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      05-23-2016, 05:02 PM   #1
Mr Pete
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For those who own an E46 M3

I'm getting the itch again, and I can't stop scratching it! I've been searching for a low mileage manual E46 M3, preferably with comp package. EAG seems to have the best selection, though you are paying a premium, which I don't necessarily want to. But, if I'm getting a quality product back for what I'm paying, I guess you have to pay to play. I understand this is a niche market, but paying $15-18k more than KBB value.....

Anyways...how amazing is the E46 M3 to drive? I've only driven the SMG version, as I don't see the manual versions too often here in Colorado. I'll be honest, SMG sucks. But I could see the potential of the M3 if it was a manual. The feeling I had when I drove it, was that it was a more raw performance vehicle, moreso than my bloated rocket ship of an F80 .

If any of you kind ladies and gentleman could post some of your personal feedback and experiences with your E46 M3, I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks!
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      05-23-2016, 05:39 PM   #2
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What kind of feedback would you like? I have had both. F82 with 6mt and e46 with SMG.
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      05-23-2016, 06:07 PM   #3
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Just get an M2. Everything I have heard was the M2 = E46 M3
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      05-23-2016, 06:32 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AutoTalent View Post
What kind of feedback would you like? I have had both. F82 with 6mt and e46 with SMG.

Did you like the SMG? Anything you did not like about your E46 during your time of ownership? Cost of ownership?

SMG is cheaper, and can't really compare that to a DCT. And I feel like a E46 M3 manual would be so much fun to drive.
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      05-23-2016, 06:39 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWGroceryGetter View Post
Did you like the SMG? Anything you did not like about your E46 during your time of ownership? Cost of ownership?

SMG is cheaper, and can't really compare that to a DCT. And I feel like a E46 M3 manual would be so much fun to drive.
I settled on SMG because I could not find a manual. I hated it to be honest. The e46 is noticeably slower than the F82.

My SMG pump went bad within 3 months of buying.

I would stay patient and look out for a manual if that's what you want.
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      05-23-2016, 06:41 PM   #6
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There's 3 for sale in my neck of the woods on Craigslist. If you've got disposable income and understand the maintenance/pitfalls. Go for it!
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      05-23-2016, 06:48 PM   #7
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E46 M3 might be...is...the best looking M3 ever designed (imo). However, I did get to drive one recently expecting the world from it, bone stock, just wasn't impressed by it, felt really underpowered and sloshy. Call me crazy, I like the E92 much more.
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      05-23-2016, 06:59 PM   #8
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I also owned one, it was much more raw feeling, like everything amped up. It's hard to explain to people who haven't driven one. But if you own an F8x, it will be pretty underwhelming at this point.

Considering even my tuned 335i would blow it into the weeds and even keep up with it on the track.
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      05-23-2016, 08:24 PM   #9
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Thanks for the responses, guys!

Yea, it's definitely underpowered. But that's not a concern to me. Just everything about that car, something very appealing....and I've always wanted a E46, just couldn't afford it when it came out. I honestly think it's the best looking M3 produced.

Anyone have experience with EAG? They're my last resort, but I'd like to not go that route if I can save a bit haha

Last edited by Mr Pete; 05-23-2016 at 08:32 PM..
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      05-23-2016, 08:27 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chillindrdude View Post
There's 3 for sale in my neck of the woods on Craigslist. If you've got disposable income and understand the maintenance/pitfalls. Go for it!
Whereabouts are you? Hard to find a low mileage manual in good condition without paying a boatload for a 10+ year old car.
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      05-23-2016, 08:42 PM   #11
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Where in the southwest are you? If you're in SoCal, buy a low mileage SMG and use the money saved to have "Kaiv" over on M3Forum do a manual conversion for you! He had done a bunch of these conversions for guys when their SMG goes bad.

Last edited by XMetal; 05-23-2016 at 08:50 PM..
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      05-23-2016, 08:50 PM   #12
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Family has an e46 m3 convertible 6mt. It is a simple and raw car. Not the fastest anymore (though still very quick), but I will say you feel a lot more than in newer vehicles. The steering is also crazy direct and tight, on rails.
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      05-23-2016, 09:09 PM   #13
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For the last 5 years I've been trying to recapture the love I had for my 99 e36 m3. Sold it with 80k miles and picked up an e92 n54. Upgraded nearly everything I could within a year of ownership. Great car but still not an M. Found a very low mileage e46 m3 Mt. Owned it for a year and I missed the modern technology, sold it and picked up another e92 and I've since had two f30's and still contemplating picking up a 36 or 46 or even an e39 m. Looking back I wish I had just kept the 36 but if I picked one up again it would have to be a 2nd car not a daily and not a 2nd vehicle. I need a truck for my lifestyle but my desires belong to BMW. Having the earlier models leaves you wanting more technology and comfort. A modern model leaves you wanting more of a connected and in control driving experience.

Solution if possible, one of each.

I guess my suggestion would be to not buy at a price that you can't resell shortly after and not take a major loss because for me I feel like I'm trying to recapture magic that just isn't there anymore.

M2 - prove me wrong!
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      05-23-2016, 09:46 PM   #14
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just picked up a e46 m3. Totally in love with it. Its a different driving experience. Yes its slower than the F80 but the feel is different. I have the SMG and I don't have any complaints about it.
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      05-23-2016, 10:29 PM   #15
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Had two E46 M3's. It is the only BMW I still miss to this day. I too have been searching for one. They are rising in value. A low mileage manual, with the right color combo is difficult to find. EAG prices are crazy.
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      05-23-2016, 10:40 PM   #16
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I've had 2 E46 M3's the first one being SMG and the second 6 speed manual. Although I have to admit they look timeless exterior wise, the interior just feels dated and old. Also, daily driving I find the seats to be a bit uncomfortable and the car is dog on slow. Ended up selling it and picked up a E92 M3 and couldn't be happier, it has everything I want for a daily and that high revving V8.. If we were talking about a track toy, I might consider another E46.
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      05-24-2016, 12:12 AM   #17
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Those that said the E46 M3 is underpowered probably have NEVER wound that screaming inline 6 all the way up to the 8,000rpm redline.

The S54 makes plenty of power. What it lacks is LOW-END torque. The bulk of the power is delivered up top, and few engines pull all the way to the stratospheric deadline like the S54 does. And no matter what BMW tries to sell you, no turbo charged engine can match a NA engine with individual throttle bodies for responsiveness to throttle tip-in.

However, if you drive the car like a sedate sedan between idle and 3,000rpm, the 265 ft-lbs of torque doesn't come anywhere near the turbocharged engines BMW makes now. Then again, if all you're going to do is cruise the freeway at 70mph all day long, any M car is probably an overkill.

Take that E46 M3 to any local track and you'll understand.
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      05-24-2016, 12:43 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The HACK View Post
Those that said the E46 M3 is underpowered probably have NEVER wound that screaming inline 6 all the way up to the 8,000rpm redline.]
Underpowered isn't really the right word, since the car's power is more than adequate, but anyone who thinks a stock e46 m3 is anywhere close to fast hasn't driven or ridden anything fast lol.
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      05-24-2016, 01:37 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The HACK View Post
Those that said the E46 M3 is underpowered probably have NEVER wound that screaming inline 6 all the way up to the 8,000rpm redline.

The S54 makes plenty of power. What it lacks is LOW-END torque. The bulk of the power is delivered up top, and few engines pull all the way to the stratospheric deadline like the S54 does. And no matter what BMW tries to sell you, no turbo charged engine can match a NA engine with individual throttle bodies for responsiveness to throttle tip-in.

However, if you drive the car like a sedate sedan between idle and 3,000rpm, the 265 ft-lbs of torque doesn't come anywhere near the turbocharged engines BMW makes now. Then again, if all you're going to do is cruise the freeway at 70mph all day long, any M car is probably an overkill.

Take that E46 M3 to any local track and you'll understand.
+1 Just don't drive it like a lazy american.
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      05-24-2016, 10:20 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The HACK View Post
Those that said the E46 M3 is underpowered probably have NEVER wound that screaming inline 6 all the way up to the 8,000rpm redline.

The S54 makes plenty of power. What it lacks is LOW-END torque. The bulk of the power is delivered up top, and few engines pull all the way to the stratospheric deadline like the S54 does. And no matter what BMW tries to sell you, no turbo charged engine can match a NA engine with individual throttle bodies for responsiveness to throttle tip-in.

However, if you drive the car like a sedate sedan between idle and 3,000rpm, the 265 ft-lbs of torque doesn't come anywhere near the turbocharged engines BMW makes now. Then again, if all you're going to do is cruise the freeway at 70mph all day long, any M car is probably an overkill.

Take that E46 M3 to any local track and you'll understand.
You've listed all the reasons why I want the E46. The E46 would be a great compliment to my F80. And I can't even imagine what a track day in a E46 M3 would be like.

Thanks for all the responses guys! Really appreciate your opinions and experiences!
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      05-24-2016, 11:18 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes View Post
Underpowered isn't really the right word, since the car's power is more than adequate, but anyone who thinks a stock e46 m3 is anywhere close to fast hasn't driven or ridden anything fast lol.
If you can't go fast with the 333 HP of the E46 M3, a more powerful car isn't going to go faster IMO.

Is the E46 M3 going to set the world on fire and beat any of the small block V8 powered cars down a quarter mile? No, no likely. Neither will ANY BMW made in the last 20 years. But anyone that claims the E46 M3 isn't fast by any stretch of the imagination? I don't know how fast you need to go. The M3 hits 60 in ~4.5 seconds, tops out at 155 governed and 180 ungoverned. On the track in capable hands, a stock E46 M3 will run circles around most of its competition and hang with anything from Stuttgart outside of the Turbo and GTx variant.

Again, I will reiterate. If you don't know how to go FAST in an E46 M3, you probably shouldn't buy one in the first place. Stick with the 320i, or better yet, get a Prius.
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      05-24-2016, 11:24 AM   #22
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Much like the e90, you've got to rev it WAY up there to use the power.

Easily one of the most natural/progressive accelerations for any car that I've driven, the torque curve is perfectly linear almost to redline.

Car feels light and tossable, and it is. Room for 4 with a big boot, it's an amazing car.

Definitely get 6MT as the SMG was way too raw back then. Super clunky, almost embarrassingly difficult to use in auto mode at low speeds.

Cheers and good luck! Hound e46fanatics.com if you're looking for a well-maintained one!
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