Matt from OG picks up an E46 M3

[tnord]

what was that series with ?Scagnetti? on the old Drive that was basically a video podcast, and Chris Harris called out the E46 M3 as THE car to go get. This was like 3-5 years ago. I'm going to go find it.

EDIT; found it. phuck....it was NINE years ago. I'm getting old. He touches on it a few times throughout the conversation, and talks himself into the E46M3 being the car to get by the end of it.

[Toby22]

I feel like a major factor in whether someone appreciates an M3 is how much they value a car's ability to

1. Do everything well, and
2. Bring real motorsport pedigree (not just huge numbers) to the masses.

The more they value those things, the more they probably appreciate M3s, and (I bet) the more likely they think the E46 is the sweet spot.

Otherwise, it's easy to see an M3 as not good enough at anything to warrant mythical status. From that perspective, the E46 M3 being the sweet spot means it's smack in the middle of no-man's land, and I can see someone with that perspective preferring a newer or older generation.

These guys making these YouTube videos have lots of cars. They don't need a car that does everything because they can have a bunch of cars that are better at different things. They don't need an accessible version of motorsport pedigree because they can have motorsport pedigree straight-up. For someone in that position to agree with the E46 M3 hype, they'd have to just love the idea of a do-everything motorsport-for-the-masses car for its own sake. Which, obviously, many of them do. Just not OG Matt or Hoovie, apparently.

If I'm right about all this, I don't think the disagreement really casts doubt on the E46 M3's status or virtues. It's just people with different perspectives drawing different conclusions.

Spot on! I agree.

We’re at a time where turbo/electric cars are more popular than ever. Any car with a manual + high revving na motor, will be overhyped (s2k).

[IamFODI]

I feel like a major factor in whether someone appreciates an M3 is how much they value a car's ability to

1. Do everything well, and
2. Bring real motorsport pedigree (not just huge numbers) to the masses.

The more they value those things, the more they probably appreciate M3s, and (I bet) the more likely they think the E46 is the sweet spot.

Otherwise, it's easy to see an M3 as not good enough at anything to warrant mythical status. From that perspective, the E46 M3 being the sweet spot means it's smack in the middle of no-man's land, and I can see someone with that perspective preferring a newer or older generation.

These guys making these YouTube videos have lots of cars. They don't need a car that does everything because they can have a bunch of cars that are better at different things. They don't need an accessible version of motorsport pedigree because they can have motorsport pedigree straight-up. For someone in that position to agree with the E46 M3 hype, they'd have to just love the idea of a do-everything motorsport-for-the-masses car for its own sake. Which, obviously, many of them do. Just not OG Matt or Hoovie, apparently.

If I'm right about all this, I don't think the disagreement really casts doubt on the E46 M3's status or virtues. It's just people with different perspectives drawing different conclusions.

[elbert]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-lz...=HooviesGarage

have at it, didnt think this deserved a separate thread.

For the tl;dw crowd
He was on the fence (title was click bait) but:

1. Car is not that rare, there are like 40k of these out there
1b. Can get something similar with an M2 (debatable). Compare that to an E39 M5 (which he likes), which had no similar replacement since

2. Mechanical issues - rod bearings, vanos. Funny he didn't mention the subframe

3. For the price premium over a 330 ZHP, he didn't think the performance of the M3 was that much better, while having more maintenance issues

Car Ninja thought they are worth the hype. Hoovie's car needs a new transmission (huge leak, not enough fluid) but he knew that might be the case when buying.

[CrisSilberGrau]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-lzUzIBI_A&t=27s&ab_channel=HooviesGarage

have at it, didnt think this deserved a separate thread.

[jet_dogg]

He said s54 is the worst sounding engine ever

[Davis]

Yeah you guys figured it out. Other M3s are better on the street. This guy seems to enjoy cruising more than racing so driving the S54 is more work than fun.

[IamFODI]

^ Me for the past few pages

[tnord]

It still doesn't make sense to me. It's not like the S65, in a heavier chassis, has THAT much more torque than the S54, albeit 1000 rpm lower. He knows he's changing out the entire exhaust, so I understand hating the sound of the stock system, but hating the whole car because of something you know you're changing?

I know, it's irrational to expect car people to be rational.

[Nate047]

the love for the e36 but disdain for e46 is what doesn't make sense to me.

e90 m3 = great
e36 m3 = great
e46 m3 = lame

um, what?

if you only like the e90 because of the engine but not the other two, all good. but I just don't understand how you can think the e36 is great fun but the e46 is slow and lame? I would chalk it up to weight, but the e90 was even heavier I believe?

I mean honestly, if you drive the S52 just around town and like under 5k, you're gonna like it more than the S54 which really needs to be revved out to be fully enjoyed. IMO. Also the sound is better on a simple S52 with a rear section, very few people like the E46 sound until you have that moment where you start to like the rasp. My $0.02 as a current owner of both cars.

[S14]

Car folks like this are of the most annoying variety lol

I never realized this until you said it, but man, that is so true!

[EthanolTurbo]

Can't believe this thread is still going on but I'm not gonna listen to someone who huffs car soap on the regular and obsesses over paint finish.

Car folks like this are of the most annoying variety lol

100% agreed. Not even a performance oriented driver, just some anal guy that gets off more on 10/10 paint than 10/10 performance limits.

[Sharocks]

Can't believe this thread is still going on but I'm not gonna listen to someone who huffs car soap on the regular and obsesses over paint finish.

Car folks like this are of the most annoying variety lol

[Epoustouflant]

He knows what he's doing, pissing on the E46 will upset a lot of people which in turn causes a stir and more views/publicity. I won't watch him and could care less about his opinion.

It's an easy target. I find the Florida comments hilarious, and very true.

[LukesM]

I tend to agree with him that is stock form the e46 isn't super exciting. I think it depends on what cars you have owned in the past. Keep in mind this guy drives a GT3. I went from C5 frc Corvette to 03 KB Cobra to pullied e55 AMG to stock e46 M3. I have recently added headers, el diablo and a HTE tune to my e46 and dang that car is bananas now.