Seriously thinking about selling my e90 M3 for a e46 M3, convince me not to.

When I bought my E90 M3 used in 2011, I was a little concerned about potential repair costs, so I paid more for a CPO. Never had to use the warranty for any repair. And during those 3 years, the car was reliable, but I learned about potential rod bearing issues. So when the warranty ran out in 2014, I changed the rod bearings myself for about $500. If something is stressing you, fix or change if possible.

I miss my e46 .... I wanted to buy another one some day. I regret selling the one I had. And I loved my SMG trans. It was tastefully modded ... KW, HRE, Supersprint exhaust.

I would never sell my e92 and get a e46... I wanted to add a e46/to pair with my e92.

I've owned both and enjoyed both. Although the E46 felt a bit more agile, the SMG was not as smooth as the DCT. The V8 mated to my Borla exhaust was pretty sick, too.

I would keep it and drive it until the wheels fall off!

14_deltaM3 wrote

There’s nothing exciting about a Golf R. I tried and tried to love it, but could never do more than appreciate it, from afar.

I wouldn't go so far as saying they aren't exciting. Maybe I'm being biased as I recently purchased one. But they certainly aren't a replacement for an M.

I'm still on the hunt for an e90. And the Golf hasn't affected that one bit. Just know if you get one, you'll still want an M3.

I don't drive my e36 all that much anymore. But when I do, I grin from ear to ear. M cars do that. Yes even the lowly 36M. Don't do yourself a disservice and settle. You'll just end up right back here. Trust me I know.

-R-

Green SVT wrote

I wouldn't go so far as saying they aren't exciting. Maybe I'm being biased as I recently purchased one. But they certainly aren't a replacement for an M.

I'm still on the hunt for an e90. And the Golf hasn't affected that one bit. Just know if you get one, you'll still want an M3.

I don't drive my e36 all that much anymore. But when I do, I grin from ear to ear. M cars do that. Yes even the lowly 36M. Don't do yourself a disservice and settle. You'll just end up right back here. Trust me I know.

-R-

I loved my e36M. So balanced, so adjustable. So light.

I wouldn't. As mentioned above the e46 has it's fair share of problems from vanos to subframe cracking.

On the other side I would say the e9x series are some of the coolest as they are the only M3 generation with a v8. Get the issues addressed with it and have something truly unique.

NitroBiz wrote

I've had my '11.5 for almost two years now and I barely drive it. I guess I'm afraid of breaking something so it just sits in my garage. I wasn't always a fan of the e46 platform but over the past year or so they have really grown on me. I would love to get my hands on a '05 or '06 ZCP Carbon/Black SMG or manual that I can whip around town. Convince me that I'm crazy or I should just keep what I have.

wyatth wrote

I’m one of the biggest E46 fans on this forum, but if you’re afraid of something breaking on the E90 from use, stay far away from an E46.

OP, I own both and I agree 100% with what wyatth said. The E9X is a much much more solid built vehicle with far less well documented issues. Your logic behind getting into E46 to avoid breaking something on the E90 is much like trading in a toyota for a chevy for better relability.

My E92 M3 is 10 yrs and 130k kms old and dead reliable. Of course I had my rod bearings done at 90k kms.

I think you should sell it..

To me.

dmk08 wrote

I think you should sell it..

To me.

Make me an offer.

NitroBiz wrote

dmk08 wrote

I think you should sell it..

To me.

Make me an offer.

I'd keep that car OP but for curious what are the options and miles?

I've owned both at the same time, for a good amount of time. I know I've written about this before, so I'm curious as to what my thoughts were at the time. I think it really depends on what you want/need out of the car. For me, at the time, I needed a daily. Two ///M cars just wasn't practical so I sold the E46. Looking back the e46 felt more like a race car; less creature comforts, less refined, obviously less power...but interestingly, more engaging and maybe, dare I say, more fun. The e46 felt like you could have more fun at "legal" speeds, vs the e90. The E46 felt more nimble, more "playful" (sorry for the Chris Harris cliche). The e90 - more business, more direct, more..."dangerous" maybe? The risks were higher for sure.

As I said, I ended up keeping the E90 M3 as I needed a DD and the E46 just wasn't suited for that IMO. Coming from an F10 M5 now, which is completely NUMB until "you're going to jail" speeds, I think I'd choose the e90 M3 as a hoon around town car. If it was a track toy, I might take the e46.

Both cars were manual, btw. My two cents.

Oh and I agree about the e9x being more reliable. I had a few minor issues w/ the E46 in the time I owned it, don't think I had a single issue w/ the e90 (everything I did was elective).

I have made the decision since I need the money for lawyer fees since I am in a nasty custody case to sell my M3. I have it posted on Obsession Garage's marketplace and M3list.com if anyone is interested. It freaking pains me to put it up for sale!!

You'll enjoy the cracked subframe of E46 when you hit a pothole.

If you're not driving your e90 because you're worried about breaking something.. Don't get an e46.. They're alot more problematic and with their age, require a lot more attention.