E46 or e92

[yeah_knee]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

You could find an '08 with a lot less miles for not much more than that.

My budget is 26k out the door. So that even puts me in ?10-11 models almost

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by EricSMG

I've been debating this, also, for a couple years now. Now - let me preface this by saying that I'm only interested in street driving (fast city and canyon runs), but I've test driven about 7 or 8 E9X M3s and I haven't been wow'd. The low/mid power actually feels a little less 'punchy' than a healthy 46M. The S65's top end is killer, yes, but below say 6k rpm, my limited seat time in the E9X has shown me that there is little/no difference and if anything the 46M has more oomph in the 'middle' of the tach.

What am I missing? I really want to love the E9XM but it's not the big step up I thought it was. It's not faster on the street and it's only marginally more comfortable and so spending roughly twice the coin is hard to justify.

I guess my question is this for those who've owned both: which car, honestly, is more fun for general spirited street use?

The e9x makes a great daily. It doesn't beat you up with the 18s, seats are way better, dct works smoothly if that's your thing, it sounds incredible at any rpm with a mild exhaust, and when you want to be aggressive it's fully capable.

It sounds like you already know you prefer the 46, and if I remember correctly you already have 2! Try the power button on your next test drive, maybe it'll help you with getting to higher rpm faster

[Dr. Dre]

Dude, go with the e92. I drove mine yesterday after it sat for 3 weeks. It's awesome. I still haven't wound the thing to 8300 rpm. It's perfect. It won't beat you up just in normal driving. However, when you want it can become just a straight beast.

It's the perfect car for me. Great power. It's also last of the NA M3/M4. In only a few year China has prohibited the sale of the Internal Combustion Engine. Many European countries have followed. My point is you will never see an NA M3/M4.

It's not only the last NA M3 but the only v8.

[yeah_knee]

Originally Posted by Dr. Dre

Dude, go with the e92. I drove mine yesterday after it sat for 3 weeks. It's awesome. I still haven't wound the thing to 8300 rpm. It's perfect. It won't beat you up just in normal driving. However, when you want it can become just a straight beast.

It's the perfect car for me. Great power. It's also last of the NA M3/M4. In only a few year China has prohibited the sale of the Internal Combustion Engine. Many European countries have followed. My point is you will never see an NA M3/M4.

It's not only the last NA M3 but the only v8.

I think e92 m3 it is... that?s what I?m leaning towards

[EricSMG]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

The e9x makes a great daily. It doesn't beat you up with the 18s, seats are way better, dct works smoothly if that's your thing, it sounds incredible at any rpm with a mild exhaust, and when you want to be aggressive it's fully capable.

It sounds like you already know you prefer the 46, and if I remember correctly you already have 2! Try the power button on your next test drive, maybe it'll help you with getting to higher rpm faster

Thanks for this. I do have two (wife and I) currently and a few before. I don't DD my M3s so it's more about 'fun' for me. That said, I'm huge on good road manners and refinement and sometimes the 46 can be awful in this regard - it doesn't make a good DD, not by a long shot.

Originally Posted by yeah_knee

I think e92 m3 it is... that?s what I?m leaning towards

I think that makes the most sense if you're not very familiar with the 46M - they're getting old and can be quite needy.

[Megabrode]

To each his own. In my case, I drove a 2004 e46 M3 for 11 years before I got the 2011 e92 M3 last December. My only regret is the silver gray e46 was easier to keep looking clean than the jerez black e92. In every other way, my e92 is the superior vehicle and the right M for the next 11 years.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by Megabrode

To each his own. In my case, I drove a 2004 e46 M3 for 11 years before I got the 2011 e92 M3 last December. My only regret is the silver gray e46 was easier to keep looking clean than the jerez black e92. In every other way, my e92 is the superior vehicle and the right M for the next 11 years.

And a very nice well kept E92 you have indeed.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by EricSMG

I've been debating this, also, for a couple years now. Now - let me preface this by saying that I'm only interested in street driving (fast city and canyon runs), but I've test driven about 7 or 8 E9X M3s and I haven't been wow'd. The low/mid power actually feels a little less 'punchy' than a healthy 46M. The S65's top end is killer, yes, but below say 6k rpm, my limited seat time in the E9X has shown me that there is little/no difference and if anything the 46M has more oomph in the 'middle' of the tach.

What am I missing? I really want to love the E9XM but it's not the big step up I thought it was. It's not faster on the street and it's only marginally more comfortable and so spending roughly twice the coin is hard to justify.

I guess my question is this for those who've owned both: which car, honestly, is more fun for general spirited street use?

I think the E9X is a really huge step up from the E46. I still like both cars though.

Most of the time when someone tells me they are underwhelmed with the E9x they are comparing a stock, unloved E9X against a cream of the crop E46.

If you're ever in NY/CT you're welcome to drive one of mine, although now they have track suspension and stuff so they aren't good measuring sticks.

