Just bought E46 M3
Discussion
Picked up an E46 M3 (2002) manual yesterday from Independent Motor Company. David at IMC was great and really went out of his way to make sure the buying experience was a smooth one.
Having owned an E60 M5 for about 18 months I felt it was time to get back into an M car for weekend use and keep my 130i M Sport for daily use.
E60 M5 vs E46 M3: Cannot compare the two cars like for like but here goes. The M5 is an amazing machine consider it's size and bulk. Cornering speeds on that car and handling are simply brilliant and the sensory experience is amazing. However, it is let down badly by the SMG. Yes on full attack mode the SMG is great, but as a daily driver it was bloody awful (and yes I used it in manual mode and lifted on the throttle when changing gears etc etc). The fuel economy was also pretty shocking (avg 13mpg), but I hardly did 5k miles a year so that did not concern me that much. The M3 in comparison doesn't have the brutal shove that the M5 has of course, but it delivers performance in a fantastically savage way. Compared to the M5 it feels more old school and direct, something I know I am going to enjoy. The manual box is notchy when cold (1st,2nd), gets better after about 10 mins of driving but overall I am very glad I didn't go down the SMG route again. Done about 150 miles in it and averaging 25mpg (got 32mpg on the motorway), which for a car with this performance is very handy. For anyone who is looking at an E46 M3 as a potential buy....just do it. For the price you cannot go wrong.
130i M Sport vs E46 M3: Again not a like for like comparison but they can be had for similar money. Firstly, the 130i M Sport is one of the best BMWs I have ever owned...and I have been fortunate to have a fair few (E39, E60s). The performance, refinement and all round capabilities of this car are brilliant. This is what I purchased after selling the M5 (through Jason Barker @ Birds...another great dealer) and I can honestly say it has held up very well. As a daily driver the 130i is amazing and will put a smile on your face every time you make a journey. Mine has a Steptronic box and it is frankly brilliant. The gear changes are silky smooth, switching it to sport mode really changes the characteristics of the car and the flappy paddle option is also very very good. As a driving experience I would take that over the SMG in the E60 M5 any day (just my opinion of course). I haven't spent a long time with my M3 as yet, but I can say that for 90% of the driving that most of us will do (up to 4k revs before gear change) I think the 130i holds its own very well from a performance point of view. However, when really pushing on the M3 comes into it's own and starts to justify the reputation it has got. If your someone that likes to drive hard and fast at every chance you get this car was made for you. The engine is a masterpiece whether you look at if from a performance point of view or even economy. I can see why people use this car as a daily driver. The handling is just perfect - direct and super responsive to driver input...sharper than the E60 M5 and the 130i. I haven't had a chance to give it a proper test yet (since it has been a bit damp this weekend), but will be looking for the next dry window of opportunity to test the handling properly. I am sure it will no disappoint.
Not sure if this little write up will help anyone who is thinking (man maths in overdrive) about an E60 M5, E46 M3 or 130i M sport. All 3 are great cars. What I would say is that if your thinking about spending £20k+ on an E60 M5...don't do it. Get yourself a 130i M sport as a daily driver and an E46 M3 as a weekend toy for the same money. Wish I had done that a few years back...would have saved myself some money.
I am pretty particular about my cars and would like to have the leather interior and door cards corrected for the odd scratch here and there. The sort of defects most people won't even notice, but for me it's the first thing I see when I get in the car. If anyone can recommend someone for this type of thing please let me know. I am in the Bracknell, Berkshire area.
Having owned an E60 M5 for about 18 months I felt it was time to get back into an M car for weekend use and keep my 130i M Sport for daily use.
E60 M5 vs E46 M3: Cannot compare the two cars like for like but here goes. The M5 is an amazing machine consider it's size and bulk. Cornering speeds on that car and handling are simply brilliant and the sensory experience is amazing. However, it is let down badly by the SMG. Yes on full attack mode the SMG is great, but as a daily driver it was bloody awful (and yes I used it in manual mode and lifted on the throttle when changing gears etc etc). The fuel economy was also pretty shocking (avg 13mpg), but I hardly did 5k miles a year so that did not concern me that much. The M3 in comparison doesn't have the brutal shove that the M5 has of course, but it delivers performance in a fantastically savage way. Compared to the M5 it feels more old school and direct, something I know I am going to enjoy. The manual box is notchy when cold (1st,2nd), gets better after about 10 mins of driving but overall I am very glad I didn't go down the SMG route again. Done about 150 miles in it and averaging 25mpg (got 32mpg on the motorway), which for a car with this performance is very handy. For anyone who is looking at an E46 M3 as a potential buy....just do it. For the price you cannot go wrong.
