[Elite47]

I love my BMW and BMWs in general. The car I have now is great, fully paid off, 30,000 miles, detailed, and fun to drive...but....

I cannot forget my 2001 E46 330i. It was so much fun, it introduced me to BMW and made me fall in love. My dream for for the past decade has been the M3. Even after the E9X M3s came out, I still had an affinity for the E46. They seemed lighter, more focused, less complicated with over-engineering. (no offense with later model owners, a BMW is a BMW, still an incredible machine)

I was even thinking of dropping a couple thousand in performance parts to really get the most out of my 328i, but then I thought, I might as well get the real thing. Sure they are mostly at 50k miles and for about $29,000 for the options that I want, which is more than what my E92 is worth. But I can't stop seeing them on the streets and just dreaming about one.

Has anyone done anything similar? Or am I just nuts?

[Amini77]

Its personal preference. My friend has an e46 m3 I love driving it whenever I can but its just too small of a car for me. Maybe thats because I have a sedan but if I was into coupes and had a e92 328i I'd probably want an e46 m3. Idk about you but most of the e46 m3's I see are around $20k. I say go for it!

[pgaplayerless]

IMO E46 M3s are really starting to show their age now since they never got the facelift. It will also be tough for you to find one that didn't have numerous owners, which for me is a turn off as you have no idea how each owner drove and took care of the car.

Also a well optioned 335 will give you the same performance of an E46 M3 without all the specialty requirements that come with old-tech high performance (TWS motor oil, valve adjustments, etc)

[curiouz_g]

I own both a 335i sedan and a E46 M3. Without a doubt in my mind, if I had to drop 1 of them, the E90 would be gone in a heart beat. The E46 just has that special vibe to it where its just fun as hell to drive and very involving. Even though they're older, I get tons more looks in my E46 than I do in my 335 (I daily my 335 and only drive once or twice in the M3 on the weekends) if you're into that thing.

As for the performance aspect, in a straight line theyre about even. Around the twisties and it'll just keep shrinking in the rear view mirror. The S54 in the E46 is also a work of art. IMO it's the last of the I6's that made BMW's well...true BMW's.

[Fortyb]

I want an M3 E46 and An M3 E30...Either one would suit me just fine..But can't mess with it now while i'm putting my teenager through college .

[JDane07]

Originally Posted by curiouz_g

I own both a 335i sedan and a E46 M3. Without a doubt in my mind, if I had to drop 1 of them, the E90 would be gone in a heart beat. The E46 just has that special vibe to it where its just fun as hell to drive and very involving. Even though they're older, I get tons more looks in my E46 than I do in my 335 (I daily my 335 and only drive once or twice in the M3 on the weekends) if you're into that thing.

As for the performance aspect, in a straight line theyre about even. Around the twisties and it'll just keep shrinking in the rear view mirror. The S54 in the E46 is also a work of art. IMO it's the last of the I6's that made BMW's well...true BMW's.

I would drop the e90 as well if I had your beast of an e46 M3!

But seriously, the e46 body style is perfect. The motor is legendary. And it can potentially be very, very fast (if you have the money obviously lol).

[kdbryce]

I've thought about it and I know people who have done it.

There aren't many discussions on here about reliability, but I would bet it's more reliable than a 335. However, I'd probably look through some e46 m3 forums just to be safe.

I think it's a great idea and the only reason I haven't done it myself is because I think id rather have an e92 m3.

I say go for it!

[pgaplayerless]

Originally Posted by kdbryce

I've thought about it and I know people who have done it.

There aren't many discussions on here about reliability, but I would bet it's more reliable than a 335. However, I'd probably look through some e46 m3 forums just to be safe.

I think it's a great idea and the only reason I haven't done it myself is because I think id rather have an e92 m3.

I say go for it!

E46 maintenance is more involved/pricey. Then there's the dreaded e46 subframe body ripping/tears that just about all E46 had or will have at some point....$4-$5k fix

[135Pats]

There’s a lot to like about the E46 M3. Classic lines albeit a bit dated at this point, a legendary motor (though expensive to make big power on), IMO the last of the truly great M cars. S65 is a great, great motor; but a V8 in the small M just seems wrong to me. I know I’m in the minority there.
E46s are very temperamental, there’s a lot of work that goes into keeping them running well. N52s are pretty rock solid, so expect a change there. But yes, if you can and are willing to shell out the cash to keep it on the road, it’s a no brainer. Go get that M3.

[135Pats]

Whoops double post.

