I've owned my 2002 BMW M3 for 3 years, and in that time I've put a little over 20,000 miles on the clock (~85,000 total miles at the time of filming). The E46 M3 is undoubtedly the greatest car I’ve ever driven, even when taking some of its unflattering flaws into consideration. This chassis is incredibly balanced and every component of the car aids in delivering the most raw driving experience imaginable without throwing comfort to the wayside. In today's video I explain the things that I've learned and experienced with the E46 M3, both good and bad, with this 3 year ownership review.
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The S54 is a true Mechanical masterpiece, even by today’s standards. The E46 M3’s high-revving, naturally aspirated, 3.2L inline-6 engine produces 333hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The powerplant sings all the way to its 7,900 RPM redline as if it's encouraging you to push it to the limit, and although it won't break your neck when you put your foot to the floor, it's still a ton of fun to experience the E46 M3's soundtrack. The S54 won the International Engine of the Year award for 2001 while also claiming 2001's “Best New Engine” title. Also worth mentioning is the fact that the E46 M3's engine went on to win the 3-4 Liter category during it’s entire 6 year production period from 2001-2006. Despite acquiring these notable awards, the S54 is plagued with rod bearing and VANOS issues. Luckily, these issues have been documented extensively so you can easily mitigate your risk by treating this maintenance as mandatory.
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Next up is the handling. The engine may have made a strong first impression, but the balance of this chassis really made me fall in love with the E46 M3. The steering is perfectly weighted and incredibly responsive which makes you feel like the car is on rails when you’re carving up a backroad. Luckily my M3 is fitted with the 6-speed manual transmission that makes the whole driving experience even more engaging. The car feels solid and wants to spend some time on the track. Take my word for it, you ABSOLUTELY need to get this car on the track. I did, and it was easily one of the best days of my life. At the end of the day, you feel directly connected to the road and the car is predictable which gives you the confidence to really push the limits.
The last item on my list is the styling. BMW really nailed the proportions of the E46 M3 when they designed this machine. From the flared wheel arches and the bulge in the hood, to the fender vents, I love all of the subtle design queues that differentiate the M3 from the standard E46. I’m running 19" APEX ARC-8 rims wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires over the stock 18 inch rims. They’re slightly wider than stock and I’ve been happy with the look and fitment so far, but I think a set of coilovers are definitely due in the near future.
The analog interior limits your distractions and encourages you to drive the car rather than mess with the gadgets in the cabin. The gauge cluster is simple, but gorgeous. The interior has held up very well despite being 18 years old. The leather seats have these beefy bolsters that keep you from moving around when you’re cornering hard and are actually pretty comfortable when you’re on a long drive. The back seat is surprisingly roomy, and I really like that the rear seats fold down. To me, the interior of my M3 is a space I really enjoy being in, which only adds to this ultimate driving machine.
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1 окт 2024
