Recently, we talked about which M5 we would have if given the chance. We talked about each one and then we each ranked them, giving each other our opinions. I had opined that the E28 was the best, while many said the E39 and the E60 even had some votes in there. It was a fun and interesting topic. So I decided we should do it again, except this time, with the M3.
The M3 is what everyone thinks of when they think of BMW. It’s the first car to come to mind, and rightfully so, as it is the car that made the brand the Ultimate “Driving Machine”. So let’s go through the list of M3s, talk a little about each and then we’ll rank them in order of which we’d have if money were no option.
Let’s begin, shall we?
E30 M3 (1986-1991)
The E30 M3 is the one that comes to mind first when anyone mentions the M3. I would go as far as to say that the E30 M3 is the most revered car of the 80’s, aside from maybe the Ferrari F40. It presented a near-perfect steering and handling with ample, usable power and a wonderful soundtrack to match. Using the S14 engine, a 2.3 liter I4, the M3 produced 197 hp, mated to a 5-Speed manual and a limited-slip differential. It also had seats for four and a decent enough ride to make the car usable every day.
The great thing about the E30, is that it matches its pedigree. So many people claim the E30 M3 to be automotive perfection, so much so, in fact that you might start to doubt them. “It can’t be that good, can it?” you might say. The answer is yes, it is that good. It also dominated touring-car races all throughout the late 80’s and early 90’s, so there’s great history there too. Overall the E30 is just an incredible machine with pedigree and history.
E36 M3 (1992-1998)
The E36 M3 was bigger, heavier, more comfortable and more powerful. People seem to complain about modern M3s getting bigger and heavier than the previous, but the fact is that it started happening with the first successor. Upsizing is nothing new for BMW. Now, did all of that upsizing make the E36 better? I would say no. I own an E36 328i and, while no M3, it isn’t as good of a driver’s car as an E30. And if I’m honest, it isn’t as good as an E46 either, the model that came after.
What the E36 M3 is, to me at least, is an entry-level M3. Yes, it still is fast and handles great, but it just isn’t as pure as the E30 and not as god of a car as the E46. But it is significantly cheaper than both and easier to work on/fix. The E36 M3 was the first M3 to use a six-cylinder engine. The S50, 3.0 liter I6 produced 240 hp, which could hit 60 mph in under six seconds, was used up until 1995. In 1996, BMW bumped the engine up to 3.2 liters which, while keeping the same hp figure, bumped torque up as well to 240 lb-ft from 225. The E36 M3 was a good car and can be found for cheap. It’s a great car for people who’ve never driven an M3 and want to try it out on the cheap.
E46 M3 (2000-2006)
I call the E46 the muscle car of the M3s. It had so much power and torque, coming from its 3.2 liter, 338 hp engine that it could light its rear tires up on command. It was by far and away the most powerful M3 at the time, and turned the M3 into a serious speed machine. Before the E46, handling seemed to be the primary goal for the M3, over straight-line speed.
The E46, though, had both. It still handled fantastic and is considered one of the better handling sports cars of all time. But boy was it fast, too. The E46 M3 was available with a 6-Speed manual only, up until BMW released it with their SMG gearbox, which worked well on track but no so well on the road. The manual is the one to have. Where the previous two M3s were fun, the E46 was an all-out hooligan. A truly fantastic car, and one everyone should drive before they die. Road and Track, back in 2009, proclaimed the 2006 M3 with the SMG to be their favorite sports car of all time. That’s saying something.
E90/E92 M3 (2007-2013)
The first of the M3s to start getting crucified for being different. Many balked at the idea of the E90/92 M3 because of its V8 engine, instead of BMW’s legendary inline-six. What an engine it was, though. The 4.0 liter V8 made 414 hp and revved to 8,250 RPM and made an incredible noise doing it. This paired to either a 6-Speed manual or a quick-shifting, 7-Speed DCT gearbox, got the M3 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds.
The E90/E92 M3, took heat at first, but once people warmed to it, they couldn’t stop singing its praises. With a beautifully linear power band, wonderful exhaust note, fantastic steering and incredible handling, the E90 M3 will go down as one of the best. It had such great balance between being a normal everyday 3 Series and an absolute lunatic as well. It was also one of the more charismatic M3s. The E90/E92 was very different from the rest, therefore it holds a special place in my, as well as many other enthusiast’s, heart.
F80 M3 (2013-present)
Well get your pitchforks ready, everyone because there is going to be some sort of riot. Just mentioning the F80 M3 gets so many BMW purists outraged. “How dare they make it turbocharged!” some will say or “Eww, it has electric power-steering?”. For some reason, just like the M5, BMW purists don’t like when ///M cars change. Even if the newer car is faster, handles better and seats more people, it’s still an outrage to them because it isn’t an old one.
