The Legendary E46 BMW M3: I Can't Be The Only One Who Thinks This...
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- Опубликовано: 4 июл 2024
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Today I revisit the mighty BMW E46 M3. Having owned one in the past, and reviewed several, it is a car that has always disappointed - but have I been too harsh on it? Let's find out today with this nicely cared for example
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I call the BMW E46 M3 the G O.A.T. 🐐 Ever produced in the BMW Family. 🙌😎👍
This era of BMW was great, the styling was pretty much bang on.
Style wise, they're fantastic
@@JayEmmOnCars Shame I didnt age as well as this beemer
Not Bang-gle…
@@derekschipper8721 Yeah Bangle era divides people greatly.
@@derekschipper8721 💯
E38, E39 & E46 was peak Bmw
But E 82 1m is one of the best car bmw ever made
@@kevinsetiawan2147 N54 LoL
E31 those pop up headlights
E36 and e34 the best ever Rip Giorgi tevzadze
E46 330d coupe owner, here. 10 years and over 100K miles of ownership and I love the car as much as rhe day I bought it. Im never selling.
The M57 is perhaps the most solid engine BMW ever made.
Me either I’ve got e39 530 owned since 2008 best car I’ve ever bought
Overrated? Absolutely.
Still amazing? Alsolutely.
Will be more and more overrated(but more like in a deserved way) seeing BMW-s new design route...Newest BMW's are ugly AF with their enormous grilles.
@@user-ym5mw8ft6d The E9 was a perfect design, the E46 looks just like a Rover of the same period
@@jean-charlesweyland129tell me which rover you’re referring to 😂
@@ThrottleBody a 93-96 200 coupé without the rear spoiler and the two part grill
@@jean-charlesweyland129 Yeah no.
Nowhere near an M3, but I have a low mileage pre facelift E46 330i Touring in Silver. It has all the extras (black leather, cruise control, heated seats, parking sensors). Perfect second car, it can do anything and is fun to drive and sounds great. Not the fastest car by any measure, but still powerful enough to enjoy. Will never sell it.
I've recently got a 330i touring for some road tripping & its perfect. 6 cylinder note, manual (even if it's so loose it feels like stirring soup), comfortable on the motorway cruising but also perfectly capable navigating overgrown Welsh valleys & the boot is genuinely big enough to sleep in if you put the rear seats down. Its not modern day "quick" but perfectly adequate for most UK traffic & overtaking you might require.
@@R03333If you feel so inclined at some point to remove the gearbox (or have to for a clutch replacement), the sloppy gearchange issue is easily fixed by replacing the several rubber bushes external to the gearbox. Did it on my E85 3.0 Z4 (essentally the same car) and it transformed it.
Got the same touring in silver 😂 for the trips with the familly. Love it!
Nice bro
Couldn’t agree more. Love my 30i manual touring. SE spec with sport seats. Maximum comfort but with maximum power. 🎉
Visually it's still a beautiful looking car.....BMW, pleeeeeease take note! 😢😔
The BMW designers are all well aware of the E46 and continue in their current trajectory.
Even if they paid attention design wise - engineering would still be "lease don't buy".
It's a 3 box Euro sedan - nothing that amazing.
Last truly great design they did IMO.
@@rckrckrckrck F80 M3 CS looks better than this does. I'd even say the later LCI E92 M3s look better than the E46 M3 does.
Drove one of these on my favourite twisty road and was blown away - stunning car.
Then I drove a 997 Carrera on the same road and realised the BMW couldn’t hide its humble family car origins.
Still want one - that classic BMW’ness is just so right.
Same, except i drove a 996 Carrera 4S and it made the M3 feel like a normal 3 Series afterwards.
Bronze Bola reps on a 46 M3 should be illegal.
As an owner of a coupe manual E46 M3 for many years and i have no intention of selling i can admit that it's by no means a perfect car in standard form but...and it's a big but....just owning one puts a smile on my face and they sound and look great, they are high maintenance but any performance car of this era you can pretty much say the same and the odd big bill will arise but general maintenance really isn't that bad, when i first got mine i found it abit underwhelming at slow speed and wondered what the fuss was about, these are cars to be driven fast and they really come alive, keep it over 3000 revs and it's a stunner, not a perfect car but a special one imo.
If you enjoy, that's all that matters
@@Angus_____ Coupe and convertible
@@Angus_____ no convertible aswell
What? A convertible is not a coupe. Sure it has 2 doors but the top comes off. Just as different as if it had 4 doors.
