any current e90 owners drive an e46 M3

[westwest888]

Oh my god this was a mistake on my part. Not because I wish I bought an e46 M3, but because I HAVE TO HAVE an e90/e92 M3. I only got through 1st and 2nd gear on my buddy's M3 (we were in a parking lot at work), but MANNNNN. Sport button, 333 hp, so much refined power. My 1st and 2nd gear will never feel the same. My car is quick and stable right up into excessive speeds, but the M3 is FAST.

Moral of the story: e90 owners don't drive an e46 M3 unless you're able/willing to buy an e90 M3.

I absolutely love my e90 ergonomics, interior, exterior, convenience, etc., but after 7 months and 13.5k miles I'd be comfortable with some extra HP. And I'm in no rush. Might wait it out for an M3 CSL or competition package.

[steel21]

The dealership gave me E90 330i for a loaner. Its so different in the way it feels. The m3 feels like a scalpal. Of course the difference in power was noted. But even though I have 333 horses, I always feel like I can use more......alot more (one of my previous cars was an 02 Corvette Z06).

What made me miss the M3 the most when I came to pikc it up was:
1) How it handled
2) The throttle response
3)The ergonomics - Why is the window control on the door? How come the turn signal was a tuggle?

[jrp]

What made me miss the M3 the most when I came to pikc it up was:
1) How it handled
2) The throttle response
3)The ergonomics - Why is the window control on the door? How come the turn signal was a tuggle?

#1 and #2 are a given...almost a parallel between an E36 M3 and E46 330...

I really think that the window controls on the door is a much bigger deal than most would think. Having them in the middle made so much more sense.

[///M3lissa]

Moral of the story: e90 owners don't drive an e46 M3 unless you're able/willing to buy an e90 M3.
So true!!!!!

I bought an E90 in June of 2005. Drove an E46 M3 (with ZCP) in January 2006. E90 was gone quickly thereafter :) I really liked the E90, but the ///M3 is so much more...

EDIT: and I refuse to drive the new M3 when it comes out (I can't handle /afford another car change!!!)

[mscoins]

...
But even though I have 333 horses, I always feel like I can use more......alot more (one of my previous cars was an 02 Corvette Z06).
...
How true :thumbup:. Will be interested in the next gen M3 when released.

[Moderato]

I'm not happy about the window controls moving to the doors either. I was hoping they would leave them in the center with the E92 but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

As far as waiting for an E92 CSL or Competition package it will probably be a long time, can you wait that long? If you figure the E92 M3 will be out in about a year and 3 months from now (Sept 07) then you will have to wait 2 - 4 years after that for a comp package. I don't know, I'm planning on getting the E92 M3 during the second model year, perhaps Sept - Dec 08, I don't know if I can wait much longer then that. One nice thing about the M models is that they don't change much through out the years, so if you buy one early you'll be all set with a "new" car for a while, I might even get it half way through the first year if possible. Even the Comp Package on the E46 M3 didn't really change the car that much.

[DJ_INHALE]

buying an m3 convertible for me wasnt really about ergonomics

fun factor!


plus the e46 m3 is timeless. Look at the lines. flawless

Some say the bmw E46 m3 is the best bimmer ever built (so glad it is a 6 cyl)

[westwest888]

I got to drive my coworker's M3 again, this time on surface streets and a highway with traffic lights. It was late at night so there were not many cars on the road.

One thing I didn't like was the 1920s style turn signal. The new digital one makes it really simple to do a lane change and still get 3 clicks off (so you don't get pulled over). I found myself precariously holding the stalk, which distracted me from driving.

Thing I liked the most was the limited slip differential. Just feeling the car predictably slip sideways on a wide open throttle launch was sick. Of course this car hustles to 60 quickly. The sound it makes at idle and revving the engine in neutral is way more race inspired - approaching italian sportscar. It's a real zooot zoooot kind of sound.

E90 is a little more fine tuned, mostly in a cleaner interior look. E90 seems to achieve more with less buttons (E46 steering wheel has more buttons than a blackberry phone and they are all the size of an 'Enter' key). E90 cruise control is also a giant leap forward. I felt like too many of the buttons on the E46 center console were positioned too low, but this might be because I'm not familiar with the layout.

I think steering feel and suspension are matched for performance, but e90 somehow rides slightly smoother seeminly without penalty. Perhaps it's the extra links in the suspension.

I like both cars, but I'm happy to have the improvements in mine, albeit less horsepower, and the $25,000 difference (gas guzzler tax factored in).

[adc]

Thing I liked the most was the limited slip differential. Just feeling the car predictably slip sideways on a wide open throttle launch was sick.

If it moves sideways, it could mean either a difference in traction lef/right (due to road differences) or it can also mean a suspension problem. Have your friend check his suspension bushings for play and the shocks for leakage.

On my E36 M3 one of the shocks was bad and was causing that sideways motion on hard acceleration.



adc
03 330 ZHP

[ase2dais]

Oh my god this was a mistake on my part. Not because I wish I bought an e46 M3, but because I HAVE TO HAVE an e90/e92 M3. I only got through 1st and 2nd gear on my buddy's M3 (we were in a parking lot at work), but MANNNNN. Sport button, 333 hp, so much refined power. My 1st and 2nd gear will never feel the same. My car is quick and stable right up into excessive speeds, but the M3 is FAST.

Moral of the story: e90 owners don't drive an e46 M3 unless you're able/willing to buy an e90 M3.

I absolutely love my e90 ergonomics, interior, exterior, convenience, etc., but after 7 months and 13.5k miles I'd be comfortable with some extra HP. And I'm in no rush. Might wait it out for an M3 CSL or competition package.

I know I wont be able to affort an e90/m3. but to the M car purist the 335i will not do it, for its a short cut to get there, plus its a close but no cigars to getting an M badge and being called an M guy. :)

I agree its certainly the Man's car no doubt!
Its all about the torque! and Ms certainly has quite a few and then some

if all works out between me and the seller, I too will cry no more!