130i M Sport vs E46 M3: Again not a like for like comparison but they can be had for similar money. Firstly, the 130i M Sport is one of the best BMWs I have ever owned...and I have been fortunate to have a fair few (E39, E60s). The performance, refinement and all round capabilities of this car are brilliant. This is what I purchased after selling the M5 (through Jason Barker @ Birds...another great dealer) and I can honestly say it has held up very well. As a daily driver the 130i is amazing and will put a smile on your face every time you make a journey. Mine has a Steptronic box and it is frankly brilliant. The gear changes are silky smooth, switching it to sport mode really changes the characteristics of the car and the flappy paddle option is also very very good. As a driving experience I would take that over the SMG in the E60 M5 any day (just my opinion of course). I haven't spent a long time with my M3 as yet, but I can say that for 90% of the driving that most of us will do (up to 4k revs before gear change) I think the 130i holds its own very well from a performance point of view. However, when really pushing on the M3 comes into it's own and starts to justify the reputation it has got. If your someone that likes to drive hard and fast at every chance you get this car was made for you. The engine is a masterpiece whether you look at if from a performance point of view or even economy. I can see why people use this car as a daily driver. The handling is just perfect - direct and super responsive to driver input...sharper than the E60 M5 and the 130i. I haven't had a chance to give it a proper test yet (since it has been a bit damp this weekend), but will be looking for the next dry window of opportunity to test the handling properly. I am sure it will no disappoint.
Not sure if this little write up will help anyone who is thinking (man maths in overdrive) about an E60 M5, E46 M3 or 130i M sport. All 3 are great cars. What I would say is that if your thinking about spending £20k+ on an E60 M5...don't do it. Get yourself a 130i M sport as a daily driver and an E46 M3 as a weekend toy for the same money. Wish I had done that a few years back...would have saved myself some money.
I am pretty particular about my cars and would like to have the leather interior and door cards corrected for the odd scratch here and there. The sort of defects most people won't even notice, but for me it's the first thing I see when I get in the car. If anyone can recommend someone for this type of thing please let me know. I am in the Bracknell, Berkshire area.
Yep, I've brought a manual e46 m3 before and he really knows his stuff, which was re-assuring to say the least. So you had an M5 as a jack of all trades and now you've got the 130 and M3 splitting the work load? Having owned an M6 the V10 is miles apart performance wise from the M3, it's not even close. However the M3 is still a great car.
Rahul uk said:
The engine is a masterpiece whether you look at if from a performance point of view or even economy.
Agree. People rave about the turbo'd sixes in the 1M or M135i as if it's they are the first M cars to pull off 340bhp and >35mpg on the motorway. The S54 managed that trick over 10 years ago.
I just drove a 500 mile round trip this weekend in mine, small town driving, 200 miles country stuff, and bombing down the motor way.
I had an average speed of 70mph for the journey and averaged 30mpg.
Was good fun!!
Complete comfort as opposed to my old thing, i was actually considering selling it to buy something obnoxious like a TVR, but after that trip im seriously doubting it.
Agreed the SMG aint great around town, but you can get used to it and drive round its annoyances. My main annoyance with it, is when it takes away in 1st its slow to change to 2nd or changes to 2nd earlier than i would like.
I wish i could get the fast changes of S6 with the low revs of S2 when driving around town.
But, whatever! apart from that i think its just fine!
Good luck with your new car, i enjoy mine, had it 2 years now.
I had an average speed of 70mph for the journey and averaged 30mpg.
Was good fun!!
Complete comfort as opposed to my old thing, i was actually considering selling it to buy something obnoxious like a TVR, but after that trip im seriously doubting it.
