E36 M3 or E46 M3?

[Ryan]

I am curious. Which do you guys perfer in all aspects. I am leaning toward the e36 because of the looks.

[M3Cowboy]

I love the E36 and the E46 M3's but... my own personal preference goes to the E36 because i like lines. I think the E36 has more defined and aggressive lines. As for the E46, i personally like the convertible more than the coupe. The shape just looks more convertible like to me... BUT they are both awesome vehicles! I hope i didnt offend anyone here, its just my personal preference... These kind of questions seem a little sensitive

[M3Pilot]

E46 as it is much more raw like the oringnal E30 one, which is one of the best M cars ever.
Now that would have been a much tougher choice E30 or E46?

[Stealth]

i agree with you on the E46 being more like the E30, but the euro E36 would be the one for me. i love the aggressive lines of the e36 but the euro has the specs of a true M car. but if i was choosing between Euro E36 and E46...i dont know what i would do. have to drive em both

[Ryan]

Originally posted by M3Pilot
E46 as it is much more raw like the oringnal E30 one, which is one of the best M cars ever.
Now that would have been a much tougher choice E30 or E46?

Really when I think of the e46 M3 I think of luxery bigtime. I dunno.

[unvmym3]

the e 46 now,not because i have one but itsfender flares the width,it did gain a little weightand they did go a little overboard on the luxury,but man the motor and the accelaration i love it now.

[Ben FR]

Overall, both are great cars (obvious or we wouldn't be having this conversation). As for the E36 M3, the handling is non-pareil, and it is more of a driver's car than the E46 M3. In my mind, the only driver input advantage of the E46 M3 is the engine (which is pretty unbelievable - over 100hp/litre). Weighing the handling and overall driver satisfaction of the E36 versus the more luxurious and powerful E46 depends very much on the driver.

Personally, I'm not too crazy about the excess flab on the M3 E46. Cut off a few hundred pounds to get rid of the understeer problem, and I think the M3 would be the hands down winner for everyone. The E36 M3 is more nimble and has a more go-cart-ish feeling that I love. The new M3 is a much easier car to drive, and for this reason it is a less rewarding drive.

Definitely a tough decision. Actually, its too hard to make for me. I'll stick with the M coupe

-Ben FR

[Andy]

The E36 is a great performer, as is the E46, but I would DEFINATELY say E46. If the E36 was still the body design when I was buying my car I would never have bought one. For some reason I don't like the styling of the E36.

I like the styling of the E46 and the interior. Great overall car in my opinion.

[BimmerSteven]

I'd have to say E36 M3 GT or at least a Euro 3.2/6speed car. With each M3 generation the cars become heavier and more effort goes into the gizmos than does the driving feel. Since the E30 M3 or M Coupe isn't in the comparison I choose the real E36 M3, the one with individual throttle bodies.

[ESM3]

E36 M3 is better looking in my opinion. The E46 cannot be nearly as good looking at the E36 during the times they both were first introduced. The US E36 M3 is underpowered compared to its euro big brother. But still it remains one hell of a machine. Given the option of having a new E36 US M3 or a new E46 M3 I would take the E36 handsdown. I also like the roughness of the E36. When you drive it its so solid. It feels as if it were glued to the road.

P.S. You wanna experience a EURO M3, BUY MINE! Its forsale!

[ICWIG]

LOL im surprised at the number of members favouring the e36!

[Ryan]

Originally posted by ICWIG
LOL im surprised at the number of members favouring the e36!

ehh 26-15 e46. i dunno i lve both. It seems like the e36 would be more prone to modding to me though

[///M5_E39&E46]

I love the e46 i test drove it and its a smooth all around car i loved it but i have s family and i love sedans more then coupes. The M3, CLK, Porche, Ferrari, and Lambo are the only coupes that i like.

[Dado]

E46

I want one

[mrsha007]

i said e46 cuz that thing will make you cry. heheh and what happened to the e30. the greatest m ever!