What follows an E46 M3?

What follows an E46 M3?

Author
Discussion

e46m3c

Original Poster:

874 posts

154 months

Tuesday 1st July 2014
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Chaps,

Im now 5 years into a very happy e46 m3 ownership (csl airbox and 356mm bbk ftw).

Wondering what all those who left this car behind went for and how it compared?

Have to admit C63 sounds tempting!

Cactussed

5,292 posts

212 months

Tuesday 1st July 2014
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A prodrive WRX.
I just happen to have one that I might be willing to trade for an M3 with cash adjustment biggrin

HTH.

vsonix

3,858 posts

162 months

Tuesday 1st July 2014
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I guess it would depend a little on if it was mainly intended as a weekend toy or if you needed more of an all-rounder. M3 is hard to beat for the latter. I always fancy a bit of Japanese exotica but all the best models are JDM and that brings its own issues with higher fixed costs. Plus they tend to be a bit thirsty. I've only ever been a passenger in an e92 M3 but I didn't really like it so much. Slabby interior and oddly muted induction noise. C63 AMG is certainly nice but I'm not sure if the whole ethos (which appears to sacrifice precision handling for general hooligan sliding) suits my driving style. I suppose a 1M is out of the question?

donz29

363 posts

204 months

Tuesday 1st July 2014
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I had my M3 for 3 years, loved almost every minute of it. Replaced in the end with a C63. I'm amazed at how many people seem to know what it is and the bark on start up never gets tiring.

The steering in the M3 was far more fluid than in the C, however for sheer laugh out loud grunt the C wins every time. It's also nice to have a modern sat-nav, ipod connectivity etc which I missed in the 10 year old M.

The only other thing I considered was a 1M, however with the mileage I do it seemed wrong to pile them on to such a special car.

I don't think you'd be disappointed with a C63.

EricE

1,945 posts

128 months

Tuesday 1st July 2014
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M235i would be a sensible choice if you want a similar car with modern technology. C63 is a good choice if you want a change of pace and a complete lunatic of a car...

I’m holding out for the M2.

creepy coupe

302 posts

132 months

Tuesday 1st July 2014
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You might tire of the C63 running costs.

siovey

1,632 posts

137 months

Tuesday 1st July 2014
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I'll have this same dilemma when mine goes up for sale in the next couple of weeks. I'll be going for a shed next. It will be quite a liberating experience for me not being paranoid where it gets parked or constantly being cleaned!!!

VinceFox

20,566 posts

171 months

Tuesday 1st July 2014
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Aiui a 911 is a popular next step.

shibby!

921 posts

197 months

Tuesday 1st July 2014
quotequote all
I was in the same boat a few months ago

A few things on my list

C63
Isf
Csl
Gt3
911 turbo

In the end I save 15k and bought a z4m coupe.... Such a good fun car! Love it.

Depends on requirements I guess, I don't need 4 seats and a boot so decision made.

Good luck on the search buddy!

Cactussed

5,292 posts

212 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
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As an aside, where's the best place to look for one other than M3cutters, PH and autotrader?

I 'think' I'd like a Laguna Seca coupe SMG. Maybe. Or a black manual.

e46m3c

Original Poster:

874 posts

154 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
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A z4m? That always struck me as not enough of a change to justify?

So anyone actually gone to a 911 or cayman s or e90 or v8 vantage or maybe even r8 or rs4/6?

Have to say have always fancied a 911 but the ones ive tested have been no more bang for a lot more buck.

M5 and M6 V10 variant also?

Took mine for a blast yesterday. crikey the csl box sounds awesome. even got a thumbs up from an onlooker. Im sure its quicker now its clean too. Doing the double glance again as walk away. so sad haha.

gareth h

3,503 posts

229 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
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I wouldn't bother changing, really regret getting rid of mine (04 smg with KW V3), for the money they can't be beaten, unless it is a toy in which case go the whole hog and buy a caterham!

swimd

350 posts

120 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
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e46m3c said:
What follows an E46 M3?
Sadness, regret and eventually another E46 M3.

Cheburator mk2

2,973 posts

198 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
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swimd said:
Sadness, regret and eventually another E46 M3.
Hear, hear...

I still miss the coupe I gave to my dad as a B-day present, hence I may actually buy my brother's 2002 Convertible, when he finally makes up his mind and puts it up for sale...

shibby!

921 posts

197 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
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e46m3c said:
A z4m? That always struck me as not enough of a change to justify?

So anyone actually gone to a 911 or cayman s or e90 or v8 vantage or maybe even r8 or rs4/6?

