The Greatest M3 Ever? First Drive In The Manual E46 BMW M3
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In our latest review, we embark on a journey that merges the past with the present. Pawel, being the automotive connoisseur he is, graciously hands over the keys to his pristine, Imola Red BMW E46 M3 - a true icon of its time. As I nestle into the driver's seat of this legendary machine, we chase the roaring symphony of my 997.2 GT3 RS led by Pawel, weaving through the picturesque roads of the Chicago suburbs.
A revelation unfolds during this drive: I stand corrected. Contrary to my previous claim that the E92 M3 wore the crown, this drive brings an epiphany. The E46 possesses a rawness, a purity, an unfiltered connection between man and machine that the more modern E92, despite its merits, doesn't quite capture. It’s compact yet powerful, modern yet nostalgic - it’s the epitome of what an M3 should be.
Join us as we traverse Chicago's scenic routes, exploring not just the beauty of the landscape, but also delving deep into what makes the E46 M3 the true pinnacle of BMW's M series. Prepare to be swayed, as I lay out my case for why this machine deserves its newfound title in my books.
#bmw #bmwm3 #bmwm #e46coupe #e46m3
I can’t believe this handsome,articulate guy is my son,by the way I taught him how to drive manual,now I think he do it better than I do.
Thank you dad
The absolute best M3 ever made. I worked at a BMW dealership back in 2004, when E46s were still pretty new. I can tell you this, when one of those pulled into the shop, everyone was mesmerized by them. Especially if it was a Laguna Seca Blue version. Still a dream car, all these years later. Great review man!
Manual E46 M3 is perfection
Agreed
How does this channel with this production not have more subs? Keep it up.
Im glad my dad owns a 2004 bmw m3 e46, im teaching my self how to drive a manual by practicing in VR games (virtual reality if you dont know) so i can drive it when i get a permit and license
Can’t wait for you to learn and experience it. What an epic driving experience
its impossible to not love this car. The e39 and e38 were awesome too.
bought 2 and love them
The sound that the engine makes is amazing. Thank you for this video.
You’re welcome my friend. Thanks for tuning in 🙏🏻
It's the exhaust system that makes it sound great ...
I wouldn’t be one bit mad if I had to drive the E46 behind the GT3 showing off in front of me. I love the cloth seats of this particular spec as well!
i've said this before and i say it again this channel is so underated, great content deserves to have a million followers
Thank you my friend for the kind words.
I forgot about the m3! bro u got like 8 videos here in 2 days. Ps i can feel the drone from the 3rs inside the m3 🤣
Great review. E46 is the goat (esp Imola red). When it came out that was all I wanted. But I think there’s just too many other awesome cars out there now to covet. Thanks for another great video
Agreed. I think at the price point, it is a great deal and offers the ultimate M experience. Happy you enjoyed the video as always my friend.
Great review, thank you 🙏🏻 Me being a BMW Purist I can only but agree with you, the E46 ///M3 is iconic 🏆 The BMW E46 ///M3 CSL which I own is in a League of it's own 💫
M3 CSL is probably legendary. Appreciate the comment.
I drove my friend's a while ago amd couldn't believe how smooth that engine was. Sure, it's not as fast as modern cars but there was a level of rawness, and purity of driving, you don't get in modern cars
Agreed. A helluva car
Good review you know your cars I’ve had few different m3 models e46 was special for me . over all .
I didnt hear you mention it. But this is a ZCP/Competition model. Can tell by wheels, seats, dash trim, alcantara wheel, no cruise control. Also they have shorter steering ratio and larger rotors.
Correct. Car is sick
Oh man, sweet cars. I wanted to get that M3 in black, years ago. But you and Paweł are welcome to join me on some REAL driving roads in the burbs. I recognized that dealership instantly😆
Would love to. Will let you know next time I come up.
@@MiamiMiles awesome. I’ve put in work to find good roads and my friends know how to drive. Keep up the good work!
I could see the E46 M3 being peak m3, in that it has the rawness of a older m3 and has just enough new tech to make it even smoother. If I ever get another one, I def want manual, also the power of the car is not too crazy for raods, My gtr is just insane power, its almost not fun in a lot of ways.
I owned the E46 m3 but it was with the paddle shifters and it was one of my favorite cars, I had a 2009 GTR 35 now and I miss the raw feeling of the E46 M3. Im thinking of selling my gtr and getting a low mileage e92 since I already had the e46. what do you think?
What’s done to the exhaust on this car?
Great review, I need one of these! I test drove a G80 to see if it was a worthy garage mate for my E92 M3 and that ish was fast but SO boring! I think E46 and E92 are the very best 🤌
Agreed. I think those are the two best generations to own.
@@MiamiMiles Absolutely 😁
Bro there’s one I been looking at to get as next project, but na no way the E92 is king the body lines and engine 👏🏻
Here is what you aren’t understanding ….. The E46 Overall character & drivers feedback is what makes it such a great vehicle. The E92 M3 lacks in that department compared to an E46 M3.
