Here's Why I Bought the Cleanest E46 M3 EVER! - TheSmokingTire
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- čas přidán 1. 02. 2022
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Well, I finally bought an E46 M3! And it's a real sweetheart. This one comes from Enthusiast Auto Group out of Cincinnati, and with only 15,000 miles on the clock and a DINAN S1 package, is about as nice as they come! Here's why I bought it, what I think of it, and what I expect from it as a collector vehicle!
S/O to EAG for the sweeeet ride! www.enthusiastauto.com
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Here's Why I Bought the Cleaneast E46 M3 EVER! - TheSmokingTire
#e46m3
#bmwe46 - Auta a dopravní prostředky
RE: Subframe Reinforcments: Of course I asked before buying the car. But for cream puff, ultra low mile cars like this that will not see track time or abusive driving, EAG (and others I've spoken to) do not recommend proactive subframe reinforcement. The subframe was inspected before sale and is fine, and it is recommended that the subframe be inspected at every oil change and ONLY reinforced if there is degradation/damage at one of these inspections.
I'm pretty sure the cracks are from abusing the car, my friend had to scrap the shell on my old E46 estate from the cracks in it, but I wasn't really surprised with the amount of clutch dumps and learning to drift I did in the poor thing. Driving fast doesn't crack the shell.
Nah, they all need reinforcement. Especially m3's. Vince bar is reasonably serious undertaking, but seems to be the end all be all without taking any interior space or causing rust.
That's all great, except you generally can't see the cracks without dropping the subframe, at which point you might as well just reinforce it. BTW- I have a 120,000 mile E46 M3 that I've put 80,000 miles on and haven't reinforced yet with no visible cracks, I just realize it's optimal to address pro-actively.
No offense dude but that’s incomplete to the point of being a load of shit. There was a technical campaign from bmw in 2008ish to fill a cavity in the subframe with expanding foam resin to essentially create a sandwich structure reinforcement for the subframe attach points. Obviously this should’ve been done on the car and can be checked by removing the trunk liner and looking for the injection hole.
Additionally, you can’t just inspect the subframe mounting points at each oil change. The subframe bushings cover any cracks to the point they’re only visible once propagated a few inches to be visible beyond the subframe bushings.
I’ve had numerous M cars from this era over the past 18 years and unfortunately my e46 m3 was the worst. The car was absolutely beautiful in LSB with 6mt and comp wheels but was let down by a myriad of issues that were common on the e46.
The e92M despite looking worse and being heavier is the car the e46 always wanted to be.
@@deancostello14 no necessarily unfortunately. The cracks are simply fatigue. Fatigue is accelerated with hard use but in the end without reinforcement all e46 subframes will fail.
We're so glad you're enjoying it! Thank you for the opportunity to showcase an EAG preserved/serviced BMW.
OH baby
I also have an EAG E46 M3 and although it had more miles (70k) it was delivered incredibly minty fresh. You absolutely can’t go wrong with EAG.
I really appreciate this video AND the fact that EAG is out there helping to fulfill these automotive dreams :)
The M3 CSL is still the most impressive M3 I've ever driven. The intake noise alone is worth it.
I had purchased a 2001 M3 Coupe new and then replaced it with a 2005 M3 Coupe with Competition Package and can tell you first hand that there wasn’t a night and day difference with it. Even the quicker steering ratio was very subtle and if I remember correctly BMW had softened the front suspension and stiffened the rear to make the car more neutral but either way they were both amazing to drive
Something happens in 2004 as well. I've owned 4 E46s and the 2004s are just.. tighter. Nothing stated on the BMW end but something definitely changed
@@cwx8 I know they changed the suspension for sure on all 2005 from 2004, but I’m sure there were other changes along the years as well as I know, for example, that they added a strut tower bar mid way through 2002 I believe. Such great cars, I love the way BMW used to sweat the details to make the best drivers cars unlike their product nowadays
@@jameswillard1 yeah there are definitely manufacturing changes in 04. They are just screwed together better if that makes sense. Couldn't tell ya exactly what it is.
Same here. Ive owned both. I sold the ZCP as the premium was such a waste of money. Really, the only good thing about it was the rack , which still didnt feel as good as a junk yard Z3 rack for 100.00.
Wow
I can say, I was fortunate enough (completely by accident of course) to buy a 2005 M3 in 2014, and my value has just about doubled. My plan is to hopefully never sell it. Enjoy Matt! Also loving the podcast as of late, you've had some excellent guests. Keep up the great work.
