If you ever had to replace your e46 M3

[siamkazi]

I like it that people here don't shame the convertible M3s. I really like mine and wouldn't want it any other way. It's a well made cabrio. Fun, sounds good, handles well. I don't track or race. But even on twisty roads not too many can follow this car

I definitely agree, I do appreciate that people here are welcoming about the convertibles, gives that extra sense of community. Agreed on not having it any other way and the characteristics. Track wise, it does really well. Also, I've met so many cool people because of it that I wouldn't have if I had gone with something else.

[Kcalhoun27]

100%

when i was searching for my E46 M3, i was searching nationally for a vert. ive always wanted this car specifically as a vert. i have taken it to the track a few times though (but just messing around). nothin better than driving that car with the top down up in the SoCal canyons hearing that engine scream....ugh, just amazing.

I wanted a vert when i was looking, but found my coupe. Now i still want the vert, but refuse to part with the coupe haha. If anyone knows a good way to convince my wife that we need two M3’s, id love to know

[Ob917]

I’d only buy a vert to part it out.

[umichchris]

100%

when i was searching for my E46 M3, i was searching nationally for a vert. ive always wanted this car specifically as a vert. i have taken it to the track a few times though (but just messing around). nothin better than driving that car with the top down up in the SoCal canyons hearing that engine scream....ugh, just amazing.

I like it that people here don't shame the convertible M3s. I really like mine and wouldn't want it any other way. It's a well made cabrio. Fun, sounds good, handles well. I don't track or race. But even on twisty roads not too many can follow this car

[why_m3]

I like it that people here don't shame the convertible M3s. I really like mine and wouldn't want it any other way. It's a well made cabrio. Fun, sounds good, handles well. I don't track or race. But even on twisty roads not too many can follow this car

[umichchris]

either an Lexus LC500 convertible (red on caramel) or a later model year Gallardo Sypder (hopefully manual) - my E46 is a vert and id only replace it with another vert

[Ob917]

My m3 is going to a new owner soon, I had a Lotus Elise before the M3 and a NA exige might work they are very special cars, but I think any year 911 is what is going to actually happen. The money I put into my m3 if used on “any” 911 will totally fit the bill. Of course the cost of entry is lots higher.

[erickhoyos]

I too had one but mine was a 1987. I freaking loved it, well expect going over bumps in the rain on an exit ramp and the solid rear-end would cause you to poot.

Ahh yes it truly is a testament to who really is a good driver or not. What surprised me the most was the fact that the “weak” T5 was fairly strong (at least for base hp ratings) and I did burnout after burnout and it still held up well. Not surprised that the people online who claimed they broke very easily slammed every single gear at every given chance.

[m3nt0s]

Personally hoping to keep both my M3 and 530i long enough that if/when I replace them, buying any gasoline-powered car is generally impractical.

If I lost the M3 tomorrow and had to replace it with something...honestly have no idea and would probably go with something fun and cheap...

[spnsprt]

Realistically maybe a 981 GTS Cayman or a 997.2 C2S. But if my budget exploded it'd be a GT3 or GT4 of pretty much any generation.

Also seconding the E39 M5 as a great compliment but not a good replacement. I love my M5 and basically daily it, while saving my now unforgivingly stiff M3 for the weekends (kind of regret making it stiff and the 4.10 diff for the street, but it just feels great on track and since I have the M5, I'm gonna leave it that way).

[skristedja]

Short term- manual e60 m5. I've come really close to pulling the trigger a couple times now. Long term- any iteration of gt3. For me, the m3 fills my desire for a fun, livable, great-sounding car. I have also seriously considered re-prioritizing "great-sounding" for "low maintenance, high performance monster" and springing for a Model3P, but I know that electric cars are going to be a dime-a-dozen soon and I'll be able to get a very comparable car for much cheaper in a few years whereas all the great ICE cars are going to get snatched up.

[Str8f4c3]

I'm pretty young and don't have a ton of experience driving performance cars aside from my M3, but I think if I had to replace my M3 (i.e. not add to a collection), I'd want a clownshoe. Still front engine, rear drive, easy to work on, relatively cheap (compared to a Porsche or other newer cars), S54 would be a must, smaller, lighter, and looks just awesome for me personally.

[Arith2]

There is a company that specializes in the 4.0L and are doing R&D on the 4.2L. Our local PCA has a few guys who are dabbling in that. LN Engineering is also developing its own engine. The M96/97 are just so unreliable and they're trying to fix some issues. You can take a base 991 Carrera and turn it into a formidable contestant. There's reliable aftermarket for them. I'm actually setting my next car goal to be a Lotus Exige or Espirit.

[Jickel180]

^^The Lotus Evora is a great option. Not too difficult to work on, and that steering is something else.

If I had to part ways with my M3, I'd probably do it to consolidate the cars into a single 992 GT3 once the dealer ADM hype wears off. Obi's spot on though. I still use the M3 to actually setup my paddock at the local track - it carries the tent, tools, table, floor jack, and chairs, while I can typically only fit a helmet, backpack, and a folding chair in the 991 😆

[simon_c]

Something different that I saw recently at a Cars and Coffee was a Lotus Evora GT. Looks like it would be super fun (although not practical). Thought it looked great and probably handles well and could toss around easily. No idea about maintenance costs, etc.