@@ES-REDROT bmw people so dam technical
@@ES-REDROT I agree. The only thing the e92 does better is comfort and that screaming V8. The V8 alone is enough for most people, but I don't think it is enough for me to have one over this if I had to pick one.
No chance the e92 has better body lines. Come on Bruh.
@@rayrom8219 I agree with you here. It does.
I think that the practicality Of this car and the design and power is a true icon of the automotive world yet the maintenance 👨🔧 is not for me it’s to risky 😊
i had the chance to buy this car 5 years ago but chickened out due to the potential maintenance issues not to mention the poor miles per gallon. I still think about it.
@@ronniep9272 You could always get another one :) and I don't think you'd be unhappy.
I think it depends on the car. I think the risk is worth the reward here :)
@@MiamiMiles 🫰🏽saving up just In case I change my mind my buddy had one it was so nice 😊
@@MiamiMiles I have a 3 year old son now so I think the dream is gone. Plus they were a lot cheaper back in 2018. I would love to just drive one though to get it out of my system.
@miami Miles E46 m3 VS 997 GT3RS, how does it compare being 1/10th the cost?
Honestly, it's a great value at the price point. These mint e46's have skyrocketed though. I think a great example like this one is like $50-$60K. That is 1/5 the price of my RS. I think it is much greater than 1/5 the car.
I think the E92 is speacl because of the v8, but otherwise I love the E46, I just want to try something new with getting the e92. I hope I dont regret it lol
Nice review. I’ve had my E46 M3 since new back in April 2001. I picked up my F430 in 2007. The E46 is still a fun car to drive. It was fast and had a lot of power for its time. Mine is on H&R coil overs and all I have is a light weight battery. I’ve also driven an E92 3 pedal. It was a while back but my conclusions are the same. I’ve race an E92 in my E46 and F430. The E92 is right in between.
Comment is bang on. Appreciate your feedback 🤜🏻
E36 😮
are the shift lights not working in the M3? As you rev up to 8,000 the shift lights on the tach didn't come on (same lights that show correct oil warm-up at start up)
I didn't see the lights when I drove it... Perhaps they weren't working.
It only does that for SMG equipped cars, stock. You can get tune/code it for manual as well though
@@mittortz why though? tells you when car is to operating temp (minimize wear on oiled surfaces with 10w-60)...and good feedback on revs
@@nevrcm3261 I can't give you insight on BMWs engineering/product decisions sadly. Considering it is a relatively simple coding fix, I have no idea why they didn't make it that way from the factory. I really want it for my 6 speed car myself... Waiting for the day I go for a carbon airbox and tune
@@nevrcm3261it semi has shift lights. I have a 2001 E46 M3. When starting the car and engine temps still too cold the lights are there to tell you when to shift but they are pretty much useless because they go out even when the oil temps are still too low. It’s not that hard to shift at 7.9 to 8k. You just get used to it and same for my F430 at 8.5k rpm.
Best M3 still the e30 or now the new G80 CS (which EVO mag called an all-time great car). But the way you have this e46 tuned from intake/exhaust standpoint, it sounds fantastic. Its definitely a better car than the e92, no doubt about that.
Had a CS on order. Wish I woulda kept it. e46 > e92 for sure
Great vid, but it's already common knowledge that the e46 M3 is better in every way to the e92 M3. I would compare it to the Porsche 911 that came out around the same time (the one with the fried eggs headlights), and this car beats that too in every way, while carrying two extra adults comfortably in the usable back seats
Comment is bang on
Every e46 m3 NEEDS headers
E46 lasts longer than Porsche wiring. Hope you’re okay 😴. Love our heroes 😊s god bless
Having owned all 3 generations, F80 is my favourite. It's like a combination of the rawness of the i6 e46 engine and the comfort and styling of the e92. G80 is too heavy and uglier than F80 so I have no interest in it. But you could argue which gen is better all day.
I thought the same exact thing.
I can't argue with this. The F might be peak. It would be sick to get all three together for a review.
Ok, let’s argue then. What makes you say F80 is the greatest?
@@ES-REDROT F82 m4 looks are peak. It's like the e92 with sharper angles and best looking bumpers and wing mirrors and it keeps the power dome, that the G80 has lost. The twin turbo power pairs best with the manual. Lots of low down torque works well with the 6 speed. Sound is meaty and bassy, but metallic raspy on the high end like the e46. Revs high to 7500. Shifter and clutch feels better than the e92 and the optional auto rev match makes it fun to drive everyday. Auto Rev matching sounds amateur, but when you try it you'll see. It blends old school manual with DCT. Interior is by far the best. E46 is very old now, e92 was okay but the integrated screen doesn't look as good as the f80s tablet design. The G80s new long screen and LCD tacho is just not it. If I was to have 2 m3\4s it would be a DCT e92 m3 and a manual F82 m4. But because I already have a screaming N\A DCT supercar, the F82 m4 manual is the one.
@@MiamiMiles would love to see that. I think car throttle did a video comparing all 3 a few years back
🫡🫡