Love the no nonsense approach of this channel. Regarding the SMG, you can convert them back to regular manuals, so if you can find a competent mechanic they are still worth a look IMO
Such a perfect car, I don't ever intend to sell mine. The e92 m3 is nice too, my brother has one but you can really feel the weight driving the two back to back. Both great cars though.
I used to not believe it but now having an e46 and driving my friends you are right. You really feel the weight. However the e92 is definitely more rigid and planted feeling. But less playful
This is an awesome video. I miss my E46 sometimes. Never had an M3, but a Stage 2 Dinan 330ci. This would have been a gem I could have never sold. Now, I’m onto the E90 platform. But… there is always something about the E46 that is SPECIAL. Lovely content. Thank you so much for posting and have a wonderful day! 🙌🔥
Speaking of nimble / low to the ground, that's actually my problem with the E46. Doesn't feel like a sports car. Feels like a sedan / saloon. Pretty high off the ground, not very intimate cabin etc.
@@flat6croc yeah it's relative. E46 (with a proper seat) feels significantly lower than an E92 with the same seat. But the same applies to Cayman vs E46.
I just bought one 3 weeks ago for 30k with the same package minus the cams. After spending 3k on maintenance items, the car feels solid. I own the f80 and e92 zcp m3's and the e46 m3 (non comp) is my absolute favorite.
Man... I wish u were closer id give you my car for a nice test. If u can find a slick top, put ltw seats, ltw wheels, headers intake and tune with the cs package you'll fall in love
What kind of question is this? No one is trying to turn these things into a GT4 race car. It's the same set of OEM+ mods we've been doing to cars for 20+ years. Everything that makes it to production is a compromise that has to make it through the finance department. Once you get the car home, you can make the changes that you want to suit what you want to do with the car. Manufacturers try to appeal to as wide a demographic with a niche as possible. That's all irrelevant once it's yours. Do what you want.
MR is always better for track imo. Maybe an S2 Lotus Exige S. Too harsh for the road but very much at home on track. Extremely light and with supercharged acceleration.
you know g37/370z engine is also 8k redline engine? im on the fence whether i should keep e46 and turbo it (mine got all suspension upgraded, lsd etc but still stock motor 2.5) or should i go for e92 or g37 since they are soo cheap
I'm so sick of hearing people call the SMG things like "dreadful". Shows an utter lack of understanding how to drive and optimize it. Drive it exactly like a manual (lift throttle, shift, throttle) and it's fine. Is it as good as a true dual clutch? No. But it's not "dreadful" unless you don't know how to use it correctly.
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These cars look so much better than current BMW's.
Wonder what was causing that noise form the transmission? Hope the owner gets it sorted out soon!
Love the no nonsense approach of this channel. Regarding the SMG, you can convert them back to regular manuals, so if you can find a competent mechanic they are still worth a look IMO
Such a perfect car, I don't ever intend to sell mine. The e92 m3 is nice too, my brother has one but you can really feel the weight driving the two back to back. Both great cars though.
I used to not believe it but now having an e46 and driving my friends you are right. You really feel the weight. However the e92 is definitely more rigid and planted feeling. But less playful
2nd place for me but only bc I still have my 1M. You can’t beat that S54 motor!
This is an awesome video. I miss my E46 sometimes. Never had an M3, but a Stage 2 Dinan 330ci. This would have been a gem I could have never sold. Now, I’m onto the E90 platform. But… there is always something about the E46 that is SPECIAL. Lovely content. Thank you so much for posting and have a wonderful day! 🙌🔥
Wholesome comment
SMG with a CSL tune is surprisingly good when you learn to use it correctly... Still prefer manual
I think they are different enough to warrant having both.
One mod to get is the quicker zcp steering rack .
Speaking of nimble / low to the ground, that's actually my problem with the E46. Doesn't feel like a sports car. Feels like a sedan / saloon. Pretty high off the ground, not very intimate cabin etc.
