e92 Totaled...Thinking about e46 Comp Package

[esquire]

I haven't read any of the prior posts, but I'll say this:

Not only will you be taking a step back, which I'm sure will be much more noticeable to you after having driven an e9x M3, but the money that you pocket on going to an e46 will soon be squandered on repair and upkeep costs. Is the e46 a great car? Yes. But it's you settling. My advice: Lease an e9x M3 (or better yet assume a used M3 lease), pocket the money you'd otherwise be spending on the monthly loan payments, and when the time comes, pick up the next gen M3/M4 , in part, with the money you've "saved."

If you're anything like me, you'll just never TRULY be satisfied by taking a step backwards, as much as you might try to convince yourself otherwise.

- esquire

[iDRIFT]

if ur going old school buy a 2001+ s54 m coupe!

[GreasyGinzo]

Thanks for the ideas and input guys all good stuff....keep it coming

[Nine]

Originally Posted by esquire

I haven't read any of the prior posts, but I'll say this:

Not only will you be taking a step back, which I'm sure will be much more noticeable to you after having driven an e9x M3, but the money that you pocket on going to an e46 will soon be squandered on repair and upkeep costs. Is the e46 a great car? Yes. But it's you settling. My advice: Lease an e9x M3 (or better yet assume a used M3 lease), pocket the money you'd otherwise be spending on the monthly loan payments, and when the time comes, pick up the next gen M3/M4 , in part, with the money you've "saved."

If you're anything like me, you'll just never TRULY be satisfied by taking a step backwards, as much as you might try to convince yourself otherwise.

- esquire

nice post!

[GreasyGinzo]

Originally Posted by username11

You might also consider a 996 911. The 996s are severely depressed in value both because the 996 was not particular popular and because of reliability issues with the 3.4 But you can pick up a 3.6 996 for about the same price as an E46 M3. AWD Carrera 4S makes a nice winter daily driver with snow tires..

I don't like the 996's at all. It would have to be a 997 S I wouldn't get a non S Carrera.

[Singletrack]

e46 is a great car. The main reasons I would not personally do it are the added luxury of the e92 and the potential issues with the engine would drive me nuts.

[feaganszhp]

Originally Posted by BobbyShades

if ur going old school buy a 2001+ s54 m coupe!

+1

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by chriszeh

how do you get a leaky rear view mirror?

The stuff inside the mirror that dims it starts to leak out.

[rye m3]

From personal experience and from issues others have had, I would not get an E46. As was mentioned, took some bucks to get rid of the rasp, but that is only a rasp terminator pipe and cat back, so not too big a deal. But reliability is a different story. I haven't had my E92 long enough, but the reported issues are few. Much fewer than the early days of the E46. At this point, saving money with a higher mileage E92 seems a better shot than getting an old E46. Even with the 6, the E46 was a "heavy" car. Now, an E36 would be an entertaining little car. But now your talking a car with 100k miles and that is a whole different ball game. BTW, issues with my E46 were VERY expensive. Keep in mind that the 40k or 50k dealer service is like $1500. Much cheaper to own a 997!

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

The stuff inside the mirror that dims it starts to leak out.

Thanks had no idea this happened. Haven't seen that before.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by chriszeh

Thanks had no idea this happened. Haven't seen that before.

No problem. You'll see it inside the mirror because it turns blue. Acura's use to be notorious for this issue. The old CL's were horrible.

[Radiation Joe]

Originally Posted by GreasyGinzo

Anybody who has maybe had both an e92 and e46 ZCP on the track comment on the handling? How does the e46 ZCP handle compared to an e92 with EDC and stock 18's with stock PS2's?

I had a heavily track modded e46, then transitioned to two e90 M3s. The first e90 was stock suspension with EDC and 265/40-18s PS2s on 4 corners. I was amazed at the track performance compared to the e46. Don't get me wrong; the e46 would spank my e90 on the track, but the front end of the e90 was really hooked up. There is definitely an improvement between the two generations.

That being said, prior to checking M3Post just now, I was searching the country on cars.com for e46 M3s with no sunroof. I'm hot to get another one. If my car was totaled tomorrow, I wouldn't hesitate to replace it with an e46; even with the VANOS risk.

[Radiation Joe]

Originally Posted by rye m3

From personal experience and from issues others have had, I would not get an E46. As was mentioned, took some bucks to get rid of the rasp, but that is only a rasp terminator pipe and cat back, so not too big a deal. But reliability is a different story. I haven't had my E92 long enough, but the reported issues are few. Much fewer than the early days of the E46. At this point, saving money with a higher mileage E92 seems a better shot than getting an old E46. Even with the 6, the E46 was a "heavy" car. Now, an E36 would be an entertaining little car. But now your talking a car with 100k miles and that is a whole different ball game. BTW, issues with my E46 were VERY expensive. Keep in mind that the 40k or 50k dealer service is like $1500. Much cheaper to own a 997!

My first e90 was my SA's best friend. I was in the dealership constantly with that car. My e46 went to the dealer for a repair ONCE in 4 years and 60k miles (cam position sensor). My second e90 has been trouble free for 27k miles.

[cmk227]

Keep the money and wait. You drive a beater anyway most of the time. New model in two years.

[Brucewonder]

i wouldnt do it....either get a cheap beater and save it for a new F series M3 or get another e92m3

[Titanium Silver]

I wouldn't do it... especially coming from an E9x. From your other post, you seem like an enthusiast who takes your M to the track.

The E46 is a great car, but I think you would be disappointed.

Let us know what you decide!

[Radiation Joe]

Ha! Ha! to all the people talking about driving a beater most of the time. Why even get an M3 if you're not going to drive it? "Oooh, It's special. I don't want to put miles on it."

[GreasyGinzo]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

Ha! Ha! to all the people talking about driving a beater most of the time. Why even get an M3 if you're not going to drive it? "Oooh, It's special. I don't want to put miles on it."

I may have been misleading when I said a beater for a DD and park the M3. I drive a minimum of 60miles a day for work 5 days a week. Also 1 or 2 days a week I have to travel into the city. When I had my M and had to go into my other site in the city I would drive to my main site and grab a company truck to drive into the city. I had my M for about 10 months before it got wrecked on Monday and put 15k+ on it in that time. So what I really want is another car (beater) to drive to work a few days a week and on the days I go to the city. Just to help keep some miles off of the M. I wouldn't let it set and drive it only on 75 degree days with no clouds in the sky between the months of May - August and on Sat or Sun.

[IFX]

most here wouldn't be able to tell all the little technical differences between these 2 cars..imo (driving wise) I think everyone is basically saying (more power=automatically better in all aspects)

If i were to get an e9xM, and then back to the e46, the only thing i' miss is the v8. That's all i really care about on an M car anyway.. the motor.

[donovan]

I sold my e92 m3 and i would buy the e46 again no problem, the new m3 has a nicr suspension and thats all i enjoyed about it, and the engine.

E46 all the way, i am.going porsche next