Is it worth 'upgrading' from e46 m3 to e92 m3
Discussion
I am sure that this has been discussed before. I own a 2003 manual m3 coupe. Good spec and lowish mileage. I love it but I can't help thinking what to buy next. The natural choice would be e92 m3 (also thinking Porsche 997 3.8). Is it worth the extra £10k? Will I miss the e46? Is it a worthy successor?
I've had an E46 and an E92 and now looking for another E46. I enjoyed the E92, the engine was epic, the handling was spot on and I really love iDrive and the media interface, but found the build quality lacking and there was a lot of performance at the top end that wasn't usable enough for me. The E46 is the sweet spot for me. If I were in your position I'd look for a 997 Carrera S.
In my opinion only.
No, it's not really worth upgrading, I don't think it's worth the extra 10k. It feels a bit bigger and softer and not really as fun. Yes it's quicker, but then so is a supra or an rx7 or a skyline or a............
I moved to a z4mc instead.
This is all in my opinion. Go drive one for yourself, try a few different things. I suppose it depends on what your requirements are with seating and luggage etc.
No, it's not really worth upgrading, I don't think it's worth the extra 10k. It feels a bit bigger and softer and not really as fun. Yes it's quicker, but then so is a supra or an rx7 or a skyline or a............
I moved to a z4mc instead.
This is all in my opinion. Go drive one for yourself, try a few different things. I suppose it depends on what your requirements are with seating and luggage etc.
. Thanks for the replies. Guess you are right, I need to test drive the e92 and 997 and see what I think. Problem with test drives of course is that you can't really give it the beans and see the true performance, which you do need to do with an m3 (e46 and e92).
Just driven 200 plus miles today in my m3 and I still love it so need to think hard about this one. Had an interesting duel with a brand new Audi Rs Q3 in Milton Keynes, between the many roundabouts. There was not a lot in it but I just about edged it. They are pretty rapid though, for an SUV.
Just driven 200 plus miles today in my m3 and I still love it so need to think hard about this one. Had an interesting duel with a brand new Audi Rs Q3 in Milton Keynes, between the many roundabouts. There was not a lot in it but I just about edged it. They are pretty rapid though, for an SUV.
I've been having similar thoughts as to where to go from my Z4M (same engine as your E46) and had boiled it down to 997 S or new generation Boxster S but now can't choose between those two. Never quite liked the E90 gen M3s (even tho I had a E91 330d M Sport Touring - never cared for looks or particularly interior or ugly iDrive console...)
Like someone else above I moved from a 335i to an E92 M3.
The performance and sound are fabulous. Can't compare it performance wise with an E46 M3 as never driven one but surely the E92 iis much quicker?? However I had an E46 Alpina B3 and in my opinion the E92 is streets ahead interior quality wise.
The performance and sound are fabulous. Can't compare it performance wise with an E46 M3 as never driven one but surely the E92 iis much quicker?? However I had an E46 Alpina B3 and in my opinion the E92 is streets ahead interior quality wise.
In terms of fun and feedback, I'd rate the E46 ahead of the E92. The E92 was where it all went downhill for me. Electronics became too interfering. Sound insulation became too good. You don't get the feel of raw speed as much as you do in the E46. Sure, the E92 is faster and wants to spin the wheels at lower rpms than the E46, which is fun, but overall, it feels like a more grown up and sensible car.
The numbers on the dials go up faster, but it doesn't feel more fun because of it.
The numbers on the dials go up faster, but it doesn't feel more fun because of it.
bennyboysvuk said:
In terms of fun and feedback, I'd rate the E46 ahead of the E92. The E92 was where it all went downhill for me. Electronics became too interfering. Sound insulation became too good. You don't get the feel of raw speed as much as you do in the E46. Sure, the E92 is faster and wants to spin the wheels at lower rpms than the E46, which is fun, but overall, it feels like a more grown up and sensible car.
The numbers on the dials go up faster, but it doesn't feel more fun because of it.
I had a E92 335i for a year, sold it and got a E46 M3. The M3 is a million trillion times more fun to drive. Its not quicker (its about the same) , it has less torque, the cabin is more rattling, its louder, the door handles feel like it out of the 90's BUT god I'm SO glad I got it. I suspect as beenboysvuk says the E92 M will be quicker, but I imagine it will be more refined and less engaging - go try but from what I'm heard from others beenboysvuk is on the money. Fabulous looking mind. The steering feel on the 335i was dead dead dead and it weighed way too much (1650kg) and as I understand the E92 M3 is equally as lardy. The numbers on the dials go up faster, but it doesn't feel more fun because of it.
