CAR: M3 Generations Driven Back-to-Back

Tallest · 07-24-2010, 04:58 AM

magazine is out but not on stands at least where I am... you can read the first page of the Pcar vs M3 in the mag preview page: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Magazin...azine-out-now/

I agree with some of what's been said - the E46 M3 visually is the most put together design in my book. Nice flared arches, good proportions, fast as bat from hell and nowadays doesn't cost that much anymore. The fact they never made a sedan is ok as I never liked the sedan E46.

alpina527 · 07-24-2010, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnyD

Care to elaborate? I owned an e36 m3 before and with coilovers I thought it handled superbly on the track. Sure it didn't have a "real" M engine in it (S52 was basically just a bored out M52), but it was still a solid engine nonetheless and a great engine to go FI with.

I agree that the e46 m3 is still by far the best looking.

I think the e36 that was tested was the S50 321bhp Euro version, which is right up there near the e46.

abisson · 07-24-2010, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnyD

Care to elaborate? I owned an e36 m3 before and with coilovers I thought it handled superbly on the track. Sure it didn't have a "real" M engine in it (S52 was basically just a bored out M52), but it was still a solid engine nonetheless and a great engine to go FI with.

I agree that the e46 m3 is still by far the best looking.

Well, out of the bunch, I just think its the one without "a little something".

- E30 is like the first M3, its mythic.

- E46. Start of a new era regarding BMW epicness, soooo good looking, proper engine.

- E9X. The Sports Car benchmark.

- E36.......?

This is is just my opinion lol.

NSM · 07-24-2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abisson

Well, out of the bunch, I just think its the one without "a little something".

- E30 is like the first M3, its mythic.

- E46. Start of a new era regarding BMW epicness, soooo good looking, proper engine.

- E9X. The Sports Car benchmark.

- E36.......?

This is is just my opinion lol.

Have you, personally, driven any of these cars?

abisson · 07-24-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSM

Have you, personally, driven any of these cars?

All except E30.

You don't agree?

BMWI6 · 07-24-2010, 09:10 AM

E46 FTMFW!!!!! By far the prettiest and best m3 ever made.

kinan_sleiman2006 · 07-24-2010, 01:35 PM

i don"t like v8 on m3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SunnyD · 07-24-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpina527

I think the e36 that was tested was the S50 321bhp Euro version, which is right up there near the e46.

Ahh yes, I wish we got the euro spec S50 engine in our e36s

tlrid3r · 07-24-2010, 03:36 PM

e92 FTW

Ash83 · 07-25-2010, 12:46 PM

Great writing..

bavarian19 · 07-25-2010, 08:11 PM

Singletrack · 07-25-2010, 08:47 PM

Great picture; it's amazing how all those designs still look good today. One of each for me please.

adc · 07-26-2010, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abisson

All except E30.

You don't agree?

I certainly don't. The E36 may have had a little mismatch between shocks and springs (and thus could be a little wallowy on certain transitions) but it was spot-on in terms of grip vs. power vs. braking and IMO had better steering than the E46 (which is too light).

I drove the E30 and wasn't that impressed - perhaps I my expectations were too high? While I certainly agree the steering was very good, I found the car to be very slow and ultimately not that exciting. For the money they fetch these days, I'll have an Elise thank you.

The E36 and E46 are very approachable cars, at least coming from an E90. I can just get in and wring their necks out and feel comfortable doing it - but not with the E90. To me the E90 is scary fast when driven at the (my?) limit, and I just cannot do very often on the streets these days. Jump into my friend's E46 and we're sideways before the first corner...

I find the E9x to be the best handling of them all - perhaps it's personal preference or my driving style, but it has absolutely every handling possibility on the menu. That said, the brakes are the most inadequate of them all and I wish they'd added more steering feel to go with that extra front grip.

I don't expect everyone to agree with me, so let mine be the lone voice of discord.

elmaruma · 08-09-2010, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abisson

Well, out of the bunch, I just think its the one without "a little something".

- E30 is like the first M3, its mythic.

- E46. Start of a new era regarding BMW epicness, soooo good looking, proper engine.

- E9X. The Sports Car benchmark.

- E36.......?

This is is just my opinion lol.

How can you say that about the E36?

In its time it was named Car and Drivers Best Handling Car At Any Price ?

Of course, you can't compare it to the E92. But trust me, I drive both every single week, and I still enjoy both of them.

And I owned my 1998 E36 since day 1 , and there weren't any cars back then that compared to it.

piloto · 08-09-2010, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmaruma

How can you say that about the E36?

In its time it was named Car and Drivers Best Handling Car At Any Price ?

Of course, you can't compare it to the E92. But trust me, I drive both every single week, and I still enjoy both of them.

And I owned my 1998 E36 since day 1 , and there weren't any cars back then that compared to it.

Definitely not for the price. It was relatively a low price increase (US market) over the 325i, and it was a fantastic car. A good friend of mine has a 97 with the 3.2 (had it since day 1) and it now has 200K miles, and still going strong. It's a fantastic car, with good torque and great balance. I also love the E36 IP.

