Not very many BMW enthusiasts who track their cars would agree with you on that one.
E30 and E36 are overwhelmingly preferred over the E46.

I doubt you'd find any that would agree with him. The e46 is the worst M3, period. Again unless you need to show real estate, it's fine for that.

OH it's a 46 (was thinking 36). I was not paying attention. Ditch the M3 unless you crave the straight line speed.

I think E46 is a very good M3!
I have not heard many complaints. Im an earlier BMW club member. I have not owned one. Only been a passenger on a trackday.
I have heard A LOT OF good praise and read a ton of great stuff about it trough out the years!

Its engine was the "international Engine of the year between 2001-2006 in the 3.0-4.0L class!
It is the last M-car with NA straight six in BMWs history.
It has been the benchmark for handling in its class.
It has a great compromise between sport and comfort.

Yes, it might become expensive.. But most premium high powered cars with some age have that risk...

"Worst M3" doesn't mean it's a bad car.

True.

I have to add that the S54 is probably my 2nd least favorite BMW engine of all time, right behind the new N20. The big nail in the coffin for both? The noise they make is terribly shrill and coarse.

None of that changes many peoples opinion that it's the worst M3 ever.

Would I take an E46M over a S4, absolutely, but again, that doesn't mean I'd take it over a E30M, E36M or E92M (although my experience with the E92M is very limited).

My first E46M experience was driving one from FL to SC, tracking it at CMP, and driving back. It's an *Awesome* highway car. It's not anywhere near as awesome of a track car compared to other M3s and other cars I've driven on track.

I would sell the E30.

And I can't believe there's a person on this forum considering selling an NSX, Supra or E36 M3 for this new Toyobaru. Blows my mind.

:needpics:

ASAP

Although I don't think the E46 M3 is a bad car by any means, I think in this day and age it's time has passed. It's not that fast compared with the competition, it's not that luxurious compared to the competition, although it was the last M3 with a straight 6 it was also the heaviest most "pig" M3 with a straight 6. They made way too many of them for them to be rare or special. Combined with the running costs and on going depreciation I would ditch the E46 M3. If you missed it down the road it wouldn't be a problem to just hop into a different example for a cheaper price.

Both the E30 and Porsche would be much harder to replace with good clean examples.

That said judging from your cars you seem like a guy who really enjoys his German machines.

My M3 is an automatic convertible. Does that change your mind, or is it still blown?

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...rtible/022.jpg

^^^^ sell it now if you can find someone that want's it.

Auto and convertible.. I officially change my opinion from 'Sell the Supra' to 'Sell the E36M' :)

:word: