does a car need to be to be enjoyed on the road?! I think they're plenty quick enough, and though I've never driven an S2000, I've played with them before, and it wouldn't know which way an E46 M3 went.

They're not my cup of tea though. I'd want the S2000

[trackdemon]

Those asserting E46 M3's are NOT fun to drive might want to brush up on their driving skills. How can a rwd 350bhp 1500kg car setup to be quite sporting not be fun? They are not as much fun as a Lotus Elise perhaps, but they're a damn sight more practical and durable....

[Shnozz]

trackdemon said:

Those asserting E46 M3's are NOT fun to drive might want to brush up on their driving skills. How can a rwd 350bhp 1500kg car setup to be quite sporting not be fun? They are not as much fun as a Lotus Elise perhaps, but they're a damn sight more practical and durable....

The average petrolhead (obviously excluding all the driving gods on PH) would also be able to hang the arris out of an E46 M3 far easier than in any Elise.

[Sea Demon]

CABC said:

the cabrio is over 150kgs heavier than tin top. the saloon is great, balanced, fast all rounder.
Hugely capable cars that aren't as much fun as lighter cars imo.

There isnt a saloon version of the E46 M3.