Considering a E46 M3 Convertible - Anyone Owned One?

[bese60]

Has anyone owned one in the past? Considering buying a convertible as they're cheaper....

[petediddie]

I owned a MT e46 for about 3 years and sold it last year for an e92. It was my daily driver and it was such a great car. I can honestly say that I enjoyed that car more than my current e92, granted, I’m still getting used to my e92 as I don’t drive it very often (work from home now). It was perfectly sized and the power was just the right amount to enjoy without getting into trouble. I don’t track the car so it being a convertible never bothered me. Also, it being a convertible was a plus since I live in SoCal, although I tend to drive it with the top down more often when it’s cold out than when it’s hot. So I guess it depends on what purpose you’re going to use it for. Daily driver? Go for it. Weekend trip? Yes. Weekend enthusiast? Might not live up to your expectations.

[BimaXking]

Originally Posted by bese60

Has anyone owned one in the past? Considering buying a convertible as they're cheaper....

Originally Posted by bese60

Has anyone owned one in the past? Considering buying a convertible as they're cheaper....

Never owned a convertible before

[Razkal]

I have owned an E46 M3 coupe and a convertible. Absolutely amazing cars providing a raw experience and you feel very connected to the car - especially in manuals... They are great and you would definitely remember the experience of owning one. Here are the ones I had...

[NickyC]

Out of all the many ///M cars I've ever owned, it was the only one that didn't feel special to me and I sold it within 2 months of ownership (01 6MT Imola Red). Just my personal opinion, maybe I was expecting more at the time I don't know.

[MJBO]

I had a manual E46 M3 convertible for two years and about 15,000km, and absolutely loved it! Had zero issues with it in that time, bought it with just under 100,000km on the odo.

Convertible sports cars are awesome, and I occasionally regret not buying an F83, but just loved the F82 design too much.

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Out of all the many ///M cars I've ever owned, it was the only one that didn't feel special to me and I sold it within 2 months of ownership (01 6MT Imola Red). Just my personal opinion, maybe I was expecting more at the time I don't know.

That's funny, out of all my BMW's owned my E46 M3 is literally the only one I regret selling.

[KevinC]

Other possible alternative: E46 ZHP convertible. Also cheaper than the coupe versions. Much more comfortable for daily-type use or relaxed weekend cruising. I had a ZHP coupe for 5 years as my daily and it was one of the best cars I've ever owned, on many levels.

https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/3-seri...rtible-manual/

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Other possible alternative: E46 ZHP convertible. Also cheaper than the coupe versions. Much more comfortable for daily-type use or relaxed weekend cruising. I had a ZHP coupe for 5 years as my daily and it was one of the best cars I've ever owned, on many levels.

https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/3-seri...rtible-manual/

Sorry mate, but a 330ci doesn’t remotely compare to the screaming S54 in the M3, nor does it look as awesome.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Other possible alternative: E46 ZHP convertible. Also cheaper than the coupe versions. Much more comfortable for daily-type use or relaxed weekend cruising. I had a ZHP coupe for 5 years as my daily and it was one of the best cars I've ever owned, on many levels.

https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/3-seri...rtible-manual/

I had a E46 330i Cabrio with the sport package (not much distance from the ZHP). I just sold the car after 2 years and 8 months and 35,000 miles of ownership. I agree its a nice car with the top down for casual cruising. Top up, mine was annoying because the windows needed adjustment and they rattled against the top.

Maybe the M version helps a bit with the big gain in HP, but I found the E46 convertible chassis uninspiring. It's a lot heavier than the coupe and you can feel the weight because it takes away from the 3-series driving dynamics. It flexes too much to get a decent suspension in it, so I would think the same effect would be on the M version; cutting the roof off and adding the weight of the vert top and additional bracing probably detracts from the M experience.

OP, if you get one, I have the genuine BMW wind blocker for sale. It's practically new, I bought it in May 2020.

[Chick Webb]

You might consider going with something a little newer. One nice thing about the next-gen E92 is that it's a hard-top. Not only does that help with the body flex (with the top up, of course), but it's a heck of a lot more secure (no worrying about somebody slashing your top open). Plus it comes with the happiest V-8 engine on the planet.

Looks good, too!

[Peertwelve]

Originally Posted by BimaXking

Never owned a convertible before

Then why answer? 😂

[StuKatz]

I have a M roadster (S54) same engine. It's been fairly relaible to 110,000 miles other than the usual items, water pump, vanos, power steering pump etc.

If you don't need the back seat, the roadster may be a better alternative.