How much did you pay for it? I got my 2004 m3 for about 12k back in 2015
@@m3izzy6 $14k with 93k mostly highway miles. Single owner, good friend of mine, came with all service records. I knew the car hadn't been abused
@@nickg3235 dope! Sit on it for a few years and they will be worth a pretty penny . I got mine with 82k miles one of my uncles lost his job and I took over payments back then I got lucky
@@m3izzy6 what do these typically sell for, and how much do you think Matt's car ran? I'm very interested in picking one up. I recently bought an Acura TL, which is another car I've always admired. Definitely not disappointed.
@@pitbull82 I sold my e46 m3 for 32k last year. Had 88k miles. Prices are going up. Get one while you can.
Congrats man! Welcome to the Bimmer club! E46 is so rad, part of why I have my M2 Competition is for the "Modern E46 M3" vibes. I'm also turning 40 this coming year. Ooof, we're getting old!
I spent a weekend at the BMW performance center west. Drove the entire M line up in anger.
The M2 was by far my favorite
@@doctorbashir3497 I have a 370z, as I’m into two seat sport cars, but am very much considering the m2 when I unload the Z. I live in Ohio, and having two cars is kind of a pain in the ass
@@Jxc0122 if you can handle higher maintenance then do it for sure! There’s a reason the M2 is as loved as it is
40 isn’t old, I’m 71 and bought a 981 Spyder for my 70th. Still skiing and mountain biking but slowly…
@@marcusjackson8084 I likely wouldn’t do it without an extended warranty...otherwise I would continue juggling two rides. I don’t want a sport sedan, but the m2 is so well regarded that I’m considering it!
Matt, about the shift feel, the fix is not an aftermarket short shifter, but tightening up the linkage between the shift lever and the transmission itself. I have an E30 but BMW's are all fundamentally the same. The shift carrier where the pivot ball of the lever sits is mounted with floppy rubber bushings, even with brand new parts it will always feel sloppy. The selector rod connecting the bottom of the shift lever to the transmission is also a flimsy piece that adds play to the shift action.
You need 3 things to make your shifts feel incredible
1. Poly rear carrier bushing
2. Delrin front carrier bushings
3. Dual shear selector rod "DSSR" (Google BMW DSSR and stock BMW Selector rod and compare, it's simple but incredibly effective.)
I bought mine from garagistic but many options are out there. If you do these 3 mods it'll cost you a couple hundred bucks and the difference will be night and day from stock. Congrats on the car, love your videos!!
Just picked up a convertible e46 M3 Manual. I will never let it go. Wanted a Slick Top, but a convertible will do just fine. Love these cars and they still quick enough to have fun in.
Happy 40th Matt! Thanks for the years of entertaining car content. You've always been my favourite car journalist.
Cheers to many more years and enjoy the m3!
Congratulations on the purchase. I went the exact opposite direction as you about 2 years ago, and acquired a very high mileage example with an SMG transmission that needed work. It's so wonderful to different grades of this vehicle being enjoyed for so many purposes. This definitely was peak BMW M3
I’ve been a bmw tech for over ten years and was at a dealer during the subframe recall that everyone here is warning about. Honestly in the several hundred inspections I never saw a car that failed inspection and our dealer who was the largest in Colorado at the time maybe saw 5 cars that qualified for repair. I doubt Matt will turn this car into a track toy or see the mileage that would cause the failures that would require repair.
Its the typical issue exploded by the internet as people who have the issue will shout out about it, but all those who are fine aren't going to be..
how do you land such a job? @Aaron dornbush
It's the cars getting pounded that broke.
Its mostly the people who pounded the shit out of theirs and never took care of them who mainly have the issue.
@@jdabusiness5337 go talk to a service manager about open positions. Ask how to get qualified for the position. My route was UTI - BMW STEP and it was a great pathway for me. Expensive tuition, debatably worth it. You get out what you put in.
Love it. You can drive it spiritedly on a sunny day and be totally happy with the car. A lot of people out there sadly still focus on numbers way too much and if you are a track only type then fine but in the real world having a car that can handle being driven hard but instead driving it pleasantly is just awesome.
What a great e46 M3! I enjoyed the really thoughtful and detailed discussion of why this car and why now. A lot the same reasons why I ended up picking up an AP1 S2K about a year ago. Still a few more months to go before my 40th, but I'm glad I didn't wait!
I swear the S2k, the e46m3 and the 997 GT3 are like spiritually linked, or brothers from different mothers. Sorta like three peak cars done in the same formula at different price points
Timeless/classic car. It's looks still hold up today. Owned 2 (titanium silver mettalic and imola red) and wish I never got rid of them. Especially the Imola red.
