BMW M3 Jack of all trades master of none! | Page 2 | FerrariChat

BMW M3 Jack of all trades master of none!

Discussion in 'Other German' started by boba fett, Oct 2, 2021.

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  1. Dai Baracca

    Dai Baracca Formula Junior

    Mar 4, 2007
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  2. Dai Baracca

    Dai Baracca Formula Junior

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  3. boba fett

    boba fett Formula Junior

    Feb 24, 2019
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  4. 19633500GT

    19633500GT F1 World Champ
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  5. boba fett

    boba fett Formula Junior

    Feb 24, 2019
    804
    Both rare Dakar Yellow mate !
     
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  6. 19633500GT

    19633500GT F1 World Champ
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    Does that photo have a filter? That looks super light for Dakar. Pretty either way :)
     
  7. boba fett

    boba fett Formula Junior

    Feb 24, 2019
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  8. LjT

    LjT Karting

    Feb 26, 2013
    146
    Boba,

    How do you compare both cars? There's one E46 M3 in Phoenix yellow up for sale recently over here. I am tempted but not sure adding another M3 is a good idea or suicidal.

    Regards
     
  9. boba fett

    boba fett Formula Junior

    Feb 24, 2019
    804
    Hi mate, I did this short write up on my thoughts between the two.

    "Having just bought the E46 M3 Coupe and now covered quite a few miles in it, many may ask is it worth changing up from the pretty E46 M3 to the V8 E9x. I have posted similar before, but for the hell it, today I took them out back to back with a mate to help with whats the fastest out of the two and dismiss old wife's tales.

    Looks:
    For a number of years I have always looked at pictures of the V8 and thought it looked wrong, to me it looked to big to top heavy and a little cumbersome at the rear with its hunched stance, then over some time and seeing them on the road they started growing on me. The E46 M3 on the other hand does photo well and all the bulges and testosterone seems to pop out. I feel the V8 does not picture well and in the metal it really is a looker and has so much presence. Anyone wanting one, just needs to go see a V8 in a lighter colour as its suits the car best. Now every time I see one it turns my head and I think what a pretty car.

    Is it better looking than the E46, that is a tough one, in pictures the 46 all day long, in the real world up close and personal, I'm on the fence [​IMG]

    Performance:
    I think the V8 should be faster as most will know, you can push buttons and things make it seem faster (you just don't have to push the pedal so far) but I've reached a point where I think do you know what, its Ok. The E46 M3 on the other hand strangely feels more eager and willing, it feels faster and has a better throttle response and contrary to the V8 you actually don't have to ring it's neck out, however the V8 when you do it makes you tingle and you get the noise and with this in mind and coupled with the DCT its very very exciting. Head to head the V8 is faster, but only just, those that say a V8 blitzes a good E46 M3 are wrong OE VS OE, there is not much in it.

    The Engine:
    Well the real reason you would buy the V8. Its a Gem, silky smooth refined, feels ageless and nearly 9k in a V8 and its just keeps pulling and getting better the more you spank it. The noise is up there with the best with the pipe mod done, it still excites me every time I turn the key. If we are honest its the V8's trump card it will win you over with its voice so to speak. The 46 is unique with its rasp, an acquired metallic noise, those that know, know, those that don't think your back box is full of loud wasps. I like it, the engine is a legend, humble eager, ready and instant. Is there another car with a better throttle response when warm and ready ? for the money Probably not. The V8 though is top dog here, its special.

    Handling:
    This is where the E46 feels more of a track car in comparison, it feels lighter more direct, agile and nimble almost go cart like in comparison. It probably is in the real world as well. The V8 just feels safer, quieter more solid and easy, less likely to bite and more refined. Both are very composed and easy to have the arse out, the 46 feels more race car and better but the V8 is better through refinement.

    Kit:
    I have a fully loaded E46 and although good, its 90's tech really, nice and all that, but the V8 is streets ahead. Mines just about got everything, most you wont use as usual, internet /TV/DVD/hardrive this and media that apart from maybe a toilet, the V8 have all you need really. This will not be important if its your weekend toy, but it still needs to be mentioned.

