In Europe the E36 M3 is totally different car. It is actually the one that is the most powerful compared to the best 3 series at the time in line- 328i made 142kw and M3 236kw of power. My father worked in BMW dealership at that time and I got to ride one on passenger seat when it was new and it was fast as hell for 90s
Yes m2 is like new e46. I call it baby bmw and its so nice car. However new m2 looks ugly AF. Bmw politics about new cars is terrible and from 2021-2022 only 5 series Look good...
@@homiefizzle5260 Agreed - the M2 Comp is way better than the N55 M2. The original M2 is basically an M235i with M handling (still a good car, but missing the powertrain that makes M cars special).
The “issues” with the e9x M3s can be easily resolved through preventative maintenance. And while it lacks the low end torque, hearing the v8 scream at 8250 RPM is truly an experience like no other.
E30, E46, E36 are top three in my book. And I think the E36 has a wonderful driving experience. It's such a 90's icon. The coupes are aging so well. In many ways it was better than the E30 it replaced.
If only he owned the coupe version of e36 M3. Sedan & vert are NOT the same, and he’s comparing it to e30 & e46 coupes. Refer to Car & Driver best handling car at any price 1997.
The E9X M3 should've been higher up on the list IMO, not biased at all... But I think the high revving (and relatively low torque) V8 is exactly what sets it apart from your typical torquey big-power V8. The S65 has so much character and the ITB's sound amazing, not many production V8's can rev up to 8400rpm, definitely not your run-of-the-mill V8.
The saddest day of my life is when i had to leave my E46 M3 behind and move on.. it was a right hand drive "UK" model so there was literally no point of taking it with me.. and gutting it on a steering swap was just unthinkable because adored this car! I got it at ~70k miles and when i let it go it was ~310K Miles and believe me when i say that every single mile on this car was the absolute joy of my life, the sole reason i clocked so many miles on it was just because i loved driving it.. every single chore automatically became a joy. This car was my only car meaning that it was my daily driver. I never had an issue with the fact that it was a 2 door car as i never traveled with more than 1 person, maybe twice per year there would be a passenger in the back and the back is actually really comfy FYI. Everything i ever wanted and needed was this car and i can easily say that the best M3 of all time is and always will be the E46! And the best M5 is the E39. You dont have to like/agree those are the facts.
@@djkjthe3rd185 Yeah, and it left me on the road only once, due to a dynamo failure. I use to travel to work 5 days a week with a minimum distance of ~120 miles a day. But there where many times the number was ~300 miles a day. As i said, it was a joy. Best days of my life
Did anyone else get lowkey sad when Doug talked about how the latest m3 is probably the last true m3, and that this special car has reached its end? Made me think a bit :(
Ehhh he’s so far from right. There is most likely going to be an electric M3 which will carry some of its DNA. Just like the V8 model didn’t match the straight six didn’t match the i4 turbo… it’s a natural evolution of power train
BMW is apparently working on a new, more efficient, straight-six engine. Altough I could not find if it is a new engine or just an improvement of the current B58/S58. I think there will be one more M3/M4 generation with a petrol engine, maybe in some sort of hybrid configuration.
I owned and daily drove an e92 DCT (I couldn’t find a manual at the time but that transmission is phenomenal and feels nothing like a normal automatic like Doug’s comments about the smg) and Doug is spot on about the low end torque, however the torque at the high end was a ton of fun, especially on the highway… it begged you to keep pushing and nothing feels better than revving to almost 9000 rpm. I had zero issues during my 3 years and 35k miles but man was I so scared something catastrophic was going to happen 😂
Yes I had one for 3 years, probably buying another one LCI this year. One of the best sounding cars ever made, sounds better with the DCT as well, more like a race car.
"When the F80 came out it was larger (than the E90) and it had more power to compensate for that larger size but it just sort of went away from the M3 ethos". But the F80 was about 200 pounds *lighter* than the E90...
It might be lighter - but it’s still bigger. Also, both of them are close to 2 tons, so arguing about weight is like two fat girls making fun of each other.
The problem is that he said what at the moment of launch people said. But then it growed on people. It was a Lot more modern, the previous gen was from 2007...
I remember driving a new E30 M3 at a track day in St. Louis, late 80’s. It was amazing! It has the right combination of power, grip, handling and made everyone smile who drove or rode along. A few years later I drove an E36 M3 on the same track and it blew my mind. Did everything the original did only better. At the time it was classed in SSA with SCCA and we all knew it’d be the car to have. Sure enough Randy Pobst proved that so by winning the Runoffs!
The G80 has really grown on me, I was not a fan of the new front fascia when it came out. But the more time that goes on, I find myself often on the BMW website decking one out. Manual transmission, Isle of Man Green, brown or orange interior. It is my current dream car if I'm completely honest. I will probably end up settling for a base model G20 330i or 330e when the prices come down because I cannot justify $100,000 for a car.
Same. Once I saw one in person I was like… are you joking? That is the sickest looking car I’ve ever seen. Granted, I was viewing it from behind with a slight profile so the front was hidden but that car looks mean in person. The front still hasn’t totally grown on me but it no longer bothers me. Everything else about the car is nearly perfect.
Funnily enough, Cammisa diminishes the E30 as a somewhat futile effort given it’s just a 4-cylinder and only quicker to 60 by a whisker than the 325i. Meanwhile, he considers the detuned E36 as a blessing, as that car reestablished the M division in America, sold by the boatloads, and is much more reliable than the more powerful Euro version.
@@alstound I believe he never diminishes the E30 as a car but he does bring up the fact it was a commercial failure. He does think the second generation (E36) is a better car than the E30 because not only was it mechanically better, it actually sold 😁. His video on the NEW M3 is wonderful as he compares all the M3's before it and races some of them on the track along with a comparison between the E30 and the then-current race rival Mercedes ☺️.
@@trentmeister6001 the G8X does everything better on paper but it’s the same essential recipe as an F80 (TT I6 in a car that’s too big) and given that the F80 looks so good, I have a hard time understanding how anyone could pick up a G8X over an F8X unless they really needed AWD. You’re sacrificing owning one of the best looking cars ever made to own one of the worst because someone with more skills than 95% of owners can go a little bit faster in the G8X. It may be “better” but if it’s my money I’m not shelling out an extra $20,000 - $40,000 for performance that can be matched in an F8X with a few thousand in mods
@@EthanYorke dude my boys (f8x) that are stage 2 full e85 can’t even keep up with my car with a race chip😂. They Couldn’t even keep up with it during break in period stock from a dig. F8x are just slow now. G8x is the modern GTR killer. And it’s only guys like you who say it doesn’t look sick. Bandwagoners.
The e36 is my dream car, I love how it looks, but I respect what his view on it is, he doesn't talk about the euro e36, but it still makes under 3 hundred horse power. Also, the e36 is often called the m3 that made the whole m3 series popular. I think when it came out the e36 was amazing, but the new m3s just got better and better. In history, the e36 is a great car, but now it just isn't all that. It set the pace for all the future m3s, but the future m3s had a faster pace. I still love the e36, I think the e36 starts to shine when people modify it, and the aftermarket support for the e36 I believe is better compared to all the other 3 series.
i have 3 bmw’s including e36 and it really does leave a lot to be desired it was also my dream car but part of me always liked the way the e46 looked and it’s interior was decent so i bought one as my daily and wished i never bought my e36
I happen to think that cars generally get better over time, so cannot imagine wanting an E30 in this day and age when the newer cars do everything better, plus are safer and less environmentally harmful. I have no doubt that an electric M will end up being better as well.
In the 90's I debated buying the E36 M3 vs a house. Took a drive with a BMW trained driver in one. We both agreed on the lack of power at that time (especially over the Euro model) that 321HP power plant with an additional gear (5 speed manual vs 6 speed) was a game changer. However; it was an incredible handling car. Later, I'd end up in a 2006 M3 ZCP 6MT. I loved that car and the practicality of it all. They even made a perfect rear seat protective cover for dogs that covered the entire rear seat area from the door panels to backs of the seats. Why was the SMG even part of the E46 story?
E36 has always been my favorite. E30 & E46 Japan/Eurospec are the top 3 undisputed. Alpina or Ac schnitzer version are unicorn & also more desirable to me.
@@littlepeugeot8341 Funny enough, I am a BMW fanboy and own several incl. an E46 M3. However, I just prefer to have a more realistic view at this topic.
Can't really argue too much about your ranking. I would just flip the e30 for the e46. But I'm a bit biased because I use to own a e46 coupe 6MT and looooved every moment I had with it. Now, you have to follow this video up with a M5 ranking. This might be harder to compile than the M3 one.
I envy you so much! Now we look at those cool old cars like Lamborghini LM002 (the only one I've seen outside of vintage car shows) or even the 90s stuff like the original Mitsubishi 3000GT and they instantly make our day, make us happy like a little child. I can't imagine how it feels to see the same cars back when they were new! I remember the time when the Mercedes SLR was in production, I've never seen one in person, but I remember it felt so much more special than any of the modern supercars. I've seen an actual McLaren - the 720S, and I was like: "Yeah, cool, whatever... Oh, wait, gotta take a picture...". I think I was more happy when I found a Hyundai i30 N not far from my home. It's a much more common car (actually, just 120 sold in Russia, won't be surprised if there's more 720Ss in the country) but at least it's the one I can buy in the near future.