Imola red E46 M3 is and always will be such a good looking vehicle
Congrats Matt! I’m looking forward to seeing more content with the new whip. Videos like this convince me to keep mine.
Hi Matt!, as an e46 M owner I love to see these cars getting picked up in "investment grade" condition, as you mentioned in the video the factory shifter is long and not very responsive like the rest of the car. BMW does make a oem+ "performance" shifter lever that is in my opinion a worth while upgrade to the chassis matched with a ZHP shift knob.
I bought my Z4M Coupe for many of the same reasons you stated; essentially that era of BMW had their heads on straighter when it came to building the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’. I am not sure anything like the S54 or the cars they bolted it into will ever come along again at that accessibility level.
Owned a Z4MC for almost 12 yrs. I know I will come to regret selling it.
Z4M Coupe is a better car than the E46 M3. I owned both for a while. Sold the M3 and bought the second Z4 M coupe (now I have a higher mile modified car and a low mile bone stock car). Z4 M Coupe is Much stiffer, CSL steering rack, with a better shifter.
I also bought a z4m coupe last year it’s great . Swapped the suspension to coil overs which made a massive difference. engine is a masterpiece.I live in Scotland just north of Edinburgh.we all need to enjoy these cars while we can . Best era of bmw.
@@ianwhyte5740 yes sir! I have KW3 on my modified car.
I agree Matt, the E46 M3 is a timeless, special car with one of the most rewarding driving experiences. I miss my M3, it was hands down the best car Ive ever owned
I must have done something right. I purchased my Titanium Silver Metallic E46 M3 just a couple months after my 40th birthday. Then, Joe Rogan bought one, and now Matt’s doing the same thing I did as well. Hell yeah brother!
I think this is the best generation of the M3. Mine was totaled a few years back (got hit at a red light) and I'm seriously considering adding one back to the garage as I start to think about the "forever cars" that I want to secure while they're still easily found.
Yup. I lost mine a few years back, and replaced it with w204 c63.
And the E46 is still by far the best car I've owned. I am thinking of shopping for another e46
try a new comp xdrive
Go for it brother!
That is the best exhaust ever made for the S54. Every other one is either far too raspy or too 'peaky' even in person. Such an excellent car, good purchase Matt.
Hell yeah Matt! Happy for you. Much more interesting and personal than "CZcamsr buys another supercar" as is customary. You have about 16 years on me, but as a kid obsessed with cars, this was a childhood defining whip. Dads rolling in these and E39 M5's to little league were badass dudes (CT, you know the vibe). Don't price us out when our time comes :,)
bought my 03 facelift M3 3 years ago with 85k miles love every second of driving it. Enjoy your MINT E46 Matt !!
These videos are a true joy Matt, thanks so much for sharing.
Gorgeous E46 M3, anytime I see one it just makes the day better
Congratulations! What a great purchase, I have an E39 and I completely agree, the build quality of BMWs from this era is just unparalleled.
It's amazing how well that era was built and how badly BMW have let it go now.
E39 M5s sound awesome
Pretty great dude, glad to see you so pumped on this new addition. It looks and sounds phenomenal
At last we see it! Welcome to the club sir! Got my 03 back in 2015 with 44k miles and its been excellent. Did all maintanance and common issues myself, pretty straight forward for mechanically savvy people. But now at 69k miles a crack had appeared on the rear right subframe mounting point. So currently its keeping my garage safe 😁. Gonna reinforced and refresh the rear this spring and I'll be back singing in the angeles forest 🍻
Congrats, Matt! The E46 M3 is an example of a fine balance between practicality and fun.
Amazing car - nice purchase. I used to drive my own M3 on those exact roads back in the day, life was never better! 👍
Great video Matt. You really hit on some nostalgia with me and I appreciate that.
My 04 e46 (330ci zhp) has over 325k on the chassis and still running like a champ. Owned it since day 1. Granted with the subframe reinforcement done at around 120k, and a LOT in preventative maint, but chassis-wise and interior quality it has been simply amazing.
Been thru a number of other cars, tuned and not... S4, couple WRXs, M235i etc. The e46 will remain my forever car. Fully modded except for FI, absolutely LOVE it.
