I recently sold a pristine, low mileage E46 M3 6MT after 10 years of ownership. I replaced it with an M2C DCT. I had both for around 4 months, so I had a chance to compare them quite a bit. My E46 M3 had a lot of "improvements" such as an eisenmann exhaust, a carbonio intake, pulleys, sway bars, coil overs, a 4.2 diff, an AS 30% reduction shifter, CDV delete, CSL brakes and various other things, so it handled, accelerated, stopped and sounded better than stock. It was a fun car to drive, but not nearly as fun as the M2C. I think a lot of people overly romanticize the E46 M3. I will say that the S54 sounds much better than the S55 and many people prefer the hydraulic assist steering of the E46 M3 compared to the electric assist steering of the F87. I think the E46 M3 is a nice looking car, but I also like the looks of the F87. The M2C handles much better, due to the more modern suspension and the wider track. I wouldn't be surprised if the F87 has higher torsional rigidity than the E46 M3 as well. For me, by far the biggest difference and what I enjoy the most about the M2C is the accessibility of the power. The car switches from docile to rabid beast instantaneously. This is due in part to the massive torque of the engine, but also due to the DCT. I would love to drive an E46 M3 with a 4.10 diff and the DCT from the M2C. I think it would transform the car. Alas, that's not going to happen. The things I disliked about the E46 M3 are the transmission (even as a manual with an improved shifter and CDV delete it's horrible), the clunky drivetrain and the fact that you had to drive it so hard for it to be enjoyable. I think some people convince themselves that they like having to work for it, but I prefer instant gratification. I also disliked the poor quality materials in the interior. Practically speaking, while the E46 M3 is easier to maintain than many newer cars, you better be good with a wrench if you own one or be prepared to spend a lot of money keeping it up. Even if you do the work yourself, parts are not inexpensive. And on top of that, many parts are no longer available new. Prices are going up for very high quality E46 M3s, but these cars are rare. Most of the lower priced cars have very high mileage, so they are going to cost money to keep on the road. I would have fetched a higher price for my car if I sold it last year, but I still did pretty good. It almost paid for my M2C. I'm very glad I sold the E46 M3 and bought the M2C.
wow another great video yet again brent i can see from this why its not a 5 minute video to edit theres soo much involved and you have it down to a key well done yet again really enjoyed this 🙂
Thank you, Mike! Yeah - pulling these things together is no joke. Yet there's nothing I'd rather do, so it's worth the effort....and I learn something each time.
Great video comparison! I recently sold my e90 M3 ZCP and now I'm considering a e46 M3 ZCP but because APR rates are crazy for older cars I might look at a M2
The M2 is a solid choice. For resale's sake, I'd encourage you to seek out a manual gearbox. For the M2, are you looking at a F87 (the OG, Comp, & CS) or G87 (the new one)?
@@abr5819 that is my thought process as well. However, I don’t believe I have the budget. I do have a e46 ZCP becoming available soon that has been completely rebuilt from the ground up from my old mechanic that gives me a lot of solace about reliability
@@nitrobiz yeah ? I’d go for it then , mine needs the work but once it’s done yiu defo have a unique rare icon. Mines a silver grey coupe . I’m surprised though as coming from an e90 it’s gonna have less power but I can say , it feels Like your driving an old race car . The e90 is abit of a big car compared to it , e46 is a car you drive just for the nostalgia which new cars can’t give you .iv had faster cars than my e46, including 335i, 140i, f80 m3 and while they are faster , rhe 335i was boring for me , the f80 was just a rocket ship which got plenty of attention but again , turbo cars just don’t do it for me . Good luck with your choice anyway 👍🏻
You ever driven a supercharged e46 m3? mind you nothing can can keep up with m2/140’s boosted up . maybe a v10 e46 which loooked fast and very unique , I wish I had the balls and money to do it 😂 I seen a supercharged e60 m5 . 1 Thing I consider hidden secret of the e46, the engine sits back in the engine bay , gives that mid engined car feel new BMW’s it generally sits directly over the axel makes for a different steering feel .-
No - I’ve never driven a supercharged E46. Makes me wonder how well the block can keep up with that kind of pressure over the long run. Would be ridiculous fun, though. Good point about the engine placement. I was recently looking at Audis and couldn’t believe how the engine was sitting right on top of the front axle. Makes no sense! And yeah - the V10 E46 is a sweet thought. Thing is, that motor is truly designed for high speeds only. The beauty of the E46’s S54 is it’s power band; it makes 80% of its torque at just 2k rpm. I figure the S85 V10 hits the same milestone at closer to 5k - when the engine properly explodes with power. The E46’s suspension setup, I figure, is better suited to the S54’s power band. The E46 is best for cornering at low speeds, and the S85 V10 is best for driving crazy-fast on the autobahn. With forced induction, though, that could change the character completely to give it some low-end torque, which sounds like ridiculous fun.