“The M3 is a great car, but if you had like infinite money and you were looking for a sports car you probably wouldn’t buy one” I don’t always agree with Doug, but when he’s on, it’s a bullseye! 🎯
Infinite money is not fair for this. Obviously you can pick all gold Rolls Royce and be done with it. BUT Infinite money, I will get second hand Red Imola 46, with complete restoration (Engine + Body work + Interior). And totally bring the car back to life
I’m glad to see someone else feels the same way as me. From front to back, inside and out, the F80 is flawless cosmetically. Especially the LCI’s. I legitimately can’t think of a single car that looks better, let alone another sedan
Those are seriously big words. F80 may be the most beautiful BMW in the past 15 years, and that is by far, no competition. But to say it is the most beautiful ever? It isn't even the most beautiful BMW ever. E30, E34, E9 3.0 CSI, 507,... The list goes on. But it is beautiful, no doubt. This comes from a 22 year old lol
The rod bearing issue was just as big (or bigger) problem for the E46 model as it was for the E92. BMW actually recalled the engine for new bearings when I owned one. A big problem is US market customers not knowing how critical it is to heat up the oil before adding any revs above 3K. Both engines were tight tolerance race-based engines that absolutely needed to get up to temp, not just jumped on leaving the driveway as many are prone to do. There are rod bearing upgrade kits for these cars that will take the anxiety out of ownership for not a ton of money.
i recently just bought a 2006 M3 from the original owner with 221k miles on the original rod bearings. He was telling me he warmed it up before driving every single time and that really shows how we’ll warning these cars up works
THIS! Same thing with the E60 M5. I’ve been driving one and I switch it to manual while it’s cold because the SMG (don’t get an SMG) revs it sooo high. I can’t wait for the myth that the S65/S85 are ticking time bombs to go away. Just get a manual one, heat it up, do proper maintenance, and they last.
Currently debating over whether to trust an oil analysis or just replace the bearings anyway on my 166k mile '04. There's a lot of fear mongering for sure, and the previous owner never redlined it, and I always let it warm up...
I’m biased but the versatility and value is hard to beat. can keep up with 911s for half the price and drive home in comfort mode with all 4 wheels in the back seat
I might be biased (having now owned 3 e46s), but I think people are afraid to rank the e46 higher than the e30. It is kind of just the better younger sibling. And don't get me wrong, I do love both cars vehemently (the e30 m3 is what led me to my first e46 m3), but the e46 just has limitless potential as a chassis. It can be modernized and refined, or stripped down and brutally raw and visceral. The s54 is the ultimate evolution of the s14. And in racing, the e46 in all classes replicated much of what the e30 did and taking the underdog story to heart, producing some of the most spectacular and iconic races and arguably pushed motorsport and car manufacturing in a very similar way that hasn't been replicated prior or since. When you strip the car down (full solid bushings, tight suspension, proper tires and brakes, and commit to all the preventative and service maintenance) it suddenly becomes a real race car. A wolf hidden in sheep's clothing. And yet, if left alone or lightly modified, the car is civil, spirited, engaging, and fun, even by today's standard. And if you get the chance to drive one with a well setup exhaust and, more importantly, a carbon box, the sound is genuinely addicting. It does lack the old charm that the e30 has, the e46 is admittedly a much more aggressive car, both in its appearance and driving characteristics. However, when it is built properly, I believe it is truly the quintessential M3. I would love to hear other's perspectives, especially those who do have experience driving both (I hope to one day be lucky enough to drive an e30 m3!), as it is a much smaller and lighter car and would love to hear how my reflection of the e46 stands to the reality of driving the two cars personally! And, to anyone who made it this far, happy driving and keep it rubber side down!
From experience of owning an E90 M3 DCT compared to my friends E46, the E90 is the more reliable car. Every single issue the E90M has the E46 has as well. Except the E46 chassis needs to be reinforced, it's old generation of high pressure vanos is unreliable and constantly has issues compared to low pressure units in the S65 which are much more reliable and it's automatic SMG is extremely unreliable compared to the very durable DCT. Many cars these days have more than 7 gears. But none actually use 7 gears to accelrate. They are all geared long after about 5th or 6th. The E9x DCT has 7 gears and no over drive. Top speed is at the top of 7th at Abit under 300kmh. No saloon car before or since has had such fun, agressive, short gearing let alone pairing it with a race inspired high revving v8.
E90 gets a bad wrap, if you kept up with it and replaced known issues early, can be such a solid car. worked in service at bmw and those that weren’t maintained were ready to junk, those that were have been having kickass weekend assbeatings and still look and drive brand new, all the german cars THRIVE so long as they’re maintained early.
its always seems so weird to my when automatics are brought into these conversations. if you get an m3(especially an older one) you're probably not some banker that wants to look cool. you're probably an enthusiast and enjoy driving. so why even bother mentioning automatics in this conversation. im not one of those people who bash on autos cause ''they arent manly'' or whatever,i think they are great,they are faster if they are modern ,they can be really practical and easy in traffic etc. but when we're talking about old cars you dont have the faster benefit and on top of that you're getting robbed of the amazing experience of a manual in a sports car. if you want to both have a fun car but you use it as a daily in the city then just get a manual and change gears ,i dont get whats the big deal. maybe i think like that cause where im from there is no automatic culture so im not used to it
@@dake789 in the case of the E92m3 the engine was designed to be paired with the DCT transmission. Driving both manual and DCT versions back to back really makes you appreciate the DCT with the hi revving V8. The DCT keeps that motor on boil and is pure excellence. This is coming from a 47 year old guy who has never purchased a car within an automatic btw, I’m manuals for life but the DCT with the high rev’ing N/A V8 is awesome. It also doesn’t help that BMW Manuals are rubbery garbage compared to Honda, Porsche, and other well done manuals. My current track car is a manual BMW btw 😂
Totally agree. Just bought a well maintained E90 M3 and it’s absolutely glorious to drive. I haven’t driven an E46 but I’m very confident it would not match the driving experience of the E9X. I would put E9X at #2 but still respect Doug’s opinion and it’s we’ll put together
Having driven the E46 M3 SMG for a few years now it is definitely growing on me too. I think the BMW engineers had a particular use in mind when designing that gear box. In my experience there is a perfectly timed SMG gear change in the same way there is a perfect manual shift between gears. As you go up the gears you pull the shifter whilst keeping the revs on. Wait about half a second, then blip off the throttle and back on again. The 'blip' is about 1/3 of a second. You have to experiment a lot to get it perfect but when you do it is really engaging, faster than a manual shift, and thoroughly satisfying. It is quite a nuanced experience. Clearly designed for when you are driving fast. But with practice it works well driving around town too. I rarely use the auto setting. I prefer to use the 'manual' shift with the SMG.
The thing he missed when speaking about the E46 was the steering. That car hands down has the best steering feel of any car I have ever owned or driven. It has weight that feels natural, it communicates what the front suspension is doing, and it's just extremely satisfying to use.
Try a 306 S16/GTi6 I'm sure it would minimally be just as good if not better but yeah, drove my buddys e46 and it was better than any other bmw I've driven
After owning an E92 M3 and now an E46 M3, I think the E46 being ahead of the E9X is valid however I think the E36 should not be last. It’s a tossable, analog car that weighs a good bit less than the E46 and sounds much better than the E46. Yes the S54 is much more powerful but only sounds good after 4K rpm whereas the S52 sounds good throughout the entire rev range.
Nah sorry. I love BMW I6s but the E46 just sounds like a wailing brute. E90 is easily the best. From the factory E46 might be number 2 or 3 (tied with E36), but F80 with an equal length mid pipe is better IMO
“wailing brute” is an interesting way to describe it😂 and a bizarre use of semantics but that’s just my opinion, the e46 sounds Mechanically engaging similar to the porsche Carrera gt, the E90 is my second favourite.
I think though you should have considered the fact that the new M3 will be the first one to come in a wagon form - something the fans have wanted for a looong time. As you mentioned, with Merc going hybrid, the M3 wagon might just be the best all-around car on the market.
BMW probably doesn't think that North American customers don't like wagons or high performance wagons, so they'll probably not sell it there. Same thing they did with the E61 M5. That aside, I wonder how they'll make a cohesive and beautifully designed M3 wagon with that big grille.
@God DeMuro, ok deadass I’m confused I made a joke about how this is a video you’d most likely find on More Doug DeMuro, and that in laziness it was posted here Are you legit pressed?
I currently own an e90 M3 with almost 200k miles. Ive been beating on it everyday for the past few years, as long as you change rod bearings and let the car warm up, you can rev it out to damn near 9,000 rpm every drive no problem, don’t be scared of these cars they’re one of the better engines in term of reliability 🤝
You sir are my hero. Recently bought an e92 M3 with about 100,000 Kms with RB just done. I hope it turns out to be more reliable than Doug makes it seem. As I share your sentiment that with good warm ups and preventative maintenance its one of the more reliable cars to beat on.
it's a shame that the e92 m3 had rod bearings issues because outside of that it's actually a very reliable powertrain, especially given the fact that most high revving v8s usually don't tick over 100k miles (i.e. voodoo from the GT350, F136, F131, early Audi 4.2s, etc. all had at least one major fault & in most cases multiple.)
I'll stick to what I know, which is E36 and E46. I think you shortchange the driving experience of the E36. Car and Driver called it the best handling car under $100K in 1997. Also, it's widely acknowledged that the market success of the E36 M3 established the M brand in this country. "Best" is subjective but that fact should be considered as well. Happy to see the E46 at #2 and can't question since I've never driven a E30. Entertaining as usual!
The E30 was a „widow maker“: Rear wheel drive and no traction control. I owned an E30 316i with only 99hp in the 90s. And Even that was a creepy driving experience on rainy days. Several times I was overtaken by my own trunk. 😅 With special rain tires its got a little better. During wintertimes I remember that I sometimes had to leave the Car (with winter tires of course) on the road side and I had to walk. But: I loved that car and I regret selling it.
I have had four E30s. Two 320i, a 325i and a 318is. And i can say it takes some practice to drive those cars. I can remember going backwards out of roundabouts more than once. :p
That's funny. Personally I find the cars to not loose traction on dry conditions if you know what you're doing. In the wet they are also okay if you know what you're doing. But in the snow they are not great. I always switch to my Volvo 240 when it snows here...
