Why do you buy E46?

[m3f_kyrix1st]

I'm not trying to be a troll, just wanted to ask a question.


It's not wire throttle, doesn't sound as good as E36, and heavier.


If for luxury and comfort, I'd go with E39 M5.


What are your thoughts?


Edit*: Im talking about euro spec m3. Evo or non evo

[m3f_McGyversM3]

The older the better for me although my favorite motors are the s52 and s62, I love me an e30 m3 and e28 m5

[m3f_EricSMG]

I'm not trying to be a troll, just wanted to ask a question.



It's not wire throttle, doesn't sound as good as E36, and heavier.



If for luxury and comfort, I'd go with E39 M5.



What are your thoughts?

Because it's an incredible car. And, news flash - it's not comfortable or luxurious. The only people who think that are people who don't know anything about it.



Pull your head out of the sand - the world has moved on.

[m3f_McGyversM3]

Because it's an incredible car. And, news flash - it's not comfortable or luxurious. The only people who think that are people who don't know anything about it.


Pull your head out of the sand - the world has moved on.

Lol to each his own at the end of the day

[Obioban]

Because it's an incredible car. And, news flash - it's not comfortable or luxurious. The only people who think that are people who don't know anything about it.



Pull your head out of the sand - the world has moved on.

Yeah, people get led astray by the hugely higher quality interior materials. The e46 is the harshest and noisiest of the M3s. Combined with the highest NA specific output and piston speeds of all the M3s, I think it's safe to say the e46 is the most hardcore of all the generations.

[Obioban]

I'm not trying to be a troll, just wanted to ask a question.


It's not wire throttle, doesn't sound as good as E36, and heavier.


If for luxury and comfort, I'd go with E39 M5.


What are your thoughts?

Back story: I've had a stock US e36 M3, a euro s50b32 M3, an e46 M3, two e39 M5s, and my brother had a full bolt on e36 M3 US (with the e36’s and e46’s owned at the same time).


Between the US e36 and e46 M3’s, the e36 drives more like e39 M5 than the e46 M3. It’s a similar engine experience (with much less power)—grunt at the bottom end then fades. It rides like the e39, while the e46 is harsher.


I prefer the e46 the e36 because…

-Engine is light years awesomer

-Chassis stiffness is much better

-Lack of 6th gear in the e36 is HUGELY annoying on highway trips

-Interior is much better—space, materials, layout, button count, comfort, LED back lights that don't go out. Also, vaders are some of the worst seats ever put in a car

-e46 braking system is fantastic. 997 race car retrofit it as an upgrade

-DSC is nice for less attentive driving (e.g. deer jumping out in front of you when driving home sleepy)

-I love a factory widebody car

-differential puts the power down better from a stop, or in wet/snow/ice

-much better tire fitment (285s without rubbing under the stock fenders, if you have the right offsets)

-much less chassis failure points, and the one it has is easier to deal with (if you don’t wait for failure)

-no oil starvation issues on track (vs adding baffles and overfilling the S52)

-e46 sounds better from the drivers seat (engine sound, exhaust sound is much worse)

-it’s a much safer car

-headlights are light years better (despite still not being great, stock)

-climate control works for the entire car instead of just the driver

-I believe the e46 M3 to be one of the best looking cars every made


For comfort and luxury, I do go for the e39 M5. But, the e39 M5 is a great “normal” car. The e46 M3 is a practical and affordable exotic… and only luxurious in build quality.


I do prefer the throttle feel of the e36. And I miss having a spare tire and 17" tire pricing, on the e46.

[m3f_97_4dr_5spd_m3]

...a euro s50b32 M3...

Was it an engine swap, Canada, or did you live abroad?



Just asking.

[Obioban]

Was it an engine swap, Canada, or did you live abroad?



Just asking.

Swap.

[m3f_Aavi]

After owning both, If I were to buy them again I would buy the E46 first...I would buy the E46 over an E30 as well (even if money was not an objection).


I just think E46 hits the sweet spot and does everything correctly, whereas the other 2 models hit some spots and miss some!


and every time you look at an E46 M3, the stance and the dimensions and the proportions just look spot on!

[m3f_pshep138]

To get bitches.


Really, though - the looks, the S54, the visceral feel. I've driven several E36s and a couple of E9xs, and the E46 just hits the mark perfectly.

[m3f_kyrix1st]

I forgot to add. Wanted comparison bt euro e36 m3 (s50b32) and e46. Most ppl here seem to have the US version though

[Obioban]

I forgot to add. Wanted comparison bt euro e36 m3 (s50b32) and e46. Most ppl here seem to have the US version though

The S54, compared to the s50b32 is easier to work on, more reliable, feels more powerful at every RPM than the 22hp listed difference would imply (but especially below 5000), has better engine noise and a worse exhaust noise. The s50b32 looks better. The s54s ECU enables a ton of awesome things that just aren't possible on the s50b32's (multiple maps, shift lights, oil level display, pit lane speed speed limiter, warm up lights). There's a lot more aftermarket potential in the s54 these days as well (e.g. mine is at 354 SAE rwp-- 80 rwhp more than stock).



Outside of the engines, the comparison is the same as above only the weight difference (between the e36 and e46) is smaller and the lack of a 6th gear in the e36 is no longer horribly annoying (as it has one).

[m3f_cscat87]

I had both. Ended up selling my E46 for the Gallardo. I preferred the E36, but to each his own. E46 felt more fragile to me, E36 feels more toss-able (if that makes any sense).


I was just so scared of stuff breaking in the E46, I couldn't enjoy the car as much as I wanted to. I get into the car one day and the rear view mirror leaked fluid all over the center console. One time the wheel speed sensors got road crud on them and lit the dash up like a Christmas tree with warning lights. Always knew I'd have to get the subframe reinforcements installed one day (the E36 had them from the factory, why remove them for the E46?). And while I didn't have any issues with mine, the forums kept scaring me into worrying about my vanos bolts and hubs. I just felt like the nervousness wasn't worth the driving experience. I was having a great time in my E36 and didn't have a care in the world. Years later, still no issues, and still enjoying the car. But maybe that was just my experience, like I said, to each his own.

[Obioban]

I had both. Ended up selling my E46 for the Gallardo. I preferred the E36, but to each his own. E46 felt more fragile to me, E36 feels more toss-able (if that makes any sense).



I was just so scared of stuff breaking in the E46, I couldn't enjoy the car as much as I wanted to. I get into the car one day and the rear view mirror leaked fluid all over the center console. One time the wheel speed sensors got road crud on them and lit the dash up like a Christmas tree with warning lights. Always knew I'd have to get the subframe reinforcements installed one day (the E36 had them from the factory, why remove them for the E46?). And while I didn't have any issues with mine, the forums kept scaring me into worrying about my vanos bolts and hubs. I just felt like the nervousness wasn't worth the driving experience. I was having a great time in my E36 and didn't have a care in the world. Years later, still no issues, and still enjoying the car. But maybe that was just my experience, like I said, to each his own.

They didn't forget, it's a different issue-- on the early e36s, the subframe itself fails. On the e46, it's the subframe mount points that fail.



I'm not sure paranoia is a fair differentiator in favor of the e36. S54 has vanos hub tabs and vanos bolts. S52 has oil pump nut. Both can be cheaply locked down forever in a long afternoon. E46 has subframe mount points, e36 has rtab pockets, front shock towers, rear shock towers, RSMs, sway bar mount points, and early ones have subframe failure. The e46 subframe mounts can be addressed in 20 minutes with $150 of structural foam (so long as you don't wait for failure to do so). The e36 failure points require plates welded on, which can lead to future rust issues.



Personally, neither bothers me-- I did the lock downs on both cars and enjoyed worry free driving. Neither tolerates neglect well. But I don't think it's fair to say that's a point in favor of the e36...

[m3f_redline8000]

They didn't forget, it's a different issue-- on the early e36s, the subframe itself fails. On the e46, it's the subframe mount points that fail.



I'm not sure paranoia is a fair differentiator in favor of the e36. S54 has vanos hub tabs and vanos bolts. S52 has oil pump nut. Both can be cheaply locked down forever in a long afternoon. E46 has subframe mount points, e36 has rtab pockets, front shock towers, rear shock towers, RSMs, sway bar mount points, and early ones have subframe failure. The e46 subframe mounts can be addressed in 20 minutes with $150 of structural foam (so long as you don't wait for failure to do so). The e36 failure points require plates welded on, which can lead to future rust issues.



Personally, neither bothers me-- I did the lock downs on both cars and enjoyed worry free driving. Neither tolerates neglect well. But I don't think it's fair to say that's a point in favor of the e36...

I would have to agree with Obioban on this one.



If you simply put a little extra cash in your e46 M3, you can truly enjoy the car for many years to come.



I have owned both the 96 e36 M3, a 2005 M3 and now my current 2002 M3 and would have to say that from a pure throw the car around, perfect sized, well balanced sports car, the e36 was just a nudge above the e46. The only thing the US Spec e36 (we always get screwed here in the US) is missing is a more powerful Euro motor. I did at times feel underpowered in mine, but the car felt comfortable and sporty all in one.

If you want a more hardcore balls to the wall rowdy kid driving experience, then the e46 is it. It just has the power you want, but does feel a bit heavy and not so nimble.



Which car would I rather own....the e46. The only e36 M3 I would take right now, would be the euro spec.