Couldn’t agree more, every drive in mine is an event
I had a E46 M3 that got stolen and insurance payed out so i got a real cheap E36 M3 4 door in bland silver with a blown motor ,happen to have a Nissan RB25DET aqnd a R33 box lying around so it got jammed in the E36 with a bigger turbo and Haltech ECU ,now i got a reliable non vanos RB that pumps 290 kw at the rears all day every day ,its happy to do traffic no worries or out on the back roads ripping it up at night ,Its actually a better chassis that handles way more than my old S13 Silvia ,great channel that i watch here in New Zealand
What's the channel mate?
@@Sawubona2007 I was refering to this channel lol
@@mrivantchernegovski3869 ah whoops 🙏
RB25det is an amazing engine!
I have no idea what you just said
I've owned mine for 5 years now, spent over 3 years getting it back up to scratch. I've spent well over £10k on it to get it up to spec. A year ago it all finally come together and drove it on track. All the money, pain and stress was well worth it. It's incredible.
No matter where I go, it attracts everyone from all different age groups. The amount of people I've met through this car and hobby is incredible.
Good. May I ask you: How many of these people are now your "friends"?
@@jmsjms296 The trip we just went on, 15 were friends made from cars/groups since owning the Bmw. 10 of those were on the previous couple of trips. Outside of the trip I speak to most every week, if not daily. It’s a great community 👍
@@m3ooyay Great! Enjoy 💕
Nostalgia is a helluva drug
Had an E36 version years ago and you're right about always needed something . Found a local specialist who's colleague once joked that he was glad I was in the workshop again as he needed a bit more money for a holiday. Running right it was lovely.
Love the sound of E46's that raspy metallic sound is just something else.
And so unique!
My E46 was fantastically reliable but my E36 was much more fun.
This ^ !
They're not all that reliable if you're buying one now, you have to remember they're classic cars. I get a new issue with mine every week and that's after overhauling just about everything.
@@user-ue6iv2rd1n well yeah, thats to be expected. Both my E36 and E46 were final year versions so were about as sorted as they were going to be
@@user-ue6iv2rd1n Exactly, one word... PLASTIC.
Got a e46 330ci Coupe in silver... Just makes me miss my 1986 totally standard 2.8i original wedge shaped supra... Two fingers on the steering any speed turns instantly... Super smooth ride No body roll... Blip the throttle and tug the steering resulted in an instant wheel spinning 180 turn from a standstill or just hold the throttle for doughnuts... Had it 12 years everything always worked....
I was going to comment before watching, I waited! I have owned mine for 10 years, it has eaten my wallet annually and exactly as you said when it wasn’t having major surgery I was doing the brakes, suspension the csl air box etc. recently the rear arches had to be cut out and re fabricated, this was a huge bill…. The thing is i own and have owned far greater cars, I’m so upside down in this one I wouldn’t let it go. Would I change any of this no, I love cars I have enjoyed the process with mine. Owning my perfect e46 m3 gives me so much joy. Buyers beware!!!!
At least the owner has done the right thing here. The best noise in an E46 comes from the front, and the worst comes from the back.
Sadly most E46 owners seem to have not got the message and drive around everywhere sounding like a pissed off wasp in a tin can.
When these first came out I thought they sounded stupid, like a rattling heat shield. As time went on, I started to like that buzzy sound 😅
I had a set up(check on channel) that sounded almost like some sort of exotic but its very very easy to fuck it up. With muffler alone you have a honda civic. Same with headers alone. But with right headers and right muffler you have something unreal haha
The actual CSL replica boxes make one of the best affordable sounds in the automotive world. Takes a flat plane V8 to outdo them, at least in my opinion.
@@y2ksierra no any V8 NA can out do them. Cannot beat a V8 sound
@@gmain1977 so much beats a V8 .. to name a few
Any Rotary
Any inline 6
Any inline 5
Any v10
Any vr6
When you hit the "sport" button, an entire world appears...
And I love how it vibrates at the stoplights... It's ALIVE...
Totally agree and this has been my view for 20 years.
I was a 36 fanboy, my uncle had a modified one growing up, wide arches and all. I remember the article in EVO, I remember the front cover, and I was in awe... I was now a 46 fanboy, it had the same wide arches we put on my uncles 36
Then I drove one. Maybe I was used to "harder" cars but it felt very ordinary. Good, but not special. The engine is a sensation but it felt over hyped
The 36 was smaller, more wieldy, more compact, underrated
Exactly. The E36 is much better to drive. Its more hunkered down and more nimble.
Although, having said that, both the E46 and E36 really needs to be driven hard to be enjoyable. Driven hard in the dry, they're awesome.
