BMW E46 M3 or E30 M3?

vanosracing · 08-03-2011, 09:17 AM

Posting this on several sites, first post on Bimmerpost M3 Forum.

Looking to add a BMW to the family, an E46 M3 or a an E30 M3. Looking for constructive input on both. The purpose of the cars would be for fun weekend driving and the occasional track event.

The E46 M3 is a 2003 with 80k miles. Test drove the car, seems in overall good shape. No winter, no track, engine pulls well, too many gadgets for my taste (it is fully loaded). No rust. One owner with records. Asking price in the low 20K's.

The E30 M3 is a 1988 with 150k miles on the body and 90k miles on the engine. Engine was changed back in 1993, all original paint, no mods, no track. 2nd owener, maintenance done by owner (he's a mechanic), could not test drive because he's replacing an engine mount. Engine seems to run well, no smoke out of the exhaust. Rust spots noticeable on the sunroof, bottom of rear wheel arches, paint is orinal so very faded. Underneath looks clean. Car is driveable, will need to test it hopefully sometime in the next week.

The E30 M3 is definitely a project car, I think I ccan get it fo runder $10K and invest another $10-$15K over time to make it a good car.

Your thoughts? Any E30 M3 on this forum?

smmmurf · 08-03-2011, 02:19 PM

They are hugely different cars.
I don't like old cars at all. The newer cars are much safer, much stiffer chassis.
I would take the E46, but the choice is up to you.

sensi09 · 08-03-2011, 02:39 PM

I'd rather have the e46 and enjoy it right now.

I'd also consider a 993 or a NSX over the e30. After the additional cost to fix the car, you could be in a well sorted model for the other two.

Nang Vann · 08-06-2011, 07:03 AM

E46 M3!

But thats just me.

At the end of the day, its your call buddy!

ansonsoo · 08-06-2011, 12:08 PM

Vote for E46 .. Cause i'm using 1 .. LOL

nemex12 · 08-08-2011, 12:54 PM

m3 e46 ftw

Karter01 · 08-13-2011, 09:48 AM

I would go with the E46. As said before, the newer cars are much safer, not to mention all the current day goodies/style of the interior.

vanosracing · 08-22-2011, 01:54 PM

I may end up with an E46 M3.

MrPedals · 10-12-2011, 04:15 PM

E46 M3 is a great platform to work with, you can buy it and leave it stock or mod it little by little over the years. I bought a e46 M3 and have been very happy (and poor) since then.

Another option instead of getting an E30 M3, is to get an E30 325i instead. They are almost as fast, come with a decently peppy motor and can be modded to be faster than a stock E30 M3. I think they are much easier to work on and there is a lot of support for that platform from specE30 racers. Just sayin', I want an E30 M3 too, but for $3500 you can own one that is pretty much there and you won't feel bad beating the snot out of a priceless classic. Also consider a Z3 coupe. Basically the same platform as an E30 M3 but with a better motor and more modern brakes and whatnot.

08-03-2011, 09:17 AM	#1
vanosracing Private First Class 4 Rep 140 Posts Drives: none Join Date: May 2009 Location: bassano iTrader: (0)	BMW E46 M3 or E30 M3? Posting this on several sites, first post on Bimmerpost M3 Forum. Looking to add a BMW to the family, an E46 M3 or a an E30 M3. Looking for constructive input on both. The purpose of the cars would be for fun weekend driving and the occasional track event. The E46 M3 is a 2003 with 80k miles. Test drove the car, seems in overall good shape. No winter, no track, engine pulls well, too many gadgets for my taste (it is fully loaded). No rust. One owner with records. Asking price in the low 20K's. The E30 M3 is a 1988 with 150k miles on the body and 90k miles on the engine. Engine was changed back in 1993, all original paint, no mods, no track. 2nd owener, maintenance done by owner (he's a mechanic), could not test drive because he's replacing an engine mount. Engine seems to run well, no smoke out of the exhaust. Rust spots noticeable on the sunroof, bottom of rear wheel arches, paint is orinal so very faded. Underneath looks clean. Car is driveable, will need to test it hopefully sometime in the next week. The E30 M3 is definitely a project car, I think I ccan get it fo runder $10K and invest another $10-$15K over time to make it a good car. Your thoughts? Any E30 M3 on this forum?
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08-03-2011, 02:19 PM	#2
smmmurf Colonel 309 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT 353k+ miles Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA iTrader: (7)	They are hugely different cars. I don't like old cars at all. The newer cars are much safer, much stiffer chassis. I would take the E46, but the choice is up to you.
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08-03-2011, 02:39 PM	#3
sensi09 Lieutenant Colonel 30 Rep 1,789 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (1)	I'd rather have the e46 and enjoy it right now. I'd also consider a 993 or a NSX over the e30. After the additional cost to fix the car, you could be in a well sorted model for the other two.
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08-06-2011, 07:03 AM	#4
Nang Vann Lieutenant Colonel 25 Rep 1,513 Posts Drives: E46 M3, R35 GT-R Join Date: May 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	E46 M3! But thats just me. At the end of the day, its your call buddy! __________________ Moving on up!
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08-06-2011, 12:08 PM	#5
ansonsoo New Member 3 Rep 5 Posts Drives: M3 topless Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Vote for E46 .. Cause i'm using 1 .. LOL
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08-08-2011, 12:54 PM	#6
nemex12 Captain 114 Rep 973 Posts Drives: e60,z4 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: florida iTrader: (1)	m3 e46 ftw __________________ if you want perfection buy a mercedes, or marry an accountant
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08-13-2011, 09:48 AM	#7
Karter01 Private 5 Rep 81 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	I would go with the E46. As said before, the newer cars are much safer, not to mention all the current day goodies/style of the interior.
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08-22-2011, 01:54 PM	#8
vanosracing Private First Class 4 Rep 140 Posts Drives: none Join Date: May 2009 Location: bassano iTrader: (0)	I may end up with an E46 M3.
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10-12-2011, 04:15 PM	#9
MrPedals New Member 2 Rep 23 Posts Drives: BMW E46 M3 Mystic Blau Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Santa Cruz, CA iTrader: (0)	E46 M3 is a great platform to work with, you can buy it and leave it stock or mod it little by little over the years. I bought a e46 M3 and have been very happy (and poor) since then. Another option instead of getting an E30 M3, is to get an E30 325i instead. They are almost as fast, come with a decently peppy motor and can be modded to be faster than a stock E30 M3. I think they are much easier to work on and there is a lot of support for that platform from specE30 racers. Just sayin', I want an E30 M3 too, but for $3500 you can own one that is pretty much there and you won't feel bad beating the snot out of a priceless classic. Also consider a Z3 coupe. Basically the same platform as an E30 M3 but with a better motor and more modern brakes and whatnot.
	Appreciate 0 Quote