@@flat6croc yeah it's relative. E46 (with a proper seat) feels significantly lower than an E92 with the same seat. But the same applies to Cayman vs E46.
That’s where the Z4M Coupe comes in. Same formula, none of those drawbacks. 🤷🏻♂️
Yup, imagine BMW put the S65 in the Z4 chassis. Home run classic.
I just bought one 3 weeks ago for 30k with the same package minus the cams. After spending 3k on maintenance items, the car feels solid. I own the f80 and e92 zcp m3's and the e46 m3 (non comp) is my absolute favorite.
e46 turbo track build is what I pray for you to do, kinda like the turbo s2k you reviewed love that car
@@UserNando I'd love to drive an E46 with forced induction. Or an engine swap.
you should find an e46 m3 to review with a yellow tag steering rack. it supposedly wakes up the handling a lot
If you want recaro cs remember to buy from amx performance to make sure they have upholstery that matches your interior
Fenton, I’m curious what other two cars you’re considering buying?
Any consideration for the second gen M Coupe? The last N/A inline 6 M car, pinnacle of BMW N/A engine development.
Man... I wish u were closer id give you my car for a nice test. If u can find a slick top, put ltw seats, ltw wheels, headers intake and tune with the cs package you'll fall in love
On a side note... m5 shifter or stick with stock shifter, everything else sucks
What's the point of buying this if you're gonna take most of the parts out?
I wouldn't be surprised if the dinan suspension was completely shot, given the mileage.
What kind of question is this? No one is trying to turn these things into a GT4 race car. It's the same set of OEM+ mods we've been doing to cars for 20+ years. Everything that makes it to production is a compromise that has to make it through the finance department. Once you get the car home, you can make the changes that you want to suit what you want to do with the car. Manufacturers try to appeal to as wide a demographic with a niche as possible. That's all irrelevant once it's yours. Do what you want.
MR is always better for track imo. Maybe an S2 Lotus Exige S. Too harsh for the road but very much at home on track. Extremely light and with supercharged acceleration.
The E46 is the perfect sized car for normal human beings. My F30 felt like an absolute boat.
This or Z4M?
Z4M Coupe 😎
you know g37/370z engine is also 8k redline engine? im on the fence whether i should keep e46 and turbo it (mine got all suspension upgraded, lsd etc but still stock motor 2.5) or should i go for e92 or g37 since they are soo cheap
If u want very big hp go vq35hr/vq37hr
If u not planning to go above 400whp id keep the e46 because parts are pretty cheap
The VQ37 It's 7500 rpm and it doesn't feel nicest to rev out. The E92 V8 is way different(better) but comes with BMW problems so need $10k on side
G37 is better than these E46. More power and LSD and ust handles better and faster. The G is still the G
@@davidpineda645 if that’s what you need to tell yourself
4:13 the OEM height adjustable seat goes pretty low - enough.
It goes decently low but could definitely benefit with some lower adjustment
time for nice reveiw of ford pinto
E46 just looks sooo much better
E46M. Enough of power, luxury, size and tech.
The only car that I would consider trading my 997 2S for. Such a beauty!
Don’t lol, the 997 is superior in quite literally every way. M3’s are good but they have nothing on the 997 gen 911’s.
sagging headliner - classic - one of the many reasons I got rid of my M3.
Coming from older M cars, unfortunately they are not true sports cars except the z4m, z3m. They are sedans that people 'try' & turn into sports cars.
Owner removed the brembos for the stock ugly 2pc calipers
I'm so sick of hearing people call the SMG things like "dreadful". Shows an utter lack of understanding how to drive and optimize it. Drive it exactly like a manual (lift throttle, shift, throttle) and it's fine. Is it as good as a true dual clutch? No. But it's not "dreadful" unless you don't know how to use it correctly.
Get a M340i and with $400 you can get F80 M3 power with the B58. Coilovers or springs and it will handle and look better than these old Ms.
Will not feel like these Ms though
No amount of power mods + coilovers only will ever make a 340 feel as special as either E46, E92 or even an F80.