[Dirty Tool]

I just wanted to get my thoughts down on my feelings as I've recently made the jump from an 2007 E92 335i M Sport manual to a 2003 E46 M3 manual. My previous BMW car history includes a E46 328ci, E87 130i M Sport, E36 M3 Evo Coupe and the E92. I work in Milton Keynes but live in London so my daily commute is just below or just over the 100 miles mark, depending on the route that I take.

Interior/Exterior

The E46 shape is rather dated now, but they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally feel the E46, especially in M3 form, its still a beautiful car too look at. The stance, the wide arches, the swooping lines...one of the best BMW modern designs. The interior I would have to admit is getting dated now, but still a very nice place to be. The dashboard is curved towards the driver whereas the E90/1/2/3 dashboard was dead straight. I personally like the dashboard aimed towards the driver and it seems BMW themselves are in agreement as their new models also follow this design.

Engine

My 335i has an N54 engine with a few mods which included JB4, VRSF catless downpipes and VRSF 5" Intercooler. The S54 found in the M3 and the N54 could not be more different. The S54 is a high revving naturally aspirated engine, with an incredible soundtrack. The induction noise especially around 3k - 5k rpm is just wonderful and I find myself booting it for a few seconds just to hear the mid-range induction roar. The S54 being NA is more responsive than the N54 which is a nice feeling. To get the best out of the S54 you have to rev the nuts off it as most of the torque is top end. The N54 on the other hand has bucket loads of torque from low RPM - the N54 is better suited for my everyday motorway driving as overtaking was completely effortless, whereas in some scenarios I have to downshift in the M3 (but technically there's nothing wrong with that!). With all my mods the 335i would trounce the E46 M3 in a straight line, no doubt about it. One thing I dont miss from the N54 is the wastegate rattle...so nice to have the windows open and not hear that constant horrible rattle everytime I lift off.

Steering

This, in my opinion, is what sets the biggest gulf between the cars. I took my 335i on 3 trackdays in the UK and a cross-Europe roadtrip which saw me drive some of the best mountain passes in the alps and the black forest in Germany. I have yet to track my M3 but I have given it a go on a few twisties and already I can see the difference. The steering rack in the M3 is much quicker that the 335i - its like your brain is linked directly to the steering wheel. As soon as you think to turn left for example, the car just turns almost immeadietly. The turn in is sharp and you get loads of feel from the steering wheel...you always know what direction the wheels are pointing. It makes the steering in the 335i feel rather dull, even though I still think the turn in is very good...but the M3 really has it trumped on this one.

Summary

The thing about the M3...it makes you feel special. Everytime you get in the car and turn the key it feels like a pantomime moment. Maybe its the induction noise, maybe its the attention it brings, maybe its the stance...I dont think its none of these things on their own, but when they come together it all falls into place so fantastically. The 335i is no doubt a fantastic car that was ridiculously quick...but at the end it got boring for me. I would recommend a 335i in a heartbeat to anybody and I personally feel the 335i is a better everyday driver than the M3 as it has the torque and the modern toys and gadgets. People call me crazy for driving an 11 year old M3 to commute 100 miles a day, but with the way cars have gone and all new engines being turbo the induction noise and responsiveness of an NA engine is a dying breed...and I want to soak up as much of it now...while I can.

[sohail330]

Good on you for doing it but surely that's got to kill the wallet doing 100 miles a day in an m3??

Personally I love N/A engines my 330i with the N52 engine at 272ps is nowhere near an m3 but absolutely love it and the sound is incredible can only imagine what your m3 sounds like.

Get some pics up!

[P 5UML]

i completely agree with this bud! although the E9X's are beautiful well made cars there is just something raw and edgy about the E46 M3...its hard to explain but you feel on edge when pushing it, its a great adrenaline rush

if you are looking to mod it let me know, going through modding one right now and they look fantastic after a few additions

[gangzoom]

Excellent write up

As much as I love my 335, even with all the mods from purely the driving point of view it still disappoints compared to my old 180bhp DC2 Integra Type R. I've never had a pleasure to own a M3, but I would imagine very much like my old Teg R it just feels special every time you sit in it, and the telepathic steering you describe is something the Teg R had in buckets and the 335 sadly no where near

[M4rius]

Have fun, they great after 4k rpm . I've replaced mine with e92 as i could live with dated interior .

[m20b25]

nice work. I would still really like one.

Pictures?

[AWBimmer]

Good purchase mate, pics?!

[Dirty Tool]

Thanks everyone for their input.

