Not gonna lie... Really miss my E46 M3 ZCP

Seattle S65B40 · 02-02-2011, 12:36 AM

I've had my 2008 E92 6MT for 30 days or so now. Had enough dry days here in seattle to really get after it. It's a great car - no doubt about it. The looks and the technology are nice upgrades from previous BMWs i've owned.

HOWEVER, at this point, I really miss my E46. Does anyone else feel like, looks and technology(EDC, nav with idrive, etc) aside, the E46 was a better car? I also think it was just as fast. I hope BMW is not getting "soft" on us, as I suspect many will feel the same way as they transition to F3X.

I hope to feel different after some mods. Here's what I have planned:

high flow headers (recommendations welcome)
intake
challenge X-Pipe
UUC RSC Exhaust
Stage three software
ZCP wheels
2011 tail lights
2009+ idrive retrofit (this one might be a bit ambitious).
H & R sport springs
ACS Front lip and grill
ACS side skirts
ACS Rear
Valentine one hard-wired.

If anyone in Seattle wants to help out, feel free to PM me. Looking to do most of this in late summer.

Here's a crappy pic of my car. Will post more going forward.

Mookster · 02-02-2011, 12:43 AM

Trade with me?

Seattle S65B40 · 02-02-2011, 12:54 AM

Nice car man! and you're in Seattle too!? Might have to consider that!

Montoya · 02-02-2011, 01:01 AM

If you think the E46 is a faster car then you aren't driving your E92 hard enough. Stock vs. Stock there is no comparison. Having owned both like you I don't feel the same at all. Horsepower, handling, ride etc. the E46 is just not as good. The E46 has a raw feel for sure, but it is slower none the less. Again, stock vs. stock. If your E46 was modded out with supercharger, suspension etc., that's a different story.

Mikes5.0 · 02-02-2011, 01:02 AM

I don't own either one but have had the chance to drive my uncles old e46 M3 around Road Atlanta a few times and loved it. He has since sold the E46 and now has a E92 M3 so Ill be able to drive that one on Road Atlanta this year. I hope I'm not disappointed since I plan to buy one with the next year or so.

Hershey · 02-02-2011, 01:04 AM

After driving an E92 from the dealer, I was hooked. The drive back home in my E46 felt shameful. BUT, I too love how the E46 M3 "feels" or drives. hard to put in words but I understand what you're saying.

With that said, I placed an order for the E92. The E46 will/is now my DD

M3_FTW · 02-02-2011, 04:31 AM

I had both and stock for stock the E92 makes the E46 look silly.

alpina527 · 02-02-2011, 04:47 AM

Give it 6 Months and you will be hooked. Once you get used to the E92 there is no going back

It's like a new pair of trainers. You aren't sure at first but once you get the feel of them you can't be without them

48Laws · 02-02-2011, 05:22 AM

Thirty days is hardly enough time to build a rapport with the M3. Give it time.

1sikbmr · 02-02-2011, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 48Laws

Thirty days is hardly enough time to build a rapport with the M3. Give it time.

i wouldn't write off the car yet... Give it some more seat time and you will change your mind...

redduck1 · 02-02-2011, 07:49 AM

I had my E46 for 7 years, so I really got used to it. I sold my E46 a month early before my E92 came in, so I had some major withdraws. I test drove the E92 and wasn't very impressed the first time. Maybe it was because the salesman was blabbing in my ears the whole time and not allowing me just to drive the damn thing. The second time I test drove it, they let me drive it alone, no blabbing salesman. I then knew that I was in love and had to have one. After waiting 6 weeks, I finally got it. To be honest, the E92 is light years ahead of the E46 as a whole package. And when the engine is finally broken in, it's glorious. So what I have to say is drive the thing, once you get use to it, you will love it.

Radiation Joe · 02-02-2011, 08:36 AM

Stock for stock, e9x hands down.

But my e46 was modded to my specs. I really miss that car. Yes. I like a well set up e46 more than an e9x.

Entrepreneurs In Cars · 02-02-2011, 08:44 AM

I also miss my e46 cab, it was a great car, but my e93 is better in just about every respect. Most notably is the interior quality on the new M3 and the DCT is light years ahead of the SMG unit.

The only thing I really miss is the soft top, I think it looks better, takes up less space in the trunk and is lighter. I hope BMW returns to soft tops in the future.

Entrepreneurs In Cars · 02-02-2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mookster

Trade with me?