I have an E36 and an E46 M3. Have driven or been in every gen except the latest gen and I personally prefer the E46 for that rev happy S54. The E36 is great for how nimble and raw feeling it is.
Wow you really don’t understand why the e46 is the best, they basically just need a turbo like mine that makes 800hp easily. I’ve always wanted an e30 though
Interesting that Doug specifically calls out the F80 is larger than it's predecessor, and that it has more power to help with that - reason I find this interesting is because Doug forgets to mention that the F80 is lighter than both its predecessor and successor, by a significant margin. That said, and taking into account the desirability of DCT now that they are gone, the F80 would likely move above both the G80 and E90.
E46… period. I autocrossed one for years and loved it. My only complaint about it was that oversteer came in quick and twitchy. The E90 was a dream on the courses because its oversteer was transitional and smooth.
@@littlepeugeot8341 in autocrossing there’s a little something called performance driving. Understeer is the result of improper driving technique (i.e. going into a turn too fast). Oversteer is used to rotate the car around tight turns.
F80 offers the best bang for buck. 80% of what the G80 offers for about 40% of the price. Triumph of design, at least in sedan form with the big rear arches. Big enough to be useful, enough tech to be relevant, blows the doors off all M3s before it, and to be honest the E90 and E46 M3s are hardly immune to the questionable mods. Do I own an F80? Of course!
I’m sure your F80 is faster, more efficient, more reliable, and much better in a lot of ways than its predecessors…. But for 50-60k, you could have a MINT E36/E46 M3. And I bet with the way the market is right now, you could get a really nice E30 M3 for around the same money. Call me old school, but there’s just something special about a classic. If I ever had $200k just laying around after my wife and family and children were healthy happy and taken care of to buy a PERFECT example of any M3, there’s no way I’m taking an F80. Maybe street cred is more important to me than the numbers on paper. Or maybe it’s the smell of the leather. Maybe it’s the firm twist of the key to lock the doors, open the trunk, and start the engine. Maybe it’s the sound and the feeling of letting the parking brake loose. Maybe it’s the nostalgia I get for simpler times when things, for whatever reason, just made more sense. That’s the beauty about old cars. It will always always always be more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. When I close my eyes and think of my dream M3 I imagine a white 88. On a sunset drive with the woman I love. I can hear the engine hum and feel the wind on my face. Man and machine. This is what makes classic cars better. And the F80 still feels too…new. I think it will age better than the E90 but I don’t think it will compare to the E30/E36/E46 within our lifetime. There’s just something about a classic. But that’s just my opinion. Sorry for the novel. I’m weird.
8:16 "Nobody wanted it at the time". Exact number were not revealed yet, but G80 "BMW M3 and M4 were the biggest drivers of growth last year" (13% increase of sales of all "M" models) as said by BMW themselves.
My fav M3: E36 M3 coupe: it's so underrated, it's the first ever six cylinder engine M3 and it looks understated! I love it! E92 M3: This car was way too crazy to have a V8, but it does and it sounds good! F80 M3: The looks are just so good! Good mix of aggression without overdoing it like the G80! PS: Although I'm a little bit sad that my 3 favourites were at the bottom three of the list... :(
I never drove an E36 M3 but I drove an E36 325IS and I thought that was the best clutch I ever felt and I loved the mechanical precision of the car. It was on a whole other level from the American and Japanese cars I had driven to that point. So I can only imagine how good the M3 was.
That is why the Alfa Romeo Giulia is such a great car. Opposed to the M3, where they first developed the mainstream car and thén the M3, Alfa took the reverse approach. First develop the Quadrafoglio, then the less performance cars
Italians, think with your heart and not your brain…………that’s why they only have like 2/3 models in their line-up and they are almost bankrupt. I mean I get it but it just does not make sense to develop a model to fit the type you sell maybe 1-2% out of your model. Wether you like it or not, most people buying a BMW just want the normal one to drive from A to B.
In 2003 I’d rented a new, light blue E46 M3 Convertible 6-speed in Los Angeles CA for a couple of days - and absolutely loved it! Driving on the PCH and along the twists and turns of Sunset Blvd in Santa Monica was a totally joyous thrill! So I bought what I could afford back then - a used, black 1998 E36 M3 Convertible 5-speed - and I super-absolutely love it, even though it doesn’t go quite as fast, but you know what? Its plenty fast enough for me, and easier to maintain.
I think you would appreciate driving BMW's M Coupes, coming from someone who owns a Z4M Coupe. Sports car engine in a sports car ends up being a magical experience. I don't think you will fit in a Z3M Coupe sadly. I don't at 6'4".
Screw you Doug, just kidding. As a F80 owner I agree with you - it’s a great grand tourer. Very much enjoyed the ranking video. Keep ‘‘em coming! I daily my M3 and what I like about the F80 is the comfort and ability for it to turn into a more powerful beast when needed. Never taken it to the track other than a Slipstream 1/3 mile even at Poccono (doesn’t count as a track day), not why I bought it. Would a 340 serve me just as well? Yes, but always a dream to own a M car. Love driving it every day and to my eye the design is solid. Yes, like Doug said a lot of questionable modifications in the F80s
I don’t even consider the G80 ugly. It’s not conventionally easy to look at at first sight, but it really grows on you. ESPECIALLY if you constantly see it in person. Performance wise, it’s also an amazing car
I remember Doug on the smoking tire podcast and I’d love to know what changed his mind about the e30, from the podcast saying it was simply underpowered, similar to the e36 now holding it at number one on this list, I definitely agree but what changed his mind.
I think he still thinks it is underpowered. This list is not about the absolute best in terms of performance. It is more of a subjective list in the order he would own them in terms of collector factor. For example: saying the E36 is too common as a negative point to the car shows that. The car is not less capable or more capable depending of how many of them were produced yet for the E36 too many is a negative point and he clearly states that it does not feels special or rare enough. I feel this list is not about the car themselves but about how he feels about the desire to own them.
I remember the excitement in the motoring press here in the UK when the e36 M3 was about to come out. It was fixing the 2 issues that were seen with the e30, lack of rhd and a 4 cylinder engine. I also remember the disappointment when it arrived, falling short of the expectation, the extra size and weight nullifying a lot of the extra hp and the handling (according to the tests i read compared to the e30). The later Evo version (i remember them being referred to as this rather than lci that has come to be known with later models) seemingly improved these, and were years later considered the one to get.
3:30 Even though it has a lot less power, the US E36 is actually *MORE* desirable than the Euro spec one, not less. It’s known for being way more reliable and having a much less stressed engine (as a result of the lower power and redline) so it’s more sought after on the used market
What premium? They're the more reliable car, yes, but nobody bought a less powerful car for more than the ultimate version. W211 E55s aren't more expensive than E63s even though the E55's more reliable.
What are you talking about? The American e36 M3 is a joke to the rest of the world and you couldn't even sell one here In the UK🤣 You Americans are needing banned from the Internet you really are.
@@Slevis57 ikr, imagine trying to sell a US spec E36 in Europe🤣 I'm in the UK and the American E36 M3 is a laughing stock to us. You simply could not sell it here yet here's this utter melt of a boy talking about "desirable"
My 1999 E36 in Dakar Yellow was my first experience of owning a car with different size tires front and back, thus limiting rotation of tires and decreasing their lifespan to about 20,000 miles. That wasn’t the worse part!! The first time I needed tires I called the local tire shop and asked for a quote on my Dunlop tires. I can’t remember the exact sizes or tread pattern, but it was so unique the local tire shop couldn’t find them! After several days of calling tire shops across Pennsylvania, I had one of them call me back and he began the conversation like this… “Let me guess, your car is a 1999 BMW M3 and this is one of the two front tires.” When I heard that I KNEW this was NOT going to be cheap!!! I sold her around 50k miles, just before having to buy all new sneakers again.
This list is so contradictory that I can’t even take it seriously. “There is no Amazing M3” -> “the E30 is fantastic” Complaints for reliability -> put most reliable at the bottom of the list. Complaints about power -> puts least powerful on top of list.
E30 M3 is my number 1 here, and we've only sold four of those. We've sold over 30 E36 M3s and I ranked it last. Not really a connection to the site here.
I currently have both an e46 and e36, if I had to choose one to keep it would be the e36. The e46 is a good car but just a bit too large and heavy to be truly enjoyable to drive.
Having owned most of the generations, it’s like choosing a favorite kid. However, driving the F80 for a while now, I’m madly in love with this thing and can’t see letting it go anytime soon 🤘🏻
Makes a lot of sense you feel that way. The s65 is god tier no doubt. But BMWs I6 platform is insane. And you probably own the best version of it. The G80s are sick don’t get me wrong but I think the F80s were the pinnacle of the m3 line up.
Most of the generations? I've owned them all mate and can tell you've only owned a few. The last M3 ever made was the E46 and anything carrying the M3 badge after that has been an imposter. Even E36 and E46 were a bit of a fatty compared to E30 especially E36 that felt like a lump of wood after having done 75k miles on my e30 M3. I tracked them at Knockhill as well as my daily and none of them survive track use without serious spendage. They all melt their brakes within a few laps and the newer ones the car starts melting too as they are utter junk made.
@@CVasqueezy you don't have a clue what you are talking about. F80 was a joke compared to E46 and especially E30 M3. I had them all, the F80 is a pretend M car.
@@fakevirus8828 I say in the actual comment that I have “owned most,” and not all lol…did you read it? Also, you seem very proud of yourself for your expert opinions on the M cars. Cool. I hope it serves you well in life, but guess what? I’m standing by opinion happily :) Cheers!
5:30 So you're knocking the F80 specifically because it's "starting to feel like a used car?" I get all your other arguments but this one seems kind of ludicrous. No car is immune to the passage of time.
