Demuro: All the BMW M3s Ranked from Worst to Best

[jet_dogg]

Most old cars are piles of trash and more trash the older you go. The more posts on ig I see from JC the more I am starting to question his legitimacy as an enthusiast.

The problem is new cars are piles of trash too so the e46 strikes a good balance between modernity and archaicness.

[maw1124]

For me, '92 is about where it started to get interesting, with the E28M, the E36M, MB 500E and 190 Cosworth all available for sale, competing with Lexus, Acura, etc. Before then, the AMG Hammers were just out of reach for everybody, and other than that 80s cars just didn't really perform. So, curiously enough, that's my oldest car, a '92 500E, something I drive before and after this one and don't miss a beat -- out of your track suit into your bespoke suit.

Everything before that, for me, is nostalgia. Not trash, but no reason to own it except nostalgia.

maw

[GreyM340i]

Most old cars are piles of trash and more trash the older you go. The more posts on ig I see from JC the more I am starting to question his legitimacy as an enthusiast.

The problem is new cars are piles of trash too so the e46 strikes a good balance between modernity and archaicness.

It’s funny however I agree. I owned a 94 RX7 (my favorite) , 94 Supra TT, and now a 01 E46 M3 and they were fun however still think I would rather be in my 21 M340i 95% of the time. I thank god that I’m fortunate enough that I can have multiple cars to enjoy.

[shibui]

It's funny, I just watched a video about the E30 from Jason Camissa who seems to actually do his research. The E30 was an overpriced pile of trash. The E36 was a pile of trash as well, and they still are. bUt NoStAlGiA. I work next to a guy that did PDIs on E30s and he thinks they're garbage too.

I think Cammisa's verdict was why spend upwards of $50k on an E30 M3 when an E30 325iS (or regular 325i w/ an LSD) will do nearly everything just as good? To which I personally agree, as a horribly biased E30 325iS owner (he is one too). I've driven both, and I get the argument for the E30 M3 at its price point a decade ago. But now? Lol.

It makes sense though, since everything with any shred of 70s-90s motorsports homologation DNA has skyrocketed in value.

On top of that, due to appearances in pop culture and the like think the E30 M is one of those weird cars that has surpassed car culture itself and has turned into something more (like a classic Mustang or classic Mini).

PS I'd take a 190E Evo over an E30 M3 any day of the week hehe.

[jet_dogg]

It’s funny however I agree. I owned a 94 RX7 (my favorite) , 94 Supra TT, and now a 01 E46 M3 and they were fun however still think I would rather be in my 21 M340i 95% of the time. I thank god that I’m fortunate enough that I can have multiple cars to enjoy.

Two of the all time greats, especially the 7. Always wanted one of those with an RE Amemiya kit.

Modern cars nowadays are phenomenal for commuting, terrible for any sort of pure driving experience. New gt3 is out of the question since dealers here are asking 100-250k adm. I am thinking of getting a new S class, black of course, for my mom so I can drive it but the screen gives me pause.

Also looking at a new tundra trd for work but interior styling is a bit juvenile.

[GreyM340i]

Two of the all time greats, especially the 7. Always wanted one of those with an RE Amemiya kit.

Modern cars nowadays are phenomenal for commuting, terrible for any sort of pure driving experience. New gt3 is out of the question since dealers here are asking 100-250k adm. I am thinking of getting a new S class, black of course, for my mom so I can drive it but the screen gives me pause.

Also looking at a new tundra trd for work but interior styling is a bit juvenile.

Yeah I miss the RX7 the most. Super light weight and handled like it was on rails. Looked at getting one however prices are way too high in my opinion. I didn’t want to be over $25k for a nice one and rotary way too unreliable for the money they’re asking.

[Epoustouflant]

My least favorite pseudo car personalities ranked from bad to worst:

3. That guy in that other thread 2. This guy
1. Matt Farah

I think it's a terrible list, but I sure am jealous they get paid for regurgitating this bullshit over and over.