Still go try, I'm sure its a great car, just my gut says it probably won't be as much fun, but unfortunately thats not 100% of owning a car.
bennyboysvuk said:
In terms of fun and feedback, I'd rate the E46 ahead of the E92. The E92 was where it all went downhill for me. Electronics became too interfering. Sound insulation became too good. You don't get the feel of raw speed as much as you do in the E46. Sure, the E92 is faster and wants to spin the wheels at lower rpms than the E46, which is fun, but overall, it feels like a more grown up and sensible car.
The numbers on the dials go up faster, but it doesn't feel more fun because of it.
This is of course more and more true. It's what's keeping Caterham, Radical, Ariel in business as people seek and antidote.The numbers on the dials go up faster, but it doesn't feel more fun because of it.
Perhaps keep the E46 M3 and spend 15k on something track orientated that can also be used on the road for s
tz and gigglz?I 'upgraded' E46 SMG to E92 DCT in November.
The E92 is a better car in virtually every respect. It's faster, smoother and is much less dated. DCT is a mile better than SMG.
Virtually...
The E46 felt lighter and more exciting for a blast but much less nice to drive as a daily. I don't think it was special enough to have as a weekend only car and wasn't as good a daily as the E92.
Still miss it though...
The E92 is a better car in virtually every respect. It's faster, smoother and is much less dated. DCT is a mile better than SMG.
Virtually...
The E46 felt lighter and more exciting for a blast but much less nice to drive as a daily. I don't think it was special enough to have as a weekend only car and wasn't as good a daily as the E92.
Still miss it though...
fesuvious said:
Or spend some money on driver development, learn how to disable the Traction control on the E46 and have the very same giggles?
The E46 M3 has enough poke to be usable on the road, in any particular circumstance. Plus, it also has a chassis that will let you take the mickey out of grip whenever you want.
I miss that. In the E46, you could start it and turn off DSC immediately and use it like that for your entire journey, regardless of whether you used cruise control or not. There was no faffing turning it on or off. It was much better at being a driver's car than any of the more modern BMWs.The E46 M3 has enough poke to be usable on the road, in any particular circumstance. Plus, it also has a chassis that will let you take the mickey out of grip whenever you want.
I quite agree about the grip comment too. Although the E92 M3 is even easier to powerslide than the E46, the E46 is far easier to powerslide than the 332 lb ft M135i.
I really miss my E46 M3. No other car has been able to replace it so far and I've had 4 different cars since and none are as good at doing all of what the E46 M3 managed.
From having had a E92 M3 and driven a E46 M3 I would say the E92 M3 is very grown up and more 5 series like to drive as its main focus is comfort with very good performance thrown in, as Bennyboy says though the E92 has a lovely chassis and it is a doddle to slide and in that regard it is very good fun.
My brother in law has a E93 M3 which he does love but he always looks back at his E46 M3 with serious fondness and I think the E46 has the edge perhaps, I know I go on like a broken record but the E92 M3 isn't the easiest motor to get the best from on the road.
My brother in law has a E93 M3 which he does love but he always looks back at his E46 M3 with serious fondness and I think the E46 has the edge perhaps, I know I go on like a broken record but the E92 M3 isn't the easiest motor to get the best from on the road.
bennyboysvuk said:
I miss that. In the E46, you could start it and turn off DSC immediately and use it like that for your entire journey, regardless of whether you used cruise control or not. There was no faffing turning it on or off. It was much better at being a driver's car than any of the more modern BMWs.
I quite agree about the grip comment too. Although the E92 M3 is even easier to powerslide than the E46, the E46 is far easier to powerslide than the 332 lb ft M135i.
I really miss my E46 M3. No other car has been able to replace it so far and I've had 4 different cars since and none are as good at doing all of what the E46 M3 managed.
Spot on, especially the last bit. I've had a few other cars since and they have never been able to replicate the sheer driving pleasure you get from an E46. That said, my Z4 35i DCT M Sport was a fantastic car and I had a great 20k miles in it. I quite agree about the grip comment too. Although the E92 M3 is even easier to powerslide than the E46, the E46 is far easier to powerslide than the 332 lb ft M135i.
I really miss my E46 M3. No other car has been able to replace it so far and I've had 4 different cars since and none are as good at doing all of what the E46 M3 managed.
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