Are E46 M3's fun?

[Robertos88]

You won't be disappointed, absolutely loved it. Bought a sensible car to deal with family duties, but seriously considering buying another.

[james_gt3rs]

sgtbash said:

21TonyK said:

don't even think about track use.

What?

High powered BMWs tend to produce a melting brake smell when you follow them on track, sounds like quite an expensive way around a track.

[RobM77]

james_gt3rs said:

sgtbash said:

21TonyK said:

don't even think about track use.

What?

High powered BMWs tend to produce a melting brake smell when you follow them on track, sounds like quite an expensive way around a track.

Blink and you'll miss it though... I've never quite been sure if its the drivers holding back or just the cars, but every time I've been on a trackday I've noticed that super saloons such as M3s, RS4s, RS6s, C63 AMGs etc seem to lap very slowly, even compared to quite mundane sports cars. Now naturally, speed is no guarantee of fun, but it's just something worth pointing out. They always look rather out of sorts as well, with quite a bit of body roll, limited traction etc.

[aka_kerrly]

Bristol spark said:

.

So time for a re-think.

I might keep the s2000 for a while and expand my budget for either a TVR Chimeara 450/500, Elise or perhaps maybe a VX220 Turbo?

My worry about the Elise is they are so low on power! (But i guess the lack of weight could make up?)


Knowing my luck the S2000 values will start plumering now!!

Edited by Bristol spark on Saturday 24th September 15:48

What about supercharging the S2000 and keeping it for a few more years?

With regard to the Elise, there is a obvious solution which combines your existing like of VTEC, a K20 converted Elise!!
http://www.starkautomotive.co.uk/

[james_gt3rs]

RobM77 said:

Blink and you'll miss it though... I've never quite been sure if its the drivers holding back or just the cars, but every time I've been on a trackday I've noticed that super saloons such as M3s, RS4s, RS6s, C63 AMGs etc seem to lap very slowly, even compared to quite mundane sports cars. Now naturally, speed is no guarantee of fun, but it's just something worth pointing out. They always look rather out of sorts as well, with quite a bit of body roll, limited traction etc.

On paper they should be fast around a track, in reality I imagine the owners hold back so they don't destroy the brakes and tyres before lunch.
With mods I've seen some very fast E46 M3s.

[CABC]

james_gt3rs said:

With mods I've seen some very fast E46 M3s.

Biggest mod being 200kg+ of weight removed?

[Leins]

A supercharger makes them fairly shift along too, especially when applied to a CSL

[robbiekhan]

Supercharging a CSL... heard it all now Some motors should just be left untouched.

Leins said:

A supercharger makes them fairly shift along too, especially when applied to a CSL

Force feeding an S54 is not my idea of fun. While it will gain low down power and torque, it loses what makes it great in the first place.

For me, that climb from 3500rpm to 8300 rpm is full of sensations. The induction noise from the carbon airbox, the resonance from the clutch pedal as I rest my foot on it as red line approaches and I'm about to change up a gear, the airbox barking on downshift throttle blips. Whether driving alone or with passengers, everyone has a great laugh. You don't even need to be driving fast to have fun in them.

Mine has been remapped by Evolve for an additional 20HP, and continues to make power to 8300rpm whereas the stock map drops off a bit after 7000rpm.

I did the NC500 recently in it, and it was truly excellent. Had mine less than 2 years, but have done over 20k miles in it. Everything that usually is a cause for concern on them has had preventative maintenance done already.

Mine is the convertible, and while I often see people online slate it because "WOBBLY CHASSIS INNIT!!!", I hhonestly question those remarks. Sure it's got some scuttle shake, but I've been in fixed roof cars in the past that were worse. As Tiff Needell said in his E46 M3 Cabrio video, it has some scuttle shake, but more than makes up for it when the roof is down, the sun is out and you're blasting along winding roads. That induction noise is best with the cabrio too.

2005+ models also have the CSL exhaust manifold as standard.

At least that's my idea of fun. An engine that puts a grin on not only my face every time.