E36 the worst M3!? Check out Jason Cammisa’s latest Revelations video on the Hagerty channel. In hindsight, The US spec version E36 M3 was the one to have. It had enough power for its lightweight frame and had the most reliable straight 6 of any BMW on this list. If it’s last because of its 240hp than the E30 shouldn’t be anywhere near the top of the list.
The F80 is literally the only one I would even consider buying. It’s just as fast as a brand new one but it looks 150 times better it’s way nicer to drive and it will cost half as much
Kandi Man Nurburgring time is split by 12 seconds… G80 is 7:38, F80 was 7:50… over 12.3 miles and 167 corners that’s literally 0.07 seconds quicker per corner… really…?
That big front end of the newer BMW’s is actually starting to grow on me. I saw one up close in that yellow yesterday and it was pretty cool. I kinda dig the out there styling.
Hi Doug, great video. You should check out the E30 333i. We did not get the E30 M3 in South Africa, so BMW SA shoehorned a 733i engine into the engine bay. There were actually quite a few cars like this in the 70s and 80s in SA. Ford Sierra XR8, Alfa GTV6 3.0, Chev Firenza V8. You can make a video about this.
I had an 1998 E36 M3 convertible that I traded in towards a new 2000 E39 M5, and a 1988 E30 M3 that I bought for $7,500 in 2000 and sold for $9,000 in 2009, damn it. I miss the E39 and the E30, my two most favorite cars I've ever owned (about 48 cars in 48 years of driving). I concur with Doug's rankings.
Framing is important. Jason Camissa said that even though the US spec E36 M3 got a lesser engine, it had the same torque as the Euro spec engine with the M-engine, so you wouldn't really notice or care on the street/day-to-day driving, because it still "felt" fast with the same great handling components. BUT you also got the added benefit of more reliability/lesser maintenance intervals with the non-M engine, so you can make that a plus for the e36 if you knock the e9x M3 for having rod bearing issues. I think I agree with Jason on having an engine you can beat the crap out of, over an engine that has more power & redline, but is finnicky. Makes me appreciate my 135i or a 1M with the volume N54 engine, over an e46 or e9X with an S-engine. Bespoke engines will always be more to build, maintain, and buy salvage or for a swap. You can't argue with owning a car that has a great engine that was also a volume seller, because it's much easier to want to drive & fix. For that, I think the e36 deserves to be higher on the list than the F80.
When he announced number 2, I was shocked because I never, in a billion years, have guessed he would rank the plucky little E30 as number 1. I love love LOVE the look of the E30. I think it's one of the sexiest cars BMW ever produced. That and the old 6 series. Just gems of 80's car design.
3:20, the current gen also has a torque converter automatic for the non manual option. It is no longer a dual clutch so the E36 M3 is no longer the only M3 that came with a torque converter automatic option.
The E9x M3 just needs a good warm up period to avoid rod bearing issues - and is also not designed to be a 0-60 car. It's designed for the track where you're never at 0 except to start. Hearing that engine in its 'happy range' is incredible.
Please do more of these ranking videos!!
911!
Nissan GT-R
Generations of Z cars
They're not relevant. Doug is really detached from reality at this point.
@KULON🔞 what the heck are you talking about souds ugly as hell
In Europe the E36 M3 is totally different car. It is actually the one that is the most powerful compared to the best 3 series at the time in line- 328i made 142kw and M3 236kw of power. My father worked in BMW dealership at that time and I got to ride one on passenger seat when it was new and it was fast as hell for 90s
Yes. I am originally from England and that was the case.
Hagerty (youtube channel) recently posted a video about that
E46m3 is just a bigger, heavier and more comfortable - compared to Euro E36m3
E36>E46
it costs double the price of an American e36 tho, and way less reliable, the entirior sucks too, coming from an European
For the information to US viewers, LCI euro E36 M3s had like 320 hp, just a bit less than holy 46
The 1st gen M2 is 100% the true successor to the E46 M3. It checked all the same perfect boxes.
And the original 1M/1-series is the true successor to the E30 in my eyes.
M2 looks a bit small and chubby, idk why. E46 had a nicer lower and sleeker hood so it doesn't look chubby with those dimensions.
Yes m2 is like new e46. I call it baby bmw and its so nice car. However new m2 looks ugly AF. Bmw politics about new cars is terrible and from 2021-2022 only 5 series Look good...
I'd say the M2 competition is the true successor, with a proper M engine and better than the OG M2 in every way except sound
@@homiefizzle5260 Agreed - the M2 Comp is way better than the N55 M2. The original M2 is basically an M235i with M handling (still a good car, but missing the powertrain that makes M cars special).
The “issues” with the e9x M3s can be easily resolved through preventative maintenance. And while it lacks the low end torque, hearing the v8 scream at 8250 RPM is truly an experience like no other.
im saving up right now for one, i've done all the research on preventative maintenance and I can't wait to straight pipe it lol!
I had E36, E46, and E90 now since 2017. Spent some money on it but god what a blast to drive. 10/10
The e90 was also the generation that had ghe 5.0L v10 as well right?
@@tt-ln4mc a lot of the guys in the community straight pipe haha. Look up ACM, 2pipe 4pipe mod as well. Cheap way to get a really nice exhaust note.
@@heyimpreston3640 the m5/m6 series. e60 M5 had the v10, also the e63/e64 M6.
E30, E46, E36 are top three in my book.
And I think the E36 has a wonderful driving experience. It's such a 90's icon. The coupes are aging so well. In many ways it was better than the E30 it replaced.
e36 is way heavier and it was built around another philosophy, so they are just way different, and don't forget e30 is way more beatiful.
Agreed. I own a E36 M3 and I think it's highly underrated.
If only he owned the coupe version of e36 M3. Sedan & vert are NOT the same, and he’s comparing it to e30 & e46 coupes. Refer to Car & Driver best handling car at any price 1997.
Before I even watch this I’m going to say the e46 m3 is best….. now I’ll watch it and see what Doug says. 👍👍
He was sorta spot on tbh
Ha I was thinking exactly the same thing
Same here 😁
e46 m3 - specifically the CSL with a manual transmission swapped back in.
That’s was I was wishing for as well
The E9X M3 should've been higher up on the list IMO, not biased at all... But I think the high revving (and relatively low torque) V8 is exactly what sets it apart from your typical torquey big-power V8. The S65 has so much character and the ITB's sound amazing, not many production V8's can rev up to 8400rpm, definitely not your run-of-the-mill V8.
It should have been on third place.
@@bjornar9026it’s way better than the E46 that’s for sure.
Scotty Kilmer tomorrow: "Why owning an M3 is a terrible idea!"
They're all prone to VANOS failure, rod bearing failure etc.
Scotty Kilmer is a fraud
I mean, he's not wrong, but you have to make the value judgement for yourself.
Scotty Kilmer EVERY day.
@@DougDeMuro Shots fired
The saddest day of my life is when i had to leave my E46 M3 behind and move on.. it was a right hand drive "UK" model so there was literally no point of taking it with me.. and gutting it on a steering swap was just unthinkable because adored this car! I got it at ~70k miles and when i let it go it was ~310K Miles and believe me when i say that every single mile on this car was the absolute joy of my life, the sole reason i clocked so many miles on it was just because i loved driving it.. every single chore automatically became a joy. This car was my only car meaning that it was my daily driver. I never had an issue with the fact that it was a 2 door car as i never traveled with more than 1 person, maybe twice per year there would be a passenger in the back and the back is actually really comfy FYI. Everything i ever wanted and needed was this car and i can easily say that the best M3 of all time is and always will be the E46! And the best M5 is the E39. You dont have to like/agree those are the facts.
Sir speaking facts here 🔥🤝🏻
310k miles is insane. Gg bro
@@djkjthe3rd185 Yeah, and it left me on the road only once, due to a dynamo failure. I use to travel to work 5 days a week with a minimum distance of ~120 miles a day. But there where many times the number was ~300 miles a day. As i said, it was a joy. Best days of my life
U sir are a legend, as the e46. In my opinion e46 is king followed by the natural v8 e92. Just 1word /Goosebumps.
@@PaulPaul99.777 Yeah, the E92.. i have my ayes on it also!!! I 100% Agree with you!
Did anyone else get lowkey sad when Doug talked about how the latest m3 is probably the last true m3, and that this special car has reached its end? Made me think a bit :(
It’s fine Doug’s not a true car guy
@@franklatin2411 wrong
Ehhh he’s so far from right. There is most likely going to be an electric M3 which will carry some of its DNA. Just like the V8 model didn’t match the straight six didn’t match the i4 turbo… it’s a natural evolution of power train
Yeah... made me kinda sad
BMW is apparently working on a new, more efficient, straight-six engine. Altough I could not find if it is a new engine or just an improvement of the current B58/S58. I think there will be one more M3/M4 generation with a petrol engine, maybe in some sort of hybrid configuration.
I owned and daily drove an e92 DCT (I couldn’t find a manual at the time but that transmission is phenomenal and feels nothing like a normal automatic like Doug’s comments about the smg) and Doug is spot on about the low end torque, however the torque at the high end was a ton of fun, especially on the highway… it begged you to keep pushing and nothing feels better than revving to almost 9000 rpm. I had zero issues during my 3 years and 35k miles but man was I so scared something catastrophic was going to happen 😂
I had the e92 with the DCT too. The car begged you to push it. It was a great car.
Yes I had one for 3 years, probably buying another one LCI this year. One of the best sounding cars ever made, sounds better with the DCT as well, more like a race car.
Will probably never sell my E92 M3 zcp 6spd
What do you drive now?
@@strangeclouds7 I’ve got an E93 IS, not an M car, but doesn’t have reliability problems. It’s very hard to tell when the turbos kick in.
"When the F80 came out it was larger (than the E90) and it had more power to compensate for that larger size but it just sort of went away from the M3 ethos".
But the F80 was about 200 pounds *lighter* than the E90...
dude doug jzst says whatever comes to his mind without checking the facts. f80 is a big car? ok bro..
