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      05-24-2016, 12:03 PM   #23
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Originally Posted by AWGroceryGetter View Post
I'm getting the itch again, and I can't stop scratching it! I've been searching for a low mileage manual E46 M3, preferably with comp package. EAG seems to have the best selection, though you are paying a premium, which I don't necessarily want to. But, if I'm getting a quality product back for what I'm paying, I guess you have to pay to play. I understand this is a niche market, but paying $15-18k more than KBB value.....

Anyways...how amazing is the E46 M3 to drive? I've only driven the SMG version, as I don't see the manual versions too often here in Colorado. I'll be honest, SMG sucks. But I could see the potential of the M3 if it was a manual. The feeling I had when I drove it, was that it was a more raw performance vehicle, moreso than my bloated rocket ship of an F80 .

If any of you kind ladies and gentleman could post some of your personal feedback and experiences with your E46 M3, I would very much appreciate it.


Thanks!
I owned one and liked it, but i really don't have the itch anymore. they're fun cars but if you have an f80, not worth going back.

I sold mine with 23,000 miles for like 22 grand when i was moving...i am certainly kicking myself in the ass, but i am not itching for it back.
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      05-24-2016, 12:03 PM   #24
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Originally Posted by John Tanglewood View Post
Much like the e90, you've got to rev it WAY up there to use the power.

Easily one of the most natural/progressive accelerations for any car that I've driven, the torque curve is perfectly linear almost to redline.

Car feels light and tossable, and it is. Room for 4 with a big boot, it's an amazing car.

Definitely get 6MT as the SMG was way too raw back then. Super clunky, almost embarrassingly difficult to use in auto mode at low speeds.

Cheers and good luck! Hound e46fanatics.com if you're looking for a well-maintained one!
Yea, I've been on e46fanatics and m3forum. Thanks for your feedback and the recommendation!
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      05-24-2016, 12:04 PM   #25
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also DO NOT get a SMG.
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      05-24-2016, 12:18 PM   #26
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I do miss mine from time to time

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      05-24-2016, 01:08 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Tanglewood View Post
Car feels light and tossable, and it is.
Boy howdy...How BMW has brainwashed the masses.

When the E46 M3 first came out, the biggest complaint about it from the enthusiasts and the HPDE crowd was that the E46 M3 was a FAT PIG. And it was. At 3,450 lbs, up to that point it was certainly one of the HEAVIEST 3 series ever built. Those that are used to driving, say, the E30 M3 at the time, all thought that it was an unyielding beast with the heft approaching E39 5 series range.

The flip side of that, was many also said that BMW did a good job hiding all that mass and the car handles more like a smaller car. But this is the FIRST that I've ever seen anyone describe the E46 M3 as "light and tossable."
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      05-24-2016, 02:39 PM   #28
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I've been lucky enough to drive a lot of cars, ranging from Ferrari to Porsche to Noble to Lamborghini... you get the idea.

My E46 M3 (manual) was my favorite car I've ever driven that could be had for under $50,000. The steering was great. I had coilovers on it with some aggressive camber up front, so the turn-in was immediate. Pedals are perfect for heel-toe downshifts. The car pivoted around its hips so effortlessly, and you could always feel what the chassis was doing. The steering feel was phenomenal.
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      05-24-2016, 02:59 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pshep138 View Post
I've been lucky enough to drive a lot of cars, ranging from Ferrari to Porsche to Noble to Lamborghini... you get the idea.

My E46 M3 (manual) was my favorite car I've ever driven that could be had for under $50,000. The steering was great. I had coilovers on it with some aggressive camber up front, so the turn-in was immediate. Pedals are perfect for heel-toe downshifts. The car pivoted around its hips so effortlessly, and you could always feel what the chassis was doing. The steering feel was phenomenal.
I used to own a E46 330, and that was my favorite car that I owned. I can't imagine what a M3 would drive like in that chassis.

So, I found a '03 6 speed, black/black leather, 38,500 miles. $26k. My heart says buy the damn thing. But the cheap ass in me wants some reassurance that its a fair price....
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      05-24-2016, 03:06 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWGroceryGetter View Post
I used to own a E46 330, and that was my favorite car that I owned. I can't imagine what a M3 would drive like in that chassis.

So, I found a '03 6 speed, black/black leather, 38,500 miles. $26k. My heart says buy the damn thing. But the cheap ass in me wants some reassurance that its a fair price....
I may have something that interests you. Have a customer with an immaculate e46 who is thinking about selling depending on price.

2003 e46 coupe
Black
6mt
24k miles
Sunroof delete
Recaro seats
KWV2
BBS LMs
AA supercharged with meth
StopTech front BBK

Let me know. Maybe this can work out.
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      05-24-2016, 03:10 PM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWGroceryGetter View Post
I used to own a E46 330, and that was my favorite car that I owned. I can't imagine what a M3 would drive like in that chassis.

