E46 M3 compared to other sports cars you've driven

[Arith2]

I don't agree with this statement in the slightest. One of my favorite all time cars to drive was my mom's old e46 325i wagon. Great steering, great chassis, great balance, slow enough that you could really wind out/work over the motor without going jail/kill me speeds. It was just wonderful.

I got started on a 325ci and it just always made me want more. I agree that the S54 isn't what makes the E46 great. The E46 is like a really balanced cake. The S54 is the icing to fix any dryness and add some sweetness.

[Obioban]

Figured some wouldn’t understand. I track both back to back and say at COTA I shift my manual e46 with its stock diff some 15 times a lap, whereas the GT3 is probably 2+ times that amount, along with adding the element of being able to shift mid-corner to prevent oversteer. There’s more going on. I don’t put a lot of mental effort with rev-matching so ymmv.

I think there's absolutely a point on track where a car is fast enough that you don't want to be distracted by shifting. 991 GT3 is in that category for sure.

On the street, I've never experienced a car I prefer in automatic.

[Flat-Six]

Figured some wouldn’t understand. I track both back to back and say at COTA I shift my manual e46 with its stock diff some 15 times a lap, whereas the GT3 is probably 2+ times that amount, along with adding the element of being able to shift mid-corner to prevent oversteer. There’s more going on. I don’t put a lot of mental effort with rev-matching so ymmv.

Wish I had a few extra gears for mid-late corner when I don't get the boost timed correctly, which has happened more than once!

[jet_dogg]

Figured some wouldn’t understand. I track both back to back and say at COTA I shift my manual e46 with its stock diff some 15 times a lap, whereas the GT3 is probably 2+ times that amount, along with adding the element of being able to shift mid-corner to prevent oversteer. There’s more going on. I don’t put a lot of mental effort with rev-matching so ymmv.

I think I understand now. Engaging to you means having to making the transmission shift more (due to closer ratios) while on track, got it. There's more going on so you can worry less about actually shifting gears with a manual.

So to clarify your post, it's not the transmission type itself that's more engaging, it's the experience between two different cars as a whole because having one less pedal, balancing with throttle and less lever travel is by definition less engaging.

[Flat-Six]

Regarding the original topic, I'm a bit biased in that I've owned various air-cooled 911's most of my (driving) life, and prob have between 3 and 400K miles driving them, (over 120K miles in my 930 alone), and they just appeal to me. My 73RS Clone I built from a 71T back in the late 80's was prob over all the most fun car I've ever owned and driven due to it's responsiveness. It was my daily for 9 years, before and after the build. My 930 (current) is by far the most demanding, and rewarding car that I have ever owned and driven, requiring timing, and 100% concentration when boost comes on, and ranks a very very close 2nd, plus I love seeing the glow from the flames at night when I lift. For me, and what I like, the E46M3 would prob be a distant 3 compared to the first 2. Owned it for 2 years now, and put just over 45K on it so far. It's a great car no doubt, balanced, quiet, good AC, music, easy to drive, easy at track, don't have to think much (compared to 930). Love the S54. Just my opinion, and what appeals to me. There's no right or wrong answer here, just what appeals to each of our driving styles. Really interesting to read everyones thoughts.

[Jickel180]

First time in my life I've heard a paddle shift is more engaging than a manual.

Don't think I'll ever hear that again.

Figured some wouldn’t understand. I track both back to back and say at COTA I shift my manual e46 with its stock diff some 15 times a lap, whereas the GT3 is probably 2+ times that amount, along with adding the element of being able to shift mid-corner to prevent oversteer. There’s more going on. I don’t put a lot of mental effort with rev-matching so ymmv.

[jet_dogg]

First time in my life I've heard a paddle shift is more engaging than a manual.

Don't think I'll ever hear that again.

[lastMleft]

I don’t have half the list to compare as some of yall. Mainly other fast BMW’s.. f80 comp, e36, e90 335i (heavily modified), c7 corvettes, mustangs, evo 8.

I like absolutely everything best about the e46. Actually never drove one till the day I test drove mine. I just knew I wanted one. I was damn close to pulling the trigger on an e90 M3, but at the time my budget wasn’t quite there for the spec I wanted. Not that I wanted TiAg/ black but it was a lot nicer than the cheap e90 options and I actually have grown to love this color combo over time.

