If you ever had to replace your e46 M3

[Sharocks]

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.

The 2018 M2 is basically the spiritual successor to the E46 in modern times.

People hate on it for not having the S55, but that's the secret to it being so good.

The S55 sucks and sounds terrible. The bespoke N55 they made for the OG M2's is more M than the S55 entirely.

If I didn't have another M3, I'd have one and I'm still considering adding one.

I've convinced at least 5 ex-E46 M3 owners to jump into 2018 M2s and they all love it.

[01SG]

The GT3 is more or less the ultimate track car, I just fail to see the M3/GT3 comparison as apples to apples and don't see one as a stepping stone to the other. M3 -> 911, sure, but not M3 -> GT3.

I'd think a Ferrari, Boxster Spyder, Aston, etc makes a better road car and even those are, therefore, more relatable.

[oceansize]

Wasn't a 997 GT3 from that era around a $100,000 to $130,000 MSRP and weighed around 3000 pounds? Never driven one, but it better be better in every way imaginable. Light years better.

[01SG]

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 M3– unless they’re somehow restricted.

My words could be more precise, but the GT3 is, of course, a more specialized machine that is far closer to race car and orders of magnitude less street friendly than a standard M3. Even a CSL is supposedly quite a bit more so than the 996 gt3.

There is overlap, but they serve different purposes.

[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.