I think we tend to look at this on the Enthusiast to Mainstream spectrum of BMW M commenters.

Doug is the worst and doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Matt Moreman is an authentic enthusiast with his own taste - he’s an E9X guy over any other Generation.

Matt Farah is kind of in the middle - and will go whichever way makes more financial sense.

[maw1124]

I am thinking of getting a new S class, black of course, for my mom so I can drive it but the screen gives me pause.

Everything on the SClass after my W220 S55 has given me pause. First it was needing the dealer to code all modules you get for the car beginning w/W221. Then, it was the screen and $6k headlights (yes, you read that correctly) in the W222. After that I just gave up. They've also just gotten too damned big. I'll probably still get another one, but damn. All of this makes the Bi-Turbo CLS with a tune look a lot better to me, and incidentally it's about the same size as my 55 (550hp/575tq in a 4300lb car gets around just fine for me). Plus it still feels like an analog AMG -- closer to my '92 500E than a W222 SClass.

maw

EDIT... somewhat back on point to the original post, my next M3 (if any) would be an E9x, and probably a sedan. Oddly enough, that's more about this post than any resemblance that car bears to the original homologation concept of an M3, which was fully expressed then mic dropped and exited stage left with the E46 IMO. Like shibui, if I want a homologation car I'll chase the Cosworth. But my 500E runs circles around that car, so not likely.

https://youtu.be/Z-ocRtKWYdo ... always a fun few minutes

[Chas3n]

E46
E30
E9x
E36
F80
G80


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[Arith2]

E46
E30
E9x
E36
F80
G80


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This man is trying to start some fires 🤣

I the E46 is kind of the beginning of more refined manufacturing. I don't think they had figured out how to make it cheap yet, but the quality was a huge leap. I would assume it retains something of was the E30 M3 drives like. I've never driven on but I can only imagine how many swear about that raw feel. The E46 is very comfortable without losing that connection. The E90 just has heavy steering and stiff suspension. They're quite numb but still give you an small experience. The F80 is not the ultimate driving machine, nor is the G series. The G series actually does give more feedback the an F though.

Fast does not mean good.

[Chas3n]

This man is trying to start some fires 🤣

I the E46 is kind of the beginning of more refined manufacturing. I don't think they had figured out how to make it cheap yet, but the quality was a huge leap. I would assume it retains something of was the E30 M3 drives like. I've never driven on but I can only imagine how many swear about that raw feel. The E46 is very comfortable without losing that connection. The E90 just has heavy steering and stiff suspension. They're quite numb but still give you an small experience. The F80 is not the ultimate driving machine, nor is the G series. The G series actually does give more feedback the an F though.

Fast does not mean good.

If you wish to go by pure driving experience on a tight canyon road:

E36 sedan
E46
E30
E9x
F80
G80

Overall experience, my original list still stands. Most people even on this forum haven’t driven an e30. It’s nostalgic looks are what it has going for it. It’s a rather slow feeling car, now days. Something the e36/46 manage to overcome even with their power levels.


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[DoubleSidedTape]

I drove both an e30 325i and an m3 a few years ago when I was a relatively new e46 m3 owner. They both just felt old and slow.

An e36 with a 5.3 LS swap on the other hand is one of the most fun cars I’ve ever driven.

[shibui]

I drove both an e30 325i and an m3 a few years ago when I was a relatively new e46 m3 owner. They both just felt old and slow.

An e36 with a 5.3 LS swap on the other hand is one of the most fun cars I’ve ever driven.

Kinda an unfair comparison 😝

Imagine an E30 with the same 5.3 LS swap + LSD

The lightweight of the E30 chassis is what always excited me. An 318iS is what, around 2400 lbs? This is kinda why the goal with my E46 M wasn’t power but getting it under 3000 lbs.

[Tbonem3]

E46
E46
E46
E46
E46
E46

[Tbonem3]

E36 sedan

Somebody who knows what they're talking about