E46 or E92...

[Antwan340i]

Hi! I hope to post this without causing too much conflict between then communities. After selling my stage 2 340i. I got a Tesla Model 3 Performance. I got bored so fast of the instant torque. So, after selling the tesla, I am now considering my next car. I was looking at F8x cars, but one, I don’t want a high car payment. Two, it seems anyone who has had a a F8x can never let go of the fact they sold their E46 or E92. I want a car I can drive a couple times a week and love. I don’t care about how fast my car goes 0-60 anymore. I have chased that number and it just gets numb after a while. So, which car would you buy? and why? My budget is about 30k

[Redd]

Well since you're in the E9x forums, I'm gonna say E92 lol.

To me E46 still has the most iconic M3 silhouette of all time. It has an awesome intake noise with a CF intake and is lighter and more nimble than the E92.

I've never owned an E46 but in my opinion, E92 is just an overall newer car - better in-car tech like navi, audio, soundproofing, comfort. More space, more practical just cos it's a larger car. I find my E92 M3 extremely comfortable even for long journeys. E92 with CF plenum has an awesome intake note, and an even more amazing exhaust noise (which E46 lacks). The DCT is just an all round better and more reliable gearbox than the SMG, plus DCT downshifts are second to none.

Reliability wise, both cars have their own quirks. I'd suggest you drive both and see which one speaks to you more.

[TboneS54]

Both. You can search, this topic has been beat to death.

Both are analogue enough- do you want more sophisticated and isolated or more fun/feelsome/"magical". Both have all these qualities, but one more than the other.

[nowayout]

I had a E46 and now a E92. With the cars you are coming from it sounds like you would like the E9X series better than the E46.

[1FastSicilian]

So I've owned 6 e46s... and finally jumped 2.5 years ago to an e92..

The e46 is truly iconic.. stunning to look at, can be fun to rip around town etc.. They say it's the best M car..

BUT.. it's built like shit. lol it's the shittiest nicest car ever made lol The amount of things you need to deal with on them to make them "good" is ridiculous.. Rodbearings, Vanos, Subframe, etc. Then you have to deal with the little things, peeling liners inside, random creaking, clutch delay valve,etc. and the list goes on..

Now if you want to mod it/ Track it, you need to worry about the RTAB pockets tearing, front sway bar mounts tearing etc.

Lastly, for $30k, you're not going to find an e46 that is truly in great shape and won't need anything..

If the "Big 3" were done, that was probably years ago and will need to be refreshed. If you do go this route, just find a car that was refreshed with bushings, mods, etc over the past 2-3 years.. and avoid all poly bushings on that car..

Any e46 you get into will need money invested into it..

The e92 is a better built car in my opinion, but does lack in some areas but truly excels in most places. You're better off getting into an e92 for low 20s, do the RB, TA and get yourself a nice tune.. You'll have a more headache free ownership experience.

[14_deltaM3]

Here’s some thoughts from someone who deeply wanted to buy an e46, but ended up getting an e36 m3 (286ho euro version) and then eventually moving to an e92 m3.

Before i bought the euro e36, I drove about 4 different e46s that were for sale near me.

At the end of the day, it’s an awesome car in its own right. Beautiful to look at and drive. But, they are not built to the same quality standard as the e92, and with the passage of time, are not materially more modern or improved in practicality and luxury vs the earlier e36.

Meaning: they need TONS is maintenance mechanically and aesthetically due to lower quality, and don’t feel any less compromised than an even older (and 200+ pounds lighter) e36. Back to back, I find an e36 a more memorable and fun to drive car than the e46, without any real additional compromise and with a $$$ savings too.

The e92 is a different animal - sophisticated to the max across all elements of its execution, and built to a formula that existed only for a short time in the car world (exceedingly aggressive race inspired technologies aligned to peak formula 1 flair, and harmony/symmetry in terms of speed, handling, luxury, sound and practicality). I adore my e92 and will only ever consider to replace it with a 911 991 or later, to achieve the same level of execution to my taste.

[kaiv]

I had a fantastic spec ZCP F80. Lasted a year. Just could not fall in love despite it being an objectively and measureably better car.
E46 and E9X M are keepers. They pull at my heart strings in a way newer cars just can't match. Get one of each if you can.

[ericxog]

I've owned 6 E46 M3's, and 5 E92 M3's.

Don't need to reiterate what has been said above.

Get the E92.

[Scrippy]

There is no beating around the bush….E9X wins. I am not saying I don’t love the E46 but I don’t want a V6. Yes I would add an E46 to my garage but I’d still drive my E92 way more. Both are great cars IMO and the only new Bimmer I’d buy would be an M2. All the others are just too chubby for my taste.

[TboneS54]

mmm that v6

[SSJVegita]

I'm sure you guys mean Inline 6 as it is not a V6 in the e46.

I won't deny that the E46 looks sexy, but I feel the E92 is just as sexy with the great balance of aggression and classiness. That plus the V8, enough said!

[TboneS54]

The S62 is more fun if what you really care about is the V8. And with the E39, you get the class and looks of the E46 era, but the more typical v8 experience.

Beyond looking incredible, the E46 can reach the "theater" levels of the e9x m3 when you do headers and csl airbox.

The E46 will never have the chassis and front end mechanical grip of the E9x.

E46 is still more fun, has more soul and magic. E9x is more serious, sophisticated, still the classic recipe of n/a, power steering, but a bit more isolated and ladened.

[SSJVegita]

The e39 v8 is great no doubt. But the main reason my love for the s65 is that redline and the scream which you wouldn’t get with the e39. Plus I personally liked the looks of the e92 more. But hey to each his own for sure.

[TboneS54]

Ya but how do you wind out the S65? Has to be on the track otherwise you're in very illegal territory very quickly.

S54 is a lot more fun. Even faster response, more torque for displacement, similar redline, very explosive (almost worrisome - is it going to explode?) crescendo of motorsport mania. S65 is smoother, not quite as visceral.

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by TboneS54

Ya but how do you wind out the S65? Has to be on the track otherwise you're in very illegal territory very quickly.

S54 is a lot more fun. Even faster response, more torque for displacement, similar redline, very explosive (almost worrisome - is it going to explode?) crescendo of motorsport mania. S65 is smoother, not quite as visceral.

I wind mine out every time I drive it. I usually only do it in 1st and 2nd (DCT). I'll give her more to do in empty areas.
You don't have to be breaking the law to have fun with the S65.

[TboneS54]

Only winding out 1st isn't that fun. Top of 2nd will have you doing illegal speeds, you can do it of course, I'm no angel myself, but that's about all you get before it's triple digits.

It's much much more fun to wind out an old little 4 banger on twisty roads than it is to do repeated "ludicrus" pulls in a tesla over and over in a straight line.

Must fun cars to actually drive on legal roads: Miata, s2000, e30/e36/e46 etc. Lightweight, feelsome, manual, powersteering.