E46 M3 compared to other sports cars you've driven

[usdmej]

I

The only thing that is memorable with the E46 M3 is it's ability to kind of do it all. Not everything or anything at this point exceptionally well, but it can do everything.

That being said, I will still say that the experience you get out of an E46 M3 these days is effectively around a $25k experience.

Paying more for one is ridiculous, it's not THAT good lol.

great car to own if you can only one car. but if you have the means/space for more than one, you're probably better off diversifying your car portfolio unless a jack of all trades tickles your fancy

[maw1124]

That being said, I will still say that the experience you get out of an E46 M3 these days is effectively around a $25k experience.

Paying more for one is ridiculous, it's not THAT good lol.

$25k was my max number back in 2010 when I bought mine. It was (and is) a special purpose car that serves that purpose better than everything else in that range. I'm shocked when I see these selling for $45k, as one just did on BaT with slightly more miles than mine when I bought it. I might pay $25k again, but $45k is out of the question.

maw

[Epoustouflant]

I have not driven enough 90s engineered sports cars to do a direct era comparaison outside of the 996 911. I would pick the E46 M3 over a 996 every single time. They were so far ahead of their competitors back then when considering the S4 and C55. It's puzzling that so many tried to copy yet so few succeeded, this car is more than the sums of its parts.

I can offer a direct comparaison between the E46 M3 and subsequent M generations by offering an analogy with Porsche 911s.

The E46 M3 is the last of the air cooled 911s - it's the 993 to the E9X's 997.

The driving experience is raw: it requires your input at every step of the process to go anywhere fast. It has few inhibitions: it's loud, noisy, mechanical at any RPM - you need to grab it by the scruff of the neck to go anywhere. When you do, it's telling you to keep going - yet it doesn't really get you into "oh snap" situation as quickly as later M cars.

That's where the E46 M3 shines for me, and it put a smile on my face every damn time I got to drive it this Fall.

[strummr]

You're not alone. Everyone knows wringing the car's neck to get power out it is what most people consider "fun to drive." I don't always want to work that hard. I like effortless power everywhere in the band, which is why my favorite is the S55 AMG. If your neck and spine don't snap back, what's the point?!

But to your point, it's also too big to toss around, because ... I don't want to work that hard. My E5E is next -- goes like a Benz and handles like a Porsche. It's about the same size as these with more torque and will stay GLUED to these almost anywhere. Then this car, and then the beater Allroad 4.2. But you can't really drive any of them as hard as this one because you run out of road real fast. Same for the 911 turbos. By the time you get into the power you've run out of room.

;-D

maw

I'll further vouch for the general 'butt' feel or lacktherof, in regards to low-torque, high-revving cars... I had an E92 M3 6mt before, and yes, it rev'd to 8400, yes it sounded amazing in the upper ranges (Corsa exhaust), but it was at a time when I wanted more visceral, 'useable' power: low-mid torque. The E92 was my dd, and I had a C6 Z06 as my wknd car (talk about torque, but with truck-like dynamics), it was a strange combo and I ended up driving my FX45 I had at the time more than either. The E92 was not a satisfying car to drive every day, the lack of low-end torque was disappointing and felt gutless; I ended up selling it within 6 mos (well, it and the C6 Z06 was traded in on a black edition GT-R). I modded the GT-R to near 900# of torque, and my current TTS probably close to 600#... it probably goes without saying but makes for more satisfying, general drives, but does lack engagement (beyond trying to keep it on the road under full boost 😁). But I've come full circle, since I've had mostly AWD, high-power, high-torque cars the last half a decade, I wanted that 'engagement' again of a light(er), RWD, manual car... thus the recent pick up of the Dinan E46 M3 6mt. (I was looking for a Shelby 350R, but didn't find one I liked - I still feel like the voodoo motor is a must-have experience)

[Jimbo's M]

They were so far ahead of their competitors back then when considering the S4 and C55. It's puzzling that so many tried to copy yet so few succeeded, this car is more than the sums of its parts.

When the E46 M debuted, there was practically nothing under $100K that could touch it. It stayed that way for some time too.

[jet_dogg]

I often used to say the e46 m3 was the best car under 100k. If you're a hairdresser in a cab (just messin with you maw) or doddling around town going to car shows/meets (sup sharocks), it's a pretty boring car.

If you don't like working and being rewarded then it's not the car for you. If you enjoy taking the long road through the canyons, banging gears upshifting at redline and sliding the rear out when nobody's around there is none finer. The motorcycle-like throttle response with linear power delivery, heavy steering on coilovers and camber plates, heavy clutch and the predictable balance are what embody the experience.

No other car gives you so much value for money. It's luxurious without being overly so. It's sporty without being overly so. It's fast without being overly so. When I sit inside, it feels like a cockpit. When I walk away, I look back.

[lastMleft]

My next mode are seats looking at recaro’s, also would like to do a carbon roof.

[01SG]

Couldn't say it better than above. It's simply a terrifically balanced car, both in driving attitude and in general.

