In the Market - E92 M3 DCT or E46 M3
Discussion
Hi All,
Thinking of getting a M Car for weekends etc as have a daily (BMW Also)
Have got the thought of getting an E92 M3 poss an E93 but think this is the better option over getting an E46, Especially with the price that people are starting to want for the E46.
I've driven both in the past and think the E92 is a much better all rounder in my opinion.
would welcome peoples thoughts.
Cheers
Thinking of getting a M Car for weekends etc as have a daily (BMW Also)
Have got the thought of getting an E92 M3 poss an E93 but think this is the better option over getting an E46, Especially with the price that people are starting to want for the E46.
I've driven both in the past and think the E92 is a much better all rounder in my opinion.
would welcome peoples thoughts.
Cheers
NIgt3 said:
Both great cars, have a e92 m3 track car now and owner an e46 m3 track car for 6years. I’d say if it’s just for weekends I’d go e92, if it’s for track days and weekends go e46.
Thanks for the info, if i went E92 would be DCT but E46 would have to be manual as I didn't rate the SMG box.I would think it would be road use only as I have a Clio 172 Cup for my track days with full track setup surprises quite a few as great handling car when set up properly.
I bought an E92 as a semi-daily in the summer, albeit manual. I've not driven an E46 but I'd definitely recommend trying one. Whilst I do like the E92 it's not particularly raw, and I think in a weekend car that's what I'd want. The engine is epic, and of course it's the last in a line of high revving natrally aspirated V8s, that's why I bought it, in particular with the manual.
The other issue is that it's so powerful and the engine needs revving out it's very difficult to use it on the road.
The other issue is that it's so powerful and the engine needs revving out it's very difficult to use it on the road.
I don't think you need an "all rounder" for a weekend car.
4 years ago, I went for an E46 because it had a the edge, when it came to fun, for my needs of narrow b-road blasts.
I have daily driven it for 11k miles and it's a bit old for that.
I'd probably go E92 now, as it's newer And is, as you say, a better all-rounder and who knows when, as happened to me, a weekender car becomes your daily.
I've no idea of your budget but BMW have a DCT, with EDC, heated seats, Harmon Kardon , 508 PDC and folding mirrors for £16,500 which I think is pretty good for a car with warranty.
4 years ago, I went for an E46 because it had a the edge, when it came to fun, for my needs of narrow b-road blasts.
I have daily driven it for 11k miles and it's a bit old for that.
I'd probably go E92 now, as it's newer And is, as you say, a better all-rounder and who knows when, as happened to me, a weekender car becomes your daily.
I've no idea of your budget but BMW have a DCT, with EDC, heated seats, Harmon Kardon , 508 PDC and folding mirrors for £16,500 which I think is pretty good for a car with warranty.
cerb4.5lee said:
I would say that the majority prefer the E46 M3 to the E92 M3
Yes you would say that, without any evidence to justify it.I have had 2 E46 M3s, from new, 2 E92 M3s, from new, and although I loved the E46s, and would gladly have one again, I certainly would not swap my E92 CP for one.
Tony B2 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I would say that the majority prefer the E46 M3 to the E92 M3
Yes you would say that, without any evidence to justify it.I have had 2 E46 M3s, from new, 2 E92 M3s, from new, and although I loved the E46s, and would gladly have one again, I certainly would not swap my E92 CP for one.
The die hard M3 fans were also annoyed at the switch from a straight six engine to a V8 engine. I've no axe to grind with the E9x M3 and I've said recently a few times that I'd be very happy to have another one(just not as a daily).
cerb4.5lee said:
Tony B2 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I would say that the majority prefer the E46 M3 to the E92 M3
Yes you would say that, without any evidence to justify it.I have had 2 E46 M3s, from new, 2 E92 M3s, from new, and although I loved the E46s, and would gladly have one again, I certainly would not swap my E92 CP for one.
The die hard M3 fans were also annoyed at the switch from a straight six engine to a V8 engine. I've no axe to grind with the E9x M3 and I've said recently a few times that I'd be very happy to have another one(just not as a daily).
Max Maxasson said:
Slippydiff said:
Sorry, I can’t let that go.
Define “better”.
Better in that:Define “better”.
faster
more fun to drive
better turn in
sounds way better
better looking
move confidence inspiring
DCT better than SMG
....Can't think of a single metric in which the E46 M3 was "better"
- top-end pull and sound (remarkably unstressed in the E92)
- seats - no E46 M3 bounce
- ride comfort too, regardless of seats.
- connectivity
- music/infotainment (H-K v H-K, and Individual Audio way way better )
- refinement when cruising
The only way in which the E46 was measurably better - in my experience - was mpg. Typically - for me - 25/26 versus 21/23.
Having said that.... on a 105 mile journey a couple of years ago, I actually saw an average at the end, of 35.1 in my current E92.
There were many 50mph limited sections of motorway on that journey, however..
cerb4.5lee said:
You only have to see how lauded the E46 M3 CSL is, and the E92 M3 GTS isn't held in such high regard in comparison.
Apples and pears - comparing them to their “standard” versions. GTS has been driven by a very small fraction of people compared to the CSL, and is a much better car.
As far as standard cars go OP, the 92 is more refined than a 46, with both being very good cars.
Edited by Alpinestars on Saturday 18th January 08:18
Both are brilliant cars. Both sing their own sweet song to you.
I think, out of the box, the 46 is the better 'drivers car'. The S54 is a lovely engine, great induction bark with a decent intake. You'll have some great fun in an E46. The track day modding scene for these is blossoming very nicely as well.
