who came from a e46 m3?

[DC5ITR88]

So I was wondering how many of you guys came from a e46 m3? I have had mine for a little over a year and I'm contemplating about trading in/ selling my e46 M3 to get a e92 M3? What were the differences you felt about the change? What did you miss from the e46 that you would want in the e92? Did you regret it?

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by DC5ITR88

So I was wondering how many of you guys came from a e46 m3? I have had mine for a little over a year and I'm contemplating about trading in/ selling my e46 M3 to get a e92 M3? What were the differences you felt about the change? What did you miss from the e46 that you would want in the e92? Did you regret it?

Came from a 05 Competition Package M3 (Silver Gray on Gray). While it was a wonderful car in its own right, my E92 M3 I enjoy quite a bit more. The sound is a million times better (thank God that rasp is gone), the comfort is quite a bit improved, and the overall "feel" of the car is much improved. The old M3 felt archaic after I drove the E92 for the first time. The E92's components come together to make this very cohesive, well thought-out unit. I hope you make the change, as it was more than worth it for me.

[Radiation Joe]

They are completely different cars. You need to drive the new one to decide for yourself.

Stock for stock, the new one is hands down better. It handles better, rides much better and is faster. I miss my e46, but still think I made the right choice. Be ready for a significant decrease in mpg for a minor increase in giddy up. Comfort is superior in the new car.

The aftermarket still doesn't have anything worth buying as far as performance improvements go, but I'm sure it won't be long before some tasty parts start appearing.

What I miss most from my e46 was the steering response. But the car was pretty heavily modded. Dinan is supposed to have a new tension rod bearing for the front suspension out fairly soon. This should improve the steering significantly.

[boostedtwin]

I had a Dinan Stage 3 E46 that I sold to get a P car. Sold the P and got back to the M world and be here for a long time. It's too good of a DD to pass up.

[FStop7]

I had 2 E46 M3s. E9x kills it in every way except exterior looks.

[signes]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

They are completely different cars. You need to drive the new one to decide for yourself.

Stock for stock, the new one is hands down better. It handles better, rides much better and is faster. I miss my e46, but still think I made the right choice. Be ready for a significant decrease in mpg for a minor increase in giddy up. Comfort is superior in the new car.

I really miss my E46 but echo what Joe says above. I would say that I wasn't crazy about the E9x when I first drove it but went back after driving a few other cars and felt strongly enough about it to bite. No looking back now...

[danielbreese]

I love my new M3. But I also loved (and miss) my E46 M3 which I had for 5.5 yrs. Honestly I am not 100% sure I would have made the switch if I could do it again. I sold the E46 to my Dad and will get to drive it for the first time since I sold it to him next month- I'll let you know of my feelings then. I have 8000 miles on the new one so I will have a good basis for comparison. The biggest issue is while the new M3 is as good looking it is not as obviously good looking as the E46. Also I am curious if the new one is as high strung and beastly as the old one, which to me are good traits.

[watrob]

I sort of did, I had a 2004 e46 M3 vert SMG but bought a new AMG CLK, which I still have. I have now bought a e93 M3 vert DCT and am very happy with it. In my opinion it is a far better M3 than the previous model, love it.

[lugnut]

I'm gonna go ahead and agree with everyone else. I loved my 2002 Imola Red M3, and yes, I still miss it every time I see an e46 M3 on the road. That being said my e92 is a better vehicle in just about every way. Where my e46 had a stiff, sometimes jarring ride, all the time, the e92 seems to handle the crappy NJ roads much better on a daily basis. If I want to tighten the ride up just pop it into "M Mode" and away you go.

Being 6'3" I was used to essentially having a 3 seater because no one could sit behind me in the e46; in the e92 there is more room, and as a result I no longer have to let other people drive if 4 of us are going out.

Really, the only negative is that if you drive the e92 M hard you mileage will obviously suffer. With 11k on my e92 my fuel economy has ranged from a low of 9mpg for a tank (track day) to a high of 20mpg (trip from NJ to Philly and back). My overall average on the V8 is 17mpg, which isn't really that much lower from what I was getting in my e46 M3.

In the words of Ferris Bueller, "If you have the means....."

[GregW / Oregon]

Same here as been stated by others. The E46 was a great M3, but the E92 is a whole 'nother level of performance and refinement. Some may think refinement is bad, as it's less raw and harder to reach the limits. That's an individual decision. No goin' back, however. Love the V8 torque and rumble,and it sure is comfy! Handling limits are very high--hard to reach on the street w/o getting crazy.

[DC5ITR88]

Im still debating if I want to get a e92 M3 or a 996 TT...I think the 996TT as a daily will prob give me a stiff back in the long run. Ive never driven a e92 M3 so I will definately have to do that soon. The only thing I would NOT miss from my e46 M3 is all the hiccups and problems it has once in a while. I know it too soon to ask but do you guys think the e92 M3 will stand better in terms of reliability and have fewer issues than what the e46 had encountered from 01 to 06? I do understand that if you take good care of your car it will be reliable but I will be refering to the one or two problems it has even thou if your super anal about taking care of it...I have a 6speed right now I might look into the DCT as im getting older but I dont think too old to drive a manual.

[johnL]

My e46 had been my favorite car up to this point. But the e92 is undeniably a more intriguing car for me.

[Romo]

The E46 M3 was truly a great car, driven one for more then 5 years, now 3 months E92 M3.

Wat I don`t miss; the metallic rasp of the E46 M3

What I do miss; the fantasic interior, the E46 M3 interior ( the dash I mean) is just the best ever made on a car, also there was a overall amber lighting, far more better then the white lighting in the E92 M3.

[ase2dais]

Originally Posted by DC5ITR88

So I was wondering how many of you guys came from a e46 m3? I have had mine for a little over a year and I'm contemplating about trading in/ selling my e46 M3 to get a e92 M3? What were the differences you felt about the change? What did you miss from the e46 that you would want in the e92? Did you regret it?

I came from a 02 e39 M5, sold it after a short stint since I felt it was a waste of power (power w/o purpose) and too much of a beast. Got me a e46 M3 6MT after, I noted the car was much more fun and had a very "Road and Man" engaging feel. I miss the e46 M3s small snug bulky cockpit feel compared to the new M3.

Now moving to a 6MT e92 was fun multiplied by 2x
A DCT is even better and faster

Regrets?
I wish I could keep both, but I couldnt for Im greedy.

[Damage Inc]

I had 2 E46 M3's.

What I miss about the E46:

Better looking exterior. BMW nailed it with the E46 M3 ZCP. I would turn my head every time I see one. The new M3? Good looking car, but not great. Dissapointing IMO, BMW could have done better (muffller hanging off the rear, front end looks a little weak, etc)

Better looking interior. More functional, classic design.

That car was fiesty! I mean, it felt better driving fast than slow.

What I like better about the E90:

Refinement.

More comfortable to drive.

Sound of the V8!

idrive and all the "goodies"

EDC. My pregnant wife couldnt ride in my E46. Now we drive the baby in the E90 no problem.

Overall the E90 is a better car for me and my situation (family). If we didnt have a baby, I would still be driving my E46 but wondering everyday what it would be like to own an E90.

They're both great cars but "different". I cant say one is better than the other when all factors are considered (including price). Go drive em and gl.

[mkoesel]

e46 x 2 = e92, so its a simple formula, really.

Seriously though, no regrets, loved my old e46 cab but the e93 blows it away.

