My new/old M3 (compare E46 to E92)

[danielbreese]

When I bought my 2008 M3 (graphite, 6 sp),I sold my dad my beloved E46 m3 (silver,6sp). I told him that I'd buy it back someday and yesterday was the day! I now have 2 M3s!! All I can say is that the E 46 is a great car! It is harder to drive it well but very rewarding. Honestly it is a more manlier car.

It is at least as much FUN to drive vs E92 M3. Note I didn't say faster, better etc, just as much fun. It's good to have them both!

[Brosef]

nice. I'd love to own both. I think the e46 is a much better looking car.

[sensi09]

Sometimes I prefer the looks of the e46, but other times I think it looks dated. I do prefer a simple ZCP package e46 M3 to the heavily modded ones, whereas a few years ago I wouldn't have said that. The closer to stock M3s have aged better IMO.

[cmk227]

I miss my old e46. I going to try and buy one sometime next year.

Although I got to say that the e92 is just sexy.

[wrh3]

I prefer the looks of the E46 as does my wife, I have always thought the ultimate would be an S65 in a lightly modded E46 M3

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by wrh3

I prefer the looks of the E46 as does my wife, I have always thought the ultimate would be an S65 in a lightly modded E46 M3

Here you go...

[B R A N D X®]

Originally Posted by sensi09

Sometimes I prefer the looks of the e46, but other times I think it looks dated. I do prefer a simple ZCP package e46 M3 to the heavily modded ones, whereas a few years ago I wouldn't have said that. The closer to stock M3s have aged better IMO.

Personally this is one of the main reasons I'm not a fan of modifying cars of this caliber. Whether you keep them until they are classics or not, the fewer mod's the more timeless and classic the car will be down the road (no pun intended) to enthusiasts of that generation and model. Even tinted windows, which obviously have benefits beyond pure cosmetics, make a classic look less desirable.

I understand that in the more affluent metro areas than that in which I live these cars may be so common that owners feel the need to personalize them, but thankfully, where I live they are rare enough that a perfectly stock M3 of any generation is a standout vehicle.

As for the E46M3 versus E9X M3 I owned a 2002 and a 2006 E46 M3 and they were beasts; especially the 2002.....I'm convinced that BMW "civilized" them via unannounced changes during their lifespan. There was unarguably more drivetrain noise, air intake noise, a purer, more raw feeling of power and a harsher ride as well as a notably lower factory stance with my 2002 versus my 2006 which, by comparison seemed a tad diluted, but easier to live with as a DD.

The manual tranny cars required quite a bit of finesse and brute strength at times and they possessed what is possibly the ultimate expression of an I-6 engine that you could live with on a daily basis, but I do think they look a bit dated compared the the E9X M3 at this point in time when I see them on the road. Still an excellent example of design, but dated nonetheless.

However, I bet the slightly "dated" look will eventually become more of a "Classic" look and, IMO, there is absolutely no better color for the E46 M3 than Ti Silver. A great expression of "M" and what it stood for from 2002-2006!

Congrats!! Nice to have the pair! I wish I still had my MY2002. Such a great car.

[danielbreese]

My new/old M3 is the "beastlier" 2002 model year-it is a bit of a handful!

[B R A N D X®]

Originally Posted by danielbreese

My new/old M3 is the "beastlier" 2002 model year-it is a bit of a handful!

Look for an opportunity to drive a 2006 some time. The 2002 is better IMO. I swear that BMW detuned them slightly because of early engine failures due to some folks abusing them and I'm also betting they softened the ride to give them broader appeal.

Frankly my 2002 was wicked fast whereas my 2006 felt much less urgent. You could hear more air intake/"whoosh" coming from under the hood of the 2002 under hard acceleration, the A/C automatically cut off on my 2002 under aggressive acceleration to reduce power loss....but didn't on my 2006, there was more drivetrain noise when shifting gears in the lower range in the earlier car (some weighty insulation added perhaps?) and, as I mentioned, the ride was better, less choppy with better impact absorption in the 2006, but oddly the handling felt about the same.

So, IMO, the only improvement in later model E46 M3's was the quality of the ride. Honestly, my 2006 rode better on the stock 19's than my 2002 did on the (better looking) 18's

Again, congrats on buying back a great car. If I found my 2002 E46 (Ti SilverBlack) and the mileage was still reasonable and service had been kept up to date, I'd buy it back in a heart beat!

Hard to truly regret selling it though because the early "20 something" "kid" whose dad was buying it for him was unbelievably excited the day they picked it up at my house. That was pretty cool. I knew it was going to a truly appreciative home.

Enjoy both of your M's!

Here are a few snapshots of mine

The faster and better looking 2002:


2006 Guts:


2006 the day I brought her home. Great buy at one year old, CPO'd and 5400 miles on the odo, but I should have kept the '02. You couldn't tell the 2006 from brand new and I saved $10K, but I always thought my 2002 looked better and was definitely a better performance example........liked those 18" wheels better too:

[Kyoshi71]

Lucky you. I loved my E46

[checkmate]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..we will always have this timeless debate but the truth is that every generation of the M3 has served as a benchmark for cars of that generation.

The design element of these cars are becoming more regulated with emphasis on fuel economy and safety. So..the idea of having a 'raw' car will be lost of most of us soon.

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by checkmate

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..we will always have this timeless debate but the truth is that every generation of the M3 has served as a benchmark for cars of that generation.

The design element of these cars are becoming more regulated with emphasis on fuel economy and safety. So..the idea of having a 'raw' car will be lost of most of us soon.

You write well. Kind of like Mark Twain meets Ayn Rand

[Radiation Joe]

I have first right of refusal on my 2003 with the guy I sold it to. Damn, I miss that car. And I would not own an e46 unless it was modded. I went nuts on that 2003, which made it less of a DD. But now, an e46 would be just a weekend car for me.

[Mookster]

I like mine modded


With some manly brakes too

[danielbreese]

Thanks for the kind compliments. BRAND X- nice words, glad mine is a 2002!

[donovan]

e46 is a wide open beast. e92 is the relaxed yet untamed lion.

[sensi09]

Originally Posted by B R A N D X®

Look for an opportunity to drive a 2006 some time. The 2002 is better IMO. I swear that BMW detuned them slightly because of early engine failures due to some folks abusing them and I'm also betting they softened the ride to give them broader appeal.

I believe they had softer springs '05 and up. Still thought it was a pretty rough ride.

[RevFreak14]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

I have first right of refusal on my 2003 with the guy I sold it to. Damn, I miss that car. And I would not own an e46 unless it was modded. I went nuts on that 2003, which made it less of a DD. But now, an e46 would be just a weekend car for me.

Wow. Your pic brings back memories. Had one just like it. Wish I could've kept it but I had to let go.

[immiketoo]

I saw a red one the other day. I WANT one!

[regensburg94]

Stu, your 2006 M3 was truly stunning! I think it looks way better than your 2002, but that's my opinion. The interior is amazing - looks brand new. And perfectly optioned. Is the exterior silver gray?

When did you buy it? And what ended up happening to it?

[Daft]

Many good points in this thread. That is why I just couldn't let go of my E46. But two M3's for one guy does seem a bit unncessary..

[max08e90]

Congratulations...What would you all think about owning an E46 and E39?