Best ///M3?

[Cool Steel]

Well this poll is shaping up to be just like a race in real life. DCT in the lead and the MT desperately trying to keep up..

[SilentAttack]

Yeah maybe you should have left the MT and Auto stuff out of it. Im sure the E9x would have won because thats what most of us drive..

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by SilentAttack

Yeah maybe you should have left the MT and Auto stuff out of it. Im sure the E9x would have won because thats what most of us drive..

That is what most of us drive but it's not like we don't have a choice. Anyone one of us could go out and get an E46 or E36....etc. But the E9x is the best M3 to date from a raw performance perspective. This is not the only reason people buy car though. Some buy for looks(totally subjective), some for the uniqueness, or rarity of a particular car as well.

If you put great emphasis on rarity, the E30 wins hands down, especially if you like the looks(which I do). But, for me it just does not have quite enough performance. The E36 is the least desireable IMO. The fit finish was not as good as the E46 nor was the performance. The E9x really hit the pinnacle or sweet spot for me. It really stepped it up performance-wise (look at my sig: link/quote). Though it is not as rare as the E30, there were quite a few less E9x produced than E36/46. In fact 33% less E9x's on the road than the E46 which didn't even have a sedan option. So, most impressive performance we've seen with lower production numbers. The best fit/finish and materials of any generation as well.

Like I pointed out before, there is only 14,766 manual E92's in the world. Less than the E30 total (available w/ manual only). And only 6,235 in US/CAN. This car is a total keeper!

M3 production numbers history:

[M3ZCP6MT]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

That is what most of us drive but it's not like we don't have a choice. Anyone one of us could go out and get an E46 or E36....etc. But the E9x is the best M3 to date from a raw performance perspective. This is not the only reason people buy car though. Some buy for looks(totally subjective), some for the uniqueness, or rarity of a particular car as well.

If you put great emphasis on rarity, the E30 wins hands down, especially if you like the looks(which I do). But, for me it just does not have quite enough performance. The E36 is the least desireable IMO. The fit finish was not as good as the E46 nor was the performance. The E9x really hit the pinnacle or sweet spot for me. It really stepped it up performance-wise (look at my sig: link/quote). Though it is not as rare as the E30, there were quite a few less E9x produced than E36/46. In fact 33% less E9x's on the road than the E46 which didn't even have a sedan option. So, most impressive performance we've seen with lower production numbers. The best fit/finish and materials of any generation as well.

Like I pointed out before, there is only 14,766 manual E92's in the world. Less than the E30 total (available w/ manual only). And only 6,235 in US/CAN. This car is a total keeper!

M3 production numbers history:

Attachment 909077

GREAT info

[Someone?]

I went to the Drag track today and i know the M3 isnt a drag car, But even being a DCT lover a MT M3 is A lot faster at the drag track im sure, i was disappointed in my DCT at the drag track, even tho i had the Launch control set to 3500rpm still couldn't use it, so it was useless IMO had to run in M mode w/euro MDM and best i could run was a sucky as hell 12.74@111, Boooo a MT probably could have ran in the low 12's, im ticked off, and i have Dinan intake, pulley, and BPM Tune, im pissed.

[Jay-K]

never had those cars.. but i'd pick E30 M3. since its priced so high here around 80000$

[Soorena]

E46 Hands down. E92 is nice, but E46 >> E92.
E30 is overrated. Great piece of BMW history, but again it's overrated.
E36 is awesome and could be a lot more loved if it had a real M engine (S50) in US. That didn't happen unfortunately/

[KKM3]

I think it's safe to assume the vast majority of forum members have never owned or driven an e36 or e30 m3. If they did, we would see far different results IMO.

[Cool Steel]

Originally Posted by ibmike

I went to the Drag track today and i know the M3 isnt a drag car, But even being a DCT lover a MT M3 is A lot faster at the drag track im sure, i was disappointed in my DCT at the drag track, even tho i had the Launch control set to 3500rpm still couldn't use it, so it was useless IMO had to run in M mode w/euro MDM and best i could run was a sucky as hell 12.74@111, Boooo a MT probably could have ran in the low 12's, im ticked off, and i have Dinan intake, pulley, and BPM Tune, im pissed.

Factually proven the MT is approximately two tenths slower with professional drivers. With non professionals this gap widens significantly. MT wont help you it is factually slower.

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

I wish the Poll was just 4 choices. E30, E36, E46, E9X. Leave the MT, SMG, DCT debate out of it.

I never drove a DCT so how could I know!?

[Someone?]

Originally Posted by SilentAttack

Yeah maybe you should have left the MT and Auto stuff out of it. Im sure the E9x would have won because thats what most of us drive..

Yah combine um and the e92 is at 76.05%

[SilentAttack]

Originally Posted by ibmike

Yah combine um and the e92 is at 76.05%

E9x.. I like my 4 door rocket

[M3ZCP6MT]

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

My favorite M3 is the E92 CSL that BMW never built...and certainly wouldn't have brought Stateside if they did.

US always get short changed

[03BeastCharmer]

I voted E46 6sp, but it depends on how you define "best". I think the E46 is the best all around.

E30 - Best feel, but is now slow compared to modern cars.
E36 - Best autocross car because of light weights and decent power.
E46 - Best back road/daily use car.
E9x - Monster at high speed tracks, painful at the pump, getting big in size.

E46 hits the sweet spot.

[M3ZCP6MT]

Originally Posted by 03BeastCharmer

I voted E46 6sp, but it depends on how you define "best". I think the E46 is the best all around.

E30 - Best feel, but is now slow compared to modern cars.
E36 - Best autocross car because of light weights and decent power.
E46 - Best back road/daily use car.
E9x - Monster at high speed tracks, painful at the pump, getting big in size.

E46 hits the sweet spot.

You have a great M3 garage, E30, E36 & E92

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by M3ZCP6MT

You have a great M3 garage, E30, E36 & E92

Wheres the GTS? Big winner here.

[M三]

GTS in US? That will be sweet.

[wanesso]

So Easy; the e92 V8 M3 with 6 speed MT. Never a better car was built.

[Law]

E46 M3 is the best of all worlds.
Still, all M3's are good cars, but M3's are a must have with a manual trans!

[M3ZCP6MT]

Originally Posted by Law

...all M3's are good cars, but M3's are a must have with a manual trans!

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by Chill72

Where is the new M3/4 option?

I would say on looks alone it would easily win this poll.

Naaah
The f80 looks like a comic book character, like superman.
J/K
It will grow on all of us
Just like the e92 did on the hardcore e46 guys

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by Soorena

E46 Hands down. E92 is nice, but E46 >> E92.
E30 is overrated. Great piece of BMW history, but again it's overrated.
E36 is awesome and could be a lot more loved if it had a real M engine (S50) in US. That didn't happen unfortunately/

Actually the e92 is much more capable than the e46