Have to say have always fancied a 911 but the ones ive tested have been no more bang for a lot more buck.

M5 and M6 V10 variant also?

Took mine for a blast yesterday. crikey the csl box sounds awesome. even got a thumbs up from an onlooker. Im sure its quicker now its clean too. Doing the double glance again as walk away. so sad haha.
Z4MC is VERY different to the M3... give one a shot if you get the chance. I couldnt beleive just how different it was.

I forgot to mention i also tried an E90 M3, but in my opinion i found it too similar to the E46, yes it was a bit faster a bit bigger, a few more toys, but in general the overall feel of the car was similar to the E46.... so couldnt justify an extra 20k for a car that was so similar. But thats my opinion.

cerb4.5lee

30,176 posts

179 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
quotequote all
shibby! said:
e46m3c said:
A z4m? That always struck me as not enough of a change to justify?

So anyone actually gone to a 911 or cayman s or e90 or v8 vantage or maybe even r8 or rs4/6?

Have to say have always fancied a 911 but the ones ive tested have been no more bang for a lot more buck.

M5 and M6 V10 variant also?

Took mine for a blast yesterday. crikey the csl box sounds awesome. even got a thumbs up from an onlooker. Im sure its quicker now its clean too. Doing the double glance again as walk away. so sad haha.
Z4MC is VERY different to the M3... give one a shot if you get the chance. I couldnt beleive just how different it was.

I forgot to mention i also tried an E90 M3, but in my opinion i found it too similar to the E46, yes it was a bit faster a bit bigger, a few more toys, but in general the overall feel of the car was similar to the E46.... so couldnt justify an extra 20k for a car that was so similar. But thats my opinion.
I went from a Z4MR to E92 M3 so experience of both cars but the reality is I think talking to some owners of E46 M3`s is that neither are as good as the E46 M3 so to be honest it is a very tough car to replace.

The Z4M just isn't as composed or as competent as the E46 M3 and the E9x M3 is just too much like a 5 series to drill up thrills unless you are kicking its backside all of the time and that`s not easy to achieve either, the Z4M is a very rewarding car to drive if you put the effort in though and in that sense it does feel very different to the E46 M3.

Skrambles

1,309 posts

263 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
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e46m3c said:
So anyone actually gone to a 911 or cayman s or e90 or v8 vantage or maybe even r8 or rs4/6?
...
M5 and M6 V10 variant also?
I went from e46 to e60 m5 - the e60 felt like a grown-up's car, by comparison. The v10 was amazing and the car just felt composed in all conditions. But, overall, the car was not as much fun. Part of that was the move from a manual to SMG - the SMG in the e60 felt really clunky and was very annoying when doing heavy town driving, and it just took away from the driving experience. I soon found myself wanting something more 'sporty' and got my 997.1 turbo (a manual).

If I was making the move from the e46 again today, I'd either go straight to the 997.1 turbo or 997 gt3 (if wanting 2 seats), or a c63 (if wanting 5 seats).
(Edited to add: I've got the f10 M5 now and it's mega, but don't think it's really compact or sporty enough to feel like a replacement for the e46)

patphnx

22 posts

118 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
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I went the CSL route...no regret here! I live and work in London so don't need a daily, and have a safe place to park it (not on the street!!). Every single time you get in the car it feels special and makes the drive an event. I've had a normal E46 M3 before and a 135i, and plenty of seat time in a 997.1 Turbo, for pure fun factor it's hard to look past a CSL, obviously that's just my opinion! wink

jovie

53 posts

174 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
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Nothing, absolutely nothing.
My E46 was the only car i've ever kept for 6 years and I only sold it because at the time I wasn't using it, but until now I have nothing to replace it with.
I had an E92 but it wasn't the same, never got on with it.
Recently I've been looking for a C63 but that is only because it is there.

I've got a DD and I've driven some exotica in between but nothing stirs the soul like an E46. I've had them all E30,36,46,92. I should have kept it. I wouldn't buy another one now because it's been three years but every time I see a clean one it still turns my head. The only car I sould have kept, bought and paid for I could have just parked it up and used it when i felt like it.

bennyboysvuk

3,491 posts

247 months

Thursday 3rd July 2014
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I agree with the above. Nothing can replace an E46 M3.

I followed it (via a strange route) to a Z4MR, which was fun, but the M3 ticked more boxes more of the time.

I now realise that I NEED another E46 M3. I just need to convince the wife, but she's in love with the sensible E91 330i Touring, which I hate.