Congrats, Matt. What a beautiful e46. Though I'm personally an e92 fan, I can definitely appreciate all BMWs. I am a beemer guy lol. Nice one mate!!💪
That's a nice car. I could live in 2005 for the rest of my life. Everything had improved dramatically since the late 90s. Cars had gotten good. Evo, sti, m3, s4
Go back one year and you can add the be r32 on the list 😈 I know it’s the slowest of those 4 but it’s also more rare and has the best stock exhaust note
S2000 :)
997 GT3 RS was the highw watermark of cars, no point going past 2010
@@Avstract23 as a racing car, the r32 was the fastest of the list. literally won every race in group a when it came out
@@TheCorington im talking about the 2004 volkswagen r32
Happy Birthday Matt! Good for you for getting an iconic car that you know you'll get the most out of it, whatever your plans become
Bravo, Matt! Enjoy your new M3. Longtime BMW owner here, since 2001. I wanted to get back to my original E46 feel and just picked up a 2017 M2 6MT. To me, this M2 is the modern version of your M3 E46 without going over the top in ridiculous technology and overweight extras. I’m loving every minute of it and know it’ll remain a true classic. Enjoy every minute of your new love. These BMWs are true drivers cars. Happy birthday!
I love my M3, I was worried the SMG wouldn’t be up to snuff but the CSL shifting software makes the whole thing so fun whilst still feeling pretty raw
THIS! SMG is fun, it gets a bad rap because in stock form it is a bit clunky, and back then it was cool to dog on paddle shifters. The CSL tune fixing the downshifting is key to the system not feeling antiquated. In 2022 and with a CSL tune, the trans holds its own and is far less "unrefined" as everyone would have you believe. Clicking off a redline/flatfoot S6 1/2/3 on an onramp is still impressive and engaging.
@@goodnaruk and everyone always says “ooooh” the hydro unit is expensive to fix and I’m always like “my car originally was 60k in 2006, why are you buying cars you can’t afford?”
Yep, it shifts extremely fast when you have your foot down, very engaging
@@blanchbacker agreed! I’m taking it easy on mine right now cause the springs need replaced and right now I’m waiting on my carbon airbox, CSL air filter and carbon velocity stacks
I'm a GM guy and owned over 60 cars. Currently have a 2011 cts-v coupe 700 hp and on a whim I bought a 06 330i with 220k miles for 2,800 and it had a ton of issues but between CZcams and fcp euro I've gotten it straightened out and fell in love with it. I've put 6k miles on it in 4 months. I'm converted🥰
I'm happy for you. I bought an e46 330ci almost 2 years ago and I love it (when I'm not working on it lmao), hope you enjoy your m3 as much as possible
Absolutely gorgeous example in a stunning color combination. This car is from a time machine. Congrats and happy belated birthday!!!!!!!!
P.S. I totally bought a Fiesta ST per your recommendation and it fits the bill for a practical, fun daily driver. But for the weekend category (as Doug would put it), the M3 makes total sense. Definitely did not think you were speaking poorly of the M3 in that 2014 comparison vid.
Eco booms. They won't last long. a 15k M3 is a dream.
As did I. Matt and Jonny L. both influenced my purchase. 2018 Orange Spice with the leather Recaros. I couldn't be happier!
I also bought a Fiesta ST because of Matt's videos, loved it! Sold it and miss it often.
@@gorillafacegwen9247 mine is on 90k plus miles but I service it as scheduled unlike a lot of owners. On another note the E46 M3 is timeless and wish I snapped one up when they were £5-10k cars over here
I also bought a Fiesta ST in 2015 based on what Matt and other automotive journalists had to say about it. It now has about 55k miles and I still love it. I had Mountune install a Quaife limited slip diff, larger inter cooler, catback exhaust and tune.
sounds better than any modern bmw, the NA inline-6 is such a defining bmw characteristic it's sad you simply cannot buy a new one these days.
The engine noise in the cabin is awesome but the exhaust note has always been horrible IMHO.
The E46 is all about “The Handle” what BMW was known for. All about HP & Torque today. It’s a beauty and you are fortunate to find one in such condition, enjoy it bro. +10 on the Titanium & Competition rims.
Very nice 👍 Congrats and thanks for all the content over the years.
Stunning, and you got the 6 speed, soon to be a collectable.
Congrats man, enjoy. I miss my E46 ZHP just about every day, even though I still have an E90. Crazy that a chassis designed some ~25yrs ago might be the pinnacle, but I don’t think anyone can honestly argue that the new stuff is “better.”
Aside from steering input/feel and being a bit larger than previous models they're basically better in every way. That's coming from someone that currently owns an E36 M3, Single turbo E90 335i, Supercharged E92 M3 and 2021 M340i. I love my E36 more than anything but I can't pretend like my M340i doesn't do everything better.
@@rodgazinya It's all subjective. You will have people on both sides of the argument. The hard-core BMW enthusiasts will be on the side of "the past was better".
Personally I'm on that side, but I can see the argument for "newer is better".
@@rodgazinya Nice stable.
