Demuro: All the BMW M3s Ranked from Worst to Best

[pynacl]

Feel like he contradicted himself a few times. He mentioned the E9X had too little torque and had too many reliability problems. Yet he ranked the E46 higher, which has less torque and more issues. Then he said the E36 was bad because it had no power, but then praised the E30 for having a "connected vintage feel, although slow". Overall seems like he was being totally subjective, which is fine, but he just had some weird justifications that didn't make sense.

[Tbonem3]

I would ask if you’d own multiple E46M cars, but I suspect you may tell me you already do.

maw

I did, not anymore, bought an e90!

[Sharocks]

This is the order:

E46 M3 GTR (2004 Race Spec with the Hewland Dogbox)

That's it.

[maw1124]

E46
E46
E46
E46
E46
E46

I would ask if you’d own multiple E46M cars, but I suspect you may tell me you already do.

maw

[Tbonem3]

E36 sedan

Somebody who knows what they're talking about

[Tbonem3]

E46
E46
E46
E46
E46
E46

[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.

[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.

[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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Arith2]

E46
E30
E9x
E36
F80
G80


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

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]

E46
E30
E9x
E36
F80
G80


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.