Well they don’t know what they’re talking about because the F80 is wonderful. With polarizing looks, insane speed and pinpoint handling, the F80 M3 is everything an M3 should be. It also goes back to using an inline-six like the fans wanted. The motor in question is a 3.0 liter, twin-turbo I6 making 425 hp sent through either 6-Speed manual or 7-Speed DCT to a limited-slip differential. The F80 can hit 60 mph, using the DCT, in blistering 3.9 seconds. The F80 M3 is faster to 60 mph than the original Lamborghini Gallardo. That’s fast any way you slice it. So while people might bemoan the use of turbocharging or the EPS, or even the speaker-enhanced soundtrack, the F80 M3 remains one of the finer sports cars on the market today and a worthy successor in a line of great cars.
It’s tough to rank them and especially tough to pick a favorite. But if I had to own just one every day, I think it would be the E46.
It combines comfort, speed, performance, exceptional handling and timeless looks all in one package. It also still has some old-school feel, which is nice. Every M3 has been fantastic and I don’t think there’s a real dog in the lineup, so there’s no wrong answer here. So let me know which your favorite is and how you would rank them all.
My Ranking:
- E46
- E30
- F80
- E90/92
- E36
My Ranking is:
1) E46 (with SMG II and particularly the CSL)
2) E90/92/93 (with M-DCT)
3) E30
4) F80 and E36 (The F10 because of the turbocharged engine and the E36 for the exterior design)
E92 revs to 8400, just to clarify
Not that good idea, power peak is at 8300, and the limiter is at 8,4k but these engines don’t like overrevving. I’ve seen one stock gone to almost 8600rpm and later suffered serious engine damage, as if 8300rpm wasn’t enough.
My rankings are:
1) E46 without that god awful SMG and its an inline 6
2) E30 because of it’s defining of the class of luxury sports coup. It really changed the game
3) F80 because progress and the technology that it comes with. Yes it is turbocharged but whether it’s NA or an 8 cylinder or a 4, the engine doesnt define the M class. Its all about the performance folks.
4) E90 is low on my list because of the early issues withe model
5) E36 is the Jan Brady of the 3 series. It sits between the E30 and the E46, both which excel and the E36 is more just a meh car.
I’m a bit partial because I have a E46 330i that I got during the summer. I dont have everything that the E46 M3 has but I can get an inkling of what the M3 is like.
Trust me…you don’t . I had a 330ci till I finely to go into m3
and is a world apart. If you get a Chance to get m3 E46 go for it.
And in europe we got e36 m3 3.0 286hp and 3.2 321hp :))
I agree, at the moment e46 is best all around.
i just want all those M3’s in manual and if it means i have spend more for those that didnt come in manual i would spend more money. but my ranking is…
1. E46 because it beat the Merc C32 and C55 AMG
2. E36 with four door
3. E30 it was banned in my country (South Africa) because the Police were complaining that criminals were getting away with crime in that car.
4. E92 four door
5. F80 im not a fan of turbos
Funny, of all of the M3 generations, I have always regarded the e36 as the best driver’s car. There’s never been another model – or even car that I’ve driven – that is so intuitive to drive. The e46 was just disappointing as a performance car, imo. It felt fat and slow, although interior quality is far better than the e36 and I love the body style. The e92 is a beast and I feel like it should rank higher than 3rd place, but the e30 and e36 are very, very good. The history behind the e30 and driving pleasure it provides make for a strong case to rank it second.
My ranking –
1) E36
2) E30 (purely for fun)
3) E92
4) E46
I haven’t driven the F80 so I’m leaving it out.
Without a doubt the number one m3 would have to be the e30
The rest follow
But the e30 the original ultimate driving machine.
Without a doubt the number one m3 would have to be the e30
The rest follow
But the e30 the original ultimate driving machine.
in my honest opinion, the E46 is the very best M3 yet the world has ever seen. HPF has put a spin on making it TURBO comparable, which opens the door of a whole different platform of this wonderful car potential. and i really see the M4 carrying on the legacy. I really miss you HPF, I know if you were still around the BMW fans would sure be thrilled by your master piece. Please make it happen again Chris, we’re depending on you. BMW MPOWER (HPF) .
in my honest opinion, the E46 is the very best M3 yet the world has ever seen. HPF has put a spin on making it TURBO comparable, which opens the door of a whole different platform of this wonderful car potential. and i really see the M4 carrying on the legacy. I really miss you HPF, I know if you were still around the BMW fans would sure be thrilled by your master piece. Please make it happen again Chris, we’re depending on you. BMW MPOWER (HPF) .
