Anyone still have a soft spot for the E46 M3?

ericlikescars · 04-05-2010, 05:02 PM

I sold my E92 335i to get into a E92 M3. After countless test drives and shopping I hopped into a buddies 05 E46 6MT w/ AC Shnitzer exhaust and boy it was the funnest 10 minutes I've had in a car in a long time. Just from the way the car looked, how akward and raspy the sound of the engine was, how it hugged all the corners, the car was just an utter joy to drive for me, felt much more connected and then my E92 and not so bogged down with a bunch of gadgets. Just thinking if anyone else felt this way, not saying that you like it more then your M3, just seeing what you guys think of the E46. After driving my buddies, I'll be going going in too put a deposit down on an 05 Interlagos Blue E46, I think it's my time to have fun with one of these boys.

J08M3 · 04-05-2010, 05:07 PM

you don't need to buy the gadgets.... I got mine with no iDrive, MDM, or EDC and love it that way....

Faster and has more power than the E46 as well...
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368474

But I do love the looks of the E46 and think it would be a fun choice for a project car

armorrig · 04-05-2010, 05:07 PM

I've always loved the E46 M3, though I never owned one. Just looks classic IMO. But if I ever were to pick up another car to switch between my E90, it would be an E36 M3.

jaserion · 04-05-2010, 05:21 PM

damn, i thought that i was the only one. i still love e46 m3s!! actually i think they look better than my e92 m3. >_<

Richbot · 04-05-2010, 05:24 PM

E46's are amazing cars. I almost bought one instead of the E90. Very high fun/dollar quotient now too; you can get legitimately excellent examples for less than $25k. But they're coupe only, and I like being poor.

And I think they're the best design ever to come out of BMW. The E90 M3 is probably my 2nd fave, E63 M6 3rd, and E30 M3 fourth.

TTBear · 04-05-2010, 05:27 PM

Definitely. I miss my e46 M3 like you wouldn't believe.
Thankfully, I sold it to a buddy of mine, and drive it whenever I want

It is objectively slower than the e9X M3s, but it just seems more visceral - one feels more connected to it. It's more fun at the track, for sure. Lap times may be slower, but getting there is more fun.
Would I trade back to an e46? Tough call (especially now that my bud has a VF supercharger on it

, as well as coilovers, camber plates, etc., etc.....).
My ideal situation? e46 for play (with full mods), e92 M3 for daily driver.

M3Alpine · 04-05-2010, 05:30 PM

i miss my e46.... love the look and the raw feeling was great

Ajax-Prime · 04-05-2010, 05:32 PM

Yes, I do. Once I switched out the PS for the PS2's, the only issues I had were with the door weatherstripping. Fantastic looking car.

Mr Tonka · 04-05-2010, 05:36 PM

E46 M3 is a hot car. No doubt about it. Great car to own.

My 2001

My 2006

Really loved the 2006 car if it wern't a lease with crappy buyout option, i'd still be driving it.

atomicdoc · 04-05-2010, 05:54 PM

I still have my 2005 Jet Black M3 and will be keeping it alongside the upcoming 2011 SG ZCP E92 in my garage....

Jack28 · 04-05-2010, 06:32 PM

Here is My Baby... I will ALWAYS Have a special place in my Heart for my E46 M3!!!

Serious · 04-05-2010, 06:43 PM

mine just got totaled... I loved it but will be moving to a z4 M coupe as as replacement.

freshwhite335 · 04-05-2010, 06:57 PM

I was just telling my dad about a list of all of the cars I'd like to eventually own and the E46 M3 was on it. He asked me why since they are so common and I told him he would have to drive one to understand. It's an incredible car

MrHarris · 04-05-2010, 07:29 PM

I do. Sooner or later I will buy one.

Leozap · 04-05-2010, 07:49 PM

The only e46 M3 I'd buy now is the coupe e46 with hpf stage 2 or so.

FruitCake · 04-05-2010, 08:16 PM

yep, still have mine, still love it.

OMID INC · 04-05-2010, 08:28 PM

i miss mine every day

im in the market for an 04-06 coupe actually now.

Georgeair · 04-05-2010, 08:28 PM

I do, and I never even owned one. I'd consider one, if the right one came along......

isugoo · 04-05-2010, 08:40 PM

I still kept my E46M3 in the sig.

ooowowizstev · 04-05-2010, 08:40 PM

I do too. But the E92 is also a blast to drive, you should test drive that as well. I think I will also get an E46 someday.

cawest19 · 04-05-2010, 08:40 PM

My head still turns everytime I see an e46 on the road. I admire it still (and I drive an e90 m3).

