The BMW M3 (E46) film. Everything about the third generation BMW M3.

[MParallel]

That's E46, not E9x.

Or am I missing something?

[MParallel]

Originally Posted by Obioban

e36 owners are in no position to get judgey about subframe mount point tears, with the e36's front shock tower failure, rear shock tower failure, RTAB pocket failure, sway bar mount point failures, and subframe (itself, not mount point) failure.

Must be US spec?

Never heard of these problems.

Only really weak point are the front control arms. Have replaced these a couple of times.

I'm sure some have failed on these points, but not a common problem.

Maybe I don't drive mine to hard.

[///MDriver]

Best M3

[Frozen]

Originally Posted by clubsport

I have mine listed for sale on the boards. Thinking of an M2. Over the weekend I open the garage and there she is. I'm really wondering if should sell a pretty car just to get a faster ugly one. The E46 M3 is IMO the best looking M3, so far. These are great shorts that BMW are putting together.

You will probably regret selling it.... It's a classic.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by MParallel

Must be US spec?

Never heard of these problems.

Only really weak point are the front control arms. Have replaced these a couple of times.

I'm sure some have failed on these points, but not a common problem.

Maybe I don't drive mine to hard.

Well, certainly you need to drive it hard to experience the chassis issues, be it the e36 or e46 (most e46 owners won't experience the subframe issue, either, as most are driven slowly). My e36 M3 street car had 3 of them (RTAB pocket, rear shock tower, sway bar mount point). If you go through the e36 section builds, there's plenty of people reenforcing those areas (and examples of failures).

Nothing US specific about it, though-- those parts are the same for all countries.

[Powaup]

so cool. BMW sure can make some great cars it's hard to choose which one is the best, I'd love to drive an e46 csl some day

[MParallel]

Originally Posted by Obioban

Well, certainly you need to drive it hard to experience the chassis issues, be it the e36 or e46 (most e46 owners won't experience the subframe issue, either, as most are driven slowly). My e36 M3 street car had 3 of them (RTAB pocket, rear shock tower, sway bar mount point). If you go through the e36 section builds, there's plenty of people reenforcing those areas (and examples of failures).

Nothing US specific about it, though-- those parts are the same for all countries.

Yes I know, was being a little sarcastic.

My 328i with 264.6xx km on the clock has seen over 50 laps on the Nordschleife and it wasn't like I was going slow. That track is quite a test, but that is known.

I did fit the rear and front reinforcement plates. Better to be save than sorry. Maybe that has helped.

Than again, I'm not running (semi) slicks or anything. Guess you have to really drive wild on solid bushes to rip out these parts.

M3 has seen fewer laps, have the plates as well and the factory subframe and gearbox support reinforcement plates.

Did US models get these?

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by MParallel

Yes I know, was being a little sarcastic.

My 328i with 264.6xx km on the clock has seen over 50 laps on the Nordschleife and it wasn't like I was going slow. That track is quite a test, but that is known.

I did fit the rear and front reinforcement plates. Better to be save than sorry. Maybe that has helped.

Than again, I'm not running (semi) slicks or anything. Guess you have to really drive wild on solid bushes to rip out these parts.

M3 has seen fewer laps, have the plates as well and the factory subframe and gearbox support reinforcement plates.

Did US models get these?

Yes, they did, in the M3.

Solid bushings not required, either :P

[flightz71]

Great video.

Words cannot describe how great of a motor the S65 is. Compared to an e46, my e92 is more practical, comfortable and refined - a better car, but I will never love it like I loved my e46 M3 coupe.


~2006

e46 M3 imo is the most beautiful and timeless car BMW has ever designed. Perfectly proportional, a muscular stance yet elegant and classy - truly an iconic car.

[psuibmw]

Originally Posted by ///MDriver

Best M3

what a nice E46

[2thdr]

Originally Posted by nbennettksu

Never should have sold my e46 m

I feel the same way about mine. I have to admit, I don't actually enjoy all the electronics in cars now. I love the simplicity of the e46.

[MomoM3]

Ah, my second car and my first BMW! I had a 2003 M3 I ordered that was Silver Grey on Imola Red. 6MT.

I've been spoiled ever since!

[cooticooti16]

I love my E46 and its just 1 degree shy of perfect.

I have to give the title of best looking, overall performing BMW to my recently sold E39 M5.

I mean no disrespect to anyone here as I truly love my M3, and its a classic as we all know very well, however because I drive cars like grandma, the M5 was perfect.