    Gearbox:
    I have drove a few manuals, and its Ok, both V8 and E46 are notchy sods, which is worse in the E46, but I aslo think they got the ratios wrong in the V8, so look at it this way, both will comand more money at some point, because we are all getting lazy. I am a manual fan, and although I have an SMG in the 46, ITS RUBBISH. Unless you are on track going 7 bells its sh1te. The DCT is just so good and so right matted to the V8 engine. I have never had an auto give you a surge when it changes gear. My E93 DCT pulls ahead on my mates E92 manual and this is down to the box and how good it is. Where the SMG for me was so wrong, slow, snappy, jerky and crud, this is so right. lightening, brutal, blips, fun and super smooth when you want it to be. Its a very good box indeed.

    Practical:
    Who cares, you can get 4 in both and some shopping. Both are sh1te on fuel if used as an M, with the V8 being some what sh1tier [​IMG]

    Costs:
    18 mpg as a rule for the V8, and 22 mpg for the 46, some get more, some get less, but if you like your M, expect the aforementioned, but every car has an Achilles heel. The E46 is proving to be costly so and so the older it gets, it has more money worries than the V8, so don't think its a Honda. The V8 though, Service is every 2 years, but I do mine yearly (old habits die hard) though it has 8 plugs and 9 liters of oil, so its not cheap from the off. No adjusting this / guides that, everything else is pretty much normal BM Tax. It is worth looking at inherent issues with both as neither is perfect, but the V8 has less flaws and will prove more reliable mainly because its newer, more refined and well built.

    What goes wrong:
    46 - well, Vanos, boot floor, head gasket, timing chains, rust, diffs, SMG pumps, Springs and cuddly toy, oh and did I mention Rust !! The car I just bought the previous owner spent 10k in 2 years, I'm not saying this is normal, just be warned, you can buy it one for 10k, but could end up costing you a hell of a lot more!!
    V8 - Not a lot really. Actuators which are well documented, and some cases of rod bearings on high milers, but you can do preventative maintenance on these items if that's your thing. Late cars can still be under warranty so you can just enjoy.

    What do others think.
    In the “M” world they love the 46, my mate turned up in his E28 M5 and loved the underdog, He would take the V8 of course, but if it was to keep forever, I'm not so sure. Others that see them as a sporty BMW’s just see the newer car for what it is, newer, and the 46 as an old dated BMW. I have not had a single negative vibe from both. Most give me the thumbs up, and people come over and want to talk about the car's (and the colour) they are cool car's, truth be told the V8 looks better in the metal and far more modern and up to date, it just looks the newer more plusher car.

    Round up:
    God its tough, I really like both, my wife likes the V8 all day, my mates like the 46, I like driving them both, one is way better and more grown up and the other is more raw and edgy. if they where dogs the V8 would be a graceful greyhound, with great strides and quick once up and running, and the 46 would be a terrier, shot to bits with bags of character. But we need to mention the noise the V8 makes, its the greyhound thats had lots of BBQ beans, it sound awesome, Its such an event and for me its so important, it's what separates current cars with the electric future.

    So to sum up and what most will want to know "Which one"

    The V8 is better in every single way make no mistake (I also think its better looking in the metal) each evolution is better so don't kid yourself, If they where both coupes and I had to have one forever more, probably the 46, but the V8 vert with its metal folding roof is so versatile and ticks so many boxes it really is what the M3 was designed for. The jack of ALL trades master of none"
     
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  10. LjT

    LjT Karting

    Feb 26, 2013
    146
    Boba,

    Very well written. I fully agree with you on the look that one needs some time to like it better. Thank you for sharing.

    Regards
     
  11. 19633500GT

    19633500GT F1 World Champ
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  12. boba fett

    boba fett Formula Junior

    Feb 24, 2019
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  13. 19633500GT

    19633500GT F1 World Champ
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    check this out …


    Yesterday, dropped the ‘88 off. Going full glass out repaint in its current and original diamond schwartz.

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  14. barabba

    barabba Formula Junior

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