Trying to decide: e46 M3 vs F82 M4 vs 997.2

[stephen]

OP after reading all your comments and others you owe to yourself to drive a Mach 1 Automatic. Find one local and drive it. I'll be surprised if you don't like it.

1. Exhaust can be made civil with a button.
2. Exhaust and engine noise is awesome if you want it.
3. Comfort mode is quite comfortable.
4. Track mode is quite raw if you want it. Steering is a little twitchy.
5. Mod community is HUGE.
6. Mods are generally cheaper since built on the standard Mustang GT architecture.
7. It is reliable in my experience.
8. Fun to drive factor is very high.
9. Has a transmission oil cooler for the automatic that a standard GT doesn't and the tune is different.
10. Engine oil cooler from the GT350.
11. Comes with Sport Cup 2s if you get top end and well they are quite grippy as we know.
12. Magneride is really good when pushed.
13. Made in Murica.

I can't comment on ease of DIY as I haven't done anything yet other than drive it and change the oil.

For new, or close to new, be prepared to spend 67 to 77k for top of the line. Worth every penny and vastly cheaper than anything else (outside a Camaro 1LE but visibility, ugh) new and roughly equivalent in specs.

Why not just get a PP GT used for half that? TBH it seems like the Mach 1 is a waste if you're not getting the manual for the Tremec.

[oceansize]

OP after reading all your comments and others you owe to yourself to drive a Mach 1 Automatic. Find one local and drive it. I'll be surprised if you don't like it.

1. Exhaust can be made civil with a button.
2. Exhaust and engine noise is awesome if you want it.
3. Comfort mode is quite comfortable.
4. Track mode is quite raw if you want it. Steering is a little twitchy.
5. Mod community is HUGE.
6. Mods are generally cheaper since built on the standard Mustang GT architecture.
7. It is reliable in my experience.
8. Fun to drive factor is very high.
9. Has a transmission oil cooler for the automatic that a standard GT doesn't and the tune is different.
10. Engine oil cooler from the GT350.
11. Comes with Sport Cup 2s if you get top end and well they are quite grippy as we know.
12. Magneride is really good when pushed.
13. Made in Murica.

I can't comment on ease of DIY as I haven't done anything yet other than drive it and change the oil.

For new, or close to new, be prepared to spend 67 to 77k for top of the line. Worth every penny and vastly cheaper than anything else (outside a Camaro 1LE but visibility, ugh) new and roughly equivalent in specs.

[Altaran]

wildcard option for OP

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

- by all accounts a pure drivers car
- acclaimed ZF 8 speed auto
- you'll probably be in your garage a lot LOL
- could also possibly replace your E39 m5 too

Not a bad wildcard. It even comes with double wishbone front suspension.

Gesendet von meinem LON-L29 mit Tapatalk

[usdmej]

wildcard option for OP

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

- by all accounts a pure drivers car
- acclaimed ZF 8 speed auto
- you'll probably be in your garage a lot LOL
- could also possibly replace your E39 m5 too

[Aeko]

With the price of E46 Ms coming back down to somewhere more sensible, just pick up another one.

Believe me, if I could have both I would

Can't help but think a Carrera, any Carrera, is a different car. I'd dare say an M wants to be what a Porsche GT car is, or what Porsche can do with their better basic sport car chassis and a GT budget/brief. Porsche is a step up from BMW on the luxury and badge ladder. Obviously the newer BMW cars have been neutered down a little bit, but the E46 M3 is a rawer experience than a Carrera IMO. A 997.2 will also be a newer generation and will be a completely different car. Would you consider a first gen Audi R8 for a more "exotic" experience?
Regards

I think I'm kind of tired of the raw experience. I didn't like feeling beat up after taking the M3 on a road trip

I have looked at the R8 but I think the risk of maintenance costs is scaring me away. Plus they seem difficult to work on having to lay on the side of the car to get to the engine

[Aeko]

I have a 997.2 c2s and my e46 and both are great cars. The Porsche drives different. Feels different. But how my m3 is set up, it feels a lot rarer. The Porsche while still I think peak 911 still feels great. Both enjoyable cars d I know the feeling of gt3 of bust crap but they are so ridiculous. Find a good c2s and you won't regret it.