If you're just mucking about doing 6 tenths, they're really nothing special and not worth the hassle of maintenance.
@@MrSanjeevsantalking my language m8. E36 ALL DAY but none of m8s will hear me tho… 😅
This applies to the non M cars too. Went from an e36 328 coupe to an e46 330 Msport coupe and the later car felt numb in comparison. Yes, it looked better inside and out and the engine was great but the e36 felt like a sports car, the e46 only came alive on track.
@@OzSaudarna It's all good m8. The more the E36 goes unnoticed, the better it is for us. Buy and keep good examples while you can m8.
The E36 driven in anger is a beutiful thing to experience. The car says "Oh yeah? Bring it on" and it challenges you and dares you to push even more. Usually, I'll give up before the car does. The E36 scares me at times; there is more performance available to it than what most people believe.
Set it up properly and that car can really² take fast corners. You just need the cajones to do so.
E36 = best car 💕
@@MrSanjeevsan you’re right there. Long may it continue. I’m still searching for another, hopefully I’ll be back behind the wheel of one again. Biggest regret letting the last one go. Enjoy yours m8!
I owned both an E36 M3 German Spec Coupe and an E46 M3 Coupe and still to this day insist that the E36 was the better all rounder for daily use...it wasn`t as powerful as the E46 but it somehow just felt lighter on its feet and easier to drive...I always found the manual box in the E46 to be a little difficult to live with, the gear throw was too long and the clutch was horrendous to use in Johannesburg traffic (where I was when I owned both cars)...
100% agree with you m8 but for some reason, the e46 got all the hype over the better handling e36…
A fellow South African! I think the E36 sounds better too, at least from the exhaust.
@@SpiritedDriving I agree with that statement too Bru...raspy under 3000rpm and then a banshee wail after 3500rpm all the way to the redline...
I honestly felt the same way. Drove an E46 M3 and the E92 335i back to back. The 335i felt more like what I thought an M3 should be. Still love the way the E46 looks...
hard to beat a 335 in value. when maintained, they are one of the best overall bmw's
My friend has a similarly propelled Z3M roadster. It's hysterical!
I think for many people (but speaking for myself at the moment), like a lot of cars, it’s a recipe of nostalgia + looks.
When I was a wee boy, 5/6 years old I remember my dad coming down the driveway in a then fairly new E46 3 series, not an M or even a 6 cylinder but just a really tastily spec’d saloon. And that memory is imprinted in my brain. That, plus the looks and intake noise of the of the M model and getting more into cars as I got older, meant that despite knowing its flaws, it is my dream car. Despite being overrated in the driving department and not even being much of a “high end” car, it just is one of the cars I’ve lusted for the most.
I did hear they rectified the handling with the CS model but they’re unbelievably rare.
I actually preferred my E36 M3 tbh. Call me a Philistine but I preferred the handling over the E46 version. Sure it had that US-spec M engine and was way down on power but I just had more fun in the E36 😊
Thank you for curing me of that itch! I love my E39 525 to death, I've done 120,000 miles in 12 years of ownership, and I still love its looks and the way it drives, and it hasn't bankrupted me - yet. I just wish I'd bought that M5 in carbon black, 55,000 miles, with the caramel heritage interior, and BMW FSH for £8k 😭
We all do mate. We all nearly bought a low mileage M3 for 6k 7k 8k 10 years ago. But we'd all probably net 10 grand poorer. 😅
I own a 2002 330ci convertible which I have converted to a 6-speed manual with all the right OE bits. No expenses spared on maintenance, inside, outside, underneath and under the hood. All seals, critical sensors etc. are new. Most recently I've installed new B4 dampers, eibach springs, bushings and assorted bits all round. No other tuning bits other than a matt black strut brace which makes all the difference. It's no M3 but I love the performance, sound, relative usability and suspension setup. I think a decent E46 will eventually become a rarity so I'm happy I got one 8 years ago.
I owned a '01 330i convertible and thought the only thing it really needed was a 6 speed. I think the E46 really suits convertible styling. Beautiful looking cars.
@@dungaman90 I agree. Mine was an automatic and it was the only thing that consistently let it down a bit in my opinion. I already have 2 automatic daily drivers so for a weekend car I wanted a manual. And once you commit to going through all the trouble to convert auto to manual it doesn't make sense to go with a 5sp if you can reasonably afford to go for a 6sp.