^ Timeless car, keep it.

signes · 02-02-2011, 09:04 AM

I used to really miss my E46, more personality and more involving than the E90. E46 may *feel* as fast but it is not, just a very different car. I think most people coming out of an E46 expect the E9x to be just a faster version of the E46 when in reality it is a very different car (much heavier, bigger, more isolated feedback, "softer" in some ways...) At the end of the day the E9x is a faster, more capable car in almost every dimension but at the expense of driver involvement. Give it some time, you'll come to appreciate the E92 more.

ersin · 02-02-2011, 09:37 AM

I miss my E46 M3 because, well, it really was special. But the E92 M3 is even more so and better than the E46 in almost every way. Given the choice there is no thinking about it: I'd get the E92 M3 over the E46 M3 in a heartbeat, every time.

If I had to point to one thing that was better in the older model then I would have to say that at the higher revs the S54 I6 felt more "urgent" than the V8. The S65 is smoother in its power deliver and has more power down low, so maybe it is this fact that makes the E46 feel this way in comparison. Oh yeah, the E46 M3 had a real dipstick too.

But they are both special cars for their time.

Cheers.

SECRET M · 02-02-2011, 09:38 AM

E46 in no way felt faster than the E92. it was a boat as far as handling goes as well in comparison to the E92. ease up on the crack!

330CIZHP · 02-02-2011, 09:40 AM

GTboard has a video of a 355 HP 3100 lbs E46 M3 CSL getting destroyed by a E92 M3 with 6 speed manual. The standard E46 M3 would be even slower so you probably going too much with "feel". That is a completely different thing.

1sikbmr · 02-02-2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mookster

Trade with me?

oh my that is gorgeous

PrePharm · 02-02-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mookster

Trade with me?

Wow... You have nice taste...

Leozap · 02-02-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hershey06M5

After driving an E92 from the dealer, I was hooked. The drive back home in my E46 felt shameful. BUT, I too love how the E46 M3 "feels" or drives. hard to put in words but I understand what you're saying.

With that said, I placed an order for the E92. The E46 will/is now my DD

lol, funny that you said it. I felt something similar too when I test drove the e90 m3.

asw19 · 02-02-2011, 10:06 AM

I have both the E46 and E92 and pound for pound if you could offset for the year built like you would with inflation the E46 is a much better car in my opinon. Certainly the 92 is faster but it doesnt feel that much faster. It has newer gadgets and probably a faster ring time so technically it is the better car but the E46 feels lighter, seems to rev faster and for some reason I can heel and toe it much better than the 92. Just feels fast and feels like a race car to me. I like the bodystyle better and it gets more compliments than the E92 by like 10 to 1.

I also hate some of the electronics on the 92. The fact that the satellite radio presets move in the opposite direction of the steering wheel buttons is completely stupid IMO. I have no idea how that was allowed to pass as acceptable from the factory.

I hate how the engine wont turn off until I come to a complete stop. In my E46 sometimes just for sh%ts and giggles I'll turn it off as I'm coasting to a stop when parking....not the 92. On the 92 when starting if you are in neutral and let the clutch out before its finished cranking it shuts down. The fact that you have to hold down the off button for more than a second for the radio to turn off is annoying as well.

For a short period after starting while the gps and gadgets are spooling up the radio volume doesnt even work...everything is frozen until it wakes up which can last a good 30 seconds....annoying.

All that being said, its 24 degrees here in Houston, 2nd and 3rd gear in the 92 are friggin strong...and the revs just keep coming. Feels like I've bolted on a supercharger. The V8 growl is awesome. I got it sideways in 2nd gear taking a turn (no traffic and slow speed) yesterday....dry but cold pavement and the rpms were around 6k....just awesome. Love the right left auto headlights at night and other modern features....but the E46 is an excellent car that I hope I can keep indefinately.

