E46 M3 values vs. E9X M3 values

[Tbonem3]

There's no arguing the e9x is the better car as far as lap times/performance.

The E46 is just special. The goldilocks of everything, not just performance, but all the other stuff like feel, style, DIY ability.

When I first test drove my E46, coming from an E36, I though it was too heavy, a little numb, and hated the drive by wire - sound familiar?

[maw1124]

Mostly from people who don't drive these cars all the time or have ability to switch between generations often. Nostalgic hoopla.

I get the same sentiment from people who own or have owned all of them. The E46M ends up as their favorite ever, wish they never sold it, owned multiples, etc. No one says that about any M3 before or after it.

maw

[Obioban]

Everything I've said, said, in terms of having two cars, unless your e46 is so modified as to not drive like a stock car, I'd get something other than an e46 M3 for my second car.

... which sound strange to say as someone with two e46 M3s, but they're pretty dramatically different to drive (wagon is pretty much like stock, coupe very much is not).

A variety of experiences is better than multiple of the same thing. I've contemplated replacing the M5 with an e9X M3, but being more different is a strong point in favor of keeping it.

[Tbonem3]

I swear to god, I have less fun in my car now than when it was more stock like Maybe it's me getting older too.

Not the airbox noise, that's incredible, but the feel of the car. It's too much now. My more stock like steelgrey only has fabspeeds, 2.5" catted sect 1, and coilovers and it's so fun to drive.

I'm actually thinking of de-modding my silvergrey car. I think the solid clutch/brake pedal bushing and TMS pedal plates are worse, just like the mason pedal was that I got rid of. I think the spherical plates are worse than poly/rubber as far as feel. I hated the TMS spherical FCABs and love love love the oe rubber fcabs.

Best street e46 is probably just headers/airbox/map Hassan'd with quality coilovers, but retaining lots of rubber, solid subframe bushes, but rubber diff and rubber control arm inners. Rubber for feel, spherical for lap times.

[Duck360198]

I really enjoy these sorts of questions because people's perspectives are definitely interesting. Background: Garage currently has an E36 M3 LTW, '05 M3 ZCP 6MT, and an '11 E90 M3 ZCP 6MT. Coming soon: '06 M3 ZCP 6MT

Two very different cars, but we're clearly seeing values rise with both, which is exciting. I think production numbers go out the window on these cars and the clean, well-documented, low to mid-range mileage, 6MT, enthusiast spec optioned cars will reign supreme. Personally, I feel the E46 will always have an edge over the E9X because of what it represents to enthusiasts....because afterall, it's the enthusiast driving the market. The E46 represents perfect balance, perfect weight, perfect size, analog experience, an interior that is perfectly simplified, and an exterior that is (and I hate to say this over and over) "timeless." This is a car in both SMG (sorry, I'm a fan) and 6MT where you feel completely engaged to the car and to the road. It's a car where it's a wonderful cruiser and drives like it's pissed off the second you step on the throttle. My only complaint is the stock exhaust. It's always left me "meh."

Not to say the E9X doesn't have these things, it's just different. Definitely feels heavier, interior always left me wanting more (especially the seats), really wanted more torque with the V8, exhaust is pretty docile for a V8, not a huge fan of the E92, but love the E90, etc. etc. It's a crazy smooth drive and would be an awesome daily and still switch personalities when you jump on it, but not to the same level as the E46. To me it just doesn't transform as much as the E46 does.

All those factors in mind I can't help tip the hat to the E46. Let's not forget the benchmark for so many other BMW's....the CSL. The CSL will always remain as one of the best cars BMW has ever produced...whether you're a fan of SMG or not. That car is simply BMW perfection from the factory.

At the end of the day I think of the garage and I ask myself what can I not let go of? The E90 M3 is tough because it's a Fire Orange Individual car and the color just fits the E90 so well. However, we're adding a 2nd E46 M3 and will now have owned 7 E46's. I have no desire to own another E9X...period. To me that says something.

[jet_dogg]

I swear to god, I have less fun in my car now than when it was more stock like Maybe it's me getting older too.

Not the airbox noise, that's incredible, but the feel of the car. It's too much now. My more stock like steelgrey only has fabspeeds, 2.5" catted sect 1, and coilovers and it's so fun to drive.