Hello James, well you place me in a quandary here because I know you have driven many many cars over your time and I do value your opinion, but then I factor in that I owned an E46 M3 some years ago which I thought was just amazing. It could be that I just remember the car more fondly than it actually was good. Hmmm. I've always been a Porsche person and I know I wouldn't sell my 911 for an E46 M3, but I do still love them, and if a good CSL can up for sale in my area I would be in all sorts. Good video all the same, so well done once again!
I own a e46 m3. Do i agree with every problem you put forward? Yes. Do i think its over rated? No.
Of your three complaints steering is a big one for me also. My previous car was a mk7.5 golf gti with electric steering which had more feeling through the steering than the stock hydraulic rack in the m3. Luckily it can be noticeably improved by switching to a standard non m3 steering rack (no longer progressive). Still feels numb but way faster and no longer dead on center.
And I also agree strongly with you about the stock suspension. it is pointlessly harsh, and overall not well controlled. I don't know of any aftermarket alternatives that make the car softer. Mine has KW v3 coil overs on it, which has made the ride at least more controlled.
Ultimately these are not deal breakers for me or the cost of maintenance but i completely understand why any one of them would be for some one.
to me its always special to drive. and when I get to drive it hard i have a smile ear to ear. maybe that will change in a few years.
Glad to hear I'm not too far off!
Koni yellow/dinan springs
KW street comfort are probably best for our roads. Have them on my 46 330 estate
Do you miss the GTI?
@@ShedLifeUK arr ok, I got a mate thinking of switching his suspension out on his m3. i'll recommend him these. thanks for the suggestion
I've really grown to love the v3's. on a good bit of back road, it handles everything beautifully.
Think the console was even more driver focussed in the E36.
In many respects it is overrated, but that doesn’t take from so many of the aspects that fuelled that legacy. It’s a timeless wonderful piece of design (E46 in general). In terms of proportions, subtlety, it’s handsome, it’s just right. Nothing is overdone. It’s in stark contrast to current BMW designs. Then the interior is a masterclass in ‘just right’. The quality was a massive step over the e36, everything felt good. I’ve owned multiple 330Ci’s and I think they are a beautiful car, great noise, feel like a mini GT car in terms of weight and ability to cruise at good speed quite effortlessly.
I disagree with nothing you've said
How can the 330ci be great and the M3 mediocre if they share the same steering?
@@mc1703 expectations
@@mc1703330 had a purple tag rack which is slightly quicker than the M3 which has a slight dead zone in the middle for higher speeds.
I also owned a 330ci and absolutely loved it bit always had the want for an m3. I've now owned my e46 m3 coupe for around 6 years and it's been a love hate relationship where I've thought about selling so many times. But I just can't seem to let go, especially after a spirited drive or when I'm walking towards it back from the shop. It's such a beautiful looking thing. It has cost me quite a bit of money getting the vanos rebuilt and other maintenance jobs. It now needs two front wings and two rear arches. These are jobs I'll get done eventually. I've always wanted to swap the diff to a 4:1 and also a big brake kit but the maintenance jobs have always been priority. Maybe one day when I win the lottery.
You're pretty much bang on tbh. Once I've done my solid steering coupler and a 4.1 diff I'll be done with mine from a driving feel perspective. After that, I just need to make it breathe better.
They made sense when cheap
I sold my E46 M3 CiC with SMGII last year because I was no driving it enough to justify the pain of living in Manhattan. Specified and built to order in 2002, Carbon Black paint on Cinnamon interior. Drove it just under 60k miles in 21 years. When new it was something special in terms of performance and even after 20 years it still sounded great and was more than quick enough if you revved it. I am not sure what James means about the steering and roadholding as I always felt you could throw it around country bends with no worries. Have to agree about the suspension being a bit harsh although a next gen 3 series on runflats was far worse on the same roads. Now here is the thing: I had almost zero problems in 21 years of ownership. No VANOS issues, no rod bearing issues (mine was original faulty batch which they did under warranty the year it was released so maybe that's why). Had one cracked rear spring but I think I did that by running off the end of my road one night half asleep. Only when it was 19 years old did anything even break - first the alternator (cheap) and then the SMG pump (expensive). Incredibly inexpensive to maintain other than insurance and the routine maintenance.
Every time I get in my e46 m3
I love it! 12 years of ownership!
I always click the sport button and click traction control off before moving, maybe that’s where you’re going wrong! ;) I wish I hade that interior colour though ✨
The sport button makes all the difference. The car magically becomes a superbike!!!
I don't understand people (especially reviewers) who drive it with this option deactivated.
The problem i have with these cars, and a lot of cars at the moment, is the ridiculous pricing in the used market. 20,25, 30 thousand pounds for a 25 year old beemer in good condition but with 100k+ miles that costs thousands a year to run? What?? Its MENTAL. I cannot believe people are paying these prices. Like Jay said, its just not special enough to afford that price tag.