I own an E46 and it’s a damn good car. But few weeks ago my friend bought E92 M3 – and that is something epic. That V8 engine is a real masterpiece… With Borla exhaust it sounds like a speech of god )))))
Most ppl are cowboys with real experience but rather google searcher :P
Real deal is the v8. They all read n then give verdict or talks biasedly on what they have but to make it sound better gives credit to e30 as its a safe bet.
I own e46 m3 and M4. V8 is a killer. Totally outa norm n best bmw has ever build. Now am eying out for the e92
The E30 M3, hands down… It’s the standard bearer.
The rest have been exercises in specmanship: horsepower, torque, tech.
1) E46 because i absolutely love this car in all it’s form, especially the CSL one
2) E36 My favorite car would be the 3.2 if the E46 didn’t exist :D
3) E30 This has the best sounding 4 pot ever. The S14B25 is the best 4 pot ever !
4) F80 I have to admit that this car is really clever, and it doesn’t sound so bad ! Especially with the 6MT
5) E92 I love the E92’s V8, and the E92 In general, but i love the others even more. Yes i’d take an F80 over an E92, that’s my choice ! The F80 is just a better car. It’s the first one to be lighter than it’s predecessor, it has an high-revving engine too, considering it’s tubocharged (it revs higher than the E30), and i just prefer it x)
I know we can tend to be nostalgic and all, but I am going with this theme, “in with the new and out with old”. Which leads me to the BMW M3 F80 being the best ever thus far. #BMWM3
So here is my line up:
1. M3 F80
2. M3 E46
3. M3 E36
4. M3 E30
5. M3 E90, E92, 93
Like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/BMW-M3-Hq/723251024457881
I know we can tend to be nostalgic and all, but I am going with this theme, “in with the new and out with old”. Which leads me to the BMW M3 F80 being the best ever thus far. #BMWM3
So here is my line up:
1. M3 F80
2. M3 E46
3. M3 E36
4. M3 E30
5. M3 E90, E92, 93
1- E46 (Currently own)
2- F80
3- E9x (Used to own)
4- E30
5- E36
I have had two, and my favourite of not only these two cars, but all mine car history is the Silver grey, E46 M3 manual coupe.
I own the E46 M/3..and I love it
I have driven all m3 models
I just sold my e92
I have a fully refurbished E46
and I hope I will never have to sale it…
The f80 is great car but it does not give me the same driving pleasure
the e30 does not have the power I wish but I love the car
e36 was not for me at all
e92 was a bad luck and the reliability really got me upset
so I stick to my E46 m3
1-E46 M3 SMG
2-E36
3-E30
4-F80
5-E90/92
My ranking:
1. E92
2. F80
3. E30
4. E46
5. E36
The E92 is by far the best engine ever in an M3. Sure the F80 has more power, but still like the V8 much more. E46 is a dull car, slower than my old 335i, nothing special.
335i FTW
Most ppl here r morons. If they did drive all – without a doubt itll be the e92 V8
my ranking is
1) E46 – I HAVE ONE AND IT IS REALLY FUN TO DRIVE
2) E90 – THAT V8 IS AWESOME
3) E30 – ORIGINAL IS ALWAYS AMAZING
4) E36 – NOT THE BEST BUT STILL AWESOME
5) F80 – I LIKE IT, BUT THE TURBOS ARE DULL
Oh man..
1) E90/E92(No E93 please..). Oh man I love my E92.
2) E30. Truly great car that started it all.
3) E46. Last M3 to be truly performance oriented and not so Comfort minded.
4) F80/F82. The new M3 has the looks but not the soul and the heart of the past M3 Generations.
5) E36. It was just not special. Shared so many parts with regular 3 series. Plus US models < EU models…
Oooh my , E46 yeeaaah the rest you can sort them out your self
I think it depends on what you are using the car for. If it is racing or track days ,weekend canyon carving or daily driver my order changes depending on use. I have had them all with the exception of my e 30 was a 325 is. I use mine for weekend canyon carving and nice days cruising and a few track days here and there.
# 1 e92 Feels smaller then it is ,handles great , very reliable , the v8 sounds better then any other BMW, it’s an event to drive. . It is one of my favorite cars I have ever driven but this thing goes through a tank of gas faster then any car I have ever driven bad mileage some tank.
# 2 e46 extremely fun on the track or in canyons.
# 3 e30 only drove the 325is so not sure how to rate it.
# 4 e36 Most fun to push to the limits, heck it’s one the few I could even get close on the track.
#5. F80. Fastest ,best daily driver ,least involved driving experience in my humble opinion.
In my view the best M3 out there is actually the BMW 1M Coupe. That is the true successor to the E30
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