@@brentdcampbell it’s forged crank /bottom end am sure . Aside the rod bearings I heard it holds up quiet well . I don’t think it’s summat I’d ever do though (supercharge) , great comment all makes sense I can’t wait to get back out in my car it’s been a while stood . Take it easy my friend . Love from the U.K.
@@brentdcampbell the e92 m3 engine directly sits over the axels too , I think maybe this is why it gives that different feeling to the e46 chassis * my pal drove past me today in his RS4 and the v8 rumble had me drooling 😂
I owned an E46 M3 for 10 years (recently sold it) and I currently own an F87 M2C. I had both for around 4 months, so I got to compare them quite closely. The engine in the E46 is slightly further back than the F87, but not significantly so.
I recently sold a pristine, low mileage E46 M3 6MT after 10 years of ownership. I replaced it with an M2C DCT. I had both for around 4 months, so I had a chance to compare them quite a bit. My E46 M3 had a lot of "improvements" such as an eisenmann exhaust, a carbonio intake, pulleys, sway bars, coil overs, a 4.2 diff, an AS 30% reduction shifter, CDV delete, CSL brakes and various other things, so it handled, accelerated, stopped and sounded better than stock. It was a fun car to drive, but not nearly as fun as the M2C. I think a lot of people overly romanticize the E46 M3. I will say that the S54 sounds much better than the S55 and many people prefer the hydraulic assist steering of the E46 M3 compared to the electric assist steering of the F87. I think the E46 M3 is a nice looking car, but I also like the looks of the F87. The M2C handles much better, due to the more modern suspension and the wider track. I wouldn't be surprised if the F87 has higher torsional rigidity than the E46 M3 as well. For me, by far the biggest difference and what I enjoy the most about the M2C is the accessibility of the power. The car switches from docile to rabid beast instantaneously. This is due in part to the massive torque of the engine, but also due to the DCT. I would love to drive an E46 M3 with a 4.10 diff and the DCT from the M2C. I think it would transform the car. Alas, that's not going to happen. The things I disliked about the E46 M3 are the transmission (even as a manual with an improved shifter and CDV delete it's horrible), the clunky drivetrain and the fact that you had to drive it so hard for it to be enjoyable. I think some people convince themselves that they like having to work for it, but I prefer instant gratification. I also disliked the poor quality materials in the interior. Practically speaking, while the E46 M3 is easier to maintain than many newer cars, you better be good with a wrench if you own one or be prepared to spend a lot of money keeping it up. Even if you do the work yourself, parts are not inexpensive. And on top of that, many parts are no longer available new. Prices are going up for very high quality E46 M3s, but these cars are rare. Most of the lower priced cars have very high mileage, so they are going to cost money to keep on the road. I would have fetched a higher price for my car if I sold it last year, but I still did pretty good. It almost paid for my M2C. I'm very glad I sold the E46 M3 and bought the M2C.
Great to see you again Brent. Good video!
Thank you, Pedro! I'm glad you enjoyed it
wow another great video yet again brent i can see from this why its not a 5 minute video to edit theres soo much involved and you have it down to a key well done yet again really enjoyed this 🙂
Thank you, Mike! Yeah - pulling these things together is no joke. Yet there's nothing I'd rather do, so it's worth the effort....and I learn something each time.
@@brentdcampbell im pleased to hear you enjoy doing them for then people to enjoy watching the effort you put into them 😉👌
Great video comparison! I recently sold my e90 M3 ZCP and now I'm considering a e46 M3 ZCP but because APR rates are crazy for older cars I might look at a M2
The M2 is a solid choice. For resale's sake, I'd encourage you to seek out a manual gearbox. For the M2, are you looking at a F87 (the OG, Comp, & CS) or G87 (the new one)?
I own an e46 it’s bad ass but sometimes I do feel the age, if you had the e90 I’d possibly go for the m2 next too less overall headache
@@abr5819 Yeah - I get that. My 19yo M3 that I bought 12 years ago is showing its age, the parts have to be replaced, and it’s a huge PITA.
@@abr5819 that is my thought process as well. However, I don’t believe I have the budget. I do have a e46 ZCP becoming available soon that has been completely rebuilt from the ground up from my old mechanic that gives me a lot of solace about reliability
@@nitrobiz yeah ? I’d go for it then , mine needs the work but once it’s done yiu defo have a unique rare icon. Mines a silver grey coupe . I’m surprised though as coming from an e90 it’s gonna have less power but I can say , it feels
Like your driving an old race car . The e90 is abit of a big car compared to it , e46 is a car you drive just for the nostalgia which new cars can’t give you .iv had faster cars than my e46, including 335i, 140i, f80 m3 and while they are faster , rhe 335i was boring for me , the f80 was just a rocket ship which got plenty of attention but again , turbo cars just don’t do it for me . Good luck with your choice anyway 👍🏻
Great work. e46 for me, but you knew that already ;).
You're a purist, Dan. I get it 100%
That e46 is so much better looking than the m2. That alone would make my decision. No knock on the m2. Still nice.
I know, I know…but have you seen the new M2?!? It’s got a face only a mother could love. Good thing it’s fast!
You ever driven a supercharged e46 m3? mind you nothing can can keep up with m2/140’s boosted up . maybe a v10 e46 which loooked fast and very unique , I wish I had the balls and money to do it 😂 I seen a supercharged e60 m5 . 1 Thing I consider hidden secret of the e46, the engine sits back in the engine bay , gives that mid engined car feel new BMW’s it generally sits directly over the axel makes for a different steering feel .-
No - I’ve never driven a supercharged E46. Makes me wonder how well the block can keep up with that kind of pressure over the long run. Would be ridiculous fun, though. Good point about the engine placement. I was recently looking at Audis and couldn’t believe how the engine was sitting right on top of the front axle. Makes no sense! And yeah - the V10 E46 is a sweet thought. Thing is, that motor is truly designed for high speeds only. The beauty of the E46’s S54 is it’s power band; it makes 80% of its torque at just 2k rpm. I figure the S85 V10 hits the same milestone at closer to 5k - when the engine properly explodes with power. The E46’s suspension setup, I figure, is better suited to the S54’s power band. The E46 is best for cornering at low speeds, and the S85 V10 is best for driving crazy-fast on the autobahn. With forced induction, though, that could change the character completely to give it some low-end torque, which sounds like ridiculous fun.
@@brentdcampbell it’s forged crank /bottom end am sure . Aside the rod bearings I heard it holds up quiet well . I don’t think it’s summat I’d ever do though (supercharge) , great comment all makes sense I can’t wait to get back out in my car it’s been a while stood . Take it easy my friend . Love from the U.K.
@@brentdcampbell the e92 m3 engine directly sits over the axels too , I think maybe this is why it gives that different feeling to the e46 chassis * my pal drove past me today in his RS4 and the v8 rumble had me drooling 😂
I owned an E46 M3 for 10 years (recently sold it) and I currently own an F87 M2C. I had both for around 4 months, so I got to compare them quite closely. The engine in the E46 is slightly further back than the F87, but not significantly so.