E92 M3 vs E46 M3

[LestAs///M3]

Of course there is a horsepower difference but the E92 have 8 cylinders so it's much heavier..,

Who will WIN?

[ThunderMoose]

E92

[edcvin]

e92 is faster.

[BMW269]

[FStop7]

The V8 S65 is lighter than the S54 I6.

So "of course" nothing.

[MVF4Rrider]

Don't forget about the E46 M3 CSL or V8 powered GTR for that matter. Unfortunately the States didn't get the CSL but the E92 M3 is not quicker or faster around the track. I prefer the size of the E46 M3 comparatively but the E92 has the benefit of being more modern and newer. In terms of engines, the S65 has a flatter torque curve, which is its advantage. Although the E46 M3 is the most modifiable car on the planet, it's biggest issue has always been its brakes. German-made Mov'it brakes fixes that issue quite nicely.

[330CIZHP]

E46 CSL is an apples to oranges comparison with the standard E92 M3.

Regarding standard E46 M3 vs E92/E90 M3 (even their competition package counterparts), E92/E90 wins all the way around.

Originally Posted by MVF4Rrider

Don't forget about the E46 M3 CSL or V8 powered GTR for that matter. Unfortunately the States didn't get the CSL but the E92 M3 is not quicker or faster around the track. I prefer the size of the E46 M3 comparatively but the E92 has the benefit of being more modern and newer. In terms of engines, the S65 has a flatter torque curve, which is its advantage. Although the E46 M3 is the most modifiable car on the planet, it's biggest issue has always been its brakes. German-made Mov'it brakes fixes that issue quite nicely.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by 330CIZHP

E46 CSL is an apples to oranges comparison with the standard E92 M3.

Regarding standard E46 M3 vs E92/E90 M3 (even their competition package counterparts), E92/E90 wins all the way around.

GTR is definitely apples to oranges. The CSL just showed how capable the platform was (I'd have a E46 M3 CSL over a E92 M3 in a heartbeat). Keep in mind also the North American version of the normal M3 was handicapped with a far less powerful motor due to the exhaust header and tame programming selected for the SMG versions (including a tame launch control). BMW didn't handicap the North American E92 M3, which was uncommon of BMW M to not screw the North American market as it did with both the E36 M3 and E46 M3s.

[IFX]

I was talking to a member and he said he would run me, i know the e92 would win, but just curious how bad the ass whipping would be.

Will report back soon

[330CIZHP]

No matter which way you cut it, the E92/E90 platform is superior to the E46 in any shape or form. An M3 GTS will beat the E46 M3 CSL anywhere and everywhere on the same day.

If it is really a standard E90/E92 while being fair, shave off all the airconditioning, radio, speakers, heater, powered seats, windows, cardboard trunk lining and a plastic rear window, plastic bootlid, put some racing-slick tires among other things then you have a comparison.

Only playing fair here. Not criticizing the E46 platform in anyway.

Originally Posted by MVF4Rrider

GTR is definitely apples to oranges. The CSL just showed how capable the platform was (I'd have a E46 M3 CSL over a E92 M3 in a heartbeat). Keep in mind also the North American version of the normal M3 was handicapped with a far less powerful motor due to the exhaust header and tame programming selected for the SMG versions (including a tame launch control). BMW didn't handicap the North American E92 M3, which was uncommon of BMW M to not screw the North American market as it did with both the E36 M3 and E46 M3s.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by 330CIZHP

No matter which way you cut it, the E92/E90 platform is superior to the E46 in any shape or form. An M3 GTS will beat the E46 M3 CSL anywhere and everywhere on the same day.

If it is really a standard E90/E92 while being fair, shave off all the airconditioning, radio, speakers, heater, powered seats, windows, cardboard trunk lining and a plastic rear window, plastic bootlid, put some racing-slick tires among other things then you have a comparison.

Only playing fair here. Not criticizing the E46 platform in anyway.

Of course it is. And it should be as an evolution. My main point was to point out that BMW M could have done better with the E46, especially for the North American market. However, one significant downside of the E92 is for the step in performance, you suffer at the pumps. I would not want that fuel bill. i drive the piss out of my E46 M3 and 997S and rate 20 mpg +. BMW blew it with the E92 M3 by making the car such a pig. Then again, BMW went the luxury performance route. I still prefer the E46 M3 for size and character. Neither M3s are lightning quick so I'm not hung up on either. I had a Z4 M Coupe which I preferred to both in terms of driving fun.

[JonnyM3]

Sounds like you're just biased....plain and simple an e9x will beat up an e46 all day everyday. I never knew the e46 was the most modifiable car on the planet, lol I honestly was waiting for some sort of hint that you were being sarcastic...may have missed it. Also, the e46 in Europe was what? 13hp less? Thats nothing in the real world....face it the e9x is better...

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by Levi

x2

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by AudiS5

Sounds like you're just biased....plain and simple an e9x will beat up an e46 all day everyday. I never knew the e46 was the most modifiable car on the planet, lol I honestly was waiting for some sort of hint that you were being sarcastic...may have missed it. Also, the e46 in Europe was what? 13hp less? Thats nothing in the real world....face it the e9x is better...

