What about the E46M does it for you?

[ELEM3NT]

You can't help but look back at it when you walk away.

My wife always makes fun of me for this exact reason when we take the car somewhere.

This is my second E46 M and it grabs me for many of the same reasons already mentioned. It likes to grab my wallet too.

[BubbaTree]

Of the 4 BMWs that I've owned, the E39 540i 6 with all the goodies was the best of the bunch. BUT, even with all it's drivability warts, the E46, coupe or convertible, just has the classic, good looks that keeps me hangin' on!

[repoman89]

Looks and sound (from the drivers seat, especially with the CSL box). While the rest of the driving experience is excellent too, there are plenty of other cars I could perfectly happily drive instead both on the street and track. My ND2 Miata is one of them.

[poss]

Bought mine at the bottom of the market. Its appreciated in value by at least 75% based on current asking prices

[ridebikes]

Forgive me if someone already said it, but I also love that the E46 M is the BEST E46 available. Unlike an entry level 996 Carrera that lives in the shadow of GT and Turbo cars, you don't have to constantly think about "Ooh, maybe if I got OE part X, it'll be great(er)!" I always wince a little when I read about people trying to swap whole drivetrains over to their 330i or Civic EX or non-STi WRX or whatever.....it feels nice to not constantly think about that better factory setup.

The other aspect I love about the E46 M3 is what it represents in BMW's history. Sure the E9X is probably more literally the true "end of the evolution" as the final "E" 3-series, but with the E46, you get the absolute pinnacle of decades of inline 6 development. It feels more like the real final take on that classic mix: N/A, I6, RWD, 6MT, Coupe, etc.

[siamkazi]

Summer SoCal night, 74 degrees, carbon airbox (and quiet exhaust FTW), and many thumbs up. I sincerely struggle to find something that can carry my family on PCH and at the same time provide so much driving pleasure that you know in your heart that (God Willing) you will keep this car for as long as you can. It's a bit cheesy but I can say that the community as well has been great, I've met some amazing individuals that I wouldn't have otherwise because of this car, it's really humbling.

Mic sucked, apologies, but you get the idea:

[dHam_Slow.46M]

Forgive me if someone already said it, but I also love that the E46 M is the BEST E46 available. Unlike an entry level 996 Carrera that lives in the shadow of GT and Turbo cars, you don't have to constantly think about "Ooh, maybe if I got OE part X, it'll be great(er)!" I always wince a little when I read about people trying to swap whole drivetrains over to their 330i or Civic EX or non-STi WRX or whatever.....it feels nice to not constantly think about that better factory setup.

The other aspect I love about the E46 M3 is what it represents in BMW's history. Sure the E9X is probably more literally the true "end of the evolution" as the final "E" 3-series, but with the E46, you get the absolute pinnacle of decades of inline 6 development. It feels more like the real final take on that classic mix: N/A, I6, RWD, 6MT, Coupe, etc.

ssshhhh you'll upset the CSL chasers

[natty99]

Aesthetics: Looks like a running back in a nicely-tailored suite
Engine: Smooth, yet raw. Eager to please like mans best friend. Exudes heritage and prestige
Chassis: Perfect balance of nimble and solid.
Controls: Analog where it's needed, automated where it's not. Tactile. Comfortable.
Accessibility: For its size, swallows cargo like a thai hooker. Maintenance is like working with Legos.

[Tbonem3]

What type of hate and jealousy are you getting?

Everyone wants race, even new turbo cars it's so pathetic. If I'm sitting at a light, "sporty cars" that are turning to go the other way see me and then rev their engines and take the corner fast and accelerate

I had a guy in a fucking lifted Tacoma try to race me and went into oncoming traffic on a one lane road, had to get back hehind me, then over took me.

I just get mean looks a lot tbh. But in the steelgrey 2002, everyone wants to be friendly and talk about the car. It's really weird.

[jet_dogg]

Haha oh boy. There is something in the m3 that makes people retarded for some reason.

Back in the day, guys would say they'd be cruising at 25 through their neighborhoods in their stock m3s and people would yell slow down!

I can't believe you got overtaken by a tacoma though.

[Tbonem3]

Why is that not believable? Do you think we actually raced and he beat me? lol

[usdmej]

IMO the E46 M3 is/will be the goldilocks sports car of ICE vehicles

overall it's just a very ideal car from whatever standpoint you judge it on like size/shape/power/safety/practicality

the problem i personally find with that however, is that driving it eventually makes you wonder what you could sacrifice to sharpen the driving experience. you end up noticing things like

- it would be a much more intimate cockpit if it didn't have to hold 5 people
- it'd be more of a hoot to drive if you sacrificed some street legality/safety for a couple hundred more HP


this is exacerbated if you own any other sports car, which end up feeling not as ideal as the E46 M3, but that can be interpreted as having more character

[jet_dogg]

Why is that not believable? Do you think we actually raced and he beat me? lol

that you let him

[Tbonem3]

Ya I let him, he was endangering everyone.

It's literally becoming not fun to take the car out.

[Obioban]

Ya I let him, he was endangering everyone.

It's literally becoming not fun to take the car out.

What muffler do you have on the car you get the hate in?