@Sadman Islam lol, Every car reviewer out there admits the E46 M3 is a brilliant drivers car, You tube commentators who probably never drove them, think they know better. 😂 S54 is a legendary engine, it won engine of the year award when it came out and its still a brilliant engine.
I've had my e46 M3 for about 11 years and still absolutely love it. Nothing compares these days. Nothing I test drive comes close to matching the fun of a 6MT e46 M3.
You guys are legends. Never mind the content, which is amazing, but the presentation is absolutely the best. THIS is the spiritual successor of Top Gear.
*This video got recommended to me today. Last night I had a conversation with my little brother for about an hour about how the E46 M3 is my favorite car of all time. Either RU-vid is listening to me, or the timing is impeccable. Regardless Thomas, you have a new fan and a new subscriber*
323Ci here, and I completely understand your love for it, even the interior! It's an amazing car really, and although it does have some creeks here and there, it still feels very solid. Yours is beautiful, and I love the carbon bonnet. You should definitely add LED taillights tho, they make the car look so much up-to-date. Also the film that BMW put on the plastic inside, can be removed by soaking it in hot water, and brushing it off with a sponge. Did it on my 323Ci, and it became like new!
Absolutely classic! I have owned a manual 2001 M3 coupe in Titanium Silver Metallic with black interior for the last six years. It's sitting at 90,500 and I just love it. Nice score!
6:01 - 6:12 Exactly on point. The sensation of speed comes on very easily and aggressively with this car. Thats what makes it "FUN" to drive. Ive owned an e46 m3 for 3 years now and driving it continues to be a pleasure
Congratulations Thomas! I had the same exact dream until one day I was able to purchase a 2004 dark blue cinnamon interior no sunroof m3 6spd completions wheels. I wish James would be able to drive one like that to fully understand how well put this machine is. I have replaced everything with carbon fiber inside and added a 1080p touch screen oem look that has car play and android auto. Only thing left for me is to try to add ambient lighting. Everywhere I go people come up to me to tell me how this car was one of their favorite cars ever made.
More than a few of us in Colorado have a lifted Yota for mountain off-road fun, and a fast German car for mountain pavement/city fun. I had a 97 4Runner Limited with a locker and a 3" lift paired with a '16 Golf R with a stage 2 tune. Black ice took the 4Runner from me so I got an 04 V8 and built it up with 33" wheels with a 3" lift, and put some Doug Thorley headers on it for a little HP bump. She moves! The downside is that you scream at your German fast car for it's silly unreliability compared to its Japanese garage mate. Got sick of the R and sold it to start flying airplanes. No regrets. lol
Really cool to follow this car on Speed Academy, one of my favorite channels, and then see it and up with Throttle House, one of my favorite channels. I personally think it would look better with the hood wrapped to match, but otherwise it's completely awesome and you know it was sorted right. 👍👍
"The good thing about these old M3 is that as long as you take care of them and you address the many issues these cars have. They last a long time." Well... Thats every Pre-2012 BMW.
I mean, one of the best designs ever, one of the best chassis's ever, one of the best engines ever, available with a propper manual... The E46 M3 IS one of the best cars ever made.
Keyser Soze you’re the ONLY bmw mechanic/enthusiast I’ve ever heard call the e46 a bad car. The e46/e39 are far and away the pinnacle of BMW cars and nearly every BMW shop and enthusiast will say the same. The s54 is capable of withstanding years of abuse if it’s issues are addressed and the chassis is just excellent.
@Keyser Soze that's not true at all. The v10 bmw was a massive gasoline hog, 10 quarts oil change, too heavy ruins brakes, if check engine light comes on expect massive $$
As an owner of an E46 M3 ( my dream) it's a love hate relationship. Mostly love little hate. What I've learned from this car is the 2 main things that has been done to the car rod bearings and subframe. Subframe still cracks even if you done the reinforcement (heard few stories). Rod bearings still go out after constantly revving out to 8 or 8350. But overall it's an amazing car right proportions and spacious (I have the coupe which is faster). Took to twisty roads and it's agile and responsive( subframe bushings been changed to solid). This is BMW at its prime and still one of the best cars to own. Track car and a GT(does both)
My dad still has his ‘03.5 6-spd that he ordered back in the day. No mods. The only issues he has ever had are with the a/c. Needs a little interior work due to wear and tear, but it is all original. Love that car.
Thomas was right when he said ''This is the best car has ever made'' yes Thomas this is the Ultimate Driving Machine. Thank you it is a majestic machine.
I love my 05 M3 convertible! I rarely put the top down but when I do it's a whole different experience of joy!!!!! Girls definitely look at the vert alot more lol!!!!!
I personally enjoy the convertible over the coupe....wrap does not fit I think but props for the purchase and have fun! I own a mysticblue metallic e46 convertible in Germany,fun car!
13:59 to be honest who doesn't love a little bit of wrenching? Whether its to upgrade or fix its fun to have the experience lol. Youre best review channel in my opinion. Keep it up.
Super jealous! The e46 is such an amazing chassis and the M3 is just the epitome of the ultimate driving machine. Congrats on your dream car and keep up the good work!
Keyser Soze I’ve never had any issues with mine. I’ve owned 5 and they have been amazing. And I do agree, the M2 is what the newer M3s should have been. They just kept getting so big.
Great deal given all the work and upgrades it came with!!! I bought mine for $8500 with all sorts of issues, but within a year my friend and I got it running/looking healthier than ever. Cars will only be as good as how you love them! Congrats!!
I had an 06 E46 vert and it was awesome. So underrated in its day. The speed of the shifts was like nothing I had ever experienced in anything else! Good luck with it!
I watch these vids because I love cars and historically Thomas has been excellent, in more recent history, James has also been excellent. And then I find myself howling at every intro. Well done, boys.
James going through all the negatives of the car and seeing stuff that doesn't work reminds me of my mom coming into my room after I cleaned it as a kid
I love these older car reviews. I remember when these came out. People were smashing sti's, king of the mexico racing back then. They had a ton of top end that na inline 6 drives like it has 400hp
Just bought E60 M5 S85 5.0 V10 Supercharged ESS VT2 650, Stoptech brakes and iPE innotech exhaust, Carbon Fiber trunk lid and Carbon Fiber front lip, 130k kilometers. This thing is an absolute beast! Love it!
There's 2 cars I've always wanted, an e46 m3 and a classic Mini Cooper. I have a e46 325