I've driven faster cars (Mustang GT 50th, Cadillac ATS-V and others), I've also driven more exciting cars (Honda NSX), but always look forward to firing up the E46 M3 afterwards. It is not a car I ever want to get rid of, it will simply end up being an additional car to enjoy on those nice crisp days.

At least that's the rambling opinion from a guy who has used his M3 for 20k miles worth of pleasure driving anyway

Edited by robbiekhan on Tuesday 27th September 00:18

[Leins]

robbiekhan said:

Leins said:

A supercharger makes them fairly shift along too, especially when applied to a CSL

Supercharging a CSL... heard it all now Some motors should just be left untouched

I agree completely, and it wasn't my CSL. It also lost the car its soul IMO, as the airbox had to be removed. However... It was feckin rapid!

[james_gt3rs]

CABC said:

james_gt3rs said:

With mods I've seen some very fast E46 M3s.

Biggest mod being 200kg+ of weight removed?

I imagine so, plus the usual brakes/suspension/tyres. Results in a pretty epic car by the looks of it.

[s m]

robbiekhan said:

Force feeding an S54 is not my idea of fun. While it will gain low down power and torque, it loses what makes it great in the first place.

For me, that climb from 3500rpm to 8300 rpm is full of sensations. The induction noise from the carbon airbox, the resonance from the clutch pedal as I rest my foot on it as red line approaches and I'm about to change up a gear, the airbox barking on downshift throttle blips. Whether driving alone or with passengers, everyone has a great laugh. You don't even need to be driving fast to have fun in them.

Mine has been remapped by Evolve for an additional 20HP, and continues to make power to 8300rpm whereas the stock map drops off a bit after 7000rpm.

I did the NC500 recently in it, and it was truly excellent. Had mine less than 2 years, but have done over 20k miles in it. Everything that usually is a cause for concern on them has had preventative maintenance done already.

Mine is the convertible, and while I often see people online slate it because "WOBBLY CHASSIS INNIT!!!", I hhonestly question those remarks. Sure it's got some scuttle shake, but I've been in fixed roof cars in the past that were worse. As Tiff Needell said in his E46 M3 Cabrio video,
it has some scuttle shake, but more than makes up for it when the roof is down, the sun is out and you're blasting along winding roads. That induction noise is best with the cabrio too.

2005+ models also have the CSL exhaust manifold as standard.

At least that's my idea of fun. An engine that puts a grin on not only my face every time.

I've driven faster cars (Mustang GT 50th, Cadillac ATS-V and others), I've also driven more exciting cars (Honda NSX), but always look forward to firing up the E46 M3 afterwards. It is not a car I ever want to get rid of, it will simply end up being an additional car to enjoy on those nice crisp days.

At least that's the rambling opinion from a guy who has used his M3 for 20k miles worth of pleasure driving anyway

Edited by robbiekhan on Tuesday 27th September 00:18

Here's the hardtop review

Was it really all those years ago...

Still remember watching this at the time


https://youtu.be/TO9RdsdFxf4

[robbiekhan]

s m said:

Here's the hardtop review

Was it really all those years ago...

Still remember watching this at the time


https://youtu.be/TO9RdsdFxf4

May as well add the vert one too I suppose

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUU1NaXKxhA

[s m]

robbiekhan said:

s m said:

Here's the hardtop review

Was it really all those years ago...

Still remember watching this at the time


https://youtu.be/TO9RdsdFxf4

May as well add the vert one too I suppose

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUU1NaXKxhA

Was behind a nice black vert coming off the A49 onto the A5 a few Sundays ago - sounded nice wrung out

[nottyash]

Ive had 2. I wouldnt call them fun like a S2000 is supposed to be but they are a fantastic, responsive gt car.
I didnt rate the s2000. It wasnt as fun as our toyota MR2 mk3 or Boxster S. It was over hyped.
Going from the S2000 to an m3 is a big difference, and the m3 will put a bigger smile on your face, and the build is in another league.