If you ever had to replace your e46 M3

[01SG]

It's hard to beat the 997, just for being three hundred pounds lighter alone. At the same time, I find comparisons between the M3 and 911 apples and oranges. They have very different personalities. I think the GT350 is the closest spiritual successor to the M3 of old, except it seems too fat for a back road. Get it on the track though....

[BlAikenstein]

Pretty sure you're not gonna find a clean one for that at the moment. A high milage sh!t box with triptronic, sure. But honestly, since the new 911's came out, I have zero interest in a 996 turbo anymore and I think the market will follow once those hit the used market, they are just so much more car compared to the 996 and in this case, both are turbo and the playing field is level unless you really want the cursive "Turbo" written on the back.

Dang, looks like it’s a basic bitch 997.2 911 or s model. Porsche market is ridiculous

[Altaran]

Base 997.2 is actually a good comparison.

BTW, add proper headers to those and they will have a similar sound to GT3s. The stock headers on those cars are pretty bad.

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[Nihilation]

The more I think about this, I wonder if even the base model 997.2 + could be equally rewarding as our M3. Difficult finding support for it as most articles focus on the more powerful S models.

The base 09 911 has 345 hp and no IMS worries, mid 4 sec 0-60, same driving dynamics, engine doesn't scream like a Metzger, but its every bit as good as any other flat-six.

Truth be told, I'd probably swap keys for a base 997.2 6MT.

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[MTiz]

911 turbo doesn’t do it for me at all. I understand they’re fast, but the sound and powerband is so... boring. I’d rather get an “s” 911 than a turbo... though really it’s only the GT cars that appeal to me.

Sometimes I feel the same way about the Turbo. The stock exhaust is truly awful on those but when they're opened up they sound really good imo. Flat 6 Scream + Aggressive Turbo Spooling noises = great fun. Plus the styling on the 991.2 is killer.

On the other hand the GT3 is basically perfect in every way and comes in manual. I really can't decide but thankfully I can't afford either

[Tigerbimmer]

Once they’re in a front loading seat (~2 years old), it’s actually easier to load them in a coupe than 4 door because of the straight on loading angle.

Interesting! Great to know thanks. Guess I’ll just have to keep it and supercharge it 😁.

[usdmej]

through a random conversation with some acquaintances i chanced upon a bone stock mechanically pampered s2000 for a bargain and I couldn't pass it up.

probably still in the honeymoon phase of car ownership, but the s2000 is hands down the funner car to drive/enjoy than the M3 at legal speeds. my current thinking is that the m3 will be the one that gets sold if i need to clear a garage space in the future.

[skristedja]

Hardly more practical! Back seat fits people significantly worse and the trunk is much smaller.

Great point! I guess I meant practical in the sense that you would be driving a new, warrantied car with much better MPG

[Nihilation]

Once they’re in a front loading seat (~2 years old), it’s actually easier to load them in a coupe than 4 door because of the straight on loading angle.

This too. Can get my 2 yr old into the M3 quicker than our Pilot. BMW got so much right with this car.

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[Obioban]

I know this is probably blasphemous around here but I truly think the new brz/86 will be a good replacement for the e46. You are trading the lust factor for some reliability and practicality but other than that, the platform ticks most of the same boxes for me. Unfortunately, I weigh the lust factor pretty heavily and would never make that switch.

Hardly more practical! Back seat fits people significantly worse and the trunk is much smaller.

[Gt4]

I know this is probably blasphemous around here but I truly think the new brz/86 will be a good replacement for the e46. You are trading the lust factor for some reliability and practicality but other than that, the platform ticks most of the same boxes for me. Unfortunately, I weigh the lust factor pretty heavily and would never make that switch.

I just sold 3 weeks ago my 2013 Scion FRS, bought it in October 2020 as a winter beater. It’s a fun little car. Lightweight, shifter is tight compare to E46 M3, driving position is better than E46 M3.

I now daily one of my E46 M3 again and I really appreciate the sound deadening, no rattle, Harman Kardon sound system and the sound of the S54! It’s fun sometimes to drive something else to make you appreciate what you have!!!

[skristedja]

I know this is probably blasphemous around here but I truly think the new brz/86 will be a good replacement for the e46. You are trading the lust factor for some reliability and practicality but other than that, the platform ticks most of the same boxes for me. Unfortunately, I weigh the lust factor pretty heavily and would never make that switch.

[Obioban]

This is a timely thread for me as I'm contemplating what to do with the E46. We have a little one on the way and I don't think I want to deal with crawling in and out of the back seat. I've been thinking about a CPO F80 M3C as a replacement... Warranty and a new-ish car will give me peace of mind. Manual (a must), plenty of power and not a porker for today's standards. Could I keep the E46 and pick up an F80? Sure but I'm trying to avoid having a car payment so the plan would be to sell the E46 and put cash on top. Suggestions are welcome.

Once they’re in a front loading seat (~2 years old), it’s actually easier to load them in a coupe than 4 door because of the straight on loading angle.

[Tigerbimmer]

This is a timely thread for me as I'm contemplating what to do with the E46. We have a little one on the way and I don't think I want to deal with crawling in and out of the back seat. I've been thinking about a CPO F80 M3C as a replacement... Warranty and a new-ish car will give me peace of mind. Manual (a must), plenty of power and not a porker for today's standards. Could I keep the E46 and pick up an F80? Sure but I'm trying to avoid having a car payment so the plan would be to sell the E46 and put cash on top. Suggestions are welcome.

[Icecream]

To me the closest match performance to price, utilitarian option would be a 996 turbo. Last I checked those were going for around $40k which is just a screaming deal.t.

Pretty sure you're not gonna find a clean one for that at the moment. A high milage sh!t box with triptronic, sure. But honestly, since the new 911's came out, I have zero interest in a 996 turbo anymore and I think the market will follow once those hit the used market, they are just so much more car compared to the 996 and in this case, both are turbo and the playing field is level unless you really want the cursive "Turbo" written on the back.