[KwlAznKid]

pros: better car (imo), more fun, more attention, way better drive
cons: showing it's age now, the s54 is a great engine but it is costly and problematic (at times)

I've owned a e46 m3, e92 335i (non-tuned) and now currently have a e92 328i and out of the three cars i can say hands down the e46 m3 is my favorite out of the three, if i could do it all over again i would probably still pick the e46 m3 over my 328i right now, the only reason i went for the 328 is because it's "newer" and so PROBABLY less costly in maintenance.

[Stance321]

My personal preference is to always buy a newer car, although I do like the e46 m3, it's over 10+ years old.

[curiouz_g]

Originally Posted by JDane07

I would drop the e90 as well if I had your beast of an e46 M3!

But seriously, the e46 body style is perfect. The motor is legendary. And it can potentially be very, very fast (if you have the money obviously lol).

Thanks, its my baby

Originally Posted by kdbryce

I've thought about it and I know people who have done it.

There aren't many discussions on here about reliability, but I would bet it's more reliable than a 335. However, I'd probably look through some e46 m3 forums just to be safe.

I think it's a great idea and the only reason I haven't done it myself is because I think id rather have an e92 m3.

I say go for it!

Reliability for the E46 is great compared to the E90. In the span of a month, I've had my lock motor go out in the door, battery terminal go bad on me which fried a battery, had to get a new battery due to the bad terminal, recall for electric work, and the key die out on me for the E90. On my M3, I've had nothing except for a window button go bad but that's because I pulled on it too hard. The E90 is an 08 with 21k miles as well so its not like the car was driven much. It also has extended maintenance warranty so all maintenance was done on time for the car.

[benjlv]

I don't think you're crazy. I still own a 97 m3in addition to my 330i. $30k seems like too much to spend on a e46 m3 though. you should be able to find one for less. a friend of mine picked up a nice 01 in laguna blue with 8x,xxx on it for $16.5k 4 years ago.

Its not going to have quite the build quality and its going to have more little issues than your new car. But if you are willing to set aside cash for repairs or DIY it, it may not be a bad move.

as for looking dated. I think its a pretty timelessly styled car. Pick a modern color combo, wheels, and keep it clean. Nothing ages the looks of a car like dirt and banged up headlights.

[e46m3to335i]

I owned a 04' M3 for about a year and im on my 4th N54 car. I still get the itch to get back in a E46 M3 time to time. Then again, im a indecisive bastard, lol.

Stay away from the SMG if you decide to pull the trigger.

[Ubersmooth]

One with 50k miles isn't $29k, it'll be in in the low twenties.

[Eddien123]

A 335i msport with an time will give you close to the same thrill. Then again nothing's as good as an M.

[ThEnder]

If I didn't need the sedan practicality I would be driving an E46 M3 right now. I truly believe the E46 M was one of the best cars BMW has made.

[deathbunny]

Originally Posted by pgaplayerless

E46 maintenance is more involved/pricey. Then there's the dreaded e46 subframe body ripping/tears that just about all E46 had or will have at some point....$4-$5k fix

Like the OP I have wanted an E46 M3 since they first came out. When it came time to get one I ended up getting a 335 instead. I could get past the subframe issue since that is at least fixable but I couldn't get over the whole your engine can pop at anytime from your vanos and no amount of preventative maintenance can stop it.

[John 070]

reminds me of buying high, selling low. It's kind of backwards. Would I rather drive a E46 M3 over a E9x 328? You bet, the 328 isn't very exciting to drive, but if you've already driven a 328 for x number of years and own it, wouldn't you like to upgrade at some point? It's perfectly a good thing to aspire to an M3, I do. But get a current model, not 1-2 generations behind just to have an M3. My wife's cousin's husband had SMG problems on his and the dealer quoted him 12k to repair. He called BS and did his own repair without about $100 in parts.

[Lucky13]

I owned 3 E46 M3's and bought a E93 335 manual when it came out. I constantly miss the handling and high rev engine. I still think it is the best looking BMW in the last 10-15 years. I check cars.com, auto traders and all the sites at least once a week looking at used ones. Almost all dealers will say manual for the SMG. It is extremely difficult to find a manual coupe with less than 80,000 and usually they have been tuned, changed or just plain screwed up or have had 5-8 owners. Seem to be more convertibles available but they are slower and heavier. I think my E93 is faster than th E46 M3 convertible but slower thn a coupe (I have SS turbo tuner). Good luck finding a decent one and definitely get a CARFAX history. The 2001's had a major recall and maybe early 2002's for crankshaft problems I think but the 3 I had I loved. If I could find a low mileage coupe I'd probably buy it.

[Hokie_BMW]

Also just FYI the subframe issues were pretty much nonexistent after 2002. So you should be safe with any car 2003 or later. I miss my E46 ZHP a lot and would have loved to get into an e46 m3. Maybe someday.