[to_riffic]

Idk about verts....I couldn't do it. But she'll be on BaT in a couple of months...

[dreadnet]

Originally Posted by MJBO

I had a manual E46 M3 convertible for two years and about 15,000km, and absolutely loved it! Had zero issues with it in that time, bought it with just under 100,000km on the odo.

Convertible sports cars are awesome, and I occasionally regret not buying an F83, but just loved the F82 design too much.

Love the colour on yours, my M3 vert is in titanium silver. Thinking about selling mine next year. Mileage 92k

[W///]

Originally Posted by to_riffic

Idk about verts....I couldn't do it. But she'll be on BaT in a couple of months...

No kidding? Wow, I've seen pics of it in other threads and wouldn't have thought you'd be selling it. Figured it sits perfectly next to the M2CS. May I ask why? That's about my dream spec E46 M3 right there, exactly how it sits.

As for E46 M3 Convertible, I ended up going with a Z4M Roadster and thoroughly enjoy it. Unless you really need 4 seats or are set on the E46 looks, I prefer to enjoy the S54 top down this way.

[to_riffic]

Originally Posted by W///

No kidding? Wow, I've seen pics of it in other threads and wouldn't have thought you'd be selling it. Figured it sits perfectly next to the M2CS. May I ask why? That's about my dream spec E46 M3 right there, exactly how it sits.

As for E46 M3 Convertible, I ended up going with a Z4M Roadster and thoroughly enjoy it. Unless you really need 4 seats or are set on the E46 looks, I prefer to enjoy the S54 top down this way.

Congrats on the pick up!

I feel a bit guilty driving it. I kind of want to do a E46 M3 sedan as my next project. I've had my fun with this one and hopefully the next person can appreciate all that I've done to it.

Many will likely blast me for wanting to sell it as is and tell me to "de-mod it and you'll get more money out of it", but it was modded when I first bought it off of BaT and I didn't have any qualms carrying that over into my build, which ultimately I redid nearly everything because there were some mods that I thought were not up to par with my own standards.

Eitherway, I have been mulling it over for months now and just have to pay the fee to relist it on BaT, but I enjoy staring at it in the garage so still haven't officially pulled the trigger to list it yet...

[Darth Maul]

I own an E46 M3 and absolutely love it! I recently traded my E36 M3 for an E92 M3 and although the E92 is great to drive, I love my E46. It's a big plus it's an LSB and 6 speed. I also owned an E36 S54 6 speed M3 and it was nice but not as comfortable as the E92 lol.

[bese60]

Originally Posted by to_riffic

Idk about verts....I couldn't do it. But she'll be on BaT in a couple of months...

can you let me know what youre looking for? LSB has been the dream color. Willing to wait

[..Rush..]

For some reason, convertible cars are frowned upon, and not popular on this forum. Go for the M3 convertible, dude.

[jo1311]

I got a E46 M3 convertible but with the hardtop. It sort of gives you the best of both worlds of the soft top and coupe. Love the look of the hardtop, honestly I feel it's a must have for every convertible. Though taking off the hardtop is a 2 person job and storage can be a pain.

I haven't really driven many performance cars before this. My car before this was an 2015 f22 220d. The M3 is definitely the best car I've ever driven, there's something about not having as many electronics dampening the true essence of a car. Also being a manual helps greatly and the sound of the screaming S54 engine at 7k+ rpm is something else.

I usually have my hardtop on most of the time since it rains here in the UK. Some common problem with convertibles is that the drains in compartment where the soft top hides Gets blocked sometimes and thus water leaks into the boot. I used hot water from a kettle to unblock mine but it's worth checking in there for rust and the boot floor.

[Mani59]

Originally Posted by jo1311

I got a E46 M3 convertible but with the hardtop. It sort of gives you the best of both worlds of the soft top and coupe. Love the look of the hardtop, honestly I feel it's a must have for every convertible. Though taking off the hardtop is a 2 person job and storage can be a pain.

I haven't really driven many performance cars before this. My car before this was an 2015 f22 220d. The M3 is definitely the best car I've ever driven, there's something about not having as many electronics dampening the true essence of a car. Also being a manual helps greatly and the sound of the screaming S54 engine at 7k+ rpm is something else.

I usually have my hardtop on most of the time since it rains here in the UK. Some common problem with convertibles is that the drains in compartment where the soft top hides Gets blocked sometimes and thus water leaks into the boot. I used hot water from a kettle to unblock mine but it's worth checking in there for rust and the boot floor.

In case you have not done so already, please share some pics of your E46 in the below thread if you can

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1851354