The E46 M3 is more fun to drive than the E92 M3

[Radiation Joe]

Well it looks like a consensus.

We mostly all believe the e9x car are superior, but we still like the e46 M3 more.

[donovan]

I agree to the topic...

That is all..

[mdosu]

what you said is no different amongst all car enthusists for not just M3s.
Current generation of sports cars has gone "softer" and "heavier", brace for it, it'll get worse due to increasing safety standards and mpg requirements.

This topic is debated ad nausem with in the Evo, STi communities too.

[WRXXX]

I think most folks who own e46 M3's swear it is a better car in terms of involvement and "raw" factor think so because it was the car they started in. Therefore all of its characteristics are inbedded inside the owner's mind. By the time they move to the e92, owners think certain characteristics of the e46 are missing for example the "raw" feel and therefore assume the e92 is less involving. Heck all it could mean is the e46 was a rough/unrefined car next to a e92.

I'll bet that if you never driven or own an e46 and e92, the opinions would be different as to which is the better car after test driving them both back to back. That's what happen to me. I test drove and had a chance to buy a mint condition e46 and after test driving the e92 afterwards, the choice was obvious. E92 is far superior since it can run circles around the old car and still feel smooth as silk on the road. The old car was on no man's land because it was not refined enough to be a GT car. But then again it didn't hv the track focus arsenals in its pocket to be a dedicated track car either (unless u are talking about the CSL). At least with the e92 you can pin point it to be a GT. Not sure what to label the old one as.

[Poppin Fresh]

I owned an E46 M3 and while I agree on the tactile "rawness" of the car, the E92 M3 just gave me a better overall feedback while still being comfortable on a daily basis. I was not a fan of the rasp on the E46. The S65 just sounds glorious when it opens up.

[smmmurf]

Agreed, E46 M3 is much more fun to drive. Size, feel, character of engine. E90 is more refined and faster, but not more fun.

[Montoya]

Originally Posted by WRXXX

I think most folks who own e46 M3's swear it is a better car in terms of involvement and "raw" factor think so because it was the car they started in. Therefore all of its characteristics are inbedded inside the owner's mind. By the time they move to the e92, owners think certain characteristics of the e46 are missing for example the "raw" feel and therefore assume the e92 is less involving. Heck all it could mean is the e46 was a rough/unrefined car next to a e92.

I'll bet that if you never driven or own an e46 and e92, the opinions would be different as to which is the better car after test driving them both back to back. That's what happen to me. I test drove and had a chance to buy a mint condition e46 and after test driving the e92 afterwards, the choice was obvious. E92 is far superior since it can run circles around the old car and still feel smooth as silk on the road. The old car was on no man's land because it was not refined enough to be a GT car. But then again it didn't hv the track focus arsenals in its pocket to be a dedicated track car either (unless u are talking about the CSL). At least with the e92 you can pin point it to be a GT. Not sure what to label the old one as.

+1 from a former E46 and E36 owner. Even with Ground control suspension the E92 is superior. I agree that the E46 wasn't quite a sports car you could take to the track, nor a GT for long drives. The E92 is a GT that you can take to the track.

[GnokGnik]

I prefer the E46 M3 as well. I might get flak for this,

E46M3 >>E92M3>>E36M3.. never driven a E30.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by GnokGnik

I prefer the E46 M3 as well. I might get flak for this,

E46M3 >>E92M3>>E36M3.. never driven a E30.

I agree with this, and I, too, have never driven an E30. I think they're probably too unsafe to use on the street these days due to older chassis technology, lack of safety features, and small size.

The E36 felt like it would be fun with a better engine/tranny combination (it had the US 240hp I-6). The 240HP I-6 and 5spd are really not in the same league as the S54 or S65 which are pieces of art, but the size and the responsiveness of the car are really up there.

[Richbot]

The E46 M3 will always be one of the greats, but I can't think of a bad M car. Maybe the E36 'vert automatic

I'd love to own them all but if I have to pick one, I own it already, and that includes the GTS and CSL.

[urscrewed14]

Originally Posted by Krozi

The E30 M3 is more fun to drive than the E36 M3.

Haha, sounds about right... Who needs all those gadgets anyways? =P

[MUFCbmwbear]

Prefer the frozen grey. Hope BMW gives the US the forthcoming E90 evo, but probably not.

