e36 m3 or e46 m3
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Topblag
- Old Skooler

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I'd buy an E46 M3. I read an article in autocar recently and IIRC it said the E46 M3 are at their lowest and if you want an M3, buy one now.
I've driven the SMG E46 M3s a few times and it's a cracking car. The rev limiter whilst the engine is warming up is a great idea, the shift lights are great and the SMG is like lightning if you've turned up the change speed selector. Only downfall is the gear change is rotten if you're in auto mode or driving at lower revs around town using the manual change.
A great mix of handling and comfort.
All my opinions though.
My mate who owns the one I've driven took one of the new V8 M3s for a test drive with a view to buying it and trading in his E46 M3 on the day. He came home with the old M3 (and it wasn't a money decision). His wife was well chuffed !
I've driven the SMG E46 M3s a few times and it's a cracking car. The rev limiter whilst the engine is warming up is a great idea, the shift lights are great and the SMG is like lightning if you've turned up the change speed selector. Only downfall is the gear change is rotten if you're in auto mode or driving at lower revs around town using the manual change.
A great mix of handling and comfort.
All my opinions though.
My mate who owns the one I've driven took one of the new V8 M3s for a test drive with a view to buying it and trading in his E46 M3 on the day. He came home with the old M3 (and it wasn't a money decision). His wife was well chuffed !
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
the e46 is a better car, but theyre also noticably more expensive to run, especially if on the (almost mandatory ) optional 19in wheels, and seem to use more fuel than e36s too.
out and out performance there's little to nothing in it, e46 is fractionally quicker off the line, helped by much wider rear tyres and launch control on smg cars, but once rolling theyre very evenly matched, the e36 perhaps having a slight edge at the top end.
are e46s as low as they'll go?
not sure yet, they were made in massive numbers, and there's always going to be a limited market for an old, expensive to run and insure car. both e30 and e36 m3s have dropped to £3k for useable examples and i can see e46s getting not a million miles from that.
a couple of years ago an e36 m3 was a performance bargain, and e46s were quite pricey. these days decent e36s harder to find and values have started firming up, putting them very close to the bottom end of the e46s.
out and out performance there's little to nothing in it, e46 is fractionally quicker off the line, helped by much wider rear tyres and launch control on smg cars, but once rolling theyre very evenly matched, the e36 perhaps having a slight edge at the top end.
are e46s as low as they'll go?
not sure yet, they were made in massive numbers, and there's always going to be a limited market for an old, expensive to run and insure car. both e30 and e36 m3s have dropped to £3k for useable examples and i can see e46s getting not a million miles from that.
a couple of years ago an e36 m3 was a performance bargain, and e46s were quite pricey. these days decent e36s harder to find and values have started firming up, putting them very close to the bottom end of the e46s.
cheers,
harry
harry
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ross_jsy
- Married to the E30 Zone

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Had the pleasure of taking out a very together example of an e46 the other day for a few hours and I have to say it is one of the nicest cars I have ever driven. Really nice place to be inside and I don't think they have dated at all, could be released tomorrow and they wouldn't look out of place IMO whereas the e36 is really showing it's age.
Both nice cars to drive, but the e46 just takes it for me. Drive both and see what you prefer?
Both nice cars to drive, but the e46 just takes it for me. Drive both and see what you prefer?
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Demlotcrew
- E30 Zone Team Member

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E46 M3 without doubt.
E46 M3 with SMGII would be my choice...in graphite with Imola red nappa interior. 
true, but IMO e46s are gay as fuck, driven by the kinda people that wear cheap short sleeve shirts, sunglasses all the time and bluetooth hands free kits. makes me shudder at the thoughtsajad09 wrote:need we say more...e30mtech wrote:e36 is a chav bmw imo,
everyone will just think it a 320 wi M badges lol, like every other e36
Marrakesh brown tech 2 LSx loading.....
Raise hell praise Dale.
North East Drift Club - Hollerboys Drift
Raise hell praise Dale.
North East Drift Club - Hollerboys Drift
So your telling me, your friend thinks an E46 M3 is better than a E92 M3?Topblag wrote:I'd buy an E46 M3. I read an article in autocar recently and IIRC it said the E46 M3 are at their lowest and if you want an M3, buy one now.
I've driven the SMG E46 M3s a few times and it's a cracking car. The rev limiter whilst the engine is warming up is a great idea, the shift lights are great and the SMG is like lightning if you've turned up the change speed selector. Only downfall is the gear change is rotten if you're in auto mode or driving at lower revs around town using the manual change.
A great mix of handling and comfort.
All my opinions though.
My mate who owns the one I've driven took one of the new V8 M3s for a test drive with a view to buying it and trading in his E46 M3 on the day. He came home with the old M3 (and it wasn't a money decision). His wife was well chuffed !
If so, you are a tit!
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ross_jsy
- Married to the E30 Zone

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Err no. Having been in both and driven both I would have to agree. I prefer the e46.
Can someone ban this prick? If Barry said that I'm sure several people would be up in arms and this coont has bought nothing to the forum
Can someone ban this prick? If Barry said that I'm sure several people would be up in arms and this coont has bought nothing to the forum
have dropped that low at some point in their life. i think it's fairly obvious theyre not down there at the moment.maf260 wrote:harry_p wrote:.... both e30 and e36 m3s have dropped to £3k for useable examples...
E30 M3s are £3k? Which decade/planet are you on?!
back in the early 200s, when e36 m3s were still £10k+ you could pick up reasonably tidy, useable, e30 m3 for between 3 and 4k.
as someone who payed a chunk more than that for an e30m3 in 2006, which i still own, i do have some sort of an idea of current e30 m3 values.
cheers,
harry
harry
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Rav335uk
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I beg to differ, here's on just been bought for about £3k E30 M3 that isharry_p wrote:have dropped that low at some point in their life. i think it's fairly obvious theyre not down there at the moment.maf260 wrote:harry_p wrote:.... both e30 and e36 m3s have dropped to £3k for useable examples...
E30 M3s are £3k? Which decade/planet are you on?!
back in the early 200s, when e36 m3s were still £10k+ you could pick up reasonably tidy, useable, e30 m3 for between 3 and 4k.
as someone who payed a chunk more than that for an e30m3 in 2006, which i still own, i do have some sort of an idea of current e30 m3 values.
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=252687

If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
i wouldnt call that reasonably tidy
i'm sure some of the more regular m3 buyers and sellers on here have had some decent bargains over the years, even well ater mainstream values had started to climb.
contacts and right place right time!
i'm sure some of the more regular m3 buyers and sellers on here have had some decent bargains over the years, even well ater mainstream values had started to climb.
contacts and right place right time!
cheers,
harry
harry