Have trouble with reading comprehension? I never said nor implied the E46 M3 is better. But I'm allowed to like it more. At least it has character and is more pure and purposeful (same argument may be applied against the E46 vs. previous M3s). Any argument involving HP is mindless. Torque is all that matters, and more specifically "force" which is engine torque applied to gearing. And yes, the loss in torque (17 lb-ft) for the North American spec M3s is measurable as it affects every rpm in every gear. The only downside to the E46 M3 these days is they are falling in the hands of the punks of the world. Still the S65 is a more powerful motor with about the flattest torque curve ever mated to a modern coupe. Too bad BMW didn't do more to make the whole package lighter. Ultimately my view is the M3 keeps getting better, and less desirable all at the same time. The E30 M3 is still the one to have for the real drivers out there, as opposed to the spec sheet weenies of the forum worlds, most of which rarely if ever have driven their cars much north of 100 mph.

[TailHappyM3]

I think I know what MVF4Rider is saying. Tons of us have owned both these cars and persoanlly speaking I still crave and miss my E46 for some strange reason. I recently sold My E92 a few months ago and have not missed it at all which has surprised me a bit. Maybe I'm just getting old and use to these toys but truth be told the E46 did have some unique character to it that the E92 is missing regardless of the better overall performance of the current gen. Sometimes feelings about a particular thing is hard to explain in words and can only be experienced to really understand the crux of what one is trying to say. Having said all that, the E46 M3 was closer to the 'feeling' I got with my GT3 than the E92 was. I don't know why this is but it's how I felt no matter how strange this sounds to some of you.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by Azorean

I think I know what MVF4Rider is saying. Tons of us have owned both these cars and persoanlly speaking I still crave and miss my E46 for some strange reason. I recently sold My E92 a few months ago and have not missed it at all which has surprised me a bit. Maybe I'm just getting old and use to these toys but truth be told the E46 did have some unique character to it that the E92 is missing regardless of the better overall performance of the current gen. Sometimes feelings about a particular thing is hard to explain in words and can only be experienced to really understand the crux of what one is trying to say. Having said all that, the E46 M3 was closer to the 'feeling' I got with my GT3 than the E92 was. I don't know why this is but it's how I felt no matter how strange this sounds to some of you.

Exactly. I appreciate cars based on character and fun to drive, which doesn't always equate to all out performance.

The original question of this thread is really no brainer. Of course the V8 powered E9X M3 is the quicker car. But BMW did compromise the E46 M3 in North America, so it's not the most level of playing fields comparatively to elsewhere. Wish BMW would quit doing such retarded things in this market.

[1Cyrus]

Allow me to chime in. As an owner of a 2009 E92, and a previous owner of a 2006 E46 Coupe (both cars manual transmissions), I believe they both have advantages. My current M3 is just badass as far as raw power...I absolutely love the sound of the engine, as it is not as raspy as my E46 was. My biggest beef is that my E46 was MUCH more nimble, and I did not have to get on it as hard as I do the E92 to achieve power. This probably has a lot to do with the weight difference, but I felt a lot safer hitting an exit ramp at 55 miles an hour in the E46. Although the new body is sweet looking, and I get looks all the time, I have to say that when I see someone in an E46 coupe, I sometimes sigh....I really miss that car...love the body style, I think the side grills look so much better than the current M3, and most of all it was so nimble! Just my novice opinion.

[1cleanm6]

I had always somewhat missed my 03 smg m3 a lot, however not until recently i hadnt gotten a chance to drive both of an e46 m and mine to compare. Im over the e46 m, it just doesnt do anything for me. I drove the 06 m3 comp package for about 120 miles (to the beach and back). Got back into town got my e92 m. I noticed how refined my e92 is. Way faster, more comfortable, handles better, brakes better, just does everything so much better. Going back to your question theres no comparison the e92 will rip the doors off a e46 m.

e92 m

[TailHappyM3]

Originally Posted by 1cleanm3

I had always somewhat missed my 03 smg m3 a lot, however not until recently i hadnt gotten a chance to drive both of an e46 m and mine to compare. Im over the e46 m, it just doesnt do anything for me. I drove the 06 m3 comp package for about 120 miles (to the beach and back). Got back into town got my e92 m. I noticed how refined my e92 is. Way faster, more comfortable, handles better, brakes better, just does everything so much better. Going back to your question theres no comparison the e92 will rip the doors off a e46 m.

e92 m

You haven't said anything we already don't know but what seems lost on you is the character of the E46 M3. That was the point that some of us were trying to make.

[Pak317]

Stock vs Stock E92 hands down.

Still miss my 04 e46M though..

[TailHappyM3]

Originally Posted by shift@red

I thought the e46 m3 was incredibly boring to drive unless I was thrashing/beating on it.

The s65 makes the e92 m3 much more exciting when on it, and while at low speeds I also find it to be a bit on the boring side, i dont find it to be quite as mundane as the e46 m3 was.

Yet the E92 is widely regarded as more of the refined 'GT' car while the E46 M3 was more raw or race-car-like. To me the E92 was much more boring.

As I said, I found the feeling of the E46 M3 closer to my GT3 when compared to the E92 M3.

[1Cyrus]

Originally Posted by Azorean

You haven't said anything we already don't know but what seems lost on you is the character of the E46 M3. That was the point that some of us were trying to make.

..very well said...as i stated in my synopsis, the E92 is badass, but I love the style of the E46...and I don't give a shit what people on this forum say about handling issues...I know for a fact that when I hit 150 miles an hour on the Garden State Pkwy, and was slaloming around turns, that E46 felt MUCH more nimble than my E92