02-02-2011, 12:36 AM	#1
Seattle S65B40 Major 213 Rep 1,395 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PNW iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Not gonna lie... Really miss my E46 M3 ZCP I've had my 2008 E92 6MT for 30 days or so now. Had enough dry days here in seattle to really get after it. It's a great car - no doubt about it. The looks and the technology are nice upgrades from previous BMWs i've owned. HOWEVER, at this point, I really miss my E46. Does anyone else feel like, looks and technology(EDC, nav with idrive, etc) aside, the E46 was a better car? I also think it was just as fast. I hope BMW is not getting "soft" on us, as I suspect many will feel the same way as they transition to F3X. I hope to feel different after some mods. Here's what I have planned: high flow headers (recommendations welcome) intake challenge X-Pipe UUC RSC Exhaust Stage three software ZCP wheels 2011 tail lights 2009+ idrive retrofit (this one might be a bit ambitious). H & R sport springs ACS Front lip and grill ACS side skirts ACS Rear Valentine one hard-wired. If anyone in Seattle wants to help out, feel free to PM me. Looking to do most of this in late summer. Here's a crappy pic of my car. Will post more going forward. Attached Images Last edited by Seattle S65B40; 02-18-2011 at 01:05 AM..
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02-02-2011, 12:43 AM	#2
Mookster Captain 184 Rep 692 Posts Drives: 2019 ZR1 & 2020 Supra GR LE Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Trade with me? __________________
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02-02-2011, 12:54 AM	#3
Seattle S65B40 Major 213 Rep 1,395 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PNW iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Nice car man! and you're in Seattle too!? Might have to consider that!
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02-02-2011, 01:01 AM	#4
Montoya Lieutenant 52 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 2015 GT3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portland iTrader: (0)	If you think the E46 is a faster car then you aren't driving your E92 hard enough. Stock vs. Stock there is no comparison. Having owned both like you I don't feel the same at all. Horsepower, handling, ride etc. the E46 is just not as good. The E46 has a raw feel for sure, but it is slower none the less. Again, stock vs. stock. If your E46 was modded out with supercharger, suspension etc., that's a different story. __________________ '08 E92 IB, Gone '10 GT3 now in my garage! '10 X5 3.5D '12 E91 Xi Wagon MT sports package
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02-02-2011, 01:02 AM	#5
Mikes5.0 Car Guy 0 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 2013 X5 35d, 2009 E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Atl, Ga iTrader: (0)	I don't own either one but have had the chance to drive my uncles old e46 M3 around Road Atlanta a few times and loved it. He has since sold the E46 and now has a E92 M3 so Ill be able to drive that one on Road Atlanta this year. I hope I'm not disappointed since I plan to buy one with the next year or so.
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02-02-2011, 01:04 AM	#6
Hershey CLU KINGSMEN 28 Rep 566 Posts Drives: '66 Shelby GT 350 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: 925 Nor CaL iTrader: (3)	After driving an E92 from the dealer, I was hooked. The drive back home in my E46 felt shameful. BUT, I too love how the E46 M3 "feels" or drives. hard to put in words but I understand what you're saying. With that said, I placed an order for the E92. The E46 will/is now my DD
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02-02-2011, 04:31 AM	#7
M3_FTW Private First Class 8 Rep 117 Posts Drives: 2018 F90 M5 Comp Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dubai iTrader: (0)	I had both and stock for stock the E92 makes the E46 look silly.
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02-02-2011, 04:47 AM	#8
alpina527 Banned 60 Rep 638 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 DCT JZB/FR Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: London, England iTrader: (1)	Give it 6 Months and you will be hooked. Once you get used to the E92 there is no going back It's like a new pair of trainers. You aren't sure at first but once you get the feel of them you can't be without them
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02-02-2011, 05:22 AM	#9
48Laws Banned 705 Rep 1,908 Posts Drives: '15 F80, '18 991.2 GTS Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	Thirty days is hardly enough time to build a rapport with the M3. Give it time.
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02-02-2011, 07:49 AM	#11
redduck1 Private First Class 16 Rep 188 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Mineral White ZCP Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	I had my E46 for 7 years, so I really got used to it. I sold my E46 a month early before my E92 came in, so I had some major withdraws. I test drove the E92 and wasn't very impressed the first time. Maybe it was because the salesman was blabbing in my ears the whole time and not allowing me just to drive the damn thing. The second time I test drove it, they let me drive it alone, no blabbing salesman. I then knew that I was in love and had to have one. After waiting 6 weeks, I finally got it. To be honest, the E92 is light years ahead of the E46 as a whole package. And when the engine is finally broken in, it's glorious. So what I have to say is drive the thing, once you get use to it, you will love it.
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02-02-2011, 08:36 AM	#12