BTW, nice seeing you around here

[Obioban]

To to the OP, you asked this question on the e9X M3 forum, so everyone answering has chosen the e9X. Ask on the e46 M3 forum (M3forum.net), and you'd get very different set of answers.

As a compliment to an F10, the e46 makes more sense, imo-- is more different. Lighter, more visceral, more engaging. The e9Xs benefits are statistical speed (I say statistical because it feels slower at low/mid RPM) and more comfort/isolation-- desirable for some in a DD, but as a "fun car" complement to the F10, much less different.

And before anyone says my view is invalid because my e46 M3 is 30XX lbs and 430 hp, that's my weekend M3. My DD M3 wagon is stock M3 weight/power (including feeling identical to driving my brothers bone stock m3 coupe)-- so I'm getting 30,000 miles/year of stock e46 m3 driving experience!

As for the e46 DSC, since people keep mentioning that-- you can flash M track mode from the CSL on the e46's MK60 DSC unit (for free), which lets you get quite sideways without intervention (or learn to drive and turn DSC off instead using the crutch). If you're willing to pay, you can have the program BMW ran on their race cars in races flashed on it. Lots of Porsche race cars retrofit the e46's MK60 because it gives them a competitive advantage.

Per BMW, the curb weight difference between them is 234 lbs. BMW's curb weights are "as typically equipped", and option loads and mods do change the weight comparison between any two individual cars. But, that can work both ways. My e46 coupe should be under 3000 lbs, with full interior and a quiet muffler, before this spring. Doesn't mean the average e9X M3 is 600 lbs heavier than the average e46 :P. The average weight between two typically equipped cars should be 234lbs.

My issues with the e9X are...
-The car feels too big on the road when really pushing it (I dislike this in my M5 as well)
-the car feels slower until you start pushing quite hard, at which point you're going too fast for public roads
-the interior feels cheaper/crappier and isn't driver oriented
-I strongly dislike iDrive
-working on it sucks compared to the older cars (main reason I sold my e9X and replaced it with the e46 M3 wagon)

All that said, you shouldn't be basing this on other peoples opinions-- drive both, get the one you enjoy driving more.

[Supercar Ace]

I have an E46 M3 and had an E90 M3 concurrently for 3 months. I personally prefer the E46. Both are amazing machines, but I love the look of the E46 more and the E46 feels more agile than the E90. Both are good choices, but for me the E46 is a little more compact, a little more old school and overall more my style.

[DSilk]

Originally Posted by Obioban

To to the OP, you asked this question on the e9X M3 forum, so everyone answering has chosen the e9X. Ask on the e46 M3 forum (M3forum.net), and you'd get very different set of answers.

As a compliment to an F10, the e46 makes more sense, imo-- is more different. Lighter, more visceral, more engaging. The e9Xs benefits are statistical speed (I say statistical because it feels slower at low/mid RPM) and more comfort/isolation-- desirable for some in a DD, but as a "fun car" complement to the F10, much less different.

And before anyone says my view is invalid because my e46 M3 is 30XX lbs and 430 hp, that's my weekend M3. My DD M3 wagon is stock M3 weight/power (including feeling identical to driving my brothers bone stock m3 coupe)-- so I'm getting 30,000 miles/year of stock e46 m3 driving experience!

As for the e46 DSC, since people keep mentioning that-- you can flash M track mode from the CSL on the e46's MK60 DSC unit, which lets you get quite sideways without intervention (or learn to drive and turn DSC off instead using the crutch).

Per BMW, the curb weight difference between them is 234 lbs. BMW's curb weights are "as typically equipped", and option loads and mods do change the weight comparison between any two individual cars. But, that can work both ways. My e46 coupe should be under 3000 lbs, with full interior and a quiet muffler, before this spring. Doesn't mean the average e9X M3 is 600 lbs heavier than the average e46 :P. The average weight between two typically equipped cars should be 234lbs.

My issues with the e9X are...
-The car feels too big on the road when really pushing it (I dislike this in my M5 as well)
-the car feels slower until you start pushing quite hard, at which point you're going too fast for public roads
-the interior feels cheaper/crappier and isn't driver oriented
-I strongly dislike iDrive
-working on it sucks compared to the older cars (main reason I sold my e9X and replaced it with the e46 M3 wagon)

All that said, you shouldn't be basing this on other peoples opinions-- drive both, get the one you enjoy driving more.

How did you get an e46 M3 wagon in the US? Only the coupe and convertible were sold here.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by DSilk

How did you get an e46 M3 wagon in the US? Only the coupe and convertible were sold here.

That's true in europe as well, outside of one (never sold) development car at M.

But, several have been built after the fact.

[yeah_knee]

Getting a PPI on the car Wednesday

[DSilk]

Originally Posted by Obioban

That's true in europe as well, outside of one (never sold) development car at M.

But, several have been built after the fact.