I'm actually thinking of de-modding my silvergrey car. I think the solid clutch/brake pedal bushing and TMS pedal plates are worse, just like the mason pedal was that I got rid of. I think the spherical plates are worse than poly/rubber as far as feel. I hated the TMS spherical FCABs and love love love the oe rubber fcabs.

Best street e46 is probably just headers/airbox/map Hassan'd with quality coilovers, but retaining lots of rubber, solid subframe bushes, but rubber diff and rubber control arm inners. Rubber for feel, spherical for lap times.

I think it's because you feel the car is too precious since it's perfectly how you want it in your eyes.

Coming from someone who daily'd their M3 for years in lightly modded form, it's just such a luxury to have another car to drive so the annoying things that bother you become more like charming attributes.

[E46_M3_ZCP]

I swear to god, I have less fun in my car now than when it was more stock like Maybe it's me getting older too.

Not the airbox noise, that's incredible, but the feel of the car. It's too much now. My more stock like steelgrey only has fabspeeds, 2.5" catted sect 1, and coilovers and it's so fun to drive.

I'm actually thinking of de-modding my silvergrey car. I think the solid clutch/brake pedal bushing and TMS pedal plates are worse, just like the mason pedal was that I got rid of. I think the spherical plates are worse than poly/rubber as far as feel. I hated the TMS spherical FCABs and love love love the oe rubber fcabs.

Best street e46 is probably just headers/airbox/map Hassan'd with quality coilovers, but retaining lots of rubber, solid subframe bushes, but rubber diff and rubber control arm inners. Rubber for feel, spherical for lap times.

What about RTABs? OE rubber with limiters or upgrade to spherical ball joints for spirited street driving and possibly track use.

[Obioban]

Sealed spherical RTABS are, imo, one of the best best upgrades for the car. Completely transforms the rear end, and doubles the service life of the part.

... and little enough NHV increase that even Dinan sells them

[Tbonem3]

I love my spherical RTABs. Only made the car better. Not just objectively, but also subjectively, which is a big criteria of mine.

That said, fresh OE ones are nice too, but the rear end will squirm. They're purely for DD/comfort.

[TexaZ3]

Back to back like this?
https://mikessteeringcolumn.wordpres...s-2011-bmw-m3/

No, not like this. Having both in the garage for months and years and having intimate knowledge of both platforms. Having driven one and then the other one on multiple occasions in different weather, season, temperature, life situations.

[Obioban]

No, not like this. Having both in the garage for months and years and having intimate knowledge of both platforms. Having driven one and then the other one on multiple occasions in different weather, season, temperature, life situations.

Like this?

[TexaZ3]

I get the same sentiment from people who own or have owned all of them. The E46M ends up as their favorite ever, wish they never sold it, owned multiples, etc. No one says that about any M3 before or after it.

maw

I do. I currently own E36, E46, and E93. I'm not going to say one is better than the other - they are all different cars and have their good and bad sides. But if I were to keep just one - it would be E9x, for all the reasons I have already mentioned earlier. In fact, I'd probably sell E46 before E36 too.

I understand that this is E46 forum and 99% of members here would come up with whatever reasoning to reinforce their beliefs that E46 is the best M3. And for them it could very well be. Its absolutely awesome car. I'm on my 4th one, and every time I sold one I eventually bought another one. But for me, and many others - E9x is a better car, no matter how you spin it.

[TexaZ3]

Like this?

Yes, exactly.

[yhp2009]

TexaZ3 That's fair. I dont think anyone was trying to spin your opinion. If you love your e93 more than your e46 thats cool cuz its an awesome car no doubt. I think we were simply pointing out that there is enough counter opinion to yours in the professional journals and personal anecdotes that make this question a toss up. BUt youre right we are biased for obvious reasons... and besides what fun is a forum dedicated to e46 m3 if we dont act like an angry mob once in awhile 😁

[maw1124]

I considered it a Naturally Aspirated M3 forum, of which the E9X are certainly counted... I'm also happy to count TexaZ3 as the first opinion I've heard in favor of the V8 as the best... it takes all kinds... nice lineup you have there by the way... but the E46M would be the last to go for me... strangely enough, my E46M might be the first to go from my fleet, precisely because they're fetching so much these days... I would never have paid today's pricing for one.

maw