Unsure what to replace my E46 M3 with as a daily driver...
Discussion
f
k knows....I am completely stumped. Will I ever part with the car?
I need four seats for the nursery run, power, comfort and atmosphere (I have just put a Milltek mid section and Scorpion backbox on. The car sounds seriously angry now).
I can't think of anything coming close apart from an RS5 which costs 3x as much. But even then..?
Budget is £30k with a view to potentially looking next year.
k knows....I am completely stumped. Will I ever part with the car?I need four seats for the nursery run, power, comfort and atmosphere (I have just put a Milltek mid section and Scorpion backbox on. The car sounds seriously angry now).
I can't think of anything coming close apart from an RS5 which costs 3x as much. But even then..?
Budget is £30k with a view to potentially looking next year.
Edited by HannsG on Wednesday 17th December 10:43
I would recommend not changing. Honestly, if I could have back any of the 16 cars I've owned, the E46 M3 would be it.
Nothing betters the E46 M3 IMO. It was a sweet spot in time. Anything more modern adds irritating electronic driver aids that spoil the experience or turbos that aren't as responsive or satisfying as the S54.
Nothing betters the E46 M3 IMO. It was a sweet spot in time. Anything more modern adds irritating electronic driver aids that spoil the experience or turbos that aren't as responsive or satisfying as the S54.
HannsG said:
fk knows....I am completely stumped. Will I ever part with the car?
I need four seats for the nursery run, power, comfort and atmosphere (I have just put a Milltek mid section and Scorpion backbox on. The car sounds seriously angry now).
I can't think of anything coming close apart from an RS5 which costs 3x as much. But even then..?
It all depends on what you want & how much you intend to spend.k knows....I am completely stumped. Will I ever part with the car?I need four seats for the nursery run, power, comfort and atmosphere (I have just put a Milltek mid section and Scorpion backbox on. The car sounds seriously angry now).
I can't think of anything coming close apart from an RS5 which costs 3x as much. But even then..?
I agree with the above - V8 M3 or V10 M5 and take your pick at £30k! With regards to the M3, I've driven both the E46 and E92 M3s. The E46 is a bit lighter and more nimble, and has a better engine sound and on throttle response, but the lag at the top of the throttle pedal really annoyed me, as did the fact that the car felt like an E46 330ci 95% of the time. The E92 gets rid of the top of pedal throttle response issue entirely, and whilst the engine isn't as sonorous, it's smoother, much torquier and more flexible and for me better suited to road driving, plus who can resist a 4 litre normally aspirated V8? It'll be one of the last, if not the last, big capacity n/a engines (same stats as the first DFV by the way! 4l n/a V8 ~400bhp). I find the E9x a better car overall to the E46; the ride and handling are a step on, as is the refinement and feeling of solidity. Yes, they weigh a little more, but overall the advancements are for the better I think (I've owned both as well as having driven several). I did drive an '07 RS4 around the same time and it felt slow in comparison to either M3 (yes, I know what the stats say, but to my own senses it felt a lot slower) and it was pretty dull through the corners too. I've not tried an RS5, but I much prefer the mundane A5 to the A4, so I suspect it's good, but I'd bet on it being the same Audi recipe, which if you're a fan of the E46 M3 you may not enjoy.
Wadeski said:
M5 (V10)
Panamera S (i think the only one you can get with a manual...not sure if you have an SMG)
CLS55 AMG
S6 (V10)
IS F
Quattroporte
bang on really. and also Panamera S (i think the only one you can get with a manual...not sure if you have an SMG)
CLS55 AMG
S6 (V10)
IS F
Quattroporte
B7 RS4 with Change,
C6 RS6 saloon
C63 / E63 / CLS 63
Range Rover Vouge/ Sport SC or. 3.6TDV8?
Jag XJR/ XFR
Audi S8
M3 E9(2?)Saloon
Mercedes CL
could go on for days at 30k really lol
The e46 M3 is compact, manual, snarly straight-six, great handling, practical, robust, handsome in the right spec, maybe a future classic once the majority are retired to the country's sink estates etc.
They don't make 'em like that any more and when you're old you'll look back on it fondly I reckon.
Why not just spend money on keeping it tip top? Pouring money into old cars doesn't make rational sense to some, but then losing money on depreciation isn't very rational either unless you crave something newer.
They don't make 'em like that any more and when you're old you'll look back on it fondly I reckon.
Why not just spend money on keeping it tip top? Pouring money into old cars doesn't make rational sense to some, but then losing money on depreciation isn't very rational either unless you crave something newer.
I was in the same position, the E46 is a hard act to follow.
After looking at XFR/XKR, C63 and 911, I found a mint E92 M3 and bought that.
It's much smoother, more capable and sounds great but it does feel heavier, drinks fuel and lacks the feel of the E46. It's not a bad car by any means but feels just what it is, the next generation on from the car before.
To get a true upgrade you might have to look beyond your price range.
After looking at XFR/XKR, C63 and 911, I found a mint E92 M3 and bought that.
It's much smoother, more capable and sounds great but it does feel heavier, drinks fuel and lacks the feel of the E46. It's not a bad car by any means but feels just what it is, the next generation on from the car before.
To get a true upgrade you might have to look beyond your price range.
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