BMW E46 M3, what is it to you, iconic, overrated, epic etc.?
Discussion
iSore said:
They were a great car, a worthwhile improvement over the E36 and now is the time to buy one whilst there are still a few decent ones left. Too many are owned by morons who run them on a mismatch of part worn budget tyres, cheap coilovers etc so a nice 3-4 owner car that's still in original condition with a decent history is worth buying, even if it does need cosmetic tidying - I doubt they will be cheaper than they are now. The E46 M3 was the last of the proper ones imo as opposed to being just a very fast 3 Series. The E92 feels like a big tank in comparison, fast but somehow not that interesting - it came, went and nobody really noticed or cared. I'd go for Phoenix yellow or Laguna Seca blue, non SMG on the 18 inch wheels. Mint low mileage CSL's are already touching 60k.
Are E36 M3's really appreciating in value?
Yeah manual e36 coupes, especially the GT2, its the rarest M3 ever built.Are E36 M3's really appreciating in value?
A few of mine- the first pic from a 2,000 tour of Europe from a week back, heading over the Italian alps. I've had it 5 years now and it's been a fantastic ownership experience - the perfect all rounder. It's done several track days, a trip to the ring, a very high speed trip to Berlin, numerous holidays to Europe (including Le Mans and Hockenheim this year) and is a fun weekender. It's never let me down in the time I've owned it with minimal costs outside of the normal maintenance.
Brilliant car, and one that I will never sell. Get a good one and it'll mould it's own reputation for you.
Edited by NickXX on Friday 12th September 22:23
I've had two, both 2004 cars, one in 2008 and one I owned from Nov 12 to Jul 13
They rust. Both mine did.
I enjoyed mine, however contrary to internet folklore of the E46 being a better more involved car than the E9x M3 I gelled much better with the E90 than I did both my E46s
Would I have another, possibly, but there are many many dogs out there
Wouldn't have an SMG.
They rust. Both mine did.
I enjoyed mine, however contrary to internet folklore of the E46 being a better more involved car than the E9x M3 I gelled much better with the E90 than I did both my E46s
Would I have another, possibly, but there are many many dogs out there
Wouldn't have an SMG.
aka_kerrly said:
SidewaysSi said:
A jack of all trades car for me. It can do everything moderately well but is spectacular at nothing. Not special enough to be a weekend machine IMO but as a solution to a sole car for everyday use, it is very good.
Surely that's all relative to what you have previously owned or driven but I can't say I view a M3 as anything less than special. It's a big step up from a 330 and enough people wax lyrical about those. For me, it's an iconic car that is on the list of must own even if it's only a few months.
One look at the heavily padded electric seats, HK sound system etc shows its focus is not as an out and out racer. I assume it would be great on a continental trip though.
mwstewart said:
I forgot to add in my post that if the rasp isn't your thing - which isn't totally mine - you can replace the stock centre section with a Supersprint resonated X-pipe:
It deepens the tone and nigh on completely removes the rasp, all without an increase in volume or boominess. £400.
Thanks for this and its worth knowing because the tinny rasp never really floated my boat either and I prefer a deeper tone which suits the engines capacity imo rather than it sounding like it doesn't have any guts. It deepens the tone and nigh on completely removes the rasp, all without an increase in volume or boominess. £400.
Put simply it's the best car I've ever owned.
I'm no motoring hack or track day hero, but for all-round, everyday ability I haven't persoanlly experienced an ownership proposition that comes close.
My 911 was iconic and a wonderful thing to look at. But on a back road it was a handful at best and a liabilty at worst...
I loved the frenetic buzz of my S2000, but it was always a twitchy mistress and only too willing to expose the fact I wasn't bestowed with the surname Schumacher or even Harris.
For me, the E46 is closer to the many hot hatches I've had the pleasure of owning.
A hot hatch with a boot...
(I told you I wasn't a motoring hack...but the M3 really is that good)
I'm no motoring hack or track day hero, but for all-round, everyday ability I haven't persoanlly experienced an ownership proposition that comes close.
My 911 was iconic and a wonderful thing to look at. But on a back road it was a handful at best and a liabilty at worst...
I loved the frenetic buzz of my S2000, but it was always a twitchy mistress and only too willing to expose the fact I wasn't bestowed with the surname Schumacher or even Harris.
For me, the E46 is closer to the many hot hatches I've had the pleasure of owning.
A hot hatch with a boot...
(I told you I wasn't a motoring hack...but the M3 really is that good)
aka_kerrly said:
Surely that's all relative to what you have previously owned or driven but I can't say I view a M3 as anything less than special. It's a big step up from a 330 and enough people wax lyrical about those.
For me, it's an iconic car that is on the list of must own even if it's only a few months.
Quite, If you've driven exotics, many quick cars will suddenly feel rather ordinary. If you've ridden a sports bike, most cars will feel slow. If you've ridden a litre bike, all but the fastest cars will feel slow. So, instead of looking purely at performance, look at the benefits of the car; to me, the E46 M3 is destined to be one of the greats because of that engine, it's not the most powerful, torquey etc, but it makes a great noise and it lives to rev. It's a far cry from the bland turbo wasteland of the future. That such a great engine is wrapped up in a good looking and easy to use package just sweetens the deal. For me, it's an iconic car that is on the list of must own even if it's only a few months.
cerb4.5lee said:
Did you fit a supercharger to the Z4M you had then urban? 
the bottom line is they aren't that lively at low revs and they aren't meant to be as they are designed for top end fireworks its as simple as that and you cant have it both ways so there has to be a trade off.
I was commenting on the no torque comment which isn't true at 270 lb ft, it may not be until nearly 5000 rpm but to say it has no torque is not true. the bottom line is they aren't that lively at low revs and they aren't meant to be as they are designed for top end fireworks its as simple as that and you cant have it both ways so there has to be a trade off. 
jonnM said:
Always loved them, especially in Laguna Seca blue.
Whenever people mention LSB I always think of the first TV review of them I watchedhttp://youtu.be/Hzcyo6s9Xt4
I do like them ...but i wished the 1M had dropped to the same prices
Also the E46 M3 is at the centre of probably my favourite Chris Harris Autocar article - drive back through France in one
Edited by s m on Saturday 13th September 08:46
I found my E46s to be gutless unleaded revved, certainly around town anyway.
My current R32 Golf has a lesser peak torque figure, but it's far lazier in it's delivery and can be driven about in 5th gear round town with ease, I could never do that in the M3
One thing that particularly pissed me off about the E46, was it's cold start jerkiness, both mine were the same. 1st thing in the morning they were awful until a bit if temperature got into them
My current R32 Golf has a lesser peak torque figure, but it's far lazier in it's delivery and can be driven about in 5th gear round town with ease, I could never do that in the M3
One thing that particularly pissed me off about the E46, was it's cold start jerkiness, both mine were the same. 1st thing in the morning they were awful until a bit if temperature got into them
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