E46 M3 compared to other sports cars you've driven

[usdmej]

picked up a bone stock s2000 recently and it is by far a better driving experience than the E46 M3. as far as immediacy, sensitivity to inputs, and overall feel it is a much more involved and fun driving experience.

practicality goes to the E46 M3 however. if i'd purchased the S2000 back when i could only own 1 car, i would most likely have been forced to sell it.

the main drawback at this point is that the S2000 a little too small of a fit for me. i've purchased seat lowering rail for the stock seats and I still feel like a sit a little too high up on the car. currently trying to figure out if the aftermarket options get you lower than that. it seems like this car was really built for people 5'8 and under

[Tbonem3]

Viva la E46

[maw1124]

I actually don’t consider the E46M a sports car compared to Ferrari and Lamborghini. I have driven both and wouldn’t want to drive either as a principal or near principal vehicle. And I can’t afford to own either for a once every few weeks drive. May as well just burn the money for a BBQ. So that’s how I compare the E46M to those — more livable and cheaper to own. By livable I mean I’m not a kid, so getting in and out, rattling around over bumps, that sort of thing — you know, driving it.

Adding 911s to the mix, they can’t comfortably carry 4 people or even 2 people with golf clubs and luggage, so I’m not really sure why I would own one. Having driven them, until you get to Turbo fitment I can’t come up with anything they do THAT much better than the E46M. 993s look better, sure, but 996 and 997 don’t look better to my eye, nor are they built better or perform much better. The Turbos and GT3 are their own class, more like the Ferrari and Lambo experience than their pedestrian 911 brethren. So I consider the E46M more usable than the pedestrian 911s + better looking, better built and cheaper to own to boot. As you can see I’m not a fan of the sport beetles. When I don’t need to carry golf clubs, some 911 may get the nod, probably a 993 or 996 (I know, I don’t mind the headlights — I’m not a Porsche purist).

For what they do (convertible fitment for me), you’re talking some CLK AMG or a Bentley GTC Speed, maybe an Audi S4/RS4. Other than the CLK AMG, the others are way overbuilt for the purpose — fun, athletic, 4-seater drop top cruising. If you don’t want to buy a Bentley or an RS4 for that purpose, you buy an M3. No one would argue if you bought a CLK AMG, but the E46M looks better.

maw

[Mr.wReckless]

Not that I can compare it to many different cars, 1st gen R8 V8 and 991.2 Carrera T. They were all different (thankfully), but I find the M3 to be (compared to those 2) it's own thing. It has a fantastic engine, feels imo old school BMW and has, through clunks, noises and other flaws & features which gives it character, something I feel the newer cars lack. The newer cars are much quieter and less raw, the "character" is engineered back in, either successfully or not..

For the price I think it's hard to beat, but it does have it's expensive flaws that needs to be looked into (subframe cracks, vanos and rod bearings).

Regards

[cobra]

I have driven a handful of cars, nothing crazy. I really just like the E46's well-roundedness. It's not the most sporty feeling but is still comfortable and quiet inside. It's not the fastest but it can carry 5 people and a trunk full of stuff. It's just a great balanced sporty car that is livable and has a connected feel. I'd rather have that over something more compromised that might be faster or more comfortable.

[Silbergrau metallic]

I've had the fortunate opportunity to drive some pretty cool sports cars owned by friends of mine, among them a 2015 Porsche GT3, 2018 Lamborghini Huracan, 1999 Ferrari F355, 1986 Ferrari 328, 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo and a 2012 Lamborghini Performante. Initially when my M3 had it's stock exhaust, I was disappointed of how much better these other cars sounded, but then after installing the Supersprint race exhaust along with a tune and Eventuri intake, my car has become one that I find almost equally rewarding in terms of handling, sound, acceleration and general feedback to the GT3 and Huracan and better than the rest of those cars on my list and a significantly lower price, The Ferrari 328 was the worst, felt like driving a Coffin with bad seats and wheels. I also test drove a 2013 BMW M3 and while it was fast, it felt more lumbering in the corners and just not quite as edgy as my ZCP M3 does. Anybody else have similar experiences with other sports cars and how they compared to your E46 M3. I might be a little biased, but for the price, E46 M3 manuals are one of the most rewarding cars you'll ever own.