Radiation Joe Veni Vidi Vici 89 Rep 2,750 Posts Drives: '11 JB/BBe-6sp-e90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Macungie PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 e90 M3-Sold [8.50] 2003 RS6 - Sold [0.00] 2009 e90 M3 - Gone [0.00] 2003 M3 SOLD [0.00] old 2002 [10.00]	Stock for stock, e9x hands down. But my e46 was modded to my specs. I really miss that car. Yes. I like a well set up e46 more than an e9x. __________________ Dinan compliment of stuff plus PF rotors and RG63s. Enough for now. Why, yes. I am an abrasive bastard.
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02-02-2011, 08:44 AM	#13
Entrepreneurs In Cars Private First Class 39 Rep 194 Posts Drives: F10 Dinan Stage 2 M5 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I also miss my e46 cab, it was a great car, but my e93 is better in just about every respect. Most notably is the interior quality on the new M3 and the DCT is light years ahead of the SMG unit. The only thing I really miss is the soft top, I think it looks better, takes up less space in the trunk and is lighter. I hope BMW returns to soft tops in the future.
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02-02-2011, 09:04 AM	#15
signes Brigadier General 199 Rep 4,318 Posts Drives: 991 GT3 RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Living at (almost...) 9k iTrader: (5)	I used to really miss my E46, more personality and more involving than the E90. E46 may feel as fast but it is not, just a very different car. I think most people coming out of an E46 expect the E9x to be just a faster version of the E46 when in reality it is a very different car (much heavier, bigger, more isolated feedback, "softer" in some ways...) At the end of the day the E9x is a faster, more capable car in almost every dimension but at the expense of driver involvement. Give it some time, you'll come to appreciate the E92 more. __________________ GT3 RS \| Desperately seeking the next great M car...
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02-02-2011, 09:37 AM	#16
ersin Brigadier General 126 Rep 4,144 Posts Drives: 17 YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	I miss my E46 M3 because, well, it really was special. But the E92 M3 is even more so and better than the E46 in almost every way. Given the choice there is no thinking about it: I'd get the E92 M3 over the E46 M3 in a heartbeat, every time. If I had to point to one thing that was better in the older model then I would have to say that at the higher revs the S54 I6 felt more "urgent" than the V8. The S65 is smoother in its power deliver and has more power down low, so maybe it is this fact that makes the E46 feel this way in comparison. Oh yeah, the E46 M3 had a real dipstick too. But they are both special cars for their time. Cheers. __________________ 2017 F80 YMB.
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02-02-2011, 09:38 AM	#17
SECRET M Engineer 36 Rep 277 Posts Drives: N/A Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Northern California iTrader: (1)	E46 in no way felt faster than the E92. it was a boat as far as handling goes as well in comparison to the E92. ease up on the crack! __________________ [Sold] 2008 BMW ///M3 :: Space Gray\|Black
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02-02-2011, 09:40 AM	#18
330CIZHP Major 62 Rep 1,211 Posts Drives: BMW 330 CI ZHP Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta iTrader: (0)	GTboard has a video of a 355 HP 3100 lbs E46 M3 CSL getting destroyed by a E92 M3 with 6 speed manual. The standard E46 M3 would be even slower so you probably going too much with "feel". That is a completely different thing. __________________ ""A great sounding, responsive, high-revving, naturally aspirated engine is part of the DNA of a thoroughbred sports car. No two ways about it." - Lamborghini on turbocharging
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02-02-2011, 10:06 AM	#22
asw19 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 08 E92 Silver Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: saturn iTrader: (0)	I have both the E46 and E92 and pound for pound if you could offset for the year built like you would with inflation the E46 is a much better car in my opinon. Certainly the 92 is faster but it doesnt feel that much faster. It has newer gadgets and probably a faster ring time so technically it is the better car but the E46 feels lighter, seems to rev faster and for some reason I can heel and toe it much better than the 92. Just feels fast and feels like a race car to me. I like the bodystyle better and it gets more compliments than the E92 by like 10 to 1. I also hate some of the electronics on the 92. The fact that the satellite radio presets move in the opposite direction of the steering wheel buttons is completely stupid IMO. I have no idea how that was allowed to pass as acceptable from the factory. I hate how the engine wont turn off until I come to a complete stop. In my E46 sometimes just for sh%ts and giggles I'll turn it off as I'm coasting to a stop when parking....not the 92. On the 92 when starting if you are in neutral and let the clutch out before its finished cranking it shuts down. The fact that you have to hold down the off button for more than a second for the radio to turn off is annoying as well. For a short period after starting while the gps and gadgets are spooling up the radio volume doesnt even work...everything is frozen until it wakes up which can last a good 30 seconds....annoying. All that being said, its 24 degrees here in Houston, 2nd and 3rd gear in the 92 are friggin strong...and the revs just keep coming. Feels like I've bolted on a supercharger. The V8 growl is awesome. I got it sideways in 2nd gear taking a turn (no traffic and slow speed) yesterday....dry but cold pavement and the rpms were around 6k....just awesome. Love the right left auto headlights at night and other modern features....but the E46 is an excellent car that I hope I can keep indefinately.
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