Introduction
Cars are becoming huge, bulky, and lacking in spirit. Why aren’t car companies making cars that inspire drivers to take the car to its limits? That question is exactly why enthusiasts are searching for older vehicles. Much like the world of physical media, enthusiasts are longing for a more analog experience. Fortunately, there are cars built in this century which provide a great balance of tech and classic automotive engineering. Today on Powershift Auto, I’d like to formally introduce you to the BMW E46 M3 and why you need to get one now.
Why The E46 M3?
The E46 M3 is BMW’s ode to the pure sports car experience. From 2000-2006, this car conquered the automotive racing and tuning worlds simultaneously. For those old enough to remember, the E46 was also the poster child of the beloved Need For Speed franchise with it’s iconic silver and blue color scheme. That car was insanely gratifying to finally unlock, much like how this car will be very gratifying to own in real life.
Where newer sports cars fall short of a pure driving experience, this iteration of the M3 rises to the occasion. Pumping out around 340 horsepower is the venerable S54 inline-six engine. With its fantastic naturally aspirated power plant, a Getrag 420G 6-Speed manual or 6-speed SMG automatic, the E46 hits 60 miles per hour around 5.2 seconds. While the coupe curb weight of 3450 pounds does not seem lightweight, consider the newest generation of the M3 weighing at 3840-3990 pounds. Overall, it is an excellent package for a proper sports car, especially for those wishing to modify it.
Modifying The E46
Modifying a car such as this is a dream come true to many. Owners of the E46 praise the engine’s smooth power delivery and the car’s handling capabilities. As someone who has driven one, I can’t tell you enough how well-sorted this car is. If you are looking at bolting on parts and getting two hundred plus horsepower, then you aren’t looking at the right car. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t any power to be made. Aftermarket intake and exhaust setups for this car have great benefits and enhance the driving experience. If you haven’t heard the Eisenmann exhaust system on an E46 M3, I highly recommend you watch the video below.
Many folks will say don’t touch a BMW M3’s suspension, and I gotta side with them. The car rides really smooth and handles very well even after 20 years of being on the road. However, if you wish to modify the suspension, there are many coilover and air suspension setups available! If you don’t know which one is best for you, we have an article covering the benefits of both coilovers and air suspension!
How Much Is An E46 M3?
Now, this is the whole point of the article. Getting into an E46 M3 in 2024 is definitely attainable. I did a quick search on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace in California and I’m seeing some solid prices. 18k-22k will get you a solid coupe with a manual transmission. In comparison, the convertible or SMG/automatic options will come in a couple thousand less than that. Honestly, for the amount of car you are getting, you cannot beat the price.
Luckily, since the car is twenty years old, every possible maintenance or repair issue associated to the car has been solved. There are tons of articles and forums covering the costs and expected maintenance of the E46 M3, making ownership much easier!
This is why I say you need to get into an E46 M3 sooner, rather than later. The car offers an unmatched driving experience at an affordable price tag. Unfortunately, this is going to be for a limited time as this car is dipping into classic car age. Soon, these cars will go up in value like the E30 M3 has. If I were a betting man, I would say these won’t sell for less than 30k in the next five years.
Conclusion
The BMW E46 M3 is a great value for an M car due to its premier S54 engine, awesome Getrag 6-speed manual, dynamic handling, and its relatively affordable price. Too often, cars are going up in value due to auction sites and losing these cars to age. Get into a future automotive Hall of Famer and track down your new-to-you E46 M3!
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