Originally posted by IamFODI
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My last one had just 7k miles when I got it back in 2015. This one on the other hand just hit 100k so it needs a lot more TLC. I'm still in the process of refreshing it, upgrading a few things and making it my own but it's been great so far.
I've always enjoyed the E9x M but what pushed me back into one is a combination of things. The S65 of course which is one of all the time NA greats.The telepathic throttle response and the superb chassis balance and adjustability. I don't track much at all these days but I still drive the same playful way and like to hang the ass out when possible or dive into a ramp at slightly elevated speed and then let the car rotate and slide through it (I hate understeer with a passion, enjoy oversteer bias). I find the E9X M is very hard to beat in terms of balance, control and adjustability. It's playful, never scary and supremely adjustable. Seriously, I have yet to drive a car that's better or easier in that regard. Cherry on top, even stock the front end bites and turns in great IMHO (at "street friendly" speeds anyways).
On top of that I enjoy the comfort and practicality. I did not consider a coupe this time around and this sedan has the optional folding rear seats. I've thought about building an E91 but I don't need much more than that (btw this car has the individual audio, also great!). TBD but I think it might replace my E39 M5 Touring which I also love for other reasons but it's just too damn large and heavy. I used to feel that way about the E9X M but I guess that's changed as I've gotten older. I wouldn't be the first to say the E90 M3 is the best M5 ever.
FWIW I also had a DCT ZCP F80 for a year. Fantastic chassis, handling, the engine is an industrial power house, better MPG, an objectively a better car overall. But I just couldn't fall in love. Even with an equal length midpipe the sound was never great, and the throttle response (and thus adjutability) cannot compare with NA. Outright speed and capability was off the charts good and the way it covered ground on my favorite back roads had me very impressed. I tried to love it but at the end of the day none of that mattered, it just didn't t tickle the senses and made me smile.
Maybe a funny tidbit: I've had a complete 6MT swap on the shelf at the shop before one was even on my radar. But so far I have not felt the need or desire to do it (just a few months in). That might change in the future, IDK. I do think the DCT removes a layer of "control" but it's still very good for what it is. It has enough settings to find your sweet spot. I've flashed the CRT software. I drive it in S3 the most. S4 DSC OFF is what I have programmed with the M button for when I want rev matched downshifts and no interventions. I don't care for the shove or torque surge on upshifts in the S5 and above settings.
I'll also add that sometime last year I drove my 6MT "M3" ZHP sedan back to back with a mint low-mile stock E90 M3 sedan. I came out feeling overwhelmingly favorable towards the E46. It was just so much more fun and engaging. But that wasn't a fair comparison. Modded vs stock. And that E90 had a not so good feeling 6MT. Most are nice and smooth as you'd expect a ZF to be but for some reason it seems there are a few out there that just shift poorly. I had gotten feedback in the past about how the 6MT E9X M feels shitty and never understood until then. Still, if I were to compare stock cars, the E46 M3 is the only one I love dearly stock and fresh. The E9X M needs a few mods IMHO. It's not a replacement to the E46 but a great complement!
Well I guess that's enough rambling lol.
. All that to say, you're still not safe!
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