Plenty for 10/14k
@@thedetailingdoctor5746 yeah that'll need thousands spent to perform and be reliable enoguh like a modern car
A new G80 is 80,000 pounds and you won’t see any of those running around in 25 years time. The running costs on the e46 are also tiny compared to the deprecation on the new G80. I know which one is the smarter long-term ownership prospect
100% this
Spot on its a joke
E39 530is is the sweetest.
Hell yeah. E39 = ❤
I have an E39 530i for daily commute and a modified E36 328i for shenanigans.
Best 2 car combo.
E39 is an amazing car! 540! Is peak car imo especially in touring form
530i club checking in.
Giving it all the love it needs, never selling it.
the one problem I have with mine is its old and there isnt a newer equivalent thats even close to as good that i could upgrade to
I'm 21 and I recently got myself a 330CI, it's so great to hear you speak of it so highly!
The 3, 5 and 7 series of this era were all iconic
I like the cars from the 2000s they had character😊
I never thought I'd see Cranfield Village in a motoring show :D
I can attest to that corner being called a rollercoaster on the bus to Cranfield University
Having owned one for something like 8 years, and having just got back from taking the long way home from work in it, I have to say they're wonderful cars if your expectations are reasonable.
Ultimately, if you're expecting TVR character from a 3 series, or are expecting porsche steering from a 3 series, you're going to be disappointed.
Equally, if you're expecting Volvo reliability and frugality from a 3 series, you're going to be let down too. M cars can be famously needy, some more than others.
Despite that there is something truly magical about these cars, the S54 is a masterpiece of an engine and the looks get better and better with age.
If you're prepared to throw some money at one, you can also remedy most if not all of the issues.
The steering is far too slow, I agree. And maybe they are overhyped somewhat.
Keep in mind that BMW designed these cars for daily driving duties and for that they're excellent, you also see many used on track which is testament to their competence. Makes you realise that as an all-rounder enthusiast car, compromises don't get much better than this.
Each to their own though, we all have our different tastes and that's what makes the hobby so interesting. Cheers! 😃
It’s absolutely not overrated. I went from a 318ci, to a 330ci and now an M3. It’s all about that S54, it’s just a beautiful engine, the rasp is addictive. It’s a great car to drive, steering issues are usually down to the guibo being shot, suspension can be fixed easily, brakes upgraded, all things every M3 owner should do. (I’ve also sound deadened the interior, worth it!) Okay, money needs spending, but it’s a wonderful car.
I would say the csl has the legendary status. This is still a classic though and an ageless design.
Beautiful car, sadly with an awful SMG gearbox.
@@LifeStartsAtrpm-ru1xo SMG's biggest advantage is still being a manual---> perfect candidate for a manual conversion, haha.😂
Years ago looking for an E46 M3 until I tested the 330CI M Sport manual 6 speed from a friend... loved it and got one exactly the same ❤
A friend had bought one new and it would randomly never start, the dealer never could figure out why. So he would ride his motorcycle to work.... One day his motorcycle was stolen, so he had it towed to the dealer and badgered them. They had to fly someone in from Germany to figure it out. Turns out the fog in his area would short the starter electronics (!). Good luck keeping these on the roads going forward.....
Note: I own a Z3 Coupe 3.0 so not out of the woods.
Amazing straight line autobahn blaster, if that’s your thing then amazing. Most people have not driven a Lotus or good Ferrari , so have no reference to steering, feel and handling. Love your work.
Put it up against its rivals in 2000 and it's was an amazing car for the money. You can't say that about the recent M3s
I love the honesty of this review. I've never driven one, so I have no idea how accurate you are but- it kind of doesn't matter. I appreciate your version of the truth.
I had 2 e46 M3’s originally an SMG CS back in 2012 in Interlagos Blue. Which I then swapped for a ‘regular’ manual coupe in Laguna Seca with matching leather. I loved both of them and they were great to drive. However, having had the CS first, I was for ever chasing the same steering feel in the regular coupe which I never got. That slightly faster CSL rack is much better than the standard one, makes all the difference.
I bought a secondhand manual 2005 E46 M3 coupe in 2015. Drove it for ~ 22,000 miles in 15 months before hydroplaning and totaling it out. I've never wanted to own another one, never had the itch. This video perfectly explains why.
My driver's side strut tower cracked. Water pump was seeping. VANOS was rattling. Strut tower brace itself cracked. The car was just constantly broken, and not just little mechanical issues - major structural issues. I never even looked at the rear subframe mounting points because I was so sure they were probably cracked and broken along with everything else.