Congratulation for your purchase..... I agree with you 100%.... keep it stock and no mods...for me this is the most desirable BMW M of all times. Enjoy it !! 👌
I’m here in the uk, owned my manual e46 m3 in silver grey for 8yrs now, no sunroof. Csl wheels and lowered a bit, she goes in to the body shop in 4 weeks for 1 new front drivers wing and to do the rear arch due to some rust. You have to keep on top of things, but she is a joy still to drive, and gets the looks.
Nice car! Bought one of these new and did the full Dinan treatment. Owned it for 5 years and once modified, it was a blast. They understeer a lot when stock, and it's way under-braked - to name a few issues. I then bought a new E92 M3 and did the same full Dinan package, and man - I liked it way better than the E46. Still have it to this day with that awesome S65 V-8.
E92 is the peak for the M3
Agreed. I’ve driven an E46m but the E90 was just a more appealing package overall.
Great buy! And a beautiful example, I truly believe that the e46 m3 will blow up in price further down the line as it is the last naturally aspirated inline 6 3 series from M. We will never see something like this again from bmw.
The Dinan setup sounds so good and not so raspy! I bought an 03 SMG with about 55k miles and was at 172k before being totaled a few years ago. I absolutely loved it. Congratulations on your now rare find and yes EAG is the way to go for a collectors version, the best version 🔥👊🏽💯
Absolutely my dream spec e46, I own a 2003 titansilver metallic 325ci 5 speed manual and your e46 is everything I wish mine was. Congratulations Matt!
Even though I’m used to turbo cars and this naturally aspirated engine might not fit my liking, I reckon the E46 is the best M3 ever. It’s so sad that BMW have lost point design wise lately.
I love how a well-off man says that an early 2000's car is as best he can afford given the low mileage. Matt seems really humble and that's cool. I love the car. I loved it in Need for Speed Most Wanted. And it is till this day, the only M BMW car I would love to own. Timeless in every way and a great car to enjoy FRONT ENGINE rear wheel drive layout.
trust me when i tell you, if you drove the’22 M3 Comp Xdrive, you’d want it over anything else!
But what about the front end of the G80 getting hit by the ugly stick?
What a beautiful example. Congrats on the purchase!
Great video, happy birthday and nice car! The E46 M3 is such a natural beauty. The average person don't need the very best example of the E46M3 to feel like a hero when you drive it. Its a great car for driving enjoyment and of course has a few well known issues if they affect your car, but many people know how to properly correct those issues also. Maintain it, enjoy it and have fun making memories with your car.
Congrats. Everyone screams LSB, but I think this is the best color combo. Love the interior. Very clean. That said, I hate EAG. They have clean cars, but they are destroying the market for enthusiasts with their pricing. They were a huge factor, imo, in E30 price escalation.
Amen!
100% this.
That doesn’t really make sense. One seller can’t create a market out of thin air. They charge what they charge, but people are willing to pay. Markets are just as much about buyers as they are about sellers.
Also why do we have to pretend that people are no longer enthusiast once they’ve made money?
@@tunesquadauto Bc most of them, most of the time, are buying these cars to add to a collection; taking them off the street to collect dust and return on investment. If you are an enthusiast, you believe these cars should be enjoyed, not hoarded in collections. Ultimately, it is in the best interest of the auto industry to have great cars become affordable for the next generation. That is how you build an enthusiast base, that is how you build brand loyalty. But now, everything is a collectible, and people are spending money like never before. EAG doesn't cater to enthusiasts, they cater to moneyed collectors. And, sorry, one seller can create a market out of thin air if they control enough of the supply. Look at the diamond industry. And, I am sorry to say, EAG controls enough of the market for CLEAN older BMWs that they CAN (and do) have influence on market pricing. They routinely set high water marks for sale prices, and that raises the price across the market.
@@randyforce8455 you get it. Couldn't agree more. it sucks for the real enthusiasts
I love my E46! make sure you get the rear subframe mount reinforcement done if it hasn't been already, would be a real bummer to find out the hard way later. definitlely a "forever" car, they haven't made cars like this for a while now
I believe it's not needed on 2005 models
@@Lucarocks92 All E46 models will need it no matter how they're driven. It happens to the 316i almost as much as any others.
Love the car! The E46 M3 (I have had 2, 03.5 and 05) is a wonderful car and will always be exactly what is was from the start. A pure connected driving experience with classic looks and the correct size. BTW, I purchased my M2cs from Eric at EAG with 50 miles on the clock. What a great guy!!!
Awesome purchase. I love the way E46 M3 look and drive!!!
Next videos
10 things I love about my e46 m3
10 things I hate about my e46 m3
Should I sell my e46 m3?
