If you ever had to replace your e46 M3

[BL92]

I test-drove a 2016 Gen 1 BMW M2 "Pure" (a stripped-down, manual-only variant with no-cost options, manual seats, and no sunroof specifically for the Australian market). To save weight and cost, this edition lacks several premium features standard on US models: manual-adjust sports seats, a 7-speaker sound system, standard Bi-Xenon headlights, and no Comfort Access


Overview of the 2016 M2 Pure:

• Seats: Manual-adjust sports seats rather than heated, power-adjustable versions.
• Audio: Basic 7-speaker sound system (replaces the 12-speaker Harman Kardon setup).
• Headlights: Standard Bi-Xenon units instead of Adaptive LED headlights with High Beam Assist.
• Convenience: Lacks Comfort Access (keyless entry), a feature often missed for the price point.
• Security: It drops the upgraded alarm system found on higher trims.

This raw, purist approach makes it a strong contender for my next car.

[Obioban]

I don't really see the comparison between M3/GT3. One is a road car and one is a track car. Considering the limits of the M3, and how much trouble that car can get you in on the road, I often prefer an even slower car.

Not sure what you think makes the M3 not a track car— it’s great at it.

Even going to PCA track events (Porsche club), generally half the cars there are M3s.

hard to go to any club’s events and not see M3s– unless they’re somehow restricted.

[oceansize]

I like what this guy says about Porsche drivers

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSsGla6gAU4/?igsh=MXNiODh2aXdsb3M5MA==

[01SG]

I don't really see the comparison between M3/GT3. One is a road car and one is a track car. Considering the limits of the M3, and how much trouble that car can get you in on the road, I often prefer an even slower car.

[prostcfc]

Miata. It feels great not have to carry around an extra 700-1000 lbs of car just to get me and one passenger around. Double wishbone suspension is a plus.

Same. NC or ND for me. Probably my next track car move if I ever throw in the towel on this one (which would probably be driven by reliability and cost of maintenance/repair).

[tnord]

I'm not suggesting that the m3 is similar at all to any GT product. And I don't really think that's a standard progression either since you have to add a zero to the end of the M3 value to acquire one. What I am suggesting is that the 996/997.1S is not that much better than the M3, and I personally don't think is worth the $25k premium. But I've only driven two examples, neither of which were in tip-top shape.

[SQ13]

My 2026 take: I could def replace my M3 with a 997 GT3. Thankfully I’m blessed enough to be able to own both, so that won’t be happening. I find myself grabbing the GT3’s key way more often than the M3’s whenever I’m going for a backroads drive or to a meet, unfortunately. Maybe that’ll change once I have time to track again.

The M3 driving experience is NOT similar to the GT3 (at least the 996/997). I thought my M3 offered a visceral experience, but the GT3 is on a completely different level. It literally feels like you’re sitting in a racecar, is relatively difficult to drive, and that Mezger engine is insane.

[tnord]

the GT products don't really feel like logical and incremental steps forward, it's more like winning the lottery. I'm kinda with whoever said a v8 aston product. Maybe even an F type, but jag is such a mess I don't think I want that experience.

the porsche products make sense until you actually drive them. I think from an objective view, because of the silliness in that market, that you end up paying significantly more for not really a better car. I recognize that just being different can be enough, and nothing any of us do is rational, so people can still move from the M3 to a non-GT 911 and I understand. But for me, I don't think they're worth the price at this time.

There was a time 10-20 years ago when the opposite was true, that they were a steal if you were willing to take a little bit of a risk.

[e46_448]

Def a porsche... I feel like it's a stepping stone for any BMW owners, well for me at least. I'd love to get a 997.2 gt3 RS!

[01SG]

I'm always eyeballing the market for the V8 Astons, but determined it wasn't a different enough to add to the stable if I keep the M3. I justified the 911 in my mind by saying the layout provided a different enough experience that I'd want to drive both.

The Aston market is very very appealing however.

I've thought about the same. If I pulled the trigger on a Vantage, I have considered swapping the M3 for a z3/4 M.

But they are also quite a bit different. The M3 has the intake sound, whereas the Aston has an exhaust sound to die for. The M3 is a few hundred pounds lighter and I believe the dimensions are smaller, but the Aston has a stiffer chassis, a proper a-arm front suspension, and even better feel and soul. The Aston is of course an exotic, it has a sense of occasion even the mighty M3 can not live up to. The Aston doesn't rev quite as high, but it's still a 7300 RPM V8. It is also a proper front mid-engine car. You can see how far back and down low the engine is in the bay-it is also dry sump.