😥
I’m very fortunate to own manual, Laguna seca, 405bhp N/A m3 with a custom stainless steel exhaust and k&n cold induction. Sitting on 21 inch low profile rims, with a few more extras I get the most out of the car which definitely makes it not over rated. It’s high mileage but runs like a dream and is the car I’ve had the most fun in
E46 - a design that still looks amazing today!
Had a black M3 with kiwi leather in 2007, loved the car, but spent most of its time in limp mode or at the garage! Fun times & fond memories when it worked
Great video James. Always loved the idea of the E46 M3 and was considering one recently. So great to get your take on it. If you recall I posted on one of your vids recently asking which I should choose between a 996 turbo or an Evora S. You said the Evora is much more special. I’m pleased to tell you that I picked up an Evora 400 last week and it’s amazing.
I've the SMGII and the rasp of the NA engine through the exhaust is a sound that never fails to disappoint. I have a "sensible" car for every day, but it will never give smiles per gallon like the E46 M3 does. Like you say some will love it some will hate it.
I had my M3 SMG back in 2003 or 2004 ran it for 3 years as a company car. It never broke down or had any issues other than servicing and tyres. I loved the SMG box. The induction noise was addictive. I put a set of CSL alloys on it and it looked the dogs dangly bits.
Maybe I was just lucky or James is just out of time to have had the best of one.
I’ve got an e85 Z4 M and it’s fantastic. BMW gave it some CSL parts and I think that makes a big difference. The S54 is what Honda wish they could’ve made with all of their VTEC engines and I owned two versions of those previous to my M Roadster.
Had a 00 328ci in 2002 for a couple of years. Every single extra except sunroof. Still wonder why i sold it.
It’s styling, isn’t trying too hard. It’s just the right amount of brawny and beauty…
Owned a manual coupe for 7yrs and it’s a labour of love, it has its quirks granted and with every passing year it gets more and more attention which is interesting. On the road visually it’s fantastic, that much so my wife picked me up from work a few weeks back in the car and i rarely see it in this aspect let alone let anyone else drive it, but I was actually in awe of it visually.
Now currently or well in 2 months she goes in to get the rear inner and outer arches fixed both sides, 2/3k of work to do correctly with the csl lip and so on done, rod bearings have been done, subframe not touched and as you say always something needing done.
I’m fortunate that I can do majority of the work myself, and if you’re relatively handy it is a really easy car to work on if you do your research.
my brother bought a 2001 M3 back in 2011 for $25,000 w/ 40k mi. thing was fresh! i had a modified volvo T5-R and we raced once and were dead even up to 100mph.. i think he could've beat me if he were a better driver as mine was automatic. anyhow, he drove it cross country and by the time he got to CA, he had engine leaks and rearend leaks at around 44-46k mi..
everyone romanticizes about that chassis and S54 motor, but really they were super high maintenance and would suck you dry the more you drove the car.. he got rid of it by 50-52k mi and never missed it .
We lost so much in silly chase of horsepower and acceleration times and all manufacturers save for scarily few exceptions ruined their cars and their purpose over the last 2 decades. Save for MX-5 and GR86 we have NOTHING that would be equivalent to cars just a notch above, or below for that matter.
Just the looks of this thing
Gosh looks amazing even after all these years
I have to say I agree with almost everything James had to say about this version of the M3. Having owned mine since 2004, I can assure you they demand constant attention. Head Gasket, Vanos. Differential, Leaking Mirror, Broken Springs, susceptible to corrosion if not paying attention underneath. Electrical glitches. You name it. They require constant investment and if not made they are heading to the scrap heap quite quickly. That said the interior is great and miles better than the E90. Its a troubled love affair but she is still here and will have the RACP repair in few months time just in case. A very good review James. Many thanks.
It's so strange to me, I've had my 330 for 10 years. 2 sets if tyres, a front caliper, 1 set of pads and servicing. Oh and a centre console cubby hole cover.
Shows you how different they are I guess.
I currently have an E46 manual Cab an 03 Carrera and an 05 Carrera S. The M3 easily has the best seats, steering weight/feel and general build quality. Amazing cars.. I also love the optional 19” wheels the M3 came with!
E46 M3 Vert manual and 03 Carrera C4S owner here too...cheers! E46 M3 vert for me is the best looking E46, and the 911 coupe shape is achingly beautiful, so much more so than E46 coupe.
