If you ever had to replace your e46 M3

[repoman89]

Posted in here already I think but the current answer is an 80s Carrera 3.2 coupe. I can’t get too excited about modern cool fast stuff for whatever reason.

If I was still doing track/HPDE stuff though, modern “practicality” would win and it’d be a new Miata soft top.

Currently enjoying owning only one car for the first time in a decade though, my E39 M5. It’s an easier life lol.

[gatc]

I've always wanted a 911 at some point, but more than that, it has to be relatively affordable and practical. Porsche, affordable? Porsche, practical? Bit of a funny thought.

Mom's brother had a 996 C2 which I was able to drive for a bit, and I considered getting, but the interior wasn't as modern as I'd like and my back hurt after sitting in traffic for an hour (I'm 6'2 btw) so that idea is out the door. I do prefer the body shape of the 996 over the 997 though and would opt to get a 996 GT3 over a 997 turbo if I had to pick between the two at the $100k price tag.

The replacement car to the E46 has to have a more modern looking interior, so I'm pretty set on finding a base 997.1 C2 or C2S (being that I want a Pcar) in manual in the low to mid 30s, but am also keen to get into a 997.2 C2 base with PDK as it would be my daily driver, fun car, and track car (ish) for a little more in the low to mid 40s. (sub 100k mileage, maybe 75k miles at the lowest for the prices I'm mentioning)

I'm pretty confident to say that the E46 M3 is one of (if not the best) handling car under $20k --a high mileage example relative to my budget-- that you can get and punches above its weight class in terms of handling against cars that are double/triple/quadruple it's price. I've done a fair bit to the two E46 M3s i've owned: KW V3s, TCKline 2-ways, CAE short shifter, 200tw tires, poly bushings, basic cooling mods, recaro buckets, etc.

They were my only cars (1 car solution), so I've daily driven both M3s to and from work, taken on 500 mile+ roadtrips, moved cities with it, and drive it hard on the canyon/track. It is pretty much my do-it-all car, so a 997 C2S would have a pretty high benchmark to beat in terms of daily drivability, practicality, affordability, and fun.

On top of that, the E46 M3 was the first car I've owned that I've really "wrenched on" from installing the coilovers myself, doing oil changes myself, and other basic bolt-on mods. I think it's a fairly straightforward car to work (with the help of youtube and a few tools) on the basics for someone who isn't mechanically sound with cars and is looking for a performance car that is relatively affordable to maintain and provides a true driver's car driving experience.

I hope the next car I own will give me the same, if not better, all around ownership experience than the E46 M3.

[Nate047]

The GR86 engine is not reliable at all when tracked.

Can you elaborate a little on that?

[Obioban]

Can you elaborate a little on that?

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a44362621/toyota-gr86-subaru-brz-fa24-potential-starvation-issue/

[CrisSilberGrau]

How’s the reliability on these things? Tbh I’m contemplating either a GR86 or MX-5 RF as a very simple track day car. I’m a fan of “slow car fast.” Not thinking about replacing my e46 with one of these, not now at least, just curious how it is to own one.

Reliability is not great. The car I drove was an insurance car that a friend got after an engine failure. The failure happened after the required breaking period, where the owner then took the car to the track and ironically spun a bearing. To note, all service and maintenance was done correctly for break in and at a dealership (whatever that means these days). He had to fight Toyota for a warranty replacement. I guess if driven leisurely, ie. on the road, it should be fine?

I can't really express how uninteresting it is after the first week of driving it. I thought I'd really enjoy the lightness and chassis, and you do, just not as much as I thought. After you do even some mild work on the 46 front end, the feel we get is second to none, so the GR86 while it felt good out of the box, it was underwhelming.

The engine is truly unremarkable. We're spoiled here I know, but I feel gen 1 and 2 miatas have more song to them. Looks wise the front is nice, the rear end needs fitment, it looks very quirky from the 3/4 view. Digital dash = ultra fail for any sports car.

[PSUEng]

I had two VW GTIs back in the VR6 days and I think I might be due a Golf R plus I have a weakness for hatchbacks, but the BMW stays. Either that or a manual Supra.

I too had a VR6 GTI (1998) and friend of mine has a 2018 Golf R so I feel you here; next Supra will be more "Toyota".

[dHam_Slow.46M]

I'd probably go 1 gen up or down. My mom had a Dakar Yellow E36M so I fell in love with the color early on. She sold the car after a leg injury and couldn't drive manual anymore.

My 1st car was an E90 328i and it was a nice fun whip, but I always looked up to the E90M. Driver ergo was pretty nice, I just HATE the cup holders on the E9x platform(same goes with porsche)

[BTB]

I'd probably go 1 gen up or down. My mom had a Dakar Yellow E36M so I fell in love with the color early on. She sold the car after a leg injury and couldn't drive manual anymore.

My 1st car was an E90 328i and it was a nice fun whip, but I always looked up to the E90M. Driver ergo was pretty nice, I just HATE the cup holders on the E9x platform(same goes with porsche)

997/E90 best cupholders ever ... center console cupholders no bueno with manuel

[Obioban]

997/E90 best cupholders ever ... center console cupholders no bueno with manuel

No.

I never use the cup holders on my (manual) e60 m5 (same cup holders as e9x) because they’re absurdly unreliable at holding drinks… and their location means that, when they fail, the fluids dump on the electronics.

AND they break frequently.

… I use the cup holders in my manual e46 routinely

[BTB]

No.

I never use the cup holders on my (manual) e60 m5 (same cup holders as e9x) because they're absurdly unreliable at holding drinks… and their location means that, when they fail, the fluids dump on the electronics.

AND they break frequently.

… I use the cup holders in my manual e46 routinely

Interesting. Never experienced this but I've never daily'd any of em but E46. Difficult to grab and easy to knock in E36/E46 it seems. The Porsche does have an adjustable band which seems to work well, perhaps better than E90/E60

[fattycharged]

997 indeed has great cup holder. I'd like to find a nice gts 4 with pdk to daily when I don't need the suv


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[SQ13]

Interesting. Never experienced this but I've never daily'd any of em but E46. Difficult to grab and easy to knock in E36/E46 it seems. The Porsche does have an adjustable band which seems to work well, perhaps better than E90/E60

The Porsche cupholders scare me bc they feel so flimsy lol. And it sits right above the AC buttons, so any spillage will get on the buttons…happened to me once already 🙃

[dHam_Slow.46M]

No.

I never use the cup holders on my (manual) e60 m5 (same cup holders as e9x) because they’re absurdly unreliable at holding drinks… and their location means that, when they fail, the fluids dump on the electronics.

AND they break frequently.

… I use the cup holders in my manual e46 routinely

I've got an RTD long boi in my E46 so, unless its they're made of foam, cups usually end up being my arm rest😂

I've had the cup holders break in the e90 and it was a PITA(and expensive as a broke college kid), mother went to a 997.1 for a short stint when I first got my e46M and I had PTSD from looking at the cup holders. If there ever comes a day where I go back to the e9x platform, I'm velcroing a cup carrier to the passenger seat so I don't have to deal with those dreaded cup holders.

[ZHLPR]

Really wish they made more of them....

https://www.enthusiastauto.com/inventory/2011-bmw-e82-1m-vp76039

[simon_c]

Really wish they made more of them....

https://www.enthusiastauto.com/inven...e82-1m-vp76039

I'm probably in the minority here (and have never driven one) but I've just never been a fan of the 1M. Felt like such a parts bin car without an S series engine. Also just not a fan of the looks.