Very close to buying an e46 m3
Discussion
Gavin driven an e46 330d for 5 years I am well overdue a change. Been thinking of a few cars an decided on the m3 after.... M5 - too expensive to run, evo 8/9 not right for type of driving and attracts wrong attention.
Need to test drive some when I get chance.
Only thing I have been thinking about is which 'box.
I reckon I'll go for a manual having driven autos or years I like the relaxation but the SMG doesn't perform like that. Also when really giving it 9/10th's and more I prefer to have direct mechanical control over the gears.
Reading reviews of the SMG I really don't think I'd like it. It reminds me of when I put my car in tiptronic - without the clutch and reaching for the gear stick, the process isn't as involving - to the point that you forget to change gear etc!
Any comments.
P.s are 19's really tat bad for ride / performance - they look do much better than 18's!
Cheers
Need to test drive some when I get chance.
Only thing I have been thinking about is which 'box.
I reckon I'll go for a manual having driven autos or years I like the relaxation but the SMG doesn't perform like that. Also when really giving it 9/10th's and more I prefer to have direct mechanical control over the gears.
Reading reviews of the SMG I really don't think I'd like it. It reminds me of when I put my car in tiptronic - without the clutch and reaching for the gear stick, the process isn't as involving - to the point that you forget to change gear etc!
Any comments.
P.s are 19's really tat bad for ride / performance - they look do much better than 18's!
Cheers
I had a mint E46 M3 SMG cabrio on 19's for a few months with initial intention to keep it, but the experience was rather frustrating. Don't know if it was fault of the extra weight or the box's crapness (obviously), but the engine lacked of torque and the whole thing felt slow, wobbly and shifted cogs with my head; ride quality on those wheels was rock-solid. Even compared to my then stock C4 S6, which was a manual and underwheeled at 17". I simply hated the M.
Why don't you consider an AMG with normal torque converter, or an Audi with manual 'box?
Why don't you consider an AMG with normal torque converter, or an Audi with manual 'box?
Ignoring the above post as its based on a convertible, which IMO is a pointless M3
I had a manual E46 M3 a few years ago, loved it, despite a few bills in the time I had it, it was a terrific car, and I would have another.
Mine originally came on 19s, and ran the following wheel set ups
19" CSL Reps,
19" OEMs
19" CSL Genuine
18" OEM
19" OEM
To be fair the car drove great on the 18s but didn't look as good as it did with the 19s, of all the 19s fitted the genuine CSLs were best for the drive and looks
I would have an E46 M3 over a similar Audi or Merc AMG
I had a manual E46 M3 a few years ago, loved it, despite a few bills in the time I had it, it was a terrific car, and I would have another.
Mine originally came on 19s, and ran the following wheel set ups
19" CSL Reps,
19" OEMs
19" CSL Genuine
18" OEM
19" OEM
To be fair the car drove great on the 18s but didn't look as good as it did with the 19s, of all the 19s fitted the genuine CSLs were best for the drive and looks
I would have an E46 M3 over a similar Audi or Merc AMG
I owned an e46 M3 Cab for a year and it was an excellent experience.
The car had the SMG box which I really enjoyed and it never caused a problem.
The 19" wheels look better in my opinion but the 18" make for a better ride.
Moving from a twin turbo Italian V8, the M3 did feel less 'quick' but the M3 was an excellent day to day car and extremely reliable.
If you find the 'right' example and it is well maintained you should have a lot of fun it should be trouble free.
Only car I regret selling - In fact I may start looking again for a nice example :-)
The car had the SMG box which I really enjoyed and it never caused a problem.
The 19" wheels look better in my opinion but the 18" make for a better ride.
Moving from a twin turbo Italian V8, the M3 did feel less 'quick' but the M3 was an excellent day to day car and extremely reliable.
If you find the 'right' example and it is well maintained you should have a lot of fun it should be trouble free.
Only car I regret selling - In fact I may start looking again for a nice example :-)
I was absolutely adamant I wanted a manual until I drove a SMG.
All subjective of course but for me the SMGII really makes the car and really suits the s54 engine. When driving gently s2 or s3 using the gear stick makes for very smooth gentle changes and feels great.
Then when you want to press on s5 / s6 on the paddles is brutal and very fast. A tiny amount of throttle on the downchanges makes for really aggressive throttle blips which sound and feel really good.
It does take a little while to learn to drive the SMGII well so if your expecting a perfect flawless system then forget about it. But it does have character and imho adds to the whole m3 experience.
Also from above post from veeayt the convertible sounds completely different to my car. My CS rides great on 19's, handles beautifully and really hunkers down in the corners when you set the car up right on entry.
All subjective of course but for me the SMGII really makes the car and really suits the s54 engine. When driving gently s2 or s3 using the gear stick makes for very smooth gentle changes and feels great.
Then when you want to press on s5 / s6 on the paddles is brutal and very fast. A tiny amount of throttle on the downchanges makes for really aggressive throttle blips which sound and feel really good.
It does take a little while to learn to drive the SMGII well so if your expecting a perfect flawless system then forget about it. But it does have character and imho adds to the whole m3 experience.
Also from above post from veeayt the convertible sounds completely different to my car. My CS rides great on 19's, handles beautifully and really hunkers down in the corners when you set the car up right on entry.
I've had both a manual and smg semi-auto e46 M3,
smg - takes a few days to get used to, when driving aggressively it is great fun! throttle blip is awesome, main downside is that the auto setting is rubbish IMO (just feels slow and dimwitted) hence I was always changing gears myself anyway and at the most aggressive gearbox setting,
people usually say try both, but I would say find someone with an smg and drive for a few days - how you feel when you are first using it is very different to after a week
smg - takes a few days to get used to, when driving aggressively it is great fun! throttle blip is awesome, main downside is that the auto setting is rubbish IMO (just feels slow and dimwitted) hence I was always changing gears myself anyway and at the most aggressive gearbox setting,
people usually say try both, but I would say find someone with an smg and drive for a few days - how you feel when you are first using it is very different to after a week
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