Oh no, subframe issues with my e46 m3?
Cost of owning an e46 m3
Why I sold my e46 m3
Why I regret selling my e46 m3
Should I buy an e46 m3 again?
As an E46 M3 owner of many years, I'll never forget the SmokingTire episode where Matt was trying to say a Fiesta ST is more fun than an E46 M3 lol. There was speculation behind Matt being paid off by Ford to make that video, but after all these years, its nice to see Matt finally appreciate the E46 M3. Some might speculate Matt buying one now is because of the trendy'ness the E46 M3 has gotten in the last few years. Maybe that's true, maybe not, btu a part of me wishes Matt appreciated the car more because of the car, and less because of how popular its become...
From what i can recall, it wasn't so much model against model, but more used vs new.
The only thing that's changed, is that E46 M3's have now suddenly become valuable enough, for people to take care of them.
Man that car is super nice. Congrats. Having DD mine for a few years it's looking a bit rough on the edges, but in the process of bringing it back somewhat. These are special cars to those who know.
Happy belated! And congratulations on the new car! Beautiful M3.
this was really cool to see because i just bought an e46 m3 as my daily driver. I got mine for $14k, completely rust free underbody with the big 3 done to it and a few small mods. Everything was done at a reputable shop and it came with full service records to prove everything was done. It wasnt the best m3 i could afford, I still had room left over in my budget. But I got it for a killer deal from my best friend. She also parts out BMWs with her boyfriend and they specialise in E46s, so I'll always have support if anything happens to it and I need help.
Same just got mine in July for 14k
@@dmoneydmo hell yeah good find bud! My friend sold me hers because she found a clean running driving Phoenix yellow m3 for $5500!! Its got a bad SMG pump so 6th gear exits the chat sometimes. But it's a very solid car otherwise, she lucked out with that one
I Completely agree on BMW going the wrong direction. Ugly and bulky and heavy and hideous giant grills.
That older body style, size, and esthetic is excellent.
I think the biggest loss was going away from the goldilocks suspension which always had a bit of roll and the near complete loss of steering feel when they introduced EPS.
Congrats man, that looks like an extremely well taken care of example and a proper enthusiast's car. I remember back when you made the comparison with the Fiesta ST, I had the Fiesta back then and really enjoyed the video.
I just ordered my G80 M3 manual for the same reasons. I think it will be the last of the high HP manual cars as well as last manual M3. End of an era. I plan on keeping it for many years. Can’t wait! Congrats on the E46, always was one of my favorite car designs.
Going through this video was hilarious. From you acknowledging you're an e46 m3 hater, to the part where you cant drive it beyond 7/10ths, to the part where you admit its an investment for resale value. I hereby name this car, the silver bandwagon
Nah, Its pretty honest on Matt's part. As for the bandwagon part, thats the smartest part of his purchase. People will want to hate saying why not get one years ago? Why now? The answer is that they were always cheap and easy to find. Like no big deal. You just grab whatever color your want. But if youre like Matt and putting together a collection, these lower mile perfect cars are going to be gone really soon. So if youre were ever thinking you might want an E46 M3, you should bought one by now. Plus BMW changed. We all assumed we'd just keep getting better and better drivers cars - either way, the cars the E46 M3 are gone. And he's right, that if you dont drift missile it, his version will be likely be worth more than he paid, so why not get a nice one? As for the 7/10th/s... Yeah he's wrong about that, but maybe that takes a little bit of driving that car before youre mashing it into the pavement and jumping crests. Like one good day of anger in the mountains. And maybe adding the comp package traction control? But he was pretty smart to buy it given whats happening in the market. Like he was almost forced to buy it now, before its too late... which kinds of sucks. But Matt's right.
i am always torn between E46 M3 and E92 M3, i feel both have their unique cool aspects that make one better than the other and vice versa.
S54 better to put high km on
@@e46mc93 thats probably true, though i think as always it also comes down to good maintenance. i know of V8s that have run well over 200 000 and the only thing really ever done was change of rod bearings.
as for the cars, i think i do love the look and size of the E46 M3 more but i like the V8 as an engine more.
@@th3orist Lots of N/A V8’s in the world. I almost bought an e60 M5 but decided with e46 M3 for style / size and the S54 is totally unique.
I didn’t do the rod bearings on mine until about 220,000km no manufacturer recall.
