[JayR_e92]

Here is a cool video from a small cars & coffee gathering I was invited to over the weekend.. Meet some cool people and had a great time driving and talking cars. This video was put together by Adam (owner of the white Audi RS5). In the video you see my E46 M3 a few times and Adam was kind enough to say some nice things about it towards the end as well. Check out his YouTube channel for some car content and more meets and cruising content to come!

[JayR_e92]

Few shots from the weekend ✨

[Garrus]

I drive a 135i, manual. I have driven some really beat-up E46s. One SMG and another a manual. My 135i suits me very well and I never intend to sell it. I do admit though that there is something special about the E46 M3.

Looked around, most were all pretty dinged and run to the ground. That one manual I drove had 150k miles on it. In its glory days I am sure it was a stunning car. The parking brake was non-existent, brakes needed to be fixed, convertible top barely worked., etc. The engine still worked just fine and I had a blast driving it. That car refused to die.

It is a shame BMW no longer makes those types of cars. As BMW continues to make new M models that are increasingly integrated with onboard computer systems, I feel they move further away from the visceral feel of those naturally aspirated engines and hydraulic steering racks that made those older E46 cars so special.

[JayR_e92]

***Update***
New OEM transmission mounts
New NGK spark plugs
Fresh break fluid flush (oem fluids)
New Vibra-technics motor mounts! 🤩

(I've compiled a bin of all the original parts I have refreshed and most of them were in really good condition to be quite honest but since I wasn't sure when the last time some of these things have been done - I'm going through and refreshing tons of bushings/mounts/fluids etc. and having a lot of fun doing it!)

[spidy512]

JayR_e92,

Now that you have had the car for a bit, how does it compare to your old e92 M3?

I am contemplating selling my M240i and getting into a e90 or e46 M3. I am weary of going back to an older car, and the costs associated with them. But I also miss the engaging drive of the older, analog cars like the e90/9s's and e46's.

Anyway, feel free to PM me if you like. But I bet others would be interested as well.

Fantastic looking e46 btw....

Cheers!
Josh

[JayR_e92]

Originally Posted by spidy512

JayR_e92,

Now that you have had the car for a bit, how does it compare to your old e92 M3?

I am contemplating selling my M240i and getting into a e90 or e46 M3. I am weary of going back to an older car, and the costs associated with them. But I also miss the engaging drive of the older, analog cars like the e90/9s's and e46's.

Anyway, feel free to PM me if you like. But I bet others would be interested as well.

Fantastic looking e46 btw....

Cheers!
Josh

Great question Josh 👍🏽

The short answer is - I believe the E9X is a slightly better platform overall. Simply because of the intoxicating sounds, the balance between comfort and raw driving experience, and the overall reliability. This also depends on your intended purpose.

If it's solely track, E46 M3.

Daily driving (and you want more comfort), E9X M3.

Daily + weekend warrior, you cannot go wrong with either one

However, both can be built or modified to outperform one another.

One more thing I'll add, for those that care - the E46 M3 seems to be the crowd favorite. The amount of attention from other car enthusiasts you receive in an e46 M3 is substantially more than an e90/e92 M3 in my experience.

In conclusion - you will not regret buying one over the other and you truly need to experience both to form your own opinion because it's so close, it could sway either way!

I hope this helps 🤙🏽

[spidy512]

Thank you!

That is a great comparison. Thank you for your perspective and opinion.

I am a bit surprised to hear the e46 gets more attention. The e9x's seem to be super hot right now.

But I frankly think the e46 M3 is the better of the two aesthetically.....

Looking forward to more news on the car....

josh

[JayR_e92]

Right!? Honestly I was very surprised as well.

Both are beautiful in their own right, it's just a matter of preference.

Thank you sir! I appreciate ya

[Poweroc]

Love your m3, Jay!

I am getting my first M3 next Saturday and beyond excited to get started with restoration and clean-up items.

[JayR_e92]

Originally Posted by Poweroc

Love your m3, Jay!

I am getting my first M3 next Saturday and beyond excited to get started with restoration and clean-up items.

I appreciate it!

and Congrats! Cant wait to see it brotha 🤙🏽

[JayR_e92]

Passenger side fog light pretty hazy and chipped, picked up a new one from Turner Motorsports and swapped in over the weekend after detailing it. It's all in the little details 👌🏽

Next up, headlight lenses...[IMG][/IMG]

[miles_2_early]

How many miles and how much did you pay?

[JayR_e92]

Headlight lenses and trims are also in now 👌🏽

[JayR_e92]

Originally Posted by miles_early

How many miles and how much did you pay?

Currently at 106k

[Poweroc]

Nice clean-up on the fogs and headlights!

[JayR_e92]

Originally Posted by Poweroc

Nice clean-up on the fogs and headlights!

Thanks Poweroc !
Gonna do the Corners next to complete it👌🏽

[yopikari]

Those fog lights really do make a difference, guess I should replace mine sooner rather than later!

[JayR_e92]

A couple pics from Father's Day

[JayR_e92]

Current Oil Analysis report is back from Blackstone Labs:

👍🏽

[eforty6_m3]

Great thread, man. Car is really coming along and looks great!! Keep up the good work!

[JayR_e92]

Originally Posted by eforty6_m3

Great thread, man. Car is really coming along and looks great!! Keep up the good work!

Very much appreciated!! 🙏🏽

[JayR_e92]

Not a bad way to bring in the 4th..

Rogue Engineering el Diablo exhaust
(straight from RE)

Note*
[IMG][/IMG]I completely forgot to take a photo AFTER install lol. Oh well, sound clips should be coming soon 🙏🏽 hope everyone had a great weekend