I think it's a disservice to all these cars to treat them in such a black and white manner. They're all unique. How many could you even basically compare in the past twenty years? High rpm engine, manual, rear drive format leaves Ferrari, Aston, Porsche, the newer Mustang, and the s2000. And then it's still very different from any of those.

[force4rmr]

First post here and found this an interesting question. From past cars I've owned, comparing stock to stock reasonably priced cars , would have to say all 3 Cayman generations I've owned surpass my E46 M3 in smiles per mile. Not the most powerful cars but so well balanced and rewarding to drive. When you factor in the classic styling, practicality, etc, hard to beat the E46 though.

[Casa de Mesa]

I often used to say the e46 m3 was the best car under 100k. If you're a hairdresser in a cab (just messin with you maw) or doddling around town going to car shows/meets (sup sharocks), it's a pretty boring car.

If you don't like working and being rewarded then it's not the car for you. If you enjoy taking the long road through the canyons, banging gears upshifting at redline and sliding the rear out when nobody's around there is none finer. The motorcycle-like throttle response with linear power delivery, heavy steering on coilovers and camber plates, heavy clutch and the predictable balance are what embody the experience.

No other car gives you so much value for money. It's luxurious without being overly so. It's sporty without being overly so. It's fast without being overly so. When I sit inside, it feels like a cockpit. When I walk away, I look back.

^^^THIS. Completely agree.

[maw1124]

If you enjoy taking the long road through the canyons, banging gears upshifting at redline and sliding the rear out when nobody's around there is none finer. The motorcycle-like throttle response with linear power delivery, heavy steering … and the predictable balance are what embody the experience.

No other car gives you so much value for money. It's luxurious without being overly so. It's sporty without being overly so. It's fast without being overly so. When I sit inside, it feels like a cockpit. When I walk away, I look back.

100% … Even more so with the top down so you can hear all the havoc the car is wreaking… and the extra bonus is the car is still fun “doddling around town” with the top down… the only thing more fun than a sports car is one that doesn’t have to be one all the time… the M version of a 3 series convertible is a compelling package, and I’m slightly pissed they didn’t do the M version of a 3 or 5 series wagon in this vintage.

maw

[Epoustouflant]

First post here and found this an interesting question. From past cars I've owned, comparing stock to stock reasonably priced cars , would have to say all 3 Cayman generations I've owned surpass my E46 M3 in smiles per mile. Not the most powerful cars but so well balanced and rewarding to drive. When you factor in the classic styling, practicality, etc, hard to beat the E46 though.

The Cayman 987.2 is definitely there - but it’s such a different driving experience.

It’s a go kart! The way that car soaked in bumps and would keep the noise stuck to the inside corner was a feeling no front engined RWD car has provided yet.

The engine & exhaust sounds are absolutely amazing and it feels absolutely stout. P cars need few mods; mine had lowering springs, IPD plenum & GT3 TB with Fabspeed race exhaust and it an amazing drive.

It also attracts *way* more looks and attention from regular people.

but…

The 3.4 just fell flat - pun intended.

I test drove a 997.2 4S and that felt like a boat.

I went back to E series M cars for a very specific reason: the S54/65/85 engines.

BMW M has made some of the best attainable, naturally aspirated road car engines ever.

[force4rmr]

The Cayman 987.2 is definitely there - but it’s such a different driving experience.

It’s a go kart! The way that car soaked in bumps and would keep the noise stuck to the inside corner was a feeling no front engined RWD car has provided yet.

The engine & exhaust sounds are absolutely amazing and it feels absolutely stout. P cars need few mods; mine had lowering springs, IPD plenum & GT3 TB with Fabspeed race exhaust and it an amazing drive.

It also attracts *way* more looks and attention from regular people.

but…

The 3.4 just fell flat - pun intended.

I test drove a 997.2 4S and that felt like a boat.

I went back to E series M cars for a very specific reason: the S54/65/85 engines.

BMW M has made some of the best attainable, naturally aspirated road car engines ever.

Have to agree with you on the 987. Mine was a first gen car but to this day one of the most rewarding to drive. Only mod was a short shifter and some wannabe Cayman R graphics. Steering was perfect, and rowing through the gears with an oem short shifter was sublime. But short on power and gearing was a little bit too long. Back then, I had a tendency to go back and forth from M cars to P cars, always seemed to be a debate going on in my brain between wanting a practical sports coupe and a true sports car.

[mtech9]

Driven a lot of JDM sports cars, (GT Starlet, GTX, GTiR, VR4, Evo I, III, STi v3, V4, Supra, 350Z, Type R, Euro R...) - they are waaaaay inferior.

Driven most of the later ///M cars. And a GT3. The GT3 is superior of course.

The m2 tempts me as a daily, but so many people say the went from e46 > M3 and regret it.

[Arith2]

I've pretty much driven every street legal Porsche besides a 918 and I'd still choose the E46 M3. I've driven most BMWs and the E46 platform seems the best to me in terms of bang for your buck. The M3 also has this forum. The S54 still stands as my favorite engine.