@@e46mc93 very nice
I feel you , I have an e46 m3 , I’ve had f80 m3 also e92 m3 . they are all unique , for me I’m keeping my e46 sometimes less is more . The e92 felt abit bigger/dull at low speeds but some translate this to better daily drivability as it’s abit smoother. the e46 is abit less refined feeling and let’s more sound through the car. if I lived in the states with bigger roads/cheaper fuel I’d defo have the e92 m3. I don’t think any are ‘better’ just different you can’t lose either way. in the past I’ve owned dc2 type r , Mitsubishi vr4, sti’s, 911 turbo (borrowed) but turbo cars don’t interest me I was always chasing more power. the driving feel in the e46 is enough for me . it’s all relative . Hope that helps . 👍🏻 not sure what’s next for me as for road driving/fun factor I do love this car in the U.K. .
So glad you got this example Matt!
My daily is an 04 with a 6MT I acquired in 2009. Just crossed over 222,000 miles and still brings a smile to my face. So much so that the E92 M3 I got a few years ago (to replace this) sits in the garage more :)
Future classic for sure! These will keep going up especially for good examples like yours
Already classic IMO!
@@mrphil2159 you aren't wrong
E38 7, E39 M5, E52 Z8, E53 4.8is, E46 M3, E84 Z4M are the pinnacle of BMW.
Id argue, it was the 80s.
E24 M6, E26 M1, E28 M5, E30 M3, E32 750i.
I know people freak out about the looks of e60/e90 but they still have all the classic driving characteristics (even a bit better) and hydraulic steering that made BMW so great. E90 got fatter than e46 but e60 weighs about the same as e39 bc more aluminum
@@Orcawhale1 Hard to rule that one out too, those were extremely good cars, also btw the E23 7 is in that list of cars mentioned, E32 belongs to the E36, E34 era. Reason why I believe the late 90s and 2000s was the hit is because you have everything, the quickest suv, quickest sedan, everything was quick, luxurious and safety was better than previously. BMWs motorcycles were good, racing history was spot on with LeMans in 99, them entering F1, Mclaren F1 winning Lemans in 96. One thing for sure is 80s-2010 was BMWs time. They’re still cool today but it’s on a straight decline.
@@aidenp5768 Nah, E23 carrys to much of the 70s with it. E32 is mid 80s, so it's okay.
My dad had one for years when I grew up. It was his daily. Lots of good memories of this thing
Congrats! I've owned my 03 M3 for 10 years and I also have a m54b30 swapped e46 XI Touring! All DIY'd with immense help from the Enthusiast community. Can't say enough for the NAM3FORUM and e46fanatics.
I love these cars perfect for the canyons but the sound is a deal breaker for me
Does Zach give you dirty looks now that you've got a cleaner m3 than he does?
But is it? Silver is the most bland color one can possibly own for this chassis… give me another LSB over a Ti any day.
Punching air for sure.
Nah - Zach's free to mod his car to his heart's content. As much as I love these, there are a dozen things you can do to make them better in any number of ways. Fitting up the suspension with poly bushings or replacing the right rubber bushings with ball joints can dramatically sharpen the handling. ZHP or Z4MC steering rack and an E34 coupler will sharpen the steering. Camber plates and some alignment changes will increase response and dial out understeer. Poly motor and trans mounts will increase NVH but sharpen shifter response and transform how the car responds to transitions. And there are many more where that came from.
All things I've done to my E36 M3 that make it so much more fun to drive than a soft stock car.
Zach's car may not be as nice, but it's probably both more fun and also the faster car.
Great taste in cars! I agree this is easily one of the favorite cars I’m not a bmw fan but you can not deny the success in these model years.
Congratulations, man. This is an amazing review of a dreacar of mine. Hope you enjoy it for a long time to come.
How did the E92 M3 begin deviating from the “formula” that you mention?
Weight/length , higher seating position , more refined more sound deadening that’s about it really . some would call that ‘better quality’ also though . Also introduction of a way more capable ecu. (More electronics). It was defo an m car made for the states where fuel is cheaper and roads are bigger . The e46 m3 gtr with the v8 in racing also had some minor complaints about how fast it drank fuel but hey ‘this is is racing’ lol .
The seating position was the worst part. It handled great, sounded great, and felt like an m car. Same can’t be said when they added turbos.
Be_A_Good_Little_Sheep 🐑 I had the f80 with the turbos too I can’t say I didn’t think it was amazing.’the best’ can’t be the same thing forever I guess . like classic ferraris/Ford race cars some of us would say damn they are way to raw for us lol.
congrats Matt. i saw your video in 2014 and i bought my E46 M3 after that video and still have it. your right, maintenance can get really expensive, but you pay for what you get. i still love it til this day and not planning on selling it anytime soon. also, i get all my work Done @ JMP Autowerks in Canoga park. Jerick the owner is really great. tell him i sent you! good luck and hope to see you around Los Angeles crest in the E46 M.
ehh could of had the s65 in the e90. Massive Soundtrack improvement. (yes heavier)
but that is damn nice.