I definitely would have bought an e46 (and saved some $) if it wasnt for my wife's opinion (and our unborn child due in October, lol).

M-Tuned · 04-05-2010, 08:42 PM

It's good to see both of them in one garage everyday!

04-05-2010, 05:02 PM	#1
ericlikescars Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 264 Posts Drives: murder. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Granada Hills, California iTrader: (0)	Anyone still have a soft spot for the E46 M3? I sold my E92 335i to get into a E92 M3. After countless test drives and shopping I hopped into a buddies 05 E46 6MT w/ AC Shnitzer exhaust and boy it was the funnest 10 minutes I've had in a car in a long time. Just from the way the car looked, how akward and raspy the sound of the engine was, how it hugged all the corners, the car was just an utter joy to drive for me, felt much more connected and then my E92 and not so bogged down with a bunch of gadgets. Just thinking if anyone else felt this way, not saying that you like it more then your M3, just seeing what you guys think of the E46. After driving my buddies, I'll be going going in too put a deposit down on an 05 Interlagos Blue E46, I think it's my time to have fun with one of these boys. __________________ '07 E92 335i - AW/CR - SOLD
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-05-2010, 05:07 PM	#2
J08M3 Major General 285 Rep 6,007 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 COUPE Join Date: May 2008 Location: NEW YORK iTrader: (8)	you don't need to buy the gadgets.... I got mine with no iDrive, MDM, or EDC and love it that way.... Faster and has more power than the E46 as well... http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368474 But I do love the looks of the E46 and think it would be a fun choice for a project car __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 05:07 PM	#3
armorrig Brigadier General 77 Rep 3,268 Posts Drives: Tamiya Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: So.Cal. iTrader: (2)	I've always loved the E46 M3, though I never owned one. Just looks classic IMO. But if I ever were to pick up another car to switch between my E90, it would be an E36 M3. __________________ Last edited by armorrig; 04-06-2010 at 12:07 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 05:21 PM	#4
jaserion Captain 119 Rep 973 Posts Drives: BMW Onsh'mo... Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	damn, i thought that i was the only one. i still love e46 m3s!! actually i think they look better than my e92 m3. >_< __________________ 2015 F31 Sport Wagon 2014 Tesla Model S 2011 E93 M3 - Gone 2008 E92 M3 - Gone 2006 E90 325i - Gone
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 05:24 PM	#5
Richbot Major General 2759 Rep 5,483 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	E46's are amazing cars. I almost bought one instead of the E90. Very high fun/dollar quotient now too; you can get legitimately excellent examples for less than $25k. But they're coupe only, and I like being poor. And I think they're the best design ever to come out of BMW. The E90 M3 is probably my 2nd fave, E63 M6 3rd, and E30 M3 fourth. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 05:27 PM	#6
TTBear Captain 415 Rep 860 Posts Drives: '20 Huracán/'19 M2Comp/'23 X4M Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (6)	Definitely. I miss my e46 M3 like you wouldn't believe. Thankfully, I sold it to a buddy of mine, and drive it whenever I want It is objectively slower than the e9X M3s, but it just seems more visceral - one feels more connected to it. It's more fun at the track, for sure. Lap times may be slower, but getting there is more fun. Would I trade back to an e46? Tough call (especially now that my bud has a VF supercharger on it , as well as coilovers, camber plates, etc., etc.....). My ideal situation? e46 for play (with full mods), e92 M3 for daily driver. __________________ "Anima sana in corpore sano"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 05:30 PM	#7
M3Alpine Lieutenant Colonel 52 Rep 1,512 Posts Drives: M4 AW/SO Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (11)	i miss my e46.... love the look and the raw feeling was great __________________ 2002 AW/IR : Sold 2004 AW/BLK : Sold 2009 AW/FR : Sold 2015 AW/SO Last edited by M3Alpine; 04-05-2010 at 05:40 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 05:32 PM	#8
Ajax-Prime Hydrocarbon Man 33 Rep 427 Posts Drives: Still waiting on Stuttgart... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston iTrader: (3)	Yes, I do. Once I switched out the PS for the PS2's, the only issues I had were with the door weatherstripping. Fantastic looking car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 05:36 PM	#9