Can the C2S be as fun on the street as the e46 M3?

Another point of comparison here, the steering in my e39 M5 feels more enjoyable to me the M3 did. I love being able to change the weight in sport mode, but I honestly prefer the lighter weight because I have shoulder issues. The on center feel is infinitely better and seems more connected. If I moved the wheel even a few mm I could feel the car start to change direction whereas the M3 I could hardly tell the wheel was doing anything.

[Zack]

is this like, your first day on these forums? bmw enthusiasts are among the sassiest out there when it comes to arguing about how great their cars "feel"

No! lol and I agree, just stating the obvious, without us e46 M3 guys constantly on our soapbox, how would anyone know that other cars don't feel as good or fun as an e46!

[Tbonem3]

Feel is the opposite of what we're talking about. We're saying cars may be getting "better" depending on certain metrics, yet they're not more fun. And companies aren't selling the experience or feel anymore (like BMW and Mazda really were). Maybe Mazda at least can still claim to care about the experience.

[Gearhead55]

Gotta try the E90 335d. I can bring mine up for you to test out if you want.

Yea I would like to drive yours. Let me know if you happen to be up in LA anytime soon.

[EthanolTurbo]

Can't help but think a Carrera, any Carrera, is a different car. I'd dare say an M wants to be what a Porsche GT car is, or what Porsche can do with their better basic sport car chassis and a GT budget/brief. Porsche is a step up from BMW on the luxury and badge ladder. Obviously the newer BMW cars have been neutered down a little bit, but the E46 M3 is a rawer experience than a Carrera IMO. A 997.2 will also be a newer generation and will be a completely different car. Would you consider a first gen Audi R8 for a more "exotic" experience?

Regards

I would. 1st gen R8 is basically a newer German NSX. 👍

[usdmej]

the general public likes to win the pissing contests

is this like, your first day on these forums? bmw enthusiasts are among the sassiest out there when it comes to arguing about how great their cars "feel"

[Zack]

That's not what they think. They KNOW the simpleton public will THINK more hp/faster 'ring time = best car. It hasn't been about making the best product for a long time, certainly for public companies. It's mostly advertising, image, hype etc.

Without a doubt this is the truth. And the general public likes to win the pissing contests so bigger, faster, more hp, etc. lets them do that, in turn companies sell more cars.

[Mr.wReckless]

Can't help but think a Carrera, any Carrera, is a different car. I'd dare say an M wants to be what a Porsche GT car is, or what Porsche can do with their better basic sport car chassis and a GT budget/brief. Porsche is a step up from BMW on the luxury and badge ladder. Obviously the newer BMW cars have been neutered down a little bit, but the E46 M3 is a rawer experience than a Carrera IMO. A 997.2 will also be a newer generation and will be a completely different car. Would you consider a first gen Audi R8 for a more "exotic" experience?

Regards

[EthanolTurbo]

BUT I already have my E46 and I am looking to get a sedan with a dct/dsg as a daily that my wife can drive it without hassle as well. So in that case an RS3 could be an option. I am still deciding between that and an E90. I currently have a B8 A4 avant. It's slow but comfortable and nice. I'm just looking for a fast and modern upgrade to that. After experiencing launch control in an RS3 I can assure you it is not a boring car, at least when you're putting the hammer down.

Gotta try the E90 335d. I can bring mine up for you to test out if you want.

[Gearhead55]

Audi RS3 drives like the soulless, numb, dull car that it is. Comparing that to an E46 M3? No comparison in how the car drives. The M3 is much better.

I would get an M2 Competition DCT if you're stuck on getting a much newer M car with 2 pedals. Doesn't have the feel, but it's fast and way more fun than the Audi.

BUT I already have my E46 and I am looking to get a sedan with a dct/dsg as a daily that my wife can drive it without hassle as well. So in that case an RS3 could be an option. I am still deciding between that and an E90. I currently have a B8 A4 avant. It's slow but comfortable and nice. I'm just looking for a fast and modern upgrade to that. After experiencing launch control in an RS3 I can assure you it is not a boring car, at least when you're putting the hammer down.