I agree with you. I’m biased as an F80 owner but you’re objectively right. The F80 is lighter than the E90 and it has double the torque.
It might be lighter - but it’s still bigger. Also, both of them are close to 2 tons, so arguing about weight is like two fat girls making fun of each other.
The problem is that he said what at the moment of launch people said. But then it growed on people. It was a Lot more modern, the previous gen was from 2007...
It’s also lighter than the G80. So it’s actually the lightest modern M3 really.
I remember driving a new E30 M3 at a track day in St. Louis, late 80’s. It was amazing! It has the right combination of power, grip, handling and made everyone smile who drove or rode along. A few years later I drove an E36 M3 on the same track and it blew my mind. Did everything the original did only better. At the time it was classed in SSA with SCCA and we all knew it’d be the car to have. Sure enough Randy Pobst proved that so by winning the Runoffs!
Pobst is awesome...he can drive ANYTHING fast!
The G80 has really grown on me, I was not a fan of the new front fascia when it came out. But the more time that goes on, I find myself often on the BMW website decking one out. Manual transmission, Isle of Man Green, brown or orange interior. It is my current dream car if I'm completely honest. I will probably end up settling for a base model G20 330i or 330e when the prices come down because I cannot justify $100,000 for a car.
Same. Once I saw one in person I was like… are you joking? That is the sickest looking car I’ve ever seen. Granted, I was viewing it from behind with a slight profile so the front was hidden but that car looks mean in person. The front still hasn’t totally grown on me but it no longer bothers me. Everything else about the car is nearly perfect.
Absolutely HILARIOUS that he comes out with this within a week of Jason Cammisa's doting on the E36 M3 on Hagerty. 🤣
My first thought as well!
Funnily enough, Cammisa diminishes the E30 as a somewhat futile effort given it’s just a 4-cylinder and only quicker to 60 by a whisker than the 325i. Meanwhile, he considers the detuned E36 as a blessing, as that car reestablished the M division in America, sold by the boatloads, and is much more reliable than the more powerful Euro version.
@@alstound I believe he never diminishes the E30 as a car but he does bring up the fact it was a commercial failure. He does think the second generation (E36) is a better car than the E30 because not only was it mechanically better, it actually sold 😁.
His video on the NEW M3 is wonderful as he compares all the M3's before it and races some of them on the track along with a comparison between the E30 and the then-current race rival Mercedes ☺️.
And how much better was Jason’s video over this one?!
@@mz22wa I don't think think they're comparable since that was a journalism piece on a specific model and this is a typical "Ranked" UA-cam video.
As a F80 M3 owner I am biased. I don’t think it deserves the top spot, but on looks alone it should be above the G80.
Of the big m3 the g8x just does everything better
@@trentmeister6001 Doesn`t matter. It`s so ugly It makes the first gen E65 look like a gem.
@@sigen7053 you got that bandwagon type taste. No communicating with people like you.
@@trentmeister6001 the G8X does everything better on paper but it’s the same essential recipe as an F80 (TT I6 in a car that’s too big) and given that the F80 looks so good, I have a hard time understanding how anyone could pick up a G8X over an F8X unless they really needed AWD. You’re sacrificing owning one of the best looking cars ever made to own one of the worst because someone with more skills than 95% of owners can go a little bit faster in the G8X. It may be “better” but if it’s my money I’m not shelling out an extra $20,000 - $40,000 for performance that can be matched in an F8X with a few thousand in mods
@@EthanYorke dude my boys (f8x) that are stage 2 full e85 can’t even keep up with my car with a race chip😂. They Couldn’t even keep up with it during break in period stock from a dig.
F8x are just slow now. G8x is the modern GTR killer. And it’s only guys like you who say it doesn’t look sick. Bandwagoners.
The e36 is my dream car, I love how it looks, but I respect what his view on it is, he doesn't talk about the euro e36, but it still makes under 3 hundred horse power. Also, the e36 is often called the m3 that made the whole m3 series popular. I think when it came out the e36 was amazing, but the new m3s just got better and better. In history, the e36 is a great car, but now it just isn't all that. It set the pace for all the future m3s, but the future m3s had a faster pace. I still love the e36, I think the e36 starts to shine when people modify it, and the aftermarket support for the e36 I believe is better compared to all the other 3 series.
i have 3 bmw’s including e36 and it really does leave a lot to be desired
it was also my dream car but part of me always liked the way the e46 looked and it’s interior was decent
so i bought one as my daily and wished i never bought my e36
I happen to think that cars generally get better over time, so cannot imagine wanting an E30 in this day and age when the newer cars do everything better, plus are safer and less environmentally harmful. I have no doubt that an electric M will end up being better as well.
Actually from 95/96 onwards the euro spec e36 had over 320 bhp
I bought an E 36 on purpose. And a ragtop no less.
He actually does mention the euro had more power
That E90 M3 still the wildest M3 out there
Agree
For sure. Plus, some simple preventative maintenance on the RBs and this car has been fantastically reliable.
In the 90's I debated buying the E36 M3 vs a house. Took a drive with a BMW trained driver in one. We both agreed on the lack of power at that time (especially over the Euro model) that 321HP power plant with an additional gear (5 speed manual vs 6 speed) was a game changer. However; it was an incredible handling car.
Later, I'd end up in a 2006 M3 ZCP 6MT. I loved that car and the practicality of it all. They even made a perfect rear seat protective cover for dogs that covered the entire rear seat area from the door panels to backs of the seats.
Why was the SMG even part of the E46 story?
Can you still buy that dog cover?? I would LOVE that for mine
E36 has always been my favorite. E30 & E46 Japan/Eurospec are the top 3 undisputed. Alpina or Ac schnitzer version are unicorn & also more desirable to me.
Absolutely nothing wrong with this ranking. 👍🏻
They all have their issues (price, look, reliability etc.), and all have good sides.
finally a non fanboy comment
@@littlepeugeot8341 Funny enough, I am a BMW fanboy and own several incl. an E46 M3. However, I just prefer to have a more realistic view at this topic.
@@munich.motorwerks that's even better 👌
Can't really argue too much about your ranking. I would just flip the e30 for the e46. But I'm a bit biased because I use to own a e46 coupe 6MT and looooved every moment I had with it.
Now, you have to follow this video up with a M5 ranking. This might be harder to compile than the M3 one.
Same, I have a top mount turbo on mine though
The first time seeing the M3 in the late 80s in Germany was just breathtaking. Especially seeing it go through the Bavarian countryside.
I envy you so much! Now we look at those cool old cars like Lamborghini LM002 (the only one I've seen outside of vintage car shows) or even the 90s stuff like the original Mitsubishi 3000GT and they instantly make our day, make us happy like a little child. I can't imagine how it feels to see the same cars back when they were new! I remember the time when the Mercedes SLR was in production, I've never seen one in person, but I remember it felt so much more special than any of the modern supercars. I've seen an actual McLaren - the 720S, and I was like: "Yeah, cool, whatever... Oh, wait, gotta take a picture...". I think I was more happy when I found a Hyundai i30 N not far from my home. It's a much more common car (actually, just 120 sold in Russia, won't be surprised if there's more 720Ss in the country) but at least it's the one I can buy in the near future.
“The M3 is a great car, but if you had like infinite money and you were looking for a sports car you probably wouldn’t buy one” I don’t always agree with Doug, but when he’s on, it’s a bullseye! 🎯
What would one drive if they had infinite money and wanted a daily driveable, driver-focused, practical sport car?
Infinite money is not fair for this. Obviously you can pick all gold Rolls Royce and be done with it.
BUT
Infinite money, I will get second hand Red Imola 46, with complete restoration (Engine + Body work + Interior). And totally bring the car back to life
Where I live it's probably like this: "the m3 is a great car for people who just can afford the lease on one" 😂
They're a jack of all trades car for people who just want one car that does most things well.
Personally, the F80 M3 (that generation of 3 series as a whole) is the most beautiful car in automotive history.
I reckon the M4 is even better. Absolutely stunning car!
I’m glad to see someone else feels the same way as me. From front to back, inside and out, the F80 is flawless cosmetically. Especially the LCI’s. I legitimately can’t think of a single car that looks better, let alone another sedan
Those are seriously big words. F80 may be the most beautiful BMW in the past 15 years, and that is by far, no competition. But to say it is the most beautiful ever? It isn't even the most beautiful BMW ever. E30, E34, E9 3.0 CSI, 507,... The list goes on. But it is beautiful, no doubt. This comes from a 22 year old lol
The rod bearing issue was just as big (or bigger) problem for the E46 model as it was for the E92. BMW actually recalled the engine for new bearings when I owned one. A big problem is US market customers not knowing how critical it is to heat up the oil before adding any revs above 3K. Both engines were tight tolerance race-based engines that absolutely needed to get up to temp, not just jumped on leaving the driveway as many are prone to do. There are rod bearing upgrade kits for these cars that will take the anxiety out of ownership for not a ton of money.
i recently just bought a 2006 M3 from the original owner with 221k miles on the original rod bearings. He was telling me he warmed it up before driving every single time and that really shows how we’ll warning these cars up works
Makes me think about what's gonna happen to these new C8 Z06s in 10 years.
And that’s why the E46 has lights on the tachometer that go away little by little as the engine heats up.
THIS! Same thing with the E60 M5. I’ve been driving one and I switch it to manual while it’s cold because the SMG (don’t get an SMG) revs it sooo high. I can’t wait for the myth that the S65/S85 are ticking time bombs to go away. Just get a manual one, heat it up, do proper maintenance, and they last.
Currently debating over whether to trust an oil analysis or just replace the bearings anyway on my 166k mile '04. There's a lot of fear mongering for sure, and the previous owner never redlined it, and I always let it warm up...
I love the F80, I’d rank it above the e90 and E36, but below the E46 and tied with the G80 with the E30 at #1
I’m biased but the versatility and value is hard to beat. can keep up with 911s for half the price and drive home in comfort mode with all 4 wheels in the back seat
That doesn't make any sense, how can the E46, G80, and E30 all be tied for #1
E46 is #1 for me….all have been amazing though
1. E46
2.E92
3.F80
Top 3 for me 🚗
100hp per litre aspirated engine in early 2000’s was a true beast… e46 all the way 👍
and why
Cracked subframe boy 🤣🤡
Doug: I don't like the E36, too under powered. Doug: I LOVE the E30, it's not all about power.
I might be biased (having now owned 3 e46s), but I think people are afraid to rank the e46 higher than the e30. It is kind of just the better younger sibling. And don't get me wrong, I do love both cars vehemently (the e30 m3 is what led me to my first e46 m3), but the e46 just has limitless potential as a chassis. It can be modernized and refined, or stripped down and brutally raw and visceral. The s54 is the ultimate evolution of the s14. And in racing, the e46 in all classes replicated much of what the e30 did and taking the underdog story to heart, producing some of the most spectacular and iconic races and arguably pushed motorsport and car manufacturing in a very similar way that hasn't been replicated prior or since. When you strip the car down (full solid bushings, tight suspension, proper tires and brakes, and commit to all the preventative and service maintenance) it suddenly becomes a real race car. A wolf hidden in sheep's clothing. And yet, if left alone or lightly modified, the car is civil, spirited, engaging, and fun, even by today's standard. And if you get the chance to drive one with a well setup exhaust and, more importantly, a carbon box, the sound is genuinely addicting. It does lack the old charm that the e30 has, the e46 is admittedly a much more aggressive car, both in its appearance and driving characteristics. However, when it is built properly, I believe it is truly the quintessential M3. I would love to hear other's perspectives, especially those who do have experience driving both (I hope to one day be lucky enough to drive an e30 m3!), as it is a much smaller and lighter car and would love to hear how my reflection of the e46 stands to the reality of driving the two cars personally! And, to anyone who made it this far, happy driving and keep it rubber side down!
Oh Doug, I remember begging you to review a 4C years ago. I'm glad you finally did!
5 bots in 6 replies... welcome to my personal leaderboard! you are currently sitting at first xD
From experience of owning an E90 M3 DCT compared to my friends E46, the E90 is the more reliable car. Every single issue the E90M has the E46 has as well. Except the E46 chassis needs to be reinforced, it's old generation of high pressure vanos is unreliable and constantly has issues compared to low pressure units in the S65 which are much more reliable and it's automatic SMG is extremely unreliable compared to the very durable DCT. Many cars these days have more than 7 gears. But none actually use 7 gears to accelrate. They are all geared long after about 5th or 6th. The E9x DCT has 7 gears and no over drive. Top speed is at the top of 7th at Abit under 300kmh. No saloon car before or since has had such fun, agressive, short gearing let alone pairing it with a race inspired high revving v8.
E90 gets a bad wrap, if you kept up with it and replaced known issues early, can be such a solid car. worked in service at bmw and those that weren’t maintained were ready to junk, those that were have been having kickass weekend assbeatings and still look and drive brand new, all the german cars THRIVE so long as they’re maintained early.
its always seems so weird to my when automatics are brought into these conversations. if you get an m3(especially an older one) you're probably not some banker that wants to look cool. you're probably an enthusiast and enjoy driving. so why even bother mentioning automatics in this conversation.
im not one of those people who bash on autos cause ''they arent manly'' or whatever,i think they are great,they are faster if they are modern ,they can be really practical and easy in traffic etc. but when we're talking about old cars you dont have the faster benefit and on top of that you're getting robbed of the amazing experience of a manual in a sports car.
if you want to both have a fun car but you use it as a daily in the city then just get a manual and change gears ,i dont get whats the big deal.
maybe i think like that cause where im from there is no automatic culture so im not used to it
The S54 VANOS can be fixed relatively easily. It's much easier to work on an S54 than an S65.
@@dake789 in the case of the E92m3 the engine was designed to be paired with the DCT transmission. Driving both manual and DCT versions back to back really makes you appreciate the DCT with the hi revving V8. The DCT keeps that motor on boil and is pure excellence.
This is coming from a 47 year old guy who has never purchased a car within an automatic btw, I’m manuals for life but the DCT with the high rev’ing N/A V8 is awesome.
It also doesn’t help that BMW Manuals are rubbery garbage compared to Honda, Porsche, and other well done manuals. My current track car is a manual BMW btw 😂
Totally agree. Just bought a well maintained E90 M3 and it’s absolutely glorious to drive. I haven’t driven an E46 but I’m very confident it would not match the driving experience of the E9X. I would put E9X at #2 but still respect Doug’s opinion and it’s we’ll put together
Having driven the E46 M3 SMG for a few years now it is definitely growing on me too.
I think the BMW engineers had a particular use in mind when designing that gear box.
In my experience there is a perfectly timed SMG gear change in the same way there is a perfect manual shift between gears.
As you go up the gears you pull the shifter whilst keeping the revs on. Wait about half a second, then blip off the throttle and back on again. The 'blip' is about 1/3 of a second.
You have to experiment a lot to get it perfect but when you do it is really engaging, faster than a manual shift, and thoroughly satisfying.
It is quite a nuanced experience.
Clearly designed for when you are driving fast. But with practice it works well driving around town too.
I rarely use the auto setting. I prefer to use the 'manual' shift with the SMG.
The thing he missed when speaking about the E46 was the steering. That car hands down has the best steering feel of any car I have ever owned or driven. It has weight that feels natural, it communicates what the front suspension is doing, and it's just extremely satisfying to use.
Try a 306 S16/GTi6
I'm sure it would minimally be just as good if not better
but yeah, drove my buddys e46 and it was better than any other bmw I've driven
Unfortunately, I live in McWalmart Land and we don't get your cool French cars
@@sjhart14 shame, bet you'd see some cool things
E46 is just perfect
After owning an E92 M3 and now an E46 M3, I think the E46 being ahead of the E9X is valid however I think the E36 should not be last. It’s a tossable, analog car that weighs a good bit less than the E46 and sounds much better than the E46. Yes the S54 is much more powerful but only sounds good after 4K rpm whereas the S52 sounds good throughout the entire rev range.
if you wan't sedan e36 is way to go imo, f30 is just not very special and e90 looks so much worse than e92
E46 naturally aspirated straight six is the best sounding of all of them. No contest 🔥
Nah sorry. I love BMW I6s but the E46 just sounds like a wailing brute. E90 is easily the best.
From the factory E46 might be number 2 or 3 (tied with E36), but F80 with an equal length mid pipe is better IMO
Never heard the V8 M3?
“wailing brute” is an interesting way to describe it😂 and a bizarre use of semantics but that’s just my opinion, the e46 sounds Mechanically engaging similar to the porsche Carrera gt, the E90 is my second favourite.
E92 one of the best sounding V8s
agreed. thats why i put that engine in my e36. now that's a perfect m3
I think though you should have considered the fact that the new M3 will be the first one to come in a wagon form - something the fans have wanted for a looong time. As you mentioned, with Merc going hybrid, the M3 wagon might just be the best all-around car on the market.
not in the us tho
Not with that grill that's for sure
I just wish the wagon was coming to America!
BMW probably doesn't think that North American customers don't like wagons or high performance wagons, so they'll probably not sell it there. Same thing they did with the E61 M5. That aside, I wonder how they'll make a cohesive and beautifully designed M3 wagon with that big grille.
Where is this wagon being sold? I have not heard about any availability here in the US
Doug is the kinda guy who just uploads to whatever channel he’s logged into last
@God DeMuro I liked your comment in pity, hope you ratio me one day
😁👍
@God DeMuro, ok deadass I’m confused
I made a joke about how this is a video you’d most likely find on More Doug DeMuro, and that in laziness it was posted here
Are you legit pressed?
@God DeMuro
???
I currently own an e90 M3 with almost 200k miles. Ive been beating on it everyday for the past few years, as long as you change rod bearings and let the car warm up, you can rev it out to damn near 9,000 rpm every drive no problem, don’t be scared of these cars they’re one of the better engines in term of reliability 🤝
love to read this :)
You sir are my hero. Recently bought an e92 M3 with about 100,000 Kms with RB just done. I hope it turns out to be more reliable than Doug makes it seem. As I share your sentiment that with good warm ups and preventative maintenance its one of the more reliable cars to beat on.
it's a shame that the e92 m3 had rod bearings issues because outside of that it's actually a very reliable powertrain, especially given the fact that most high revving v8s usually don't tick over 100k miles (i.e. voodoo from the GT350, F136, F131, early Audi 4.2s, etc. all had at least one major fault & in most cases multiple.)
I'll stick to what I know, which is E36 and E46. I think you shortchange the driving experience of the E36. Car and Driver called it the best handling car under $100K in 1997. Also, it's widely acknowledged that the market success of the E36 M3 established the M brand in this country. "Best" is subjective but that fact should be considered as well. Happy to see the E46 at #2 and can't question since I've never driven a E30. Entertaining as usual!
The E30 was a „widow maker“: Rear wheel drive and no traction control.
I owned an E30 316i with only 99hp in the 90s. And Even that was a creepy driving experience on rainy days. Several times I was overtaken by my own trunk. 😅
With special rain tires its got a little better. During wintertimes I remember that I sometimes had to leave the Car (with winter tires of course) on the road side and I had to walk.
But: I loved that car and I regret selling it.
I have had four E30s. Two 320i, a 325i and a 318is. And i can say it takes some practice to drive those cars. I can remember going backwards out of roundabouts more than once. :p
That's funny.
Personally I find the cars to not loose traction on dry conditions if you know what you're doing. In the wet they are also okay if you know what you're doing.
