E9x M3 vs. E46 M3 Driving Experience (2021 Edition)

[14_deltaM3]

Top Gear posted the best ever M car list: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/top...ver-bmw-m-cars

Don’t agree with all the choices, but a great showing for the e92.

Spoiler alert- it’s placed above the e46

[TboneS54]

That list is a joke. While the z3 is cool looking and popular, it's a pile.

Also, the E46 was #1, so I'm not sure what you mean.

[14_deltaM3]

Originally Posted by TboneS54

That list is a joke. While the z3 is cool looking and popular, it's a pile.

Also, the E46 was #1, so I'm not sure what you mean.

The e46 m3 is down the order. The M3 CSL, a limited run special that never came to the US, was what came out number 1.

The z3m coupe is a limited run special that is extremely sought after and held out by experienced owners as pinnacle M.

[G80indy]

Have to say….
Our Z3 is a hoot !

[TboneS54]

Originally Posted by 14_deltaM3

The e46 m3 is down the order. The M3 CSL, a limited run special that never came to the US, was what came out number 1.

The z3m coupe is a limited run special that is extremely sought after and held out by experienced owners as pinnacle M.

You don't have a clue.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by 330indy

Have to say….
Our Z3 is a hoot !

yea they are nice little go karts, but that semi trailing arm rear suspension is the biggest drawback for me.

[mwat]

Glad to see Obioban post on this thread a few times, for those who don't know he's like E46 M3 royalty, been around for a LONGGGG time.

RIP E46forums

Anyway, my contribution after owning an E46 M3 for 10 years to the date is that it's an amazing car that has cost me an astronomical amount of money to maintain, but I wouldn't have it any other way. The S65 downshifts though....

[Lucky1]

Which car in stock form is quieter and more comfortable?

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Which car in stock form is quieter and more comfortable?

E9x.

The e9x is the most comfortable of all M3 generations.

Either the e46 or f8x is the harshest.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Obioban

E9x.

The e9x may be the most comfortable of all M3 generations.

Either the e46 or f8x is the harshest.

I bought the right car for me for now then!

[TboneS54]

Agreed. The e90 (non comp) felt like a 328i to me when I first got it. Didn't feel like an m3 until I modified the exhaust and suspension, and got rid of the wood trim for brushed alu.

[tlow98]

I think this trade off for me Comes down to use case.

On the road, I prefer the lower limits of the e46 M3. It’s simple for me - it’s just more fun to push on the road with the lower limits. With the e90 m3 I just don’t want to go that fast. It feels irresponsible.

On the track, I prefer an e90 stock for stock. It has more grip and feels like another level of drivetrain precision.

But since I drive on the road a lot more… it’s the e46 for me. I love the technical sophistication of the e90 M, but I just get to utilize it so rarely that I’m much less interested in owning for street use.

EDIT: I’ll prolly own an e90 M at some point and say the same thing about it va newer cars still. Don’t hate :-)

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by 14_deltaM3

The e46 m3 is down the order. The M3 CSL, a limited run special that never came to the US, was what came out number 1.

The z3m coupe is a limited run special that is extremely sought after and held out by experienced owners as pinnacle M.

What’s lovely about this is that it’s just all too easy to replicate the CSL these days. Of course to go 100% CSL is hard, but the air box plus some minor other bits (exhaust, and tune) and you are a big step toward the overall experience for a few $k.

The s65/e90 is starting to get to this point now, too. A Carbon airbox would be a nice adder to the experience I suspect. It’s a shame the 4.4L is so tough to do :-) or at least tough to do at a reasonable price.

[TboneS54]

many top e46 builds are now better than real csl now lol

which underlines one of the E46's biggest +s - the massive aftermarket (plus csl parts ofc)

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by Price Police

Smg is the Achilles heel of the e46. So bad so sad.

I’ve never driven it tho, never have never will.

While I'd never own any automatic (and converted my SMG M5 to 6MT before even driving it), SMG is the automatic I dislike least-- because it drives the most like a manual. You actually have to put effort into smoothing out shifts, etc, in the exact way you would if you were manually shifting the gears.

That said, the e46 M3 is pretty unique in that the automatic and 6MT are the same transmission-- so every SMG e46 M3 can be converted to 6mt by removing the shifting hydraulics and adding a shift lever/return springs/clutch pedal.

[bogotaM3]

Originally Posted by 14_deltaM3

Top Gear posted the best ever M car list: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/top...ver-bmw-m-cars

Don’t agree with all the choices, but a great showing for the e92.

Spoiler alert- it’s placed above the e46

Thanks, this was a great read.

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by 14_deltaM3

Top Gear posted the best ever M car list: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/top-gear-advice/these-are-50-best-ever-bmw-m-cars

Don’t agree with all the choices, but a great showing for the e92.

Spoiler alert- it’s placed above the e46

😂 Great read, thanks for sharing

[PYE46M3]

Originally Posted by 14_deltaM3

Top Gear posted the best ever M car list: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/top...ver-bmw-m-cars

Don’t agree with all the choices, but a great showing for the e92.

Spoiler alert- it’s placed above the e46

Oh so you're saying the #1 car on the list doesn't identify as an E46?

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by PYE46M3

Oh so you're saying the #1 car on the list doesn't identify as an E46?

It’s funny/sad that the best version of the e90 M3 (for my wants, anyway) is #42.

[Z K]

The e90 stock was pretty soft and comfortable. With coilovers, it completely changed the car into something closer to a e46 in terms of nimbleness and that "go kart" feeling. That said, someone driving on the street would enjoy the stock e9x M3 more because of its refinement. You don't want a stiff go kart for every day. My e90 M3 became my weekend car so I've changed it into something track focused.

In terms of speed, handling, track times - the e90/92 is faster all around when stock and modified.

[GeorgeA]

Originally Posted by Obioban

It’s funny/sad that the beat version of the e90 M3 (for my wants, anyway) is #42.

Nothing on that list makes sense. The “Bad” for E90 M3 says “V8 engine and twisty roads will make passengers want to vomit”…. Why is that specifically an E90 problem??

Also calls the S65 a soul-less engine 😂

[911r]

Originally Posted by GeorgeA

Nothing on that list makes sense. The “Bad” for E90 M3 says “V8 engine and twisty roads will make passengers want to vomit”…. Why is that specifically an E90 problem??

Also calls the S65 a soul-less engine 😂

Yeah, that was absurd to read. 12:1 compression, ITBs, small displacement V8, 8200-8600rpm. One of three production cars ever made to get a V8 with ITBs? I get not liking the car, but how could anyone not like the engine!