Why did they never facelift the E46 M3?

[Mike_C]

A very simple question, but why did they never facelift the E46 M3 with the rest of the range? Yes it got the LED tail lights and interior changes (HVAC update, etc.), but the front end never got the facelift update the rest of the range received and I wonder why not? I heard one theory that said they felt the original was more aggressive, but I fail to believe that is the only reason. It always sold in decent volumes, so I'd have though the tooling investment in the bonnet and wings would be covered...anyone heard the real reason?

[mwstewart]

Proportions. The narrow facelift headlamps did not suit the rest of the M3.

[DannyB2007]

Strange i'snt it, I believe they did the same on the E92 too?

[mwstewart]

The lines are all wrong, as is the scale.

[jayemm89]

I wouldn't be surprised if the real answer is cost. It would have been a completely new tooling for the bonnet etc... and it does look good as it was. BMW may have had a lot sitting on forecourts too, would have peeved the dealers if they'd had to start discounting them because of the new ones coming in.

[Shuks76]

Maybe because it just looked perfect and didn't need any improvement.