Raced an E46 M3

[PortalBMW]

Whats a McClaren? I think this goes to show you have no fukking clue what you're talking about my little grasshopper.

[bmwm3n528]

my little grasshopper

[scottycs]

Wow.

I guarantee SM3 car easily took the E46 M3. The Tq curve isn't that impressive on the E46. I am positive SM3 has a lot more tq, and is very close in terms of HP. As said before, Plenty of E36s are faster than E46 M3s, even NA

E46 owners are touchy Why? Cause the E36 OWNZ YOU!!!

[SM3]

Originally posted by gregger
im sorry to say but the e46 was just a bad driver.....he should have blown your car out of the water

Ill just post my dyno sheets once I get the new ones, im sure you have seen the old run done at Active.

by the way an E46 M3 weighs plenty more, Its not all about more hp, many factors play a role...

[bmwm3n528]

sm3: ob1 conversion

[PortalBMW]

If it wasn't for the 3.64 diff, the E46 M3 would be sloooooow as shit. Had it received the 3.23 like the EVO E36's had with its weight the car would suck chicken dick. Trust me.

[SM3]

Originally posted by bmwm3n528
sm3: ob1 conversion

actually its still obd2

[bmwm3n528]

no im saying thats a good 'future mod'

[SM3]

Originally posted by bmwm3n528
no im saying thats a good 'future mod'

oh ok, it might be thats one thing I really havent done much research. I think im just going to go with the AA supercharger. Hopfully Ill have it around Christmass time.

[m3racer36]

fi is definitly the way to go

[Keda]

Have any of you seen a 350Z forum? They talk and thing about their cars like most E46M3 owners do...they've got the fastest machines on the road.

The biggest advantage the E46M has is the gearing (3.64v3.23). Because of the weight difference, the E36 M3 only has to make 309HP to be at the same power:weight ratio as the E46. This is a very attainable figure for an N/A motor (ODBI&II).

I'm not trying to take away from the E46, but I laugh every time I see the owners copping this attitude. Like I said, Z owners come off the same way and most BMW drivers laugh at it.

BTW, I cancelled my '03 E46M3 order after having the opportunity to drive the car. It was too cushy for my tastes. I will be taking the FI route later this year.

[EstorilRoc3060]

One thing that really erks me is how people are always talking about how "it's faster than an M3" for example, the new 03 Cobra, I've got people telling how it's almost as fast and what not, but what they don't get is that it's not about the straight line that counts for these cars, the power is there to help and make it go obviously, but you get these little bastards on a road course and they tear up w/o hardly breaking a sweat. Not to mention that it does something a lot of those other cars have trouble doing, looking oh so very subtle. Either way, you got a car with a ///M3 or ///M5 badge on it, it just screams don't f**k with me. So all this about weight and rear end ratios, yea it matters, but what's the reason we all own and love BMW's?? B/c BMW is one of the few cars out there that do it their own way. E36 or E46 they're both bad ass. Wow, sorry if that sounds really corny.

[JetBlackE46M3]

Being the owner of an E46 M3, I don't feel myself, or others I know that have an E46 M3 feel their car is necessarily "better" than either the E36 M3 or other BMW models. I had a 1997 M3 for 3 years and I LOVED The car to death. It's handling was a little better, more cart like, styling slightly more aggressive, but in my OPINION I think the E46 was a nice progression. Classy yet stealthy and still a mean, powerful machine that didn't lose focus.

I think there is a natural tendency to feel your newest car is "better" than the previous generation because there usually are upgrades done and with BMW, there is always more power. Fit & finish generally improve, overall value, etc. However, with the E46 M3 I just personally like the car a little better than my '97 M3, but as I said it's all just a matter of opinion. To say that that STOCK vs. STOCK the E36 M3 is a better car than the E46 M3, or vice versa, is really rather subjective. Look at the 996 Porsche vs. the 993. there is no doubt the engineering that went into the 996 makes it a better car in many ways but still many 993 lovers swear by the air cooled, classic look. Who's right? If you ask an engineer, the 996 is the hands down winner, ask a club racer, 993 most times.

I love all the Bimmers, so please don't casually assume all us E46 owners look down on you others, NOT true...

[Keda]

I know all E46 owners are not like that. Some friends of mine who drive the E46 are true enthusiasts and appreciate car in general. I mentioned the attitude because some people in this thread have dismissed SM3's story because he has an E36M...even gone so far as to call BS.

Well I don't know the guy, but his mod list seems to be all business, and I know an E36M3 can be made to beat the E46M. So, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

They are all great cars.

[illegalprelude]

Call me a n000b but......Stock E46's run the 1/4 in 13 flat I believe....last time I checked...thats fast as hell.... are you sur the guy wasnt just late for a date and was going fast?