Agreed the SMG aint great around town, but you can get used to it and drive round its annoyances. My main annoyance with it, is when it takes away in 1st its slow to change to 2nd or changes to 2nd earlier than i would like.
I wish i could get the fast changes of S6 with the low revs of S2 when driving around town.
But, whatever! apart from that i think its just fine!
Good luck with your new car, i enjoy mine, had it 2 years now.
a little harsh about the tvr me thinks, having owned one for three years i loved it. not noing if youve owned one or not but i think any bad reputation a tvr has is normally from people who havent. totally different car in every way but a joy to drive and a v8 rumble to die for.
shibby! said:
I just drove a 500 mile round trip this weekend in mine, small town driving, 200 miles country stuff, and bombing down the motor way.
I had an average speed of 70mph for the journey and averaged 30mpg.
Was good fun!!
Complete comfort as opposed to my old thing, i was actually considering selling it to buy something obnoxious like a TVR, but after that trip im seriously doubting it.
Agreed the SMG aint great around town, but you can get used to it and drive round its annoyances. My main annoyance with it, is when it takes away in 1st its slow to change to 2nd or changes to 2nd earlier than i would like.
I wish i could get the fast changes of S6 with the low revs of S2 when driving around town.
But, whatever! apart from that i think its just fine!
Good luck with your new car, i enjoy mine, had it 2 years now.
I had an average speed of 70mph for the journey and averaged 30mpg.
Was good fun!!
Complete comfort as opposed to my old thing, i was actually considering selling it to buy something obnoxious like a TVR, but after that trip im seriously doubting it.
Agreed the SMG aint great around town, but you can get used to it and drive round its annoyances. My main annoyance with it, is when it takes away in 1st its slow to change to 2nd or changes to 2nd earlier than i would like.
I wish i could get the fast changes of S6 with the low revs of S2 when driving around town.
But, whatever! apart from that i think its just fine!
Good luck with your new car, i enjoy mine, had it 2 years now.
Stingercut said:
The E46 M3 is the thinking mans performance all rounder. Spending half your life watching the fuel gauge and looking out for petrol stations is not my idea of fun, unless its got a pony or a bull on the bonnet.
No. The E39 M5 is the thinking mans all rounder.The E46 just struck me as needing to have the nuts revved of it to make it go.
^^ Nein !! 
E39 M5 typical real life fuel consumption http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=747...
E46 M3 lots of threads where people routinely get 35mpg + on a steady motorway run.
Performance Wiki shows both in manual coupe form just sub 5 secs 0-60. Not any significant difference in the quarter mile times either.
Yes, the E46 M3 only unleashes at the top end but you don't need to drive everywhere like your pants are on fire. It's on tap when needed and gets the job done.
E39 M5 typical real life fuel consumption http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=747...
E46 M3 lots of threads where people routinely get 35mpg + on a steady motorway run.
Performance Wiki shows both in manual coupe form just sub 5 secs 0-60. Not any significant difference in the quarter mile times either.
Yes, the E46 M3 only unleashes at the top end but you don't need to drive everywhere like your pants are on fire. It's on tap when needed and gets the job done.
ArmaghMan said:
No. The E39 M5 is the thinking mans all rounder.
The E46 just struck me as needing to have the nuts revved of it to make it go.
Afaik the s54 makes max torque quite low down the rev range, agreed to really fly you need to rev it but its quite flexible really. A firm prod in 2nd and 3rd will see some nice progress being made. The E46 just struck me as needing to have the nuts revved of it to make it go.
OP - congrats on the purchase!
horico said:
Afaik the s54 makes max torque quite low down the rev range, agreed to really fly you need to rev it but its quite flexible really. A firm prod in 2nd and 3rd will see some nice progress being made.
Yeah I think 80% of it's max torque is available from as little as 2K RPM?
E46 is an awesome car and loved it for the 5 years I had it. Now fortunate to have had an E92 M3 for the last 5 years & 65k miles. Fwiw, IMO the E92 is sublime in terms of engine and handling and far better than the E46 but each to their own. But to be honest each M car is special in its own way. Oh, & I have a TVR T350 for the special days which any of the beemers can't even touch for driver involvement and grin factor!
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff