E46 or e92

I've been debating this, also, for a couple years now. Now - let me preface this by saying that I'm only interested in street driving (fast city and canyon runs), but I've test driven about 7 or 8 E9X M3s and I haven't been wow'd. The low/mid power actually feels a little less 'punchy' than a healthy 46M. The S65's top end is killer, yes, but below say 6k rpm, my limited seat time in the E9X has shown me that there is little/no difference and if anything the 46M has more oomph in the 'middle' of the tach.

What am I missing? I really want to love the E9XM but it's not the big step up I thought it was. It's not faster on the street and it's only marginally more comfortable and so spending roughly twice the coin is hard to justify.

I guess my question is this for those who've owned both: which car, honestly, is more fun for general spirited street use?

E46, it's raw and more fun to drive as a weekend car even though it is somewhat slower than e90/92. Also, get the zcp e46. Night and day difference.

EricSMG wrote

I've been debating this, also, for a couple years now. Now - let me preface this by saying that I'm only interested in street driving (fast city and canyon runs), but I've test driven about 7 or 8 E9X M3s and I haven't been wow'd. The low/mid power actually feels a little less 'punchy' than a healthy 46M. The S65's top end is killer, yes, but below say 6k rpm, my limited seat time in the E9X has shown me that there is little/no difference and if anything the 46M has more oomph in the 'middle' of the tach.

What am I missing? I really want to love the E9XM but it's not the big step up I thought it was. It's not faster on the street and it's only marginally more comfortable and so spending roughly twice the coin is hard to justify.

I guess my question is this for those who've owned both: which car, honestly, is more fun for general spirited street use?

Having owned two of both I like the e90x M platform for everything:thumbsup:

They?re both so beautiful ... I?m literally torn hahhaa

Forget both...what you need is a s2000. One day I will be back in one...

STooK wrote

Forget both...what you need is a s2000. One day I will be back in one...

Concur. My S2000 is the only car that I have that I will never sell.

I must have missed the boat on the S2000.

Just think: You could be BOOF-S2000.

UPSROD wrote

Just think: You could be BOOF-S2000.

Lucky for the Bimmerpost family that I am BOOF-M3.

yeah_knee wrote

They?re both so beautiful ... I?m literally torn hahhaa

They sure are, especially with 19s. A clean, stock 46M with either ZCP wheels (like you've pictured) or the OEM 19s, is one of the best looking cars of all time and even today, in a sea of modern cars, really pops.

You need to drive both as close to back-to-back as possible. They're both razor sharp and ultra responsive but one should speak to you more clearly - that's the one you want.

BOOF-M3 wrote

Lucky for the Bimmerpost family that I am BOOF-M3. Loveskiing and FlyingAce can't do this alone...

And you too UPSROD, Philippe and others. You guys know who you are.

What about that mdosu guy?

What about that mdosu guy?[/QUOTE]
Corrected. See above. What was I thinking?

EricSMG wrote

yeah_knee wrote

They?re both so beautiful ... I?m literally torn hahhaa

They sure are, especially with 19s. A clean, stock 46M with either ZCP wheels (like you've pictured) or the OEM 19s, is one of the best looking cars of all time and even today, in a sea of modern cars, really pops.

You need to drive both as close to back-to-back as possible. They're both razor sharp and ultra responsive but one should speak to you more clearly - that's the one you want.

Yes I need to setup some test drives

EricSMG wrote

I've been debating this, also, for a couple years now. Now - let me preface this by saying that I'm only interested in street driving (fast city and canyon runs), but I've test driven about 7 or 8 E9X M3s and I haven't been wow'd. The low/mid power actually feels a little less 'punchy' than a healthy 46M. The S65's top end is killer, yes, but below say 6k rpm, my limited seat time in the E9X has shown me that there is little/no difference and if anything the 46M has more oomph in the 'middle' of the tach.

What am I missing? I really want to love the E9XM but it's not the big step up I thought it was. It's not faster on the street and it's only marginally more comfortable and so spending roughly twice the coin is hard to justify.

I guess my question is this for those who've owned both: which car, honestly, is more fun for general spirited street use?

E36M.
Low end Torque, slower so fun at safe speeds, easy to slide, 5speed is smoother than the E46M 6MT

IB M wrote

E36M.
Low end Torque, slower so fun at safe speeds, easy to slide, 5speed is smoother than the E46M 6MT

Here you go.

Found an 08 m3 with 112000 miles on it for 20k

Lots of miles ... what u guys think?

yeah_knee wrote

Found an 08 m3 with 112000 miles on it for 20k

Lots of miles ... what u guys think?

You could find an '08 with a lot less miles for not much more than that.

E46 M3 is my favorite in terms of design. To me its the best looking BMW.

E92 M3 is the better car overall, with superior engine, trans, and suspension.
Its a much more raw experience than current M cars and the steering feel is amazing.

yeah_knee wrote

Found an 08 m3 with 112000 miles on it for 20k

Lots of miles ... what u guys think?

Yea_knee, we took a poll overnight and Its 50/50. We think you should buy it and we think you shouldn't. You obviously like the car or you wouldn't have mentioned it. What do you think/like about the car. What do you not like about it?

I have both as well, love the handling and feeling of the e46 as you feel so connected to the road and car. I love the body of the e46 as well as it's a classic design, no plan for me to get rid of it. The e92 is a different beast, feels a little less raw than the e46. But steering and acceleration is top of the line, especially on the freeway feels great. I'm 50/50 on it as I haven't had the e92 very long but I know I would have really regretted if I got rid of the e46.

IB M wrote

E36M.
Low end Torque, slower so fun at safe speeds, easy to slide, 5speed is smoother than the E46M 6MT

That wasn't the question - I've owned 5 E36 M3s, know them well and love them dearly but the 46M is leagues better.

There are certain aspects of the 36M (the sedans in particular) that are excellent - namely how nimble it is but at the end of the day the 46 was a massive jump forward. The overall package just blows the older model out of the water.

I do agree, though, that the 6MT in the 46 isn't very refined. The E9X 6MT for sure is better.

BOOF-M3 wrote

yeah_knee wrote

Found an 08 m3 with 112000 miles on it for 20k

Lots of miles ... what u guys think?

Yea_knee, we took a poll overnight and Its 50/50. We think you should buy it and we think you shouldn't. You obviously like the car or you wouldn't have mentioned it. What do you think/like about the car. What do you not like about it?

The particular car I found has Jerez black exterior with fox red interior! Sick combo... looks super clean too. Not many dings or scratches

Dealership told me I can have a pre inspection at a shop of my liking. I think that?s my next step