RE: BMW M3 (E46): You Know You Want To
Discussion
I just sold mine after eight years of ownership and bought a 996 Carrera which seems a lot cheaper to run. By an e46 M3 with your eyes open!
My only criticism of the M3 (other than the running cost) is that they only feel special when you are thrashing them. They have very little midrange power so my previous daily, a 320d felt better in normal commuting type driving. As a result, I took the car for granted and rarely appreciated what it actually was.
In contrast, the 996 feels special every drive, even at a standstill.
My only criticism of the M3 (other than the running cost) is that they only feel special when you are thrashing them. They have very little midrange power so my previous daily, a 320d felt better in normal commuting type driving. As a result, I took the car for granted and rarely appreciated what it actually was.
In contrast, the 996 feels special every drive, even at a standstill.
blade7 said:
Overall how does the M3 compare to the 944 turbo you owned ?
In terms of costs or the big picture?Over costs, I'd say the M3 is pricier to run than both my S2 and my Turbo if you chose one of them; my S2 even had a replacement engine fitted!
The bigger picture? That's not hard one. For a daily drive the M3 is definitely better and on long journeys too! In the bends I prefer it as well! And that's bearing in mind that my Turbo was on KWv3s all round and a rebuilt AOR LSD gearbox. Whenever I take the M3 out for a long drive any thoughts I have about getting shot soon go away. It's spot on my 80% of situations and it covers many bases very well. Sure the enigine lacks a little grunt below 2kRPM. But the sound inside the cabin and the GTness yet part throwability of the car are superb.
But speaking of character I think the Turbo "just" gets it. It's not because the M3 is lacking a stick either as some people might think. The Turbo was more of an event ; the back end either gripped like crazy or let go quite a bit ; it had me more on edge compared to the more forgiving M3. The exhaust had two modes and truth be told I did secretly love that loud mode. And let's be honest, I think my lowered Turbo had the M3 licked in the looks department as time has gone on by. But in that respect my Escort RS Turbo S1 was more flawed than both and that won hands down in the character vote. Even hearing it burbling away had me pleased as punch.
I have to ask, which Porker forum are you on? The name looks familiar.
SebringMan said:
In terms of costs or the big picture?
But speaking of character I think the Turbo "just" gets it. It's not because the M3 is lacking a stick either as some people might think. The Turbo was more of an event ; the back end either gripped like crazy or let go quite a bit ; it had me more on edge compared to the more forgiving M3. The exhaust had two modes and truth be told I did secretly love that loud mode. And let's be honest, I think my lowered Turbo had the M3 licked in the looks department as time has gone on by. But in that respect my Escort RS Turbo S1 was more flawed than both and that won hands down in the character vote. Even hearing it burbling away had me pleased as punch.
I have to ask, which Porker forum are you on? The name looks familiar.
PCGB, same username as on here, I recognise your car history now. I don't understand the love for the Escort, the S1 RS Turbo I had back in 1989 didn't impress me that much, despite a proper Turbo Technics upgrade, with a bigger turbo, remap and stronger clutch. Re M3 v 944T I was in the market for either but the M3 seemed to be all about the engine and the 944 it's chassis. Plus the turbo had an easier power uprate path. I wouldn't run a 944T as a daily or winter car though. 8 or 9 years ago an E46 M3 was around twice the price of a late 944 turbo....But speaking of character I think the Turbo "just" gets it. It's not because the M3 is lacking a stick either as some people might think. The Turbo was more of an event ; the back end either gripped like crazy or let go quite a bit ; it had me more on edge compared to the more forgiving M3. The exhaust had two modes and truth be told I did secretly love that loud mode. And let's be honest, I think my lowered Turbo had the M3 licked in the looks department as time has gone on by. But in that respect my Escort RS Turbo S1 was more flawed than both and that won hands down in the character vote. Even hearing it burbling away had me pleased as punch.
I have to ask, which Porker forum are you on? The name looks familiar.
blade7 said:
PCGB, same username as on here, I recognise your car history now. I don't understand the love for the Escort, the S1 RS Turbo I had back in 1989 didn't impress me that much, despite a proper Turbo Technics upgrade, with a bigger turbo, remap and stronger clutch. Re M3 v 944T I was in the market for either but the M3 seemed to be all about the engine and the 944 it's chassis. Plus the turbo had an easier power uprate path. I wouldn't run a 944T as a daily or winter car though. 8 or 9 years ago an E46 M3 was around twice the price of a late 944 turbo....
I get that regarding the RST. I felt the same when I went in a Capri 2.8i! My RST originally drove horrendously until I did a few key things which my old thread outlines ; It felt like another car afterwards as the previous owner can confirm when I took him out for a passenger ride. It wasn't exactly a stock RST though. i guess people love them as they represent the 80s as well as a new generation emerging.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
TBH I wish I kept my 944 Turbo. Partly because the values have now gone mental for all examples. But also because of the looks simply calminating with age and the car really allowing you to be a bit of "chav" but with style thanks to the Wortec and lowered suspension.
