Thoughts? E46 or E92

[Epoustouflant]

They are different cars.

The E46 is a more special experience out of the box as a weekend back road carver: it's more raw, rattly and buzzy. The seating position is lower however the E46 seats are nothing special in stock trims. The lower weight, size and tire widths makes it easier to toss around at lower speeds. The steering is light, but precise.

I smile and just flat out have a good time the entire time with the E46.

The E92 M3 is a Grand Tourer experience out of the box. I vividly remember putting my 1st E92 back to stock and being totally disappointed: it needed to be consistently revved to 8k to feel anything. It needs at minimum an exhaust or a carbon plenum to get audible feeling out of it.

However, it is a more compliant, flexible, capable machine: the powerband is wider, the DCT is better in every way, it has electronic adjustable suspension & steering servotronic. It's a floor riser in all regards - but some connection is lost.

If you plan on modifying then quite a bit (intake, exhaust, suspension, etc), then ultimately it boils down to this: you want the I6 or the V8 experience?

My E92 has suspension, drivetrain and intake work - it's a much more competent car and has me smirking while I'm driving hard but definitely not smiling ear to ear - got no time for that distraction. Gears zoom past way faster, there's a lot more grip and it's an attack on the senses at every RPM.

I'll report back once my E46 is fitted with its CSL airbox, complete SS exhaust, Recaros and proper tires.

Looks wise; it's a toss up: both crack necks if that's your thing. The E92 still looks brand new to the unknowings, the E46 is Classic to everyone.

[DrM3]

I was in high school in the 80's and I was addicted to car magazines. That continued into and after college. I Can't remember the exact day, or even the month, but I read a blurb/article in Car and Driver announcing that the "real" Euro spec M3 was coming to North America for 2001. I was single, living at home and working my first real job so the $50k wasn't a big issue. I knew they would be limited, at least at first and the dealer allocations would be gone quick as soon as they were available. I lived in a small town about 90 minutes south of Atlanta, GA, but we had a BMW dealership in town.

The next day I went to the dealership and asked to speak to the manager (I guess I was a "Karen" at an early age). I told the manager I wanted to put a deposit on his first allocation for a 2001 BMW M3 to be purchased as MSRP. He thought I was a nut, and told me we know nothing about the car, the 2001's model year is a year away, you don't have to put down a deposit. Just come see us once the car is released and we can order one for you. I insisted that I wanted to put down a deposit, and get a letter from the manager giving me position for their first 2001 BMW M3 allotted at MSRP. He finally relented and took my check for $1,000.00 as a deposit.

Just a few months later the car was officially announced and every allocation in the US was quickly spoken for. Dealer mark up was typically 10K or more over sticker. I stopped by to see the manager to confirm that our deal was still in place. The dealership was only allotted one car, but he agreed that my deposit and letter were still good to buy that car at MSRP. He would let me know once the books opened up so I could place my order. It was going to be yellow with the SMG transmission! Sadly, shortly after that I was laid off from my job. There was no way I was going to be able to finance the car with no job.

I procrastinated on going to the dealership and asking from my $1,000 deposit back. I didn't want to give up the dream. During that time I noticed that there were people listing their "place in line" to get the new M3 on eBay and Craig's List. Not the actual car, but just their place on the allocation list. So I decided to list mine and see what happened. IT SOLD FOR $10,000! to a guy in the Bay Area. Before he paid, I talked with the dealership to insure I could transfer the allocation, they agreed. We did a 2 way call with me sitting in the dealership to the winning bidder. Once the agreement was made he wired $11,000.00 to my bank account. The agreed price, plus my $1,000 deposit that would ultimately be applied to the purchase. Lucky for him he went with Laguna Seca blue and the 6-speed manual.

I missed my opportunity to own my dream car in 2000, but the money came in handy while I searched for a job. Eventually I found a job, ironically in the Bay Area, so I moved to California. Two years later, I was ready to buy an M3! I called the dealership to see if they had one in stock. They did. So I headed that way in my 2001 Nissan Maxima 6-Speed manual that I had only had a few months. Let me just say, it was no M3!

On they way to the BMW dealership I passed a chevy dealership which had a new Corvette sitting out front. I decided to stop and look at it. Then I drove it. It was certainly fun, with lots of torque, but I was still heading to BMW for a new M3. The Chevy salesman asked if I wanted to buy it, to which I said no, it's nice, but I think I am going to go with the BMW. Both the Corvette and the M3 had essentially the same sticker price, and there was no doubt in my mind that the BMW was the better car. Then the salesman started talking discounts, and it got my attention. $6k off the sticker right off the bat. I wasn't interested. Then he came back with more off the MSRP and 0% financing for 72 months! It was at that point I made a decision that I have regretted for twenty years. I bought the Corvette. I mean the BMW was full sticker with some markup and no finance incentives, but I still wish I had never stopped at Menlo Park Chevrolet. Don't get me wrong, the Vette was fun, but it was no M3.

Now, it's 20 years later, and I live in Manhattan. I do not need a car. In fact, it makes no sense to have one here, but I want one! I won't be using it for daily transportation. I will have to rent a parking space for $300-$500 a month to park the thing, but who cares. It will be worth it for weekend road trips. My dilemma is this; E46 or E92? I am not looking for a garage queen with extremely low milage. I wan't something I can drive. I love the idea of buying the car that escaped me twice 20 years ago (E46), but a high revving V8 sounds like a lot of fun also. Any thoughts? Which car is likely to hold the value more? Which car would likely have the lower maintenance cost? (I realize I am not buying a Honda Accord, it won't be cheap). Which car will be the most fun on the road. I Doubt I would ever take it on a track. Anyway, I just wanted to share my story and get some input from the people who know the most have the valuable experience with these cars.

Thanks,
DeeJay520

So what decision did you make DJ???!
Awesome story, thanks for sharing. I hope you went with the E46. If I only could own one M3, it would be the E46.

[e90076]

I’ve had both and I will say the e46 feels just as fast from an acceleration perspective but lighter on its feet dynamically.