TailHappyM3 · 08-09-2010, 01:06 AM

Recently I meet up with the new owner of my former E46 M3. I have to say when I parked my E92 M3 next to my former beloved E46 M3-which I thought was the best thing since slice bread-I couldn't believe how quickly I changed my mind about that car. I use to adore that car in every way, but after taking it for another rip and parking it next to the E92 I knew I was done with the E46 M3 admiration. The E92 M3 is by far a better car in every aspect and I would never have said that before owning the new one.

graider · 08-09-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abisson

Well, out of the bunch, I just think its the one without "a little something".

- E30 is like the first M3, its mythic.

- E46. Start of a new era regarding BMW epicness, soooo good looking, proper engine.

- E9X. The Sports Car benchmark.

- E36.......?

This is is just my opinion lol.

I agree. e36 never really appeal to me in the look department. it just doesn't have the m look to me.

i'm sure it will be more fun to drive, but the look is what i don't feel yet.

graider · 08-09-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinan_sleiman2006

i don"t like v8 on m3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't see why not, it is lighter than the I6 in the e46 m3, sounds better, more power/torque. what not to like?

i think if bmw keep the i6 in the e9x m3, no one would buy it today.

crackberry · 09-12-2010, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueaudi18

e46 m3 is still the best looking IMO

me too.

but its all personal taste

Sedan_Clan · 09-13-2010, 03:33 PM

Good read!

jaserion · 09-13-2010, 04:16 PM

never owned an e46 m3, but i always love it more so than my e92 (sometimes).

greycrx87 · 09-13-2010, 04:34 PM

One day I will have all of them

07-24-2010, 04:58 AM	#23
Tallest Major General 1301 Rep 6,308 Posts Drives: 911 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweden iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 911 [10.00]	magazine is out but not on stands at least where I am... you can read the first page of the Pcar vs M3 in the mag preview page: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Magazin...azine-out-now/ I agree with some of what's been said - the E46 M3 visually is the most put together design in my book. Nice flared arches, good proportions, fast as bat from hell and nowadays doesn't cost that much anymore. The fact they never made a sedan is ok as I never liked the sedan E46. __________________ 997.2 F30.F11.E86.E90.E90.E36
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07-24-2010, 09:10 AM	#28
BMWI6 Major 96 Rep 1,337 Posts Drives: 335is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (2)	E46 FTMFW!!!!! By far the prettiest and best m3 ever made. __________________ If everything seems under control, then you aren't going fast enough"
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07-24-2010, 01:35 PM	#29
kinan_sleiman2006 Lieutenant 84 Rep 569 Posts Drives: BMW X3 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Syria-Tartous-Banias-po box299 iTrader: (0)	i don"t like v8 on m3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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07-24-2010, 03:36 PM	#31
tlrid3r just another M3 514 Rep 1,150 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Jose, ca iTrader: (6)	e92 FTW
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07-25-2010, 12:46 PM	#32
Ash83 Major 41 Rep 1,177 Posts Drives: 135i & RS5 (SOLD)/ 18 CTS-V Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (1)	Great writing.. __________________ Alpine White, Coral RED , Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, M sport, 6MT, NAV, HiFi, USB-iPod, Bluetooth Performance: JB4\|BMW PE\|DP Cosmetics: BMW Sport Pedals\|Black Kidney Grill
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07-25-2010, 08:11 PM	#33
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)
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07-25-2010, 08:47 PM	#34
Singletrack 4th down; 4th quarter? Renegade. 87 Rep 3,850 Posts Drives: 09 SSII E92 M3; 19 FG M5C Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (3)	Great picture; it's amazing how all those designs still look good today. One of each for me please.
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08-09-2010, 01:06 AM	#38
TailHappyM3 Lieutenant 43 Rep 534 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Recently I meet up with the new owner of my former E46 M3. I have to say when I parked my E92 M3 next to my former beloved E46 M3-which I thought was the best thing since slice bread-I couldn't believe how quickly I changed my mind about that car. I use to adore that car in every way, but after taking it for another rip and parking it next to the E92 I knew I was done with the E46 M3 admiration. The E92 M3 is by far a better car in every aspect and I would never have said that before owning the new one.
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09-13-2010, 03:33 PM	#42
Sedan_Clan Law Enforcer 24979 Rep 22,266 Posts Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ..in your rearview!!! iTrader: (26)	Good read!
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09-13-2010, 04:16 PM	#43
jaserion Captain 119 Rep 973 Posts Drives: BMW Onsh'mo... Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	never owned an e46 m3, but i always love it more so than my e92 (sometimes). __________________ 2015 F31 Sport Wagon 2014 Tesla Model S 2011 E93 M3 - Gone 2008 E92 M3 - Gone 2006 E90 325i - Gone
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09-13-2010, 04:34 PM	#44
greycrx87 First Lieutenant 79 Rep 314 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E92 ZCP Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	One day I will have all of them __________________ Kobieta mnie bije
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