That's interesting regarding the M3 vs Turbo buying scenario. Years ago I probably would have chosen an M3 over a 944 for the M3's all round ability and it being more in vogue relatively speaking. Now it's a hard one. IMHO if the cars are stock the M3's handling is nicer to live with and easier on the limit. The pace is faster in a stock M3 to a Turbo (yes, I know a chip and a boost enhancer changes the game on a Turbo but the boost then...). As standard the M3's got a nicer soundtrack inside the car. It's looks certainly are distinctive in the M3 lineup before and after until the new M4 and of course the iconic E30 M3.
It's funny how prices change eh? It will be interesting to see if M3 prices follow those of 944s irrespective of the car. If it wasn't for the worry and running costs (£1.5k in a year in repairs and servicing with me doing all of the work myself you exclude the RACP repair and respray) I'd be smitten with the M3 TBH. If I gave all of the work to a garage you can add on another £1.5k to my total at least ; I am sad enough to keep a spreadsheet but I guess you have to so as to see what else is out there. All of a sudden an M140i on lease looks appealing and with less hassle.
But that said I thought the 944 was pricey to run when I had it. I guess it is all relative
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I have had 3 now lol I picked up the Vert at the weekend with Fsh manual every conceivable optional extras TV phone navigation etc . These cars are every bit as good as a 911( from the same ere) with the acceptance of the turbo version. I sold my last one in place of a Cayman S and not the 2.7 but the real deal engine.And the Porsche was and is engineering excellence!But I don't say this in defamation of the Cayman BUT THE M3 is every bit as good 😊 and in practical terms even better for every day use social and domestic. When I brought this one at the weekend it was parked next to a next gen V8 M3 on an 08 plate and the difference in price was only a service. So I had a go and a compare and the best discription is🙄For those of you that can remember the Mk1 Rs turbo custom? And then Ford released the Mk2 🤔When in Drag race and on paper the Mk2 trances the mk1 but there's not a man alive that if given the choice would take the Mk2. Same in my opinion with the E46 M3 🍻👍🏽You can't have one of these cars without giving her a girls name because they have got soul and there that good looking and naughty too many men would risk everything for a brief dance 💃🏼 and no matter how many other men have been in there before you would tell everyone she's yours and make sure you are seen by even more lmao 😂 it sounds kinky but it is this shape M3 is as sexy as it gets 🍻🍻
SebringMan said:
It's funny how prices change eh? It will be interesting to see if M3 prices follow those of 944s irrespective of the car. If it wasn't for the worry and running costs (£1.5k in a year in repairs and servicing with me doing all of the work myself you exclude the RACP repair and respray) I'd be smitten with the M3 TBH. If I gave all of the work to a garage you can add on another £1.5k to my total at least ; I am sad enough to keep a spreadsheet but I guess you have to so as to see what else is out there. All of a sudden an M140i on lease looks appealing and with less hassle.
But that said I thought the 944 was pricey to run when I had it. I guess it is all relative.
I reckon there's still a lot more good M3's around than good 944 turbos. It took me a year to find a 944 turbo I wanted to buy, and that was 8 years ago.If you take turbocharging out of the equation the M3 slaughters the 944/968 IMO. I've said it before, the M3 is a better everyday fast car. Though for a weekend car the 944 turbo shades it for me. And the parts are available to make it what it should have evolved into, a 3.0 turbo with a fairly unstressed 400 bhp But that said I thought the 944 was pricey to run when I had it. I guess it is all relative
..SebringMan said:
I get that regarding the RST. I felt the same when I went in a Capri 2.8i! My RST originally drove horrendously until I did a few key things which my old thread outlines ; It felt like another car afterwards as the previous owner can confirm when I took him out for a passenger ride. It wasn't exactly a stock RST though. i guess people love them as they represent the 80s as well as a new generation emerging.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
TBH I wish I kept my 944 Turbo. Partly because the values have now gone mental for all examples. But also because of the looks simply calminating with age and the car really allowing you to be a bit of "chav" but with style thanks to the Wortec and lowered suspension.
That's interesting regarding the M3 vs Turbo buying scenario. Years ago I probably would have chosen an M3 over a 944 for the M3's all round ability and it being more in vogue relatively speaking. Now it's a hard one. IMHO if the cars are stock the M3's handling is nicer to live with and easier on the limit. The pace is faster in a stock M3 to a Turbo (yes, I know a chip and a boost enhancer changes the game on a Turbo but the boost then...). As standard the M3's got a nicer soundtrack inside the car. It's looks certainly are distinctive in the M3 lineup before and after until the new M4 and of course the iconic E30 M3.
Enjoyed just reading that RST write-up - shows how just keeping them in tiptop nick makes a big difference to the drive and enjoyment. Close friend had a newish 1600i followed by 2 year old S1 RST - I really enjoyed having a drive in the Turbo - the diff was really aggressive and made it great fun but took a bit of learning if you were used to something like a Gti or 309.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
TBH I wish I kept my 944 Turbo. Partly because the values have now gone mental for all examples. But also because of the looks simply calminating with age and the car really allowing you to be a bit of "chav" but with style thanks to the Wortec and lowered suspension.
That's interesting regarding the M3 vs Turbo buying scenario. Years ago I probably would have chosen an M3 over a 944 for the M3's all round ability and it being more in vogue relatively speaking. Now it's a hard one. IMHO if the cars are stock the M3's handling is nicer to live with and easier on the limit. The pace is faster in a stock M3 to a Turbo (yes, I know a chip and a boost enhancer changes the game on a Turbo but the boost then...). As standard the M3's got a nicer soundtrack inside the car. It's looks certainly are distinctive in the M3 lineup before and after until the new M4 and of course the iconic E30 M3.
I've looked at the E46 M a few times but as it would be a daily I've stuck with big engined E36s/E46s instead which seem cheaper to run and buy
s m said:
Enjoyed just reading that RST write-up - shows how just keeping them in tiptop nick makes a big difference to the drive and enjoyment. Close friend had a newish 1600i followed by 2 year old S1 RST - I really enjoyed having a drive in the Turbo - the diff was really aggressive and made it great fun but took a bit of learning if you were used to something like a Gti or 309.
My 86 RST was on 30k and just over a couple of years old, It's the only FWD car I've owned that has snapped sideways on me at 90+ through some S bends 
Full oppo, power on, and the diff is all that caught it. It was gone for a 3dr Cossie soon afterwards.I just recently bought one with FSH 90k miles for well under 10k to restore and use as my daily driver and to keep the miles down on my 911 996 turbo, hopefully will double my money like I have on my 911 as if you pick wisely do your reasearch theres a lot of money to be made in the right cars bought at the right time. 
nicfaz said:
Scottie - NW said:
culpz said:
At the end of the day, the M3 is a 40k car with running costs to match. Just because they can be had much cheaper than that now doesn't affect the maintenance and running costs.
This is one of those lines you see a lot on PH, and it's just wrong.When a car is a 40k new M3 then at the point in it's life cycle when it is worth that much you have to use dealers at dealer service rates and prices and end up paying high parts prices to keep the warranty and so on.
As cars get older, more and more non OE parts become available for them, especially the most common ones, to fix known issues. The cost of the parts themselves also tend to reduce over time, as more and more manufacturers make them and push the price lower.
Specialists are then able to take care of them at lower labour rates, and sometimes work out better ways to do the jobs more cost effectively, on some cars whereas a dealer may say that's an engine out job etc, specialists know ways to do it without.
So, although I accept the running costs for a 40k car at 10 years old may be higher than a 20k car at 10 years old, you should still be paying much less for service and parts on a 10 year old M3 than a nearly new one at dealer prices.
You will never hear from anyone that they are cheap to run, even with the word cheap being subjective. I'm sorry, but that's the truth here. Let's stop acting like these are just as cheap to run as a generic BMW model. Take the plunge and find out yourself, first-hand.
e30m3Mark said:
Excuse the bump but some interesting opinions / experiences. Seems that 12 months on prices are a little firmer than they were and E46 M3 seem as popular as ever.
The asking prices are firm but I'd question whether they're selling. Mines up for less than 8k and had no interest other than time wasters and t
ts who can't send a message that's readable. Been up for sale since August and can't give it away. 
127k
SMG with CSL software, just had new gear position sensor
Subframe reinforced and polybushed throughout
Eibach springs
Recaro Trendlines (I think) trimmed to match
Edited by DanielSan on Thursday 13th December 06:46
It's the low mileage manuals in standard condition that are selling well. I've been on to these for years and owned over 7 of them.
I actually prefer driving the SMG myself but from a resale pov then like the older 911s the manual is what is sought out.
Unfortunately 8k for a higher mile smg that is non standard will struggle to sell I'm afraid....that said everything sells at the right price so it might be worth dropping the price if you are able to.
Lovely looking car you have though
I actually prefer driving the SMG myself but from a resale pov then like the older 911s the manual is what is sought out.
Unfortunately 8k for a higher mile smg that is non standard will struggle to sell I'm afraid....that said everything sells at the right price so it might be worth dropping the price if you are able to.
Lovely looking car you have though
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