That being said I have been searching hard for e90’s.. Never driven an e90 M3, but been in a few. If the right blue or white 6 speed comes along it will be mine. Will have to start planning for a new garage addition then, my e46 will not be going anywhere.

I love the (my) S54 but the S65 is better at least the induction. Put the S65 in a E36 or a E46 and just for giggles swap in the DCT that would be a perfect M to me, the E90 M3 looks fantastic in person it has a wide aggressive rear end and the front end is classic, it’s a few hundred pounds heavier than the E46 but it hides it well, lighter wheels, suspension upgrade, titanium exhaust and shave a few pounds here and there and it’s money, good luck in your search I’m seeking one my self never will there be a straight 6 or 8 M3 again.

[Jickel180]

I bounce between an E46 M3 and 991.1 GT3 often. Each have their own merits. Despite my best attempt at creating a streetable track car, the E46 M3 still rides nicer than the GT3, has a better stereo (stock 20 year old HK system w/an old DICE ipod connector), and it's fun to row through the gears without anyone noticing, or going seriously fast. It's the most balanced car I've ever driven on track. The excellent visibility and short overhangs are also appreciated on unfamiliar roads.

Otherwise the GT3 is more raw, more of a handful, and more of an event to drive. I'd even argue the PDK-S gearbox is more engaging to drive than a typical manual, as it's shorter geared (requiring more shifting), doesn't just putter along in 1st (it's in neutral w/lightweight flywheel chatter unless you use the throttle), the sequential style lever has a satisfying weight to it, and if you choose to use the paddles, they’ll require commitment on shifting decisions due to their long travel. The whip crack exhaust "spits" on upshift are hugely addicting. If one just leaves it in drive though, then most of that goes through the window. Because of the car's rawness and high limits, I do find some drives a "waste" of the car's ability, whereas I never really feel that way driving the E46 around. On the fun drives or on track however, I can't say I miss the E46 much. 🙂

[Icecream]

The S54 is the only reason I bought the car, but then I'm more of an engine guy. Next to a Mezger, this is prob my second favorite engine that I've owned.

Yup. Once you look at 330's and the lot (which are nice cars too) you may as well open that door to a million other fun cars that are in that class (and there are many more cars that will give a 330 a run compared to the M3).

[Flat-Six]

Well I guess that was a dumb statement then lol. In that perspective maybe the e46 M3 would be the least unremarkable of the M cars if we pulled all the motors out.

And I guess that's true of most any high-performance car. The motor makes or breaks them. So yeah, dumb comment haha.

The S54 is the only reason I bought the car, but then I'm more of an engine guy. Next to a Mezger, this is prob my second favorite engine that I've owned.

[Icecream]

I feel like this statement applies to pretty much all of the M's.

Well I guess that was a dumb statement then lol. In that perspective maybe the e46 M3 would be the least unremarkable of the M cars if we pulled all the motors out.

And I guess that's true of most any high-performance car. The motor makes or breaks them. So yeah, dumb comment haha.

[HDdave]

I don’t have half the list to compare as some of yall. Mainly other fast BMW’s.. f80 comp, e36, e90 335i (heavily modified), c7 corvettes, mustangs, evo 8.

I like absolutely everything best about the e46. Actually never drove one till the day I test drove mine. I just knew I wanted one. I was damn close to pulling the trigger on an e90 M3, but at the time my budget wasn’t quite there for the spec I wanted. Not that I wanted TiAg/ black but it was a lot nicer than the cheap e90 options and I actually have grown to love this color combo over time.

That being said I have been searching hard for e90’s.. Never driven an e90 M3, but been in a few. If the right blue or white 6 speed comes along it will be mine. Will have to start planning for a new garage addition then, my e46 will not be going anywhere.

[Jimbo's M]

Top of 2nd is exceeding the speed limit everywhere

Not quite out here yonder. Just for conversation sake, there's a handful of states where 80 is legal and even 85 in Texas. And IIRC, Montana use to have "what's reasonably prudent" for a while but doesn't seems the case any longer.

[maupineda]

Top of 2nd is exceeding the speed limit everywhere, top of 3rd is loss of license...

0-60 in the 4s isn't slow, unless you're comparing to EVs
(I was in a Plaid last week, and will say it made all my cars feel slow... and better for it)

Indeed, hence why is tall geared, despite how some say otherwise LOL. 4.1 FTW