That being said, driving topless in the M3 is really the only time I forget the E39 existed lol.

Great thread guys. Damn near made me cry.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by cooticooti16

I love my E46 and its just 1 degree shy of perfect.

I have to give the title of best looking, overall performing BMW to my recently sold E39 M5.

I mean no disrespect to anyone here as I truly love my M3, and its a classic as we all know very well, however because I drive cars like grandma, the M5 was perfect.

That being said, driving topless in the M3 is really the only time I forget the E39 existed lol.

Great thread guys. Damn near made me cry.

I only have my e39 M5 to keep miles off the E46. For my wants, e46m >>>>>>>> e39m

However... The m3 vert is half the weight difference to the M5, and the softer chassis seriously undermines the handling... So I'm not sure I'd feel the same if my M3 was a vert...

The M5 is much better at going slow than the M3 (I mean that seriously-- e46m is not great at being driven softly. M5 is fine at it).

[cooticooti16]

Originally Posted by Obioban

I only have my e39 M5 to keep miles off the E46. For my wants, e46m >>>>>>>> e39m

However... The m3 vert is half the weight difference to the M5, and the softer chassis seriously undermines the handling... So I'm not sure I'd feel the same if my M3 was a vert...

The M5 is much better at going slow than the M3 (I mean that seriously-- e46m is not great at being driven softly. M5 is fine at it).

Well said. I almost NEVER drive aggressively, and as such, the E39 is better.

But there is no doubt the M3 is the better of the 2 on the track.

And dare I say, for beginners like myself, the E46 is the easiest to drive at the limit than the other generations? However I'll reserve full judgement til I try out an F80.

But again, well said.

[frisky]

I miss mine every day. Had it for 14 years - longest that Ive had any car. I wish I hadnt sold it. :-(

[abp689]

I recently purchased an e46 to tide me over until the M2 was released (had to see what all the fuss was about). Love the car and see no reason to go for the M2. I am sure the 2 looks better proportioned in person, but I dislike the front air dams/fangs*.

*Personal preference and no offense to anyone who differs in opinion.

[AbuArije5]

Originally Posted by cooticooti16

I love my E46 and its just 1 degree shy of perfect.

I have to give the title of best looking, overall performing BMW to my recently sold E39 M5.

I mean no disrespect to anyone here as I truly love my M3, and its a classic as we all know very well, however because I drive cars like grandma, the M5 was perfect.

That being said, driving topless in the M3 is really the only time I forget the E39 existed lol.

Great thread guys. Damn near made me cry.

I love the e39 m5 but that car looks crazy dated. I can never get over that the motor is one of the best. but the car is ridiculously dated looks wise

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by AbuArije5

I love the e39 m5 but that car looks crazy dated. I can never get over that the motor is one of the best. but the car is ridiculously dated looks wise

I agree that they don't look new, but why do you care?

Is looking newer better? Certainly nobody thinks the e60 is a better looking car than the e39, though it's undoubtedly newer looking (might even look newer than the F10).

Even if you're concerned about what people think of you-- back in 2003-2005 nobody really seemed to care about the my M3. These days, I can't drive it without people giving me the thumbs up, talking to me about it, or taking pictures as I drive by. Same car, same driver :P

I guess I've never equated newer to better. I equate better to better :P

So, yes, I agree they look dated. So does a DB5. So what?

[BaLLzZz]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

Hah that's exactly who he dealt with! Good eye my friend!

In my opinion the Roadster was one the greats too, as it was the later year one and had the same engine as the e46, but only a 5MT bc they couldn't fit the 6MT!!!

Yup, Andrew is a good guy.

Yes I agree with the mechanics and whatnot of the roadster BUT for me personally I never truly liked the design. I guess I am not a vert guy and especially not a roadster guy. I'm sure like everything else it will change over time but since first seeing them I have never really longed for one.

[BaLLzZz]

Originally Posted by GFK007

Andrew Millar is one of the best BMW sales guys in the biz. Have bought a few cars off him. He's a true enthusiast, who just got himself an f80!

Ha Ha I have the responsibility of dealing with him daily. Seriously he is a true enthusiast and has owned more BMW's than I can count. I am happy to be 10% of the reason he pulled the trigger on the f80. Knowing him SO was an easy choice.

[greekcs]

I sold mine in 2015 with 59k miles and never experienced any issues. I did have the sub frame reinforced and cam bolts swapped as a precaution. oh, and regular Blackstone oil reports to monitor bearing wear.