Ask almost any BMW enthusiast which Bavarian product is best, you’ll likely get two different answers; the original E30 BMW M3 or the E46 BMW M3. The latter of which is probably the best driving BMW of all time, thanks to the fact that it hits the perfect sweet spot. It’s pure, engaging and dripping with feedback while also being more comfortable, more modern and more usable than the E30 M3. It’s a car that, in my opinion, is the perfect daily sports car.
In this new video from Nick Murray, we get to see the E46 BMW M3, a rare bone-stock example, and why it’s so great. First, its engine. We forget how brilliant the standard 3.2 liter inline-six engine from the E46 M3 was, as it was capable of over 100 hp-per liter, as it made 333 hp. An enormous feat in a car as inexpensive as the M3 in its day. By comparison, the Porsche 911 Carrera had about 320 hp from its 3.6 liter flat-six. The M3’s engine also made a glorious noise and revved past 8,000 rpm and was truly a sweetheart. That style of free-revving, naturally-aspirated inline-six is not something we’ll ever see from BMW again.
But the best part of the E46 M3 is the way it drove. The steering was perfectly weighted and judged. There were no settings for steering effort or speed, no comfort or sport modes, it was just one perfect steering setup. That’s the way it should be. It was incredible communicative and pinpoint-precise. Just lovely. The chassis was also brilliant and equally as communicative, only sending its information through the seat of your pants rather than your hands.
Everything about the way the E46 BMW M3 looks, feels and drives is just perfect. It’s the right size, its interior is good looking and functional, without any of the modern doodads or distractions you’ll find in modern BMWs, and it just works. If you’ve ever drive one, you’d know just how superb they are to drive and be in. Nice examples of the E46 BMW M3 are going for around $20,000 right now, which isn’t a small amount of money for fifteen year old car. However, I’d rather spend $20k on one than anything new for the same amount.
I remember whdn i first saw the E46 M3….in light blue (you know the one) and those awesome OEM wheels. It was a sight that still the current M4, beautiful as it is, couldn’t replicate.
Retro BMW were for purists. The engine alone was a gem, so was the V10 on the E60 M5. Then, BMW deteriorated BIG TIME in engine sound, etc…
I remember following engine awards when BMW used to win 5+ categories each year, something which has disappeared, unfortunately.
Would still take their current product over any “competition”. Because BMW take an innovation leadership role, they are not only producing cutting edge tech., they are ahead of their time. i8 has won awards but it doesn’t compare to oil dinosaurs like rwd. VAG, AMG, AMG-engined Aston, Lambo-engined Audi. NSX I saw last month was $100k more than i8, Porsche/Ferrari/McLaren hybrids much more. The V10 got 200 miles to a tank. Welcome to the 21st century.
m3 CSL sounds even sweeter…my most fav BMW noise
E46 reminds me of what BMW used to be. Simple, brilliant and reliable. E46 M3 CSL should be on the list of top 10 greatest cars ever made. OK, M2 and F80 M3 are fantastic, and new M5 is a big step forward, but those cars are so much more complicated than E46. E46 had no “comfort” or “sport plus” mode, it was just sit, shut up, and drive. Oh yeah, and E60 M5 is still my favorite luxury sedan of all time. N/A V10 in a 5 series chassis? That’s perfect recipe for me.
The M3 Nick drove is not “bone stock”, it had DINAN exhaust on it.
I know this because I own one.
Great E46 M3 review from Nick!
Thanks for sharing that. And awesome car :)