I would love to see photos of yours. Was yours transitioned from an e90 or an e92?

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by yeah_knee

The particular car I found has Jerez black exterior with fox red interior! Sick combo... looks super clean too. Not many dings or scratches

Dealership told me I can have a pre inspection at a shop of my liking. I think that?s my next step

Dont buy an 08 unless you have to. I owned an 08 and an 11.. the difference in build quality was insane. Also the 08 has a very old nav system at this point.

[DSilk]

Originally Posted by dmk08

Dont buy an 08 unless you have to. I owned an 08 and an 11.. the difference in build quality was insane. Also the 08 has a very old nav system at this point.

So does virtually EVERY used car. Use mapquest or waze on your phone. They are contunually updated, cost nothing, and are far more effective than any in-dash system you will find in a car.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by DSilk

So does virtually EVERY used car. Use mapquest or waze on your phone. They are contunually updated, cost nothing, and are far more effective than any in-dash system you will find in a car.

The iDrive in BMW controls a lot more than the nav though.. just saying if the choice is there I wouldn't buy an 08. No offense as I see you own one. I did once too

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by DSilk

I would love to see photos of yours. Was yours transitioned from an e90 or an e92?

e46.

Link to my journal on it in my sig, but photobucket has nuked most the pictures.

[Dr. Dre]

If you can find a decent E46 your going to pay as much or more than an E9x. E9x is much more car.

[EricSMG]

Originally Posted by Dr. Dre

If you can find a decent E46 your going to pay as much or more than an E9x. E9x is much more car.

Not quite - a good condition, middle-of-the-market moderate-mileage 46M will you run you around 20k. That's the sweet spot for it. Most of the super high asking prices you see are either A) dreamers, or B) ultra low mileage/rare spec/6MT cars or C) both, and, most of those cars sit for a long time.

That same middle-of-the-market E9XM will run 30k plus. That's 50% more again, on average.

Now - the E9XM may indeed be much more car and so if you're looking at a $30k 46M you'd be a fool not to at least consider an E9XM in the same price range, to your point.

[GVIFlyer]

Originally Posted by Obioban

To to the OP, you asked this question on the e9X M3 forum, so everyone answering has chosen the e9X. Ask on the e46 M3 forum (M3forum.net), and you'd get very different set of answers.

As a compliment to an F10, the e46 makes more sense, imo-- is more different. Lighter, more visceral, more engaging. The e9Xs benefits are statistical speed (I say statistical because it feels slower at low/mid RPM) and more comfort/isolation-- desirable for some in a DD, but as a "fun car" complement to the F10, much less different.

And before anyone says my view is invalid because my e46 M3 is 30XX lbs and 430 hp, that's my weekend M3. My DD M3 wagon is stock M3 weight/power (including feeling identical to driving my brothers bone stock m3 coupe)-- so I'm getting 30,000 miles/year of stock e46 m3 driving experience!

As for the e46 DSC, since people keep mentioning that-- you can flash M track mode from the CSL on the e46's MK60 DSC unit (for free), which lets you get quite sideways without intervention (or learn to drive and turn DSC off instead using the crutch). If you're willing to pay, you can have the program BMW ran on their race cars in races flashed on it. Lots of Porsche race cars retrofit the e46's MK60 because it gives them a competitive advantage.

Per BMW, the curb weight difference between them is 234 lbs. BMW's curb weights are "as typically equipped", and option loads and mods do change the weight comparison between any two individual cars. But, that can work both ways. My e46 coupe should be under 3000 lbs, with full interior and a quiet muffler, before this spring. Doesn't mean the average e9X M3 is 600 lbs heavier than the average e46 :P. The average weight between two typically equipped cars should be 234lbs.

My issues with the e9X are...
-The car feels too big on the road when really pushing it (I dislike this in my M5 as well)
-the car feels slower until you start pushing quite hard, at which point you're going too fast for public roads
-the interior feels cheaper/crappier and isn't driver oriented
-I strongly dislike iDrive
-working on it sucks compared to the older cars (main reason I sold my e9X and replaced it with the e46 M3 wagon)

All that said, you shouldn't be basing this on other peoples opinions-- drive both, get the one you enjoy driving more.

De gustibus. I've had two E93s and my present E92 DCT ZCP since I sold my E46 M3. I don't miss the E46 with all of its associated issues: rear subframe cracking, VANOS problems, and rod end bearing recall.

Is this your E46 M3 Touring?

[Munichm3]

Originally Posted by GVIFlyer

De gustibus. I've had two E93s and my present E92 DCT ZCP since I sold my E46 M3. I don't miss the E46 with all of its associated issues: rear subframe cracking, VANOS problems, and rod end bearing recall.

Is this your E46 M3 Touring?
Attachment 1696275

Attachment 1696279

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Attachment 1696281

That’s a one off bmw made and never released. He just used an e46 touring shell and put the s54 in it.