I think the only place the M3 ultimately wins is in modding and tracking. The Aston aftermarket is incomparable to the breadth of support we have. And while I believe the Aston can absolutely stand up to track abuse, it just feels wrong. I would hate to mess up that beautiful paint, and the aftermarket problems come into play again.

[tnord]

Between the crap engine (m96/97.1) and how overpriced they are, I don't have any interest in a modern 911.

There's too many better cars for less money. You can get a v8 Vantage that is better than a non-GT 997 in virtually every way. The Vantage is so much more special, more reliable (at least engine/drivetrain), it's better looking, it has more class, it's more fun to drive, it has better steering feel, it handles better..It's just a superior car by practically every metric AND it's significantly cheaper. The 997 is a bit lighter and faster. That's all it has going for it.

What else can you get for 50-60k....a good Cobra replica, a Lotus Esprit/Elan/Elise/Evora, a Viper, a 427 C6 Vette, Shelby GT350, Z4 M, a million other classics. A little more gets you an R8.

Whether you want a track, weekend, or daily car, you can get something more exciting for less money-sometimes much less money.

To me, the only logical progression from e46 m3 remains the V8 Vantage.

I'm always eyeballing the market for the V8 Astons, but determined it wasn't a different enough to add to the stable if I keep the M3. I justified the 911 in my mind by saying the layout provided a different enough experience that I'd want to drive both.

The Aston market is very very appealing however.

[9kracing]

Cars are like tools, it's all about having the right tool for the job.

If we're talking replacing the E46 M3 with a modern car, then the F87 M2 CS would be the logical successor. Sure, you'll never recapture the analog feeling of the E46, but that being said the M2 does everything else better in spades. Modern cars are just that good.

My personal E46 is setup for car shows, but we still take on a day trip to Pinecrest of Tahoe, and it's an absolute blast. I love driving that thing. It's by no means the fastest car I own, and in fact might actually be the slowest even with the blower, but man does it put a grin on my face.

We currently also have the X3M, her RS3, and a Raptor R, so I feel like we covered our bases. I'm keeping the E46 for the foreseeable future.

[Slideways]

Miata. It feels great not have to carry around an extra 700-1000 lbs of car just to get me and one passenger around. Double wishbone suspension is a plus.

[01SG]

Between the crap engine (m96/97.1) and how overpriced they are, I don't have any interest in a modern 911.

There's too many better cars for less money. You can get a v8 Vantage that is better than a non-GT 997 in virtually every way. The Vantage is so much more special, more reliable (at least engine/drivetrain), it's better looking, it has more class, it's more fun to drive, it has better steering feel, it handles better..It's just a superior car by practically every metric AND it's significantly cheaper. The 997 is a bit lighter and faster. That's all it has going for it.

What else can you get for 50-60k....a good Cobra replica, a Lotus Esprit/Elan/Elise/Evora, a Viper, a 427 C6 Vette, Shelby GT350, Z4 M, a million other classics. A little more gets you an R8.

Whether you want a track, weekend, or daily car, you can get something more exciting for less money-sometimes much less money.

To me, the only logical progression from e46 m3 remains the V8 Vantage.

[tnord]

I've briefly driven both a 996.2 C4S and a 997.1 C2S with sport chrono and PCCB. Both times I walked away liking the cars, but when it came down to trading the E46 M3 for it I personally didn't think it was worth it.

I would be happy to add them to my stable of vehicles, and I got the go ahead from the wife to do so, but the Pcar market is a bit silly at the moment. My friend wanted $50k for his 997.1 without any IMS repair, a decent service history, but a beat on interior and 60k miles with bad tires. After I got done driving his car I got into my M3 and thought my particular example was better than his, even though it's worth ~$15k less. Those PCCBs were

There's risk and big repair bills for both platforms, but both the cost of entry and the cost of dealing with the biggest risk is bigger on the 911.

10yrs ago before the market went bonkers I could totally see a like-for-like trade. but knowing what we know now about each platform I think I'm out until the pcar market corrects.

also that dude on the rennthusiast podcast is a total chode.