But in the snow they are not great. I always switch to my Volvo 240 when it snows here...
I have the competitor to the E30, a 1991 190E 2.6 5 speed as my daily. It’s actually not bad in the snow lol, I was pleasantly surprised
@@gilbertg.8501 Heck yeah. That's awesome.
E30's are pretty decent in the snow of you have the proper tires
I learned on a 325is and it humbled me many times, grateful to be alive lmao
The E46 M3 Has been my dream car since i was a child. Im glad to own an E46 coupe but its not exactly what i want...
E46 is junk af that’s why
@@jorgenunez2310 Nah it's great
@@jorgenunez2310 Definitely not
Same here, the value explosion doesn't exactly help to get closer to fullfilling our dream...
@@karuzo4116 its around 15-to 25 grand here in Germany.
I have an E36 and an E46 M3. Have driven or been in every gen except the latest gen and I personally prefer the E46 for that rev happy S54. The E36 is great for how nimble and raw feeling it is.
My ranking of M3s:
1. E30 - racing car for street
2. E36 - stealth and powerful
3. E92 - german muscle car
Wow you really don’t understand why the e46 is the best, they basically just need a turbo like mine that makes 800hp easily. I’ve always wanted an e30 though
@@Industry-insider Never liked E46 but still great car :)
Interesting that Doug specifically calls out the F80 is larger than it's predecessor, and that it has more power to help with that - reason I find this interesting is because Doug forgets to mention that the F80 is lighter than both its predecessor and successor, by a significant margin. That said, and taking into account the desirability of DCT now that they are gone, the F80 would likely move above both the G80 and E90.
Great list. I also think the new M3 deserves to be that high. Especially since I'm one of the 7 people who actually like how it looks.
LOL!! I'll take the under on how many people like the way it looks, but I am happy to hear you like yours.
I’m with you😂
They really are way better than everyone makes them out to be, even in looks, they just look so menacing
@@cgr_doorjam0263 I mean 9’s on the 1/4 mile and 7 seconds faster than the f80 CS on the N’ring? Pretty savage. The only real bummer is no power dome
I still put it behind E36 and F80
My ranking from “worst” to best:
E36
E90
E30
G80
E46
F80
E46… period. I autocrossed one for years and loved it. My only complaint about it was that oversteer came in quick and twitchy. The E90 was a dream on the courses because its oversteer was transitional and smooth.
oversteer? all e46s i see irl understeer unless they are clutch kicked or flicked
@@littlepeugeot8341 in autocrossing there’s a little something called performance driving. Understeer is the result of improper driving technique (i.e. going into a turn too fast). Oversteer is used to rotate the car around tight turns.
@@4rr44E seems like you can't see my profile picture... but sure yeah rally drives competing on a national level are noobs...
i.e the ultimate driving experience of understeering out of a corner under gas
@@littlepeugeot8341 not following… if you’re understeering then you’re not coming around any corner… you’re pushing through it and kit turning.
E46 M3 is definitely #1, nostalgia hit hard since I smoked opponents with it on NFS: Most Wanted
F80 offers the best bang for buck. 80% of what the G80 offers for about 40% of the price. Triumph of design, at least in sedan form with the big rear arches. Big enough to be useful, enough tech to be relevant, blows the doors off all M3s before it, and to be honest the E90 and E46 M3s are hardly immune to the questionable mods. Do I own an F80? Of course!
I’m sure your F80 is faster, more efficient, more reliable, and much better in a lot of ways than its predecessors….
But for 50-60k, you could have a MINT E36/E46 M3.
And I bet with the way the market is right now, you could get a really nice E30 M3 for around the same money.
Call me old school, but there’s just something special about a classic.
If I ever had $200k just laying around after my wife and family and children were healthy happy and taken care of to buy a PERFECT example of any M3, there’s no way I’m taking an F80.
Maybe street cred is more important to me than the numbers on paper.
Or maybe it’s the smell of the leather.
Maybe it’s the firm twist of the key to lock the doors, open the trunk, and start the engine.
Maybe it’s the sound and the feeling of letting the parking brake loose.
Maybe it’s the nostalgia I get for simpler times when things, for whatever reason, just made more sense.
That’s the beauty about old cars. It will always always always be more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
When I close my eyes and think of my dream M3 I imagine a white 88.
On a sunset drive with the woman I love.
I can hear the engine hum and feel the wind on my face.
Man and machine.
This is what makes classic cars better.
And the F80 still feels too…new. I think it will age better than the E90 but I don’t think it will compare to the E30/E36/E46 within our lifetime.
There’s just something about a classic.
But that’s just my opinion. Sorry for the novel. I’m weird.
that’s facts the F80 is the best M3!!
it is crazy that a car that came out in 2014 is 8 years old. Time flies
8:16 "Nobody wanted it at the time". Exact number were not revealed yet, but G80 "BMW M3 and M4 were the biggest drivers of growth last year" (13% increase of sales of all "M" models) as said by BMW themselves.
Lol I know, all the people that complain about them don’t have the money to afford them….they are awesome. Especially the base manual G80
@@claycrawford9009 exactly what I said
Yep so true it has AWD now there’s honestly nothing better at the price and performance level now you can daily your M3 in all seasons
MSport and M Lite models are counted under that total.
My fav M3:
E36 M3 coupe: it's so underrated, it's the first ever six cylinder engine M3 and it looks understated! I love it!
E92 M3: This car was way too crazy to have a V8, but it does and it sounds good!
F80 M3: The looks are just so good! Good mix of aggression without overdoing it like the G80!
PS: Although I'm a little bit sad that my 3 favourites were at the bottom three of the list... :(
E36 was a heap of junk. You're in denial son
@@fakevirus8828 Hmm, any reasons why?
SMG has a personality. Its not as good as a manual but it’s the next closest thing to feel connected.
Nobody:
Doug DeMuro: *releases video at the same time as the Superbowl*
Me: *still watching it anyways*
I've owned all except the g80. The f80 was the best. Twin turbo with a dual clutch and looked amazing still does.
I never drove an E36 M3 but I drove an E36 325IS and I thought that was the best clutch I ever felt and I loved the mechanical precision of the car. It was on a whole other level from the American and Japanese cars I had driven to that point. So I can only imagine how good the M3 was.
That is why the Alfa Romeo Giulia is such a great car. Opposed to the M3, where they first developed the mainstream car and thén the M3, Alfa took the reverse approach. First develop the Quadrafoglio, then the less performance cars
If only you didn't need a full-time mechanic to ride along with you.
Italians, think with your heart and not your brain…………that’s why they only have like 2/3 models in their line-up and they are almost bankrupt. I mean I get it but it just does not make sense to develop a model to fit the type you sell maybe 1-2% out of your model. Wether you like it or not, most people buying a BMW just want the normal one to drive from A to B.
@@povertyspec9651 thanks for the uninformed casual opinion
Alfa's are trash lmao
@@yungboicontigo9278 so they found a sugardaddy what else? Just wait until she doesn’t want to put out again, she’ll be on the streets in no time
In 2003 I’d rented a new, light blue E46 M3 Convertible 6-speed in Los Angeles CA for a couple of days - and absolutely loved it! Driving on the PCH and along the twists and turns of Sunset Blvd in Santa Monica was a totally joyous thrill! So I bought what I could afford back then - a used, black 1998 E36 M3 Convertible 5-speed - and I super-absolutely love it, even though it doesn’t go quite as fast, but you know what? Its plenty fast enough for me, and easier to maintain.
My favorite M3 is E36 , here in Brazil , the first imported M3 E36 model (1994) has 286hp!
Remember when Doug thought people would want autographed photos over tshirts??? 😂😂😂
No
@@MuscleTile must not be a fan
Yes!!!
Yes 💀👍
Those autographed photos were incredibly popular. I only stopped doing it because it just became too time consuming to autograph them all.
I think you would appreciate driving BMW's M Coupes, coming from someone who owns a Z4M Coupe. Sports car engine in a sports car ends up being a magical experience. I don't think you will fit in a Z3M Coupe sadly. I don't at 6'4".
You still enjoy your job being a hairdresser?
Screw you Doug, just kidding. As a F80 owner I agree with you - it’s a great grand tourer. Very much enjoyed the ranking video. Keep ‘‘em coming!
I daily my M3 and what I like about the F80 is the comfort and ability for it to turn into a more powerful beast when needed. Never taken it to the track other than a Slipstream 1/3 mile even at Poccono (doesn’t count as a track day), not why I bought it. Would a 340 serve me just as well? Yes, but always a dream to own a M car. Love driving it every day and to my eye the design is solid. Yes, like Doug said a lot of questionable modifications in the F80s
f80 easily the best looking modern m3
True, and the 340i is already a really good looking car with th M sport package, but i prefer the frown of the M3, as well as the widebody
@@aer300k4 absolutely. Put 18mm spacers all around on the M3 and it looks like it should. Wide and planted!
@@zachw1117Facts
I don’t even consider the G80 ugly. It’s not conventionally easy to look at at first sight, but it really grows on you. ESPECIALLY if you constantly see it in person. Performance wise, it’s also an amazing car
I remember Doug on the smoking tire podcast and I’d love to know what changed his mind about the e30, from the podcast saying it was simply underpowered, similar to the e36 now holding it at number one on this list, I definitely agree but what changed his mind.
I think he still thinks it is underpowered. This list is not about the absolute best in terms of performance. It is more of a subjective list in the order he would own them in terms of collector factor. For example: saying the E36 is too common as a negative point to the car shows that. The car is not less capable or more capable depending of how many of them were produced yet for the E36 too many is a negative point and he clearly states that it does not feels special or rare enough. I feel this list is not about the car themselves but about how he feels about the desire to own them.