Love the Red Interior like mine has,
Love these. I'm the same age as you and I remember my neighbour had this new and I always mired so hard in the drive way lol
Hey man. Awesome choice in mu opinion. Got mine for almost 5 years now. Not a fan of tuning. Silver, manual, no sun roof, fully loaded, stock basically until recently.. i did one thing, one thing that in my opinion everybody should do, while possible: change final drive to BMW MOTORSPORT 4.1 ratio. That thing not only got rid of that crazy long gearing (took me 4 years to realize how pointless that is), but more importantly it made it even more responsive, even faster and more nature in every day life. I remember having goose bumps first day i drove it after diff rebuild. Its simply amazing. If you can get it, sure buy it and have it at least ready on the shelf for when the time is right. Its a must!
the e92 m3 is MY personal favorite, looks wise, sound wise, interior wise, etc. but the size is what kind of annoys me, its pretty big for a 3 series . granted nowhere near as big as the f and g m3's but its definitely the best thing ever. my only regret when i had one is that it was 6mt . the dct trans is really so good , especially with a euro flash . the e92 was built around the dct so the 6mt isnt great without a lot of upgrades .
the best thing i could imagine is a s65 e46 m3 , especially with a super charger that would be the absolute best .
These and the E36 make so much more sense to me than an E30. I really only dig the E30 because of its looks, but if I ever buy a bimmer, I'll be damned if it doesn't have 6 cylinders in it.
I'd get a mint restored E30 with an S54 swap from the E46 M3. Shorter wheelbase and much less weight equals more nimble handling plus I love the vintage boxy design. The E46 is still great though, it is just so heavy
Exactly. I can vouch for EAG and Evan Keller et als work and establishment. They are the best in the nation hands down. I spent 2 years sourcing a 2012 ZCP E92 M3. Bought based on conversation and video he took for me on start up and walk around. Easiest purchase and top notch handling! Quality. Quality. Quality. Congrats to Matt for his beauty E46!!
We're about the same age (I'm turning 39 this year) and I totally understand where you're coming from. I got my license in the late 90s/early 2Ks and remember those seeing those special cars such as the M3, 911, vette etc...while i was driving my tempo/taurus lol. There is a lot of nostalgia in driving those cars nowadays for folks that are in their late 30s/early 40s. I myself recently acquired an '03 996 C4S (w/40k) and can't stop smiling. I really think that special cars from the 2000s are going to appreciate because they seem to be last of a dying breed.
Congratulations on the E46! And happy birthday!
Congratulations Matt, fantastic example.
Love the new ad transition too.
You see. He gets it. It's the driving feel and experience. Every time I drive my m3 I feel like it's an extension of my body. I've driven faster and newer sports cars but I have never felt I have been in more control over any car as I have felt in this particular car. Porches are great but I tend to have to go faster than fast to have the same feel and control as I feel in this car at any speed. This type formula in BMW's will be missed. Great video Matt. Congrats on your newish car and happy belated birthday kid!
Congratulations Matt! It’s always good to see your hero’s win!
The project I didn't complete was that M3 motor into an E30, it had to be sold. I have just handed a manual E46 325I coupe to my son, drove it for 3 years, revved its head off, now with 220k klms... Still strong, as you say Matt, great size, great chassis and simply a delight to go out for a late night blast, windows down, ears open. Mines now a 2014 Touring..nice too. I'm biased, I've had 10 beemers...still hanker for a 911.. Just nice to frive, you feel everything and they will take constant quick driving.
Congrats, and happy Birthday!
Congrats on the M3 Matt. Looks like a great example. I used to own a 2005 manual Competition pack M3 in Silver grey metallic. I think they are probably the best iteration of the M3. Like you mentioned, the size of the car and balance are exceptional. The engine is a gem and a classic. In stock form it pulls very hard and is a great car to slide around. I miss mine a lot but prefer my 1999 E55 much more as a daily.
Wow. Amazing find and happy birthday!
I've owned a '03 E46 ///M3 (carbon black, manual shift) since '06. I put a UUC short throw shifter, suspension, and the comp wheels on her. Those are the only mods and it has 60K miles. I recommend you looking into the UUC shifter....I LOVE IT!!
Very nice. I did something similar, but at 50. Replaced my beast of a street legal race car with a 2013 V6 Mustang with performance package. 50/50 weight distribution, reasonable power, and a joy to drive at 7/10 on a twisty mountain road.
Stunning mate and welcome to the club
Been waiting to finally see this. Very cool.