[Outfielddan]

I bought a new 1995 E36 M3, then I bought a new E46 M3, and I just traded the E46 for a used 2008 E90 M3 with 30,000 Mi. My comments:

E36: Not much comfort, pretty bare bones car, light, easily driven, but way too much understeer. Not enough power - I couldn't keep up with a Camero. Ok car, but not sorry to see it go. Smooth ride.

E46: Much more car, more luxury, much more power. Hard to drive smoothly - difficult to shift into first gear smoothly. Still way too much understeer. Faster, but still underpowered. Sounded like crap - like rattling tin cans were in the muffler. Interior hard finish materials decay with time and human touchpoints - had to replace all hard finsih elements on dash, doors. HARD riding car. Best exterior style - distinctive.

E90: Just got this car two weeks ago, looks brand new and saved over $20k buying used!. Much more car than E46, more luxury (extended red leather and carbon fiber trim - wow!). MUCH faster and MUCH better exhaust sound. Much easier to shift. Not so hard riding as E46, but still a little on the stiff side. Style is a little too subdued and less distinctive. I hate the I-drive, but I'm getting used to it.

Overall the E90 wins hands down for excitement and comfort. I love the feeling of the car in 5,000 - 8,000 rpm. It's just incredible - with more and more acceleration with each rpm. It's beautiful inside. The balance feels great. I have not autocrossed it yet, so I cannot comment about understeer, but reviews are that this car is totally neutral.

All cars had/have manual transmissions. Don't get the SMG E46! I tried it for a month and it sucked. Reports are that the new DCT is better, but still worse for driving than a manual because of throttle lag in the DCT.

[MotrsportM3]

I own all 4 generations of M3, and they are all my favorite in their own respect.

Comparing one to the other is really not fair. In each M3, there are particular aspects i love and hate....

[Auto Prestige Ltd]

Hello over there and if you can help me out. I am looking for an e46 M3 Body in very good condition. I really don't mind about the engine nor gearbox all I want is a good body with good suspension I can fit in an engine and gearbox. Any links to help me out? Thx

[cvstar9M3]

yall just gonna bring back decade old thread with ease just like that lol. Good thread though

[BlackDelta]

Interesting how you can replace E46 with E90, and E90 with F80/G80 in every single comment and the same sentiments ring regardless.

"While the F80/G80 is way faster, the E90 truly provides that raw driving experience you just don't get anymore"

[e90335e36m3]

E9x is way more fun to drive. No thanks to the torque-less wonder that is the E46. Sound has a lot to do with it as well, I don't want a raspy fartcan, my F82 makes that sound already.

[TboneS54]

Torque-less?

Think you got it backwards bro.

[Freiheit]

Originally Posted by e90335e36m3

E9x is way more fun to drive. No thanks to the torque-less wonder that is the E46. Sound has a lot to do with it as well, I don't want a raspy fartcan, my F82 makes that sound already.

Going from muscle cars to M3s in 1997, I was really stunned at how low the torque was. The tradeoff was high hp out of a comparatively smaller displacement through a much higher rev limit. Both the S54 and S65 are in this group. I drive my E92 just like my E46s - keep the rpm up, unless I'm stuck in commuter traffic.

The S54 rasp is a simple fix if you're not afraid to do a few hours of work: swap out the headers and section 1 and it goes away. Changing to a CAI helps even more. Prepared thusly, the S54 edges the S65 out on sound. Thats my opinion, of course, but I have more than a little experience with block-to-bumper exhaust changes on the E46.

Regarding your F82, I have yet to hear one that sounds good. I don't know if anything can be done for it.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Freiheit

Going from muscle cars to M3s in 1997, I was really stunned at how low the torque was. The tradeoff was high hp out of a comparatively smaller displacement through a much higher rev limit. Both the S54 and S65 are in this group. I drive my E92 just like my E46s - keep the rpm up, unless I'm stuck in commuter traffic.

The S54 rasp is a simple fix if you're not afraid to do a few hours of work: swap out the headers and section 1 and it goes away. Changing to a CAI helps even more. Prepared thusly, the S54 edges the S65 out on sound. Thats my opinion, of course, but I have more than a little experience with block-to-bumper exhaust changes on the E46.

Regarding your F82, I have yet to hear one that sounds good. I don't know if anything can be done for it.

Listen to this E46 21:15 in all the way past 21:40. The sound is incredible. Clearly the S54 is capable of sounding good.

The Throttle House video with the E90 M3 w/ modified exhaust vs the G80 M3 has my favourite S65 sounds also. Both cars can sound great and sonerous. S65 edges it out on downshift throttle blips though.