I think they're both awesome cars and my dream garage has been achieved 🙂
lovely car, i liked the e36 better design wise. the 1st smg was introduced in the E36 M3 these are super rare.. (these 1ste boxes where not so good... )
James you are absolutely right on the steering lack of feel and on center there is a big freeplay. Strange as I cannot remember them to be this 10 years ago.....
The handling was quite spot on though, check the bushes and a set of KWV3 will make them ride properly with improved grip and Handling!
This era of BMW was a high point in terms of interior quality. I like the later E92 in terms of exterior shape (it's another design classic) but the interior quality was a step back.
I have owned two e46 M3s, while it is true the maintenance is expensive, with the right mods and setup, the car is magnificent, it would feel absolutely like a dream, the engine can be reliable if you spend good amount of money during preventive maintenance, I have seen some of them with close to 230,000 running like new, with original engine.
Always wanted one of these when i was young, been out in one on track and they are very capable. Ended up picking an E92 manual for the road as i think the steering is a bit better ( although still not a lotus).
I’ve owned an E46 for 16 years. It really isn’t over rated. It’s still under rated. It rivals some much more expensive modern cars. Not in speed but you aren’t going 0-60 in 3.5 seconds all the time are you?
So imo it’s still underrated.
One of the nicest looking BMW ever.
This matches my experience owning an E46 M3. Unfortunately my experience with the E39 M5 was even worse. Looking forward to seeing your take on that one.
So when I was in university, the E46 M3 was the latest M3, and I wanted one so badly for a long time, i said that when i qualify and get a good salary buying one would be my goal.
When the time came, I ended up buying a new Volvo C30 T5 instead, because I got a good deal on it and it was the best new performance car i could afford at the time, I was a little disappointed but I liked my car. I did some basic mods on it, software, exhaust, intercooler and it was plenty quick enough for me and sounded nice too.
Later on i met a guy who owned an E46 M3, I really was so excited to get to see the car up close and get a drive in it...but thats where the disappointment started to kick in. The car seemed disappointly slow for the specs, on paper it was supposed to have much more power than my C30 T5, but it absolutely did not feel like it.
We had a couple of drag races between the two cars and the Volvo won every single time, usually the M3 would getter a better launch but the C30 would come flying back and easily got ahead each time, rolling starts werent even close, the Volvo would just run away effortlessly.
That really killed the M3 for me, it went from being a dream car, to just another 3 series BMW. Sure its still a lovely looking car, probably one of the best looking BMWs of all time, but as a performance car its underwhelming, does not sound that exciting, has weak driving dynamics and you really need to be an experienced driver to understand its handling quirks to get the best out of it. Id like to try the CSL version of it and see if its significantly different but the base E46 M3 is actually slower than a modern turbo 4 banger 3 series and despite looking small and nimble does not handle any better.
James, I have never found myself nodding in agreement with any of your videos more than this one. Not quite in the league of an M3 but I have an M340i which suits me perfectly. Great enjoyment when I want and 45mpg cruising in luxury when being sensible. If only I could also have the steering and brakes from my previous Cayman S then I would be in heaven!
I think your impressions are spot on. I had a E46 330 CI that I loved and drove for 15 years but I bought it twice in maintenance. Tried the M3 variant when it first came out and didn’t much care for it. The 330 CI seem to be better balanced. Great styling as well.
These are very, very nice daily driver sports cars, street cars, even family cars, which is what really matters - I think most car reviews put way too much emphasis on the extreme handling/racing capabilities of cars meant to be driven to work and out to dinner at night. And this design has held up better than almost any other car from that period. But it is funny that if you watch any of the zillion Nurburgring videos of customer street cars, these are among the top, if not the top spinners. Who knows, maybe not the car's fault, but you will see so many of these spinning that you will come to expect the spin as soon as the car appears on screen.
Out of many cars i have had the pleasureof owning, (e63 m6, gran turismo, clk55, and currently a DB9.2) this era m3 is still one of my favorite
The sunroof plus tilting rear windows combo is ace. My Isuzu Impulse is that way; even in the summer it's enough airflow to keep the interior cool. Roll down the (massive) windows and it's outstanding! I haven't owned another car like that since.
We can all be wrong at times Jay! But sometimes you just get the wrong example of the car and sometimes the car just doesn’t vibe with you.
Great video as usual, I appreciate it!
I think your bang on about the steering, I used to drive one of these (not owned by me) quite regular and I did love it but ALWAYS felt the steering was wrong.
The 330ci is another one now becoming a classic. Arguably more car for the money as well. Can’t fault either!
One of the most beautiful cars ever made. It's perfect looking. It's what pops into my head when I think of the word "car"!