Out of the box, the 92 is a better all-rounder as others have stated. With modifications though, the 92 really is in a different league. Underneath is an angrier, more talented high performance car. It's just that BMW put a little bit more mush into the car to make it more usable on a day-to-day basis and broaden its appeal. Take this mush away and you have something that can easily stand toe-to-toe with a GT3 on track.
Really you need to drive both. It doesn't really matter what everyone says on here is the better car, more fun this and rod bearings that. Only then can you decide which one suits you better.
I think, out of the box, the 46 is the better 'drivers car'. The S54 is a lovely engine, great induction bark with a decent intake. You'll have some great fun in an E46. The track day modding scene for these is blossoming very nicely as well.
Out of the box, the 92 is a better all-rounder as others have stated. With modifications though, the 92 really is in a different league. Underneath is an angrier, more talented high performance car. It's just that BMW put a little bit more mush into the car to make it more usable on a day-to-day basis and broaden its appeal. Take this mush away and you have something that can easily stand toe-to-toe with a GT3 on track.
Really you need to drive both. It doesn't really matter what everyone says on here is the better car, more fun this and rod bearings that. Only then can you decide which one suits you better.
cerb4.5lee said:
Personally I do prefer the E92 M3 over the E46 M3 because of the noise. I don't like the tinny/raspy noise that the S54 engine makes, and that was also one of the gripes I had with my Z4M.
While the E92 M3 is quiet exhaust noise wise I do really like the noise it makes for sure.
this for me was a biggie - E92 with Motorsport Exhaust was fab...not too noisy inside the car but everyone knew it was coming from outside but not in a bad jimmy janspeed way ....loved it! While the E92 M3 is quiet exhaust noise wise I do really like the noise it makes for sure.
I think it’s clear from the responses that you won’t get one definitive answer here, many varying opinions and each no less relevant.
For what it’s worth, I’ve owned both series (albeit in slightly different guises. E46 coupe SMG and E90 saloon manual) and here are my thoughts on some key differences:
Clearly the E9X series feels like a much newer design, particularly interior ergonomics. Even these feel dated now so the E46 must feel positively archaic by comparison. But the fact you are considering both means it may not be a big deal for you. Although strangely, I found both have real weak spots in the sat nav systems failing with age. Try them both out properly when you buy if they are of importance to you.
Driving wise, I found the E9X series a much more focused drivers car. The 46 flows lovely down any road but it lacks the turn in and rock solid body control of the later car. 46 felt a bit ‘soft’ by comparison but some may prefer this. My E90 did have EDC which may have made a difference in this respect, especially when fully turned up. I wouldn’t buy one without it. The E46 steering was a little slow I think, something BMW recognized I believe as they fitted a quicker rack to the CS version.
Engine wise, both are masterpieces, without doubt. The S65 is certainly more muscular through the entire rev range but I think the S54 is the sweeter unit. It certainly seemed to rev more ‘freely’ at the top end. Im not saying the S65 can’t rev, of course it can but I actually felt the S54 more comfortable doing it. Both can drink fuel when on it but I swear my average in the E46 was 28/29 mpg. E90 was 23/24.
Comparing the two gearboxes isn’t really fair but I got on alright with the SMG. I think people who criticise it don’t know how to get the best out of it. If your driving style is to be quite ‘eager’ every where you go, it will feel clunky and slow witted. If you learn to take things a little slower and give the box time to work it’s ok. But then if you really like to push on, it really came into it’s element. I suppose it kind of works best at both ends of the spectrum, taking it easy or really on it.
Running costs wise, I’d say both were on a par. Maybe if anything the E46 slightly more, especially if an Inspection II was due (when the plugs were due and valve clearances needed checking etc).
Overall both were great cars looking back. But as others have alluded to, I wouldn’t buy another E46 M3 but I wouldn’t hesitate in getting into another E9X car.
Hope that helps OP.
For what it’s worth, I’ve owned both series (albeit in slightly different guises. E46 coupe SMG and E90 saloon manual) and here are my thoughts on some key differences:
Clearly the E9X series feels like a much newer design, particularly interior ergonomics. Even these feel dated now so the E46 must feel positively archaic by comparison. But the fact you are considering both means it may not be a big deal for you. Although strangely, I found both have real weak spots in the sat nav systems failing with age. Try them both out properly when you buy if they are of importance to you.
Driving wise, I found the E9X series a much more focused drivers car. The 46 flows lovely down any road but it lacks the turn in and rock solid body control of the later car. 46 felt a bit ‘soft’ by comparison but some may prefer this. My E90 did have EDC which may have made a difference in this respect, especially when fully turned up. I wouldn’t buy one without it. The E46 steering was a little slow I think, something BMW recognized I believe as they fitted a quicker rack to the CS version.
Engine wise, both are masterpieces, without doubt. The S65 is certainly more muscular through the entire rev range but I think the S54 is the sweeter unit. It certainly seemed to rev more ‘freely’ at the top end. Im not saying the S65 can’t rev, of course it can but I actually felt the S54 more comfortable doing it. Both can drink fuel when on it but I swear my average in the E46 was 28/29 mpg. E90 was 23/24.
Comparing the two gearboxes isn’t really fair but I got on alright with the SMG. I think people who criticise it don’t know how to get the best out of it. If your driving style is to be quite ‘eager’ every where you go, it will feel clunky and slow witted. If you learn to take things a little slower and give the box time to work it’s ok. But then if you really like to push on, it really came into it’s element. I suppose it kind of works best at both ends of the spectrum, taking it easy or really on it.
Running costs wise, I’d say both were on a par. Maybe if anything the E46 slightly more, especially if an Inspection II was due (when the plugs were due and valve clearances needed checking etc).
Overall both were great cars looking back. But as others have alluded to, I wouldn’t buy another E46 M3 but I wouldn’t hesitate in getting into another E9X car.
Hope that helps OP.
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