So, I found a '03 6 speed, black/black leather, 38,500 miles. $26k. My heart says buy the damn thing. But the cheap ass in me wants some reassurance that its a fair price....
What options? '03.5+ (LED tail lights)? Black/black isn't really the most sought after color, but 38k is fairly low mileage. $26k doesn't seem way off base for the mileage, but I personally would be spending $26k on a slightly higher mileage (maybe 50k - 60k) '05 - '06 ZCP at that point.
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      05-24-2016, 03:13 PM   #32
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For what it's worth in terms of your valuation, my car was an '05 with 129k miles, white/red, 6MT, factory nav, HK sound, bi-Xenon lights, PDC, rain sensing wipers, CSL bumper/trunk/diffuser, Ground Control coilovers, and some little interior mods, and my insurance paid me as near as makes no difference $21k for the car, which I think was just about fair.
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      05-24-2016, 03:59 PM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pshep138 View Post
What options? '03.5+ (LED tail lights)? Black/black isn't really the most sought after color, but 38k is fairly low mileage. $26k doesn't seem way off base for the mileage, but I personally would be spending $26k on a slightly higher mileage (maybe 50k - 60k) '05 - '06 ZCP at that point.
Carbon black, cloth insert, no LED. Thats about it.

But, I did find a 05 IB/black leather 6 speed ZCP, and its local. 51k miles. Listed at $31k. Comp package is what I really want. And, its local.
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      05-24-2016, 04:18 PM   #34
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The e46 M3 is pretty much the car that got me into BMW.

I've had a e93 M3 and driven the new F80's, but I still dream about owning a e46.

I don't think it's underpowered at all and actually usable on the street and daily driving.

Stay away from SMG and hold out for a manual.
Since it's hard to come by a low mileage one, I plan on pretty much plan on throwing a couple grand of maintenance right of the bat if I ever do pick one up.
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      05-24-2016, 04:20 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWGroceryGetter View Post
Carbon black, cloth insert, no LED. Thats about it.

But, I did find a 05 IB/black leather 6 speed ZCP, and its local. 51k miles. Listed at $31k. Comp package is what I really want. And, its local.
To me, that is waaaay better value per dollar than the '03. IB is gorgeous.
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      05-24-2016, 05:04 PM   #36
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Originally Posted by pshep138 View Post
To me, that is waaaay better value per dollar than the '03. IB is gorgeous.
My thoughts as well
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      05-24-2016, 05:54 PM   #37
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Full disclosure - I have no seat time in an E46 M3 but I have owned an E86 Z4MC for the past ~8000 miles and it shares a whole lot.

The S54 is an awesome engine and suited well to MT. Prior to picking up the used coupe I looked at a 997 Carrera S, 987.1 Cayman S, 981 Cayman/Boxster S, Scion FR-S, Miata and S2000. Each of these cars has their own charms and pitfalls, but the E46/E86 platform is really a winning combination of design, performance, limited nannies and collector potential at a reasonable price. It has streetable power (don't really need more) and is very DIY friendly to help save maintenance costs.

Best of luck!
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      05-24-2016, 06:11 PM   #38
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I miss my E46 M3 often. 6 speed Imola Red with Cloth Seats. I drove it cross country to CA and back in 2003. 8000 RPMS screaming through the Arizona/Nevada desert.... Oh the memories!!!!
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      05-24-2016, 06:32 PM   #39
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Originally Posted by SROC5 View Post
E46 M3 might be...is...the best looking M3 ever designed (imo). However, I did get to drive one recently expecting the world from it, bone stock, just wasn't impressed by it, felt really underpowered and sloshy. Call me crazy, I like the E92 much more.
+1, after driving both cars hard, its not even a question, the e92 is definitely more exhilarating and a good amount faster. Don't get me wrong, the e46 is great but I wouldn't call it the best M3.
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      05-24-2016, 10:13 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWGroceryGetter View Post
Carbon black, cloth insert, no LED. Thats about it.

But, I did find a 05 IB/black leather 6 speed ZCP, and its local. 51k miles. Listed at $31k. Comp package is what I really want. And, its local.
That's crazy overpriced. $31k? I think $24-26k would be fair. The car's almost 10 years old.
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      05-25-2016, 09:40 AM   #41
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I'm actually contemplating selling my 05 E46 ZCP...
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      05-25-2016, 11:09 AM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The HACK View Post
That's crazy overpriced. $31k? I think $24-26k would be fair. The car's almost 10 years old.
Not really, for a low mileage 6MT ZCP. Those things are trading like gold right now.

There was just one on M3Forum, IB/cloth, SMG, something like 48k miles and he had it listed at $36k. The car sold.
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      05-25-2016, 11:16 AM   #43
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The E46 m3 is the best car BMW ever made in my opinion other than the e30 m3, third would be e39 m5 and then everything past is just BMW trying to keep the people happy that are looking for these futuristic cars lol

I have a e46 vert and coupe both turbod and will be keeping them till the day I die.
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      05-25-2016, 11:19 AM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeA View Post
+1, after driving both cars hard, its not even a question, the e92 is definitely more exhilarating and a good amount faster. Don't get me wrong, the e46 is great but I wouldn't call it the best M3.
I think he was calling it the best looking M3, to which I would agree.
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