If you ever had to replace your e46 M3

[Steve]

997 of any variety, doesn’t have to be a GT3, they’re all incredibly good.

E46 M3 is a better DD and has more room for stuff, but the 997 is more pure when it comes to sports car activities.

[Nate047]

I think I replied to this thread when it was new, but today if I had to replace the e46 for a somewhat daily/around town car that passes the same vibe check, I would look for an early 996 with the factory aero. For a track car I would look at an e36 M3 or maybe just like a BRZ or something cheaper and easy to run.

[Toby22]

Right now, realistically…a 2015 Jaguar FType R with rwd.

[01SG]

I would love a Lotus Esprit or Boxster Spyder, but those are not M3 replacements. Being such a great all around car, the only one that I think can beat the M3 in its own game is the 06-17 V8 Vantage. The early ones are perhaps the greatest deal in enthusiast cars today. It is a (relatively) affordable, usable, and repairable exotic. It blows my mind that people will pay more for a garden-variety 911.

And even then, the M3 can take such a beating. It is easy to repair and find parts for. Plus it can easily shed a good amount of weight, whereas the Aston cannot.

[Gt4]

If I sell one of my E46 M3 it will be for a Datsun 240z! Not that they are that expensive but I don’t have storage space available at home anymore so one car will have to go. I would sell my X3 M40i anytime but doubt the 240z would be a great daily with Canadian winter…

[Obioban]

Hard to imagine replacing my e46. I love exciting engines, and nothing near the price point is as exciting as an s54 with a csl airbox. My car is also has the big 3 done, so running costs are pretty low.

I have really been wanting to try a 911 (likely 996 for budget reasons). But would sell my e36 track car before thinking of moving my e46. But then I read of horror stories of the m96 engines that make the s54 seem like a Honda...

The s54 is pretty low running cost once you spend a weekend locking it down. I’m at nearly 350,000 s54 miles at this point, and never had an expensive issue.

Only bites you if you ignore the weak points and wait for failure to do anything.

[Lavatoad]

Hard to imagine replacing my e46. I love exciting engines, and nothing near the price point is as exciting as an s54 with a csl airbox. My car is also has the big 3 done, so running costs are pretty low.

I have really been wanting to try a 911 (likely 996 for budget reasons). But would sell my e36 track car before thinking of moving my e46. But then I read of horror stories of the m96 engines that make the s54 seem like a Honda...

[simonnim]

Probably would try the new BRZ to be quite honest. I heard great things.

[sleeks]

Since selling my last e46, I've had a 911, Macan turbo (lol-not a sports car replacement but the best family car I've ever had), a 6th gen camaro SS 1LE, and an M2 Comp (F87).

The camaro is the closest as far doing everything well like the e46. Really good chassis, awesome engine, just don't look at the cheap plastic interior. The whole “you can't see out of it” is overblown-its fine.

M2 Comp is fun but only when you are wringing it's neck and driving like an idiot. It's not fun just driving.

The e46 feels special all the time - nothing modern compares.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rudbari]

Checked new supra for replacement my M3 but I couldn’t do it . lol m3 is still better in my eyes

[cobra]

I like the looks of the new RS3. Anyone driven one?

[Mayan-Viking]

GT3 or R8 V10 MT?

I've driven both. Very different but both have their respective benefits. I can make the case either way. In terms of owning a rare commodity, which holds the value best as they age? Should that question even matter?

[PSUEng]

I bought a 2021 STI new, to replace a daily driver Camry I had. For a while, I thought I'd sell the M3 and the STI would "replace" it. Now, the STI is likely going for sale. The more the M3--and myself--age, the more I really appreciate the car. STI is great, but, not a replacement. For the longest time I would say I'd replace the M3 with some sort of P-car, but, with pricing where it is, it's likely not going to happen. The R8 is an interesting proposition, and some of the RS cars, but where I"m at, I don't want to re-learn some new vehicle, or pay the premium.

[MacCube]

I’m on my third E46 M3 and I still think that it a classic. But I would love to experience a Aston Martin DB9 coupe. I think that it is one of the sexiest cars on the road. Maybe one day.

[I M Legend]