Mr Tonka is probably out riding. 6058 Rep 2,292 Posts Drives: Something Italian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sweatypeninsula iTrader: (0)	E46 M3 is a hot car. No doubt about it. Great car to own. My 2001 My 2006 Really loved the 2006 car if it wern't a lease with crappy buyout option, i'd still be driving it. __________________ "There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice. -Charles de Secondat" Last edited by Mr Tonka; 04-06-2010 at 11:30 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 05:54 PM	#10
atomicdoc Private 14 Rep 79 Posts Drives: '17 M4 Vert ZCP, Join Date: May 2007 Location: DALLAS, TX iTrader: (0)	I still have my 2005 Jet Black M3 and will be keeping it alongside the upcoming 2011 SG ZCP E92 in my garage....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 06:32 PM	#11
Jack28 HUSTLER 14 Rep 1,317 Posts Drives: E46 M3-E92 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: So/Ca Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Here is My Baby... I will ALWAYS Have a special place in my Heart for my E46 M3!!! __________________ E92 M3 ZCP- AW/FR w/Extended Leather) Packages: ZCP, 6MT, Fully Loaded E46 M3 - AW/IR 6 Spd, Fully Loaded. 19'' BBS LM DBK, V-CSL C/F Bmpr, Botld, Diff, V-CSL Custum IR-CF Center Counsel, V-GTR Hood, Dixis Ti 76mm, Meisterschaft Ti Sec. 1&2, EvoSport Headers, CAI, D/A Chip, tck d/a, Alcantera Headliner with Imola Red Sttitching.... Last edited by Jack28; 04-05-2010 at 06:55 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 06:43 PM	#12
Serious 1M advocate 214 Rep 878 Posts Drives: 2018 S4. 2011 M3. 2012 S1000RR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	mine just got totaled... I loved it but will be moving to a z4 M coupe as as replacement. __________________ 2012 BMW S1000RR 2011 BMW M3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 06:57 PM	#13
freshwhite335 Colonel 147 Rep 2,882 Posts Drives: 991/RR Sport AB Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: 904 FL iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [0.00]	I was just telling my dad about a list of all of the cars I'd like to eventually own and the E46 M3 was on it. He asked me why since they are so common and I told him he would have to drive one to understand. It's an incredible car __________________ 2014 Range Rover Sport Autobiography 2012.5 991 C2S 1978 Corvette
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 07:29 PM	#14
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,025 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	I do. Sooner or later I will buy one. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 07:49 PM	#15
Leozap Captain 58 Rep 954 Posts Drives: AW E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (5)	The only e46 M3 I'd buy now is the coupe e46 with hpf stage 2 or so. __________________ 11 335is, KW1, M3 bits and what not 08 M3 Sedan 6mt, loaded, modded to the bone Old: 04 M3 SMG
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 08:16 PM	#16
FruitCake Banned 88 Rep 1,680 Posts Drives: '10 E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (19)	yep, still have mine, still love it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 08:28 PM	#17
OMID INC Lieutenant Colonel 92 Rep 1,562 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (6)	i miss mine every day im in the market for an 04-06 coupe actually now.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 08:28 PM	#18
Georgeair Captain 80 Rep 803 Posts Drives: '08 Melbourne E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madison, MS iTrader: (2)	I do, and I never even owned one. I'd consider one, if the right one came along...... __________________ Objects in mirror are slower than they appear.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 08:40 PM	#19
isugoo Major General 248 Rep 6,125 Posts Drives: 991.2 GTS Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (73)	I still kept my E46M3 in the sig. __________________ PAST: F80 M3 ZCP \| 911.1 C2S \| F10 M5 ZCP \| E70 X5M \| E90 M3 \| E46 M3 \| E36 M3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 08:40 PM	#20
ooowowizstev Brigadier General 141 Rep 4,903 Posts Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles, Irvine iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 M3 [10.00]	I do too. But the E92 is also a blast to drive, you should test drive that as well. I think I will also get an E46 someday. __________________ '08 E92 ///M3 - AW/BLK/CF, M-DCT, 19's H&R, Vorsteiner, Eisenmann, BMC, BBS More to come...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 08:40 PM	#21
cawest19 Livin' the M life 13 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Princeton, NJ iTrader: (0)	My head still turns everytime I see an e46 on the road. I admire it still (and I drive an e90 m3). I definitely would have bought an e46 (and saved some $) if it wasnt for my wife's opinion (and our unborn child due in October, lol).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-05-2010, 08:42 PM	#22
M-Tuned JOY IS BMW. 20 Rep 335 Posts Drives: 2010 AW/FR E92 M3 & 2018 X5 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	It's good to see both of them in one garage everyday!
	Appreciate 0 Quote