Is There Anything Better Than The E46 M3 For Price?

[daveco]

It's getting to the point where I can realistically afford to buy and run one of these and being a fan of BMW and owning and enjoying the 325 and 330 models it seems only logical.

I've always dribbled over the M3 (I think the engine is a masterpiece) but then I thought I might be missing out on something better.

So, wise forum, is there anything superior to the E46 M3 for pure driving enjoyment (engine noise is important!) at roughly the same price?

[rottie102]

daveco said:

It's getting to the point where I can realistically afford to buy and run one of these and being a fan of BMW and owning and enjoying the 325 and 330 models it seems only logical.

I've always dribbled over the M3 (I think the engine is a masterpiece) but then I thought I might be missing out on something better.

So, wise forum, is there anything superior to the E46 M3 for pure driving enjoyment (engine noise is important!) at roughly the same price?

Errrrr, TVR?

[Rawwr]

What price?

[daveco]

Rawwr said:

What price?

12-16k

[Rawwr]

E39 M5?

[Gad-Westy]

I think it depends on exactly which of the M3's qualities appeal to you. As an all rounder I think its hard to beat but there is a lot of choice at that price.

Monaro 6.0
Porsche 996
Various Mercs
Jaguar XKR
Various TVR's
Toyota Supra TT
Skylines

All have their good and bad points.

[Craigwww]

No, M3 it has to be. Minted, well priced, gorgeous examples on the owner's forums just now and lots of choice, every owner raves about them. So much car for the money and very reliable. I have been looking seriously for about a month now and cannot find anything to beat it.

Go for it!

[Tycho]

Gad-Westy said:

I think it depends on exactly which of the M3's qualities appeal to you. As an all rounder I think its hard to beat but there is a lot of choice at that price.

Monaro 6.0
Porsche 996
Various Mercs
Jaguar XKR
Various TVR's
Toyota Supra TT
Skylines

All have their good and bad points.

This ^^^^ depends on whether you need a bit of comfort or want a hardcore racer on the road.

[homerjay]

Tycho said:

Gad-Westy said:

I think it depends on exactly which of the M3's qualities appeal to you. As an all rounder I think its hard to beat but there is a lot of choice at that price.

Monaro 6.0
Porsche 996
Various Mercs
Jaguar XKR
Various TVR's
Toyota Supra TT
Skylines

All have their good and bad points.

This ^^^^ depends on whether you need a bit of comfort or want a hardcore racer on the road.

and how often and how big you want your repair bills to be i guess.

[KrazyIvan]

Gad-Westy said:

I think it depends on exactly which of the M3's qualities appeal to you. As an all rounder I think its hard to beat but there is a lot of choice at that price.

Monaro 6.0
Porsche 996
Various Mercs
Jaguar XKR
Various TVR's
Toyota Supra TT
Skylines

All have their good and bad points.

Bit on a generic list really.

Supra - will be hard to find a "standard" or saftley modded one.
Skyline - Will need to be R33 GTR or R34 GTT, and neither is a nice inside as the M3
Jag - Probably as good as the M3 in most areas, but you swap the cock image for the Old Man one.
996 - Not sure what a 14K 996 would be like.

As said by others, unless your going for the Cab, then I would also look at the M5 as well

[Orangecurry]

daveco said:

So, wise forum, is there anything superior to the E46 M3 for pure driving enjoyment (engine noise is important!) at roughly the same price?

Porsche 964

[Gad-Westy]

KrazyIvan said:

Gad-Westy said:

I think it depends on exactly which of the M3's qualities appeal to you. As an all rounder I think its hard to beat but there is a lot of choice at that price.

Monaro 6.0
Porsche 996
Various Mercs
Jaguar XKR
Various TVR's
Toyota Supra TT
Skylines

All have their good and bad points.

Bit on a generic list really.

Supra - will be hard to find a "standard" or saftley modded one.
Skyline - Will need to be R33 GTR or R34 GTT, and neither is a nice inside as the M3
Jag - Probably as good as the M3 in most areas, but you swap the cock image for the Old Man one.
996 - Not sure what a 14K 996 would be like.

As said by others, unless your going for the Cab, then I would also look at the M5 as well

It was a deliberately generic list. Budget was up to £16k as stated. I was simply trying to highlight that there are plenty of alternatives at both ends of the spectrum depending on what floats your boat. But, I'd agree about the M5, I think it offers better value than the M3 with no obvious downsides other that possibly higher running costs.

[PompeyM3]

Craigwww said:

No, M3 it has to be. Minted, well priced, gorgeous examples on the owner's forums just now and lots of choice, every owner raves about them. So much car for the money and very reliable. I have been looking seriously for about a month now and cannot find anything to beat it.

Go for it!

+1

E46 M3's are Great cars and something I'll buy again when I don't need to fit such a large pram in the back. Need to be looked after and the major service can be expensive, but for the performance you're getting, you'd expect that.

[anonymous-user]

For that sort of money I would be very tempted to explore the E30 M3. It wont have the all out shove but if you buy wisely you will be able to drive one of the all time greats then come resale time you wont lose much if anything at all.

[d7jab]

Like you, huge BMW fan...owned 2 and currently have 330i Tourer. M3 is the dream car for me. If you can get one GET IT. M5 is also a good shout but dont miss out on the M3 and miss the chance of owning one.
Loads down south to pick from...Will keep an eye out for any lovely ones since you pretty local.

[BUG4LIFE]

I've been thinking exactly the same thing and I've decided the answer is no - nothing has the same performance, style, practicality, usability, respect etc etc! A Merc CLK just doesn't drive well enough and is a bit old man, Skyline/Supra/Evo/Scooby [as much as I love them] just aren't as good as everyday cars, TVR obviously the same, an Audi for the same dosh/performance [S4 I guess] is a tad boring and you'd know the M3 is so much sharper, I'd love a 350Z but could I do without back seats, a 911 will cost an arm and a leg to run...

Maybe a Monaro though?

Edited by BUG4LIFE on Monday 23 August 10:41

[harryowl]

yes

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1883902.htm

[Liquid Knight]

Hmmmmm. Second hand M5 and an MX5 with the change?

[Harbuzi]

OP

Try this: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1906438.htm

You did say engine noise was important right?!

Far better looking and although I've never driven one (have driven an e46 m3 which was very fast) I imagine is just as quick.

Oh, and for those interested in image it doesn't get that much better than a Maserati does it?

[RobM77]

Define "better"

For this budget:

• An Elise is far better to drive (I've driven both and there's absolutely no contest in my opinion, in any area of handling, controls or feedback)
• An S Class is far more comfortable (of that there's no doubt!)
• A Porsche 964 C2 has more character (lovely old things)
• A Caterham is miles faster (I've been on a track day with two E46 M3s who were racing each other in a basic Caterham road car (VVC Roadsport - the soft model), and started behind them, overtook them, and lapped them both within a 15-20 minute session. That's not my driving, that's just how fast a Caterham is in comparison
• An A3 diesel is cheaper to run (although probably the most boring car every made!)
• An old Formula Renault is faster and more fun on a race track.

It depends what you want. In my opinion, the E46 M3 tries to combine all of the above and ends up being a jack of all trades and master of none, and as such it's not really my sort of car. If you've only got room for one car and don't mind compromise though, they cover all bases very well.

Edited by RobM77 on Monday 23 August 11:06