Originally Posted by P 5UML

if you are looking to mod it let me know, going through modding one right now and they look fantastic after a few additions

As far as mods go on this one, going to start with a few cosmetic mods - going to replaces depo indicators with originals, new side indicators originals are all manky, plus OEM LED rear tails. I was going to ditch the CSL reps for OEM 18's but they are really growing on me. What mods are you doing to yours?

I dont have any good pics at the moment, just iPhone pics. Very clean for its age - just one small car park dent on the entire car and no rust.











As you can see from the interior pic its got a pretty basic spec - no HK, no Comms, no heated seats. But it does has a sunroof which is lovely.

[bazz780]

Lovely looking car mate, first dibs on the csl alloys if you want to sell pleaseeee

[BMWChap]

Nice, if I can find a graphite grey with red leather completely original reasonably priced I'll be making a change too, plenty of cheap parts on Ebay too

[zltm089]

Very good write up!

[E90325iM-SPORT]

E46 M3 is a great car!!! Well done mate. That sick rasp sound.....

[FL335]

Tough move from the 335i to the M3. I own one of each: 2003 M3 and an 09 e90 335. Both very different cars. You certainly are correct about the feeling "special" in the e46…it truly is a unique and cool car! The roar of that s54 is intoxicating! I'll tell you though the torque from a tuned n54 is flat out sick. My 335 in a straight line just owns my M3 but the M3 is such a beast in the corners. The M3 also feel like it's built around the driver…the fit and feel.

Anyway, my .02…have fun with your M3…keep up that maintenance and you will have it a long time!

[Dirty Tool]

Originally Posted by sohail330

Good on you for doing it but surely that's got to kill the wallet doing 100 miles a day in an m3??

Personally I love N/A engines my 330i with the N52 engine at 272ps is nowhere near an m3 but absolutely love it and the sound is incredible can only imagine what your m3 sounds like.

Get some pics up!

Yep I do about 1/4 of a tank a day. Including social driving I spend around £120 a week on fuel.

Originally Posted by bazz780

Lovely looking car mate, first dibs on the csl alloys if you want to sell pleaseeee

Will keep you in mind

Originally Posted by FL335

Tough move from the 335i to the M3. I own one of each: 2003 M3 and an 09 e90 335. Both very different cars. You certainly are correct about the feeling "special" in the e46…it truly is a unique and cool car! The roar of that s54 is intoxicating! I'll tell you though the torque from a tuned n54 is flat out sick. My 335 in a straight line just owns my M3 but the M3 is such a beast in the corners. The M3 also feel like it's built around the driver…the fit and feel.

Anyway, my .02…have fun with your M3…keep up that maintenance and you will have it a long time!

Couldnt agree more! The car is going to my mechanic to have subframe checked along with everything else. Fingers crossed.

[BMW325iE90]

A challenger appears...what stopped you getting one of these?

[RIDERDIE]

There is just something about the M world. I came from an e36 M, after 8 years I wanted something updated. Picked Up An E92 n54 went FBO and had my fun for a year. I sold it for an 03 E46 M.

You nailed the best things about the car, the engine noise ( which beats exhaust noise any day), handling, and it's an M. You also touched on its age. It is outdated. I had picked up one with 39k and in great shape. Yet with their "soft touch" interior I was afraid to touch anything.

A year after, I was fortunate enough to buy back the 335 I had sold and am happy that I owned the e46. My original intentions were slowly building it up for a track car. I just couldn't get over the age to cost ratio as my dd. If the wallet could afford it both would be in the garage.

Anyways the car is gorgeous, gotta love the csl wheels!

[lolololol]

Originally Posted by BMW325iE90

A challenger appears...what stopped you getting one of these?

I like the Michelin stickers personally - I think the M3 stickers on the side skirts add a little something also.

[AWBimmer]

G Power wheels!! Love them.

@Mob17
M3 conversion? loll.

[Boz335i]

Nice write up, I went from a 335i to an M3. I don't miss the turbo lag.

There's nothing like driving a proper M car, they do feel very special.

[Dirty Tool]

Originally Posted by BMW325iE90

A challenger appears...what stopped you getting one of these?

Really considered an E92 M3, but thought one would be a bit too nice to rack up the miles on. When they get cheaper I will!

[gIzzE]

I went from a CSL to the 335i and within 12 months was back in another M3.

As much as I loved my CSL the regular M3 SMG I preferred, just so usable and then so fucking raw when you push the thing and want to have fun. Something where it has the edge on the E9X M3.

I really loved the SMG 'box as well, but would happily own a manual. Thinking of grabbing another before the good ones go up too much, seems to have started already.

[mob17]

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

G Power wheels!! Love them.

@Mob17
M3 conversion? loll.

Hmmm really like those wheels....