[rickyjones1209]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I really don't think the E46 M3 looks dated. It is a stunningly aggressive looking car which carries much presence. It's an icon that will go down in Automotive history.

Chris Harris rates it as his best all time Performance car over the last 50 years!!

I have driven mine in heavy traffic, it's a manual it it was far from tiresome. Not as easy as an auto 335i but not exactly hard. It isn't an Atom LOL....

Yeh maybe saying it looks dated is a bit harsh. I do appreciate its edgy aggressive looks and good examples do look smart. I especially like the gun metal grey with red leather.

But it certainly looks more dated than an e92. It's an 11 odd year old design after all.

[zltm089]

Carl, I need a passenger ride in ur car...when u coming down?

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by rickyjones1209

Yeh maybe saying it looks dated is a bit harsh. I do appreciate its edgy aggressive looks and good examples do look smart. I especially like the gun metal grey with red leather.

But it certainly looks more dated than an e92. It's an 11 odd year old design after all.

The E46 looks dated in the same way an old Ferrari looks dated. It may have moved from modern to classic but is still in my mind the pinnacle of 3 series design. The e46 M3 epitomizes BMW in the same way as the 2002 or the 2000 Veloce still represent classic Alfa design. Parked alongside an E92 the E46 is still to my eye the more pleasing and desirable car. The only thing classic about an E92 M3 is its engine...also a pinnacle of naturally aspirated design that deserved to be more widely used than just the M3 (in the same way the Rover 3.5 V8 and Ford 3.0 V6 popped up all over the place.)

Very often, older cars start to look slightly comical in the same way an old suit with wide lapels and flared trousers looks odd to the modern eye. There are some rare designs however that continue to look good despite their age and go on to become highly desirable classics. The original 6 series being a good example

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

The diff alone is worth it for me. Makes the standard diff in the 335's feel pony.

335i does not have a diff at all. BMW calls a variant of their DSC "electronic diff" but that is a complete misnomer.

I've driven both cars quite a bit and agree it depends on your priorities and your financial situation. The 335i is a better allrounder and more comfortable in daily driving, the E46M has far better throttle response and a better suspension setup if you push it a bit harder. To get the 335i to the same handling point or better you need to spend a bit of money, with the E46M that's already included as standard. But then, the standard suspension of the 335i is really not that bad, especially if you ditch the RFT tires.

Then again if you like loads of torque and mainly drive on motorways, the 335i - in particular if chipped - is probably more adequate.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[shrink]

i still think the E46 is a superb looking car. Yes its a little dated in terms of panel design. But IMHO the interior is still a nicer place to sit than an E90/92 etc. The E46 M3 may well be one of the best M cars BMW have ever produced.

[Guvernator]

Originally Posted by shrink

i still think the E46 is a superb looking car. Yes its a little dated in terms of panel design. But IMHO the interior is still a nicer place to sit than an E90/92 etc. The E46 M3 may well be one of the best M cars BMW have ever produced.

In CSL guise, I'd say it is THE best M car they've ever made, yes even better than the E30 M3.

I have to agree with other posters though that the exterior is starting to show it's age. The overall boxy shape is very much "of the 90's" although those flared wheel arches are stunning. Also some of the details like the light clusters make it look very dated compared to modern stuff.

At the moment it's in that limbo zone where it's not old enough to be a classic or new enough to look modern but give it a few more years and I reckon they will stand the test of time better than the E9x shape.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

335i does not have a diff at all. BMW calls a variant of their DSC "electronic diff" but that is a complete misnomer.

I've driven both cars quite a bit and agree it depends on your priorities and your financial situation. The 335i is a better allrounder and more comfortable in daily driving, the E46M has far better throttle response and a better suspension setup if you push it a bit harder. To get the 335i to the same handling point or better you need to spend a bit of money, with the E46M that's already included as standard. But then, the standard suspension of the 335i is really not that bad, especially if you ditch the RFT tires.

Then again if you like loads of torque and mainly drive on motorways, the 335i - in particular if chipped - is probably more adequate.

Alpina_B3_Lux

You mean the limited slip side is DSC controlled. Because of course it has a diff. An open diff rather than a Proper limited slipper.

Not sure why cost comes into it. I picked the M3 over a 135i..

[Nigelo]

If you keep the 335i I'd suggest as well as the jb4, upgrading to the e92 M3 lower camber arms.

It gave me the confidence in the front end I felt was missing while whizzing through a corner (particularly on tight ones)

It'll not turn your car into an M3 but a good place to make a noticeable difference.

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

You mean the limited slip side is DSC controlled. Because of course it has a diff. An open diff rather than a Proper limited slipper.

Obviously it has an open differential. But I was talking about a limited slip differential. Sometimes people think it has a real LSD because of the said misnomer by BMW.

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Not sure why cost comes into it. I picked the M3 over a 135i..

As I said costs come into it if you want to get the 335i into M3 handling territory. That's cheaper with an E46M because it already has an excellent suspension setup in stock form.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[TigMik]

Ive gone from the e46 m3 to the 335i and at first I was a little bit disappointed at the performance and drive of the car. I have since added an ETS FMIC, AR catless downpipes, JB4 and K+N panel filter and lets just say, I aint disappointed no more!!! It has kept up with a few of the e9x m3's paths Ive crossed so far.
Will be adding the Forge DV's soon though, as the boost isnt holding up too well with the stock DV's and I think its leaking a little from the oem DV's. I'll also give the suspension a fettle.
The 335 feels and is so much better, newer and tighter than my old e46 m3 (and I spent a LOT of money on it) and at first I did want to go back, but not now, not ever.

[mowflow]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Chris Harris rates it as his best all time Performance car over the last 50 years!!

Nah, he thinks the 1M is better

I was surprised that it took so many posts before people started pointing out the handling differences rather than looks and performance figures. Both have plenty of power and I would say that if you are going to stick with the 335i then upgrading ARBs, bushes, wishbones, brakes and all that shit will be money more wisely spent than the JB4.

In saying that, if I had an itch for an e46 M3 i'd scratch it. You can flog your car, pocket £3k as you say. Run an e46 M3 for a year or whatever and most likely loose nothing on it.

[m1bjr]

I would buy the E46 M3.
Unless you can run to the E92 M3 version.

Every M car is VERY different to anything else you will drive, almost a 'must do'.
But the insurance and running cost will be higher than you anticipate.
Steve

[gavp]

I'd love an M135 or 335i as a daily driver but wouldn't sell my E46 M3 for one.

M cars are special, own one for a reasonable time/mileage and you'll understand.