[chris s]

Originally Posted by DC5ITR88

Im still debating if I want to get a e92 M3 or a 996 TT...I think the 996TT as a daily will prob give me a stiff back in the long run. Ive never driven a e92 M3 so I will definately have to do that soon. The only thing I would NOT miss from my e46 M3 is all the hiccups and problems it has once in a while. I know it too soon to ask but do you guys think the e92 M3 will stand better in terms of reliability and have fewer issues than what the e46 had encountered from 01 to 06? I do understand that if you take good care of your car it will be reliable but I will be refering to the one or two problems it has even thou if your super anal about taking care of it...I have a 6speed right now I might look into the DCT as im getting older but I dont think too old to drive a manual.

I agree with all the comments above...I absolutely LOVED my e46 M3...but I sold it for a 996TT. I soon sold that after 6 months and am now in an e92... It's a better car than the e46 M3 in every way shape and form!! Taking nothing away from the e46...it's simply better!

To you DC5....other than the AWD of the TT...i would really think twice about that. For a TT you'll be getting an 02 or 03 for about the same price as an 08, 09 M3...and no more car! The TT is an outrageous performance car....yes...but if you enjoy the feel and all around sportiness of an m3....You'll regret the decision like i did and find yourself back in an M3. Just my .02

[Gearhead999s]

I had a 02 E46 SMG that I thought was a the best car I ever had.Drove it for 2 years and 50000 kms but I needed to have a truck so away it went.The E92 is just a much better allrounder than the E46 ever was it is by far the best car that I have ever had.Its too bad that it away for the winter but I am quite sure that I will appreciate even more next spring!

[Straz M3]

Originally Posted by Eclipse Motors

Came from a 05 Competition Package M3 (Silver Gray on Gray). While it was a wonderful car in its own right, my E92 M3 I enjoy quite a bit more. The sound is a million times better (thank God that rasp is gone), the comfort is quite a bit improved, and the overall "feel" of the car is much improved. The old M3 felt archaic after I drove the E92 for the first time. The E92's components come together to make this very cohesive, well thought-out unit. I hope you make the change, as it was more than worth it for me.

I also am coming from an 05 Competition Package and I could not agree more with every comment you just said. Before the 05 M3, I had a 07 335i all boosted up. While that would smoke my 05 M3, it was just not an M car. Once you go M, you never go back haha.

[Radiation Joe]

Now I'm getting all teary-eyed over the e46. Greg's photos really show how beautiful the e46 was (or more accurately, how un-beautiful the e92 is). MojorisinM3 and Romo hit on some of the things I didn't realize I missed, but there are so many.

Once again, though, the e90 was the right choice for me. I have to keep down to one car and the e90 is much better than the e46 as a daily driver. If didn't live on the road and had more than one car, I'd never have parted with the e46.

This is one of the best threads, I've followed for a while.

[///Armin]

There isn't even a comparison, E92 hands down is the best M3 yet! and this is coming from someone who has owned the previous two generations.

I've owned a E36, one E46 and now the E92. When I purchased the E46 there wasn't a huge WOW factor, it was just a newer, faster car. It didn't handle any better than my E36 though.

But as soon as I drove my E92 the WOW factor was definitely there. The interior is amazing, the car is much faster, it handles better with more precise steering, its more comfortable, sounds amazing, so much technology that we should have had (compared to 04: no bluetooth, no AUX jack, NAV sucked) and it looks so much better than the E46 in every angle.

I ended up going with the DCT and I couldn't be happier, I actually drove my E46 for the last time last Saturday when selling it and I could not believe the difference. I could never go back to having a clutch. I would highly consider this option regardless of what you read on these forums. I do recommend you get a 09 though if you going with DCT just to be on the safe side as far as software updates.

[Perpetrator]

I also had an 05 competition package. I LOVED her sooo much. I still think the E46 M3 is one of the most beautiful cars visually. Maybe cuz i now have an E90, but the E46 seemed a bit more nimble to throw around and was more fun. Also, the E46 over 5K rpm was a blast! Seems with the E46, there was a "boost" after 5K rpm and she just opened up. With my E90, going above 5500 rpm doesn't provide the same surge. I'm only at 1600 miles, so maybe she just needs a little more break in done.