The e92 m3 being #4 is criminal!! It is so wrong! The only one I’d accept being better is e46, rather than that many think the e92 is the goat m3
I remember the excitement in the motoring press here in the UK when the e36 M3 was about to come out. It was fixing the 2 issues that were seen with the e30, lack of rhd and a 4 cylinder engine. I also remember the disappointment when it arrived, falling short of the expectation, the extra size and weight nullifying a lot of the extra hp and the handling (according to the tests i read compared to the e30). The later Evo version (i remember them being referred to as this rather than lci that has come to be known with later models) seemingly improved these, and were years later considered the one to get.
3:30 Even though it has a lot less power, the US E36 is actually *MORE* desirable than the Euro spec one, not less. It’s known for being way more reliable and having a much less stressed engine (as a result of the lower power and redline) so it’s more sought after on the used market
What premium? They're the more reliable car, yes, but nobody bought a less powerful car for more than the ultimate version. W211 E55s aren't more expensive than E63s even though the E55's more reliable.
It just doesn't. You've watched Cammisas Video and now u think he's right about that.
@@Slevis57 I have no clue who the fuck that is so…no. I’ve just been hearing that for years
What are you talking about? The American e36 M3 is a joke to the rest of the world and you couldn't even sell one here In the UK🤣 You Americans are needing banned from the Internet you really are.
@@Slevis57 ikr, imagine trying to sell a US spec E36 in Europe🤣 I'm in the UK and the American E36 M3 is a laughing stock to us. You simply could not sell it here yet here's this utter melt of a boy talking about "desirable"
Play the Doug drinking game. Drink every time Doug says “controversial.”
My 1999 E36 in Dakar Yellow was my first experience of owning a car with different size tires front and back, thus limiting rotation of tires and decreasing their lifespan to about 20,000 miles. That wasn’t the worse part!! The first time I needed tires I called the local tire shop and asked for a quote on my Dunlop tires. I can’t remember the exact sizes or tread pattern, but it was so unique the local tire shop couldn’t find them! After several days of calling tire shops across Pennsylvania, I had one of them call me back and he began the conversation like this… “Let me guess, your car is a 1999 BMW M3 and this is one of the two front tires.” When I heard that I KNEW this was NOT going to be cheap!!! I sold her around 50k miles, just before having to buy all new sneakers again.
The G80/G82 has grown on me, it’s a rather charming and daring design and I like that.
i may be in the minority here but the g80 m3's design has really grown on me and doesn't look as bad as i first thought
Hagerty disagrees with you. They said the US version E36 is the best M3. All just personal opinions. No one person is right, everyone is.
Who’s here after Doug called the e36 a top 5 bmw of all time
This list is so contradictory that I can’t even take it seriously.
“There is no Amazing M3” -> “the E30 is fantastic”
Complaints for reliability -> put most reliable at the bottom of the list.
Complaints about power -> puts least powerful on top of list.
the e36 was great except it was so underpowered! -> e30 is #1 on list
The E92 M3 is so underrated
E46 or E92 for me definitely. Full respect to the f10 and 30 as well.
Well, seeing as your website sells a lot of those E46s, I felt like that would have been the best one out of all of them
E30 M3 is my number 1 here, and we've only sold four of those. We've sold over 30 E36 M3s and I ranked it last. Not really a connection to the site here.
I wholeheartedly agree with this list.
Doug talking about the SMG is the exact reason why I love the late 00's to early 10's automated manuals.
I currently have both an e46 and e36, if I had to choose one to keep it would be the e36. The e46 is a good car but just a bit too large and heavy to be truly enjoyable to drive.
I chose the e36 when cross shopping. It's more raw and the size is seriously perfect.
Agreed
Having owned most of the generations, it’s like choosing a favorite kid. However, driving the F80 for a while now, I’m madly in love with this thing and can’t see letting it go anytime soon 🤘🏻
Makes a lot of sense you feel that way. The s65 is god tier no doubt. But BMWs I6 platform is insane. And you probably own the best version of it. The G80s are sick don’t get me wrong but I think the F80s were the pinnacle of the m3 line up.
Most of the generations? I've owned them all mate and can tell you've only owned a few. The last M3 ever made was the E46 and anything carrying the M3 badge after that has been an imposter. Even E36 and E46 were a bit of a fatty compared to E30 especially E36 that felt like a lump of wood after having done 75k miles on my e30 M3. I tracked them at Knockhill as well as my daily and none of them survive track use without serious spendage. They all melt their brakes within a few laps and the newer ones the car starts melting too as they are utter junk made.
@@CVasqueezy you don't have a clue what you are talking about. F80 was a joke compared to E46 and especially E30 M3. I had them all, the F80 is a pretend M car.
@@fakevirus8828 I say in the actual comment that I have “owned most,” and not all lol…did you read it? Also, you seem very proud of yourself for your expert opinions on the M cars. Cool. I hope it serves you well in life, but guess what? I’m standing by opinion happily :) Cheers!
@@fakevirus8828 Cool. 🤙🏽
5:30 So you're knocking the F80 specifically because it's "starting to feel like a used car?" I get all your other arguments but this one seems kind of ludicrous. No car is immune to the passage of time.
Rich dude problems
tissue?
I don't understand the wide-spread complaints about the E36 M3's power. It's faster than cars with more HP.
Relieved to see the E30 M3 ranked #1. It's the OG that started it all. And it's a true homologation special unlike all the others.
E36 is the best driving M3 there ever was. It was an improved E30 before it became softer and more sluggish as E46.
I remember Car and Driver saying it was "The best handling car at ANY price point"
To avoid controversy, you could've made it a six way tie for first place!
I really like the new m3. I think the grille looks even more aggressive 🤷♂️
that has a good reason
I was actually with ya until you reached #2. E46 is #1 imo. Everything else I can agree with.
E36 the worst M3!? Check out Jason Cammisa’s latest Revelations video on the Hagerty channel. In hindsight, The US spec version E36 M3 was the one to have. It had enough power for its lightweight frame and had the most reliable straight 6 of any BMW on this list. If it’s last because of its 240hp than the E30 shouldn’t be anywhere near the top of the list.
The F80 is literally the only one I would even consider buying. It’s just as fast as a brand new one but it looks 150 times better it’s way nicer to drive and it will cost half as much
Wait how is it nicer to drive?
Arman it’s lighter, t has very nearly as much power, and the hydraulic steering gives so much better mechanical feel it’s unreal
@@Arman-nl6mg it’s a wild dog compare to the new one that’s more tamed
The F80 is not nearly as fast as the G80. The G80 grip and handling put it way ahead of the old car. Lap times don’t lie.
Kandi Man Nurburgring time is split by 12 seconds… G80 is 7:38, F80 was 7:50… over 12.3 miles and 167 corners that’s literally 0.07 seconds quicker per corner… really…?
That big front end of the newer BMW’s is actually starting to grow on me. I saw one up close in that yellow yesterday and it was pretty cool. I kinda dig the out there styling.
It grew on the m3 too. Sadly it grew way to far.
Hi Doug, great video. You should check out the E30 333i. We did not get the E30 M3 in South Africa, so BMW SA shoehorned a 733i engine into the engine bay. There were actually quite a few cars like this in the 70s and 80s in SA. Ford Sierra XR8, Alfa GTV6 3.0, Chev Firenza V8. You can make a video about this.
I had an 1998 E36 M3 convertible that I traded in towards a new 2000 E39 M5, and a 1988 E30 M3 that I bought for $7,500 in 2000 and sold for $9,000 in 2009, damn it. I miss the E39 and the E30, my two most favorite cars I've ever owned (about 48 cars in 48 years of driving). I concur with Doug's rankings.
Framing is important.
Jason Camissa said that even though the US spec E36 M3 got a lesser engine, it had the same torque as the Euro spec engine with the M-engine, so you wouldn't really notice or care on the street/day-to-day driving, because it still "felt" fast with the same great handling components. BUT you also got the added benefit of more reliability/lesser maintenance intervals with the non-M engine, so you can make that a plus for the e36 if you knock the e9x M3 for having rod bearing issues.
I think I agree with Jason on having an engine you can beat the crap out of, over an engine that has more power & redline, but is finnicky.
Makes me appreciate my 135i or a 1M with the volume N54 engine, over an e46 or e9X with an S-engine. Bespoke engines will always be more to build, maintain, and buy salvage or for a swap. You can't argue with owning a car that has a great engine that was also a volume seller, because it's much easier to want to drive & fix.
For that, I think the e36 deserves to be higher on the list than the F80.
What? The UK spec M3 evo had way more torque and was a 6speed with infinite better suspension. Stop trying to mug us all off you tool of a boy.
Also the engine was junk it had various serious issues. You live in an alternate reality pal.
G80 i absolutely love the styling! i really really like it
When he announced number 2, I was shocked because I never, in a billion years, have guessed he would rank the plucky little E30 as number 1.
I love love LOVE the look of the E30. I think it's one of the sexiest cars BMW ever produced. That and the old 6 series. Just gems of 80's car design.
Spoiler fricking alert
If you watch his E30 review, you'll see how much he fawns over it. Before even started this list, I knew the E30 would be at the top.
@@abhishekrao1525 I don't get to see every single thing he films.
@@heinzkitzvelvet I mean, it's not like there's a schedule where reviews are only available for a limited time. It's been up for a bit.
@@abhishekrao1525 that doesn't mean I watch every single thing he films.
3:20, the current gen also has a torque converter automatic for the non manual option. It is no longer a dual clutch so the E36 M3 is no longer the only M3 that came with a torque converter automatic option.
Yeah but it's the 8hp by ZF, which I hear nothing but good things about
@@isaac4273 Not saying it's bad, simply correcting the statement.
@@ClutchKickOfficial ohhh, gotcha
The E9x M3 just needs a good warm up period to avoid rod bearing issues - and is also not designed to be a 0-60 car. It's designed for the track where you're never at 0 except to start. Hearing that engine in its 'happy range' is incredible.
Doug's tongue has been blue for a week.