IMO the E92 3-series is aging really well. I'd have one of those any day.
Peak BMW was the 2011 !M (which I have in my garage so I'm based).
I've also had: E36 Z3, E39 540, and S54 Z3 M Roadster in the past.
I’ve had my Mystic Blue on grey 2006 E46 330ci ZHP 6spd for almost 12 years and still love it. I have a shark tune, a Vibrant Streetpower 1149 muffler and 2nd resonator delete. I run the stock style 135 staggered 18in wheels with continental extreme contact sport tires. It’s a wonderfully balanced machine that you can enjoy driving spiritedly on public roads without destroying speed limits. Has 127k miles and In generally good health. Has cost me about $1100 usd per year in maintenance including everything with me DIYing most maintenance and repairs which I feel is very reasonable.
I daily an e46 m3 (20k miles in the last year) and some
Great points here. What’s so great about is how much fun it is while still being a car you can daily. A Porsche of this era or lotus you really can’t. I agree the steering is dead and wish it had a lot more feedback.
Also my e46 325i is so much fun. I remember thinking if I had driven a regular e46 first, I probably would not have gotten the m3 because the regular e46 checks many of the same boxes in terms of regular driving.
I think the only thing I don't agree with Jay is the steering being numb and not communicating back. I feel like that really depends on what you're comparing it to? If it's Lotus, then yeah it's slow. If it's just about anything else that came out after 2006, no.
I’ve got a E46 325i manual and I think it’s brilliant, value for money is close to unbeatable and it’s still quick for what it is! 😎
I owned both an E36 and E46 M3, and had a similar feeling about both.
When asked about how they are, I always explained that they felt like the best "regular" car, like someone took a Honda Accord and perfected it.
I found the handling on both well composed, and they could post a very good lap time without major modifications.
The layout, functionality, instumentation, physical controls and visibility were all amazing.
However, they never felt "special" or particularly exciting (though reving the S54 to redline was fun, especially compared to the North American only S52).
As Jay mentioned, the steering in both was slightly heavy, but but had a wide ratio and minimal feedback; acurate but dead.
They also felt like they were built to a price point, not surprising considering they are built on an entry level platform.
There were always little imperfections which felt frustrating; ask any E36 owner if their glovebox closes, or any E46 owner how their plastics have held up.
Neither felt as raw or race oriented as their numbers and specifications would suggest.
Comparing my E46 M3 to my R32 GT-R, both 2-door coupes in silver with fender flares and similar power outputs, the GT-R felt far more exciting.
The GT-R was like someone had wrapped a race car up in the body of a boring coupe, where the M3 felt like someone had taken a boring coupe and made it quick.
The M3s were both great cars, but they never made me laugh with joy.
But what do I know? Now I have an NA6 MX-5 as my fun car, and that puts a smile on my face at any speed.
I've never driven one and probably never will, so can't comment on that BUT they look absolutely fantastic
14:43 that transition was perfect. It's like the car argued back after hearing you say that
Really interesting review! I've had 2 330ci's and they remain in my mind the best car I've ever owned. Like you say they do sporty normal car really well, they sound epic and look brilliant too. I went looking for an E46 M3 as an upgrade but it didn't feel different enough to warrant the extra 10k at the time. I bought a z4m instead which is a different proposition but one that it actually rather great as a fair weather car.
About all the things you highlighted (complained about) was eliminated with the CSL and later the CS (that used some of the parts from CSL). The original M3 had a steering rack that was designed for high speed stability (the initial dead zone). This was adjusted for CSL and later the CS (because CS has the CSL steering rack).
The brakes on CS were CSL also. The springs was refined on CS (beneficial for UK roads).
What would you rather have from this era and price range?
I just fully refreshed an e46 and after driving an NA miata the e46 feels pretty numb. It starts to feel decent once it's pushed hard but on the street it feels like any other small sedan. I think a model 3 feels sportier.
Exactly why I bought a Compact Sport 6 Speed Manual see Jacks No 27 review
An interesting question then. What would be good average car that you can have fun with? I'm currently with Renault Megane 4 with 1.3 TCE 140HP and it feels a bit underpowered sometimes but my main problem with it is that it's not much communicative. It goes much better than I initially thought it will but I'm wondering if there is anything ordinary of that class that is quite better. I was thinking about Kia Ceed GT but KIA said they stopped selling them in Europe and the used prices are nearly enough to get entry level BMW 3 series.
Always loved this car. Absolutely beautiful. Especially compared to the pigs BMW are making today. I’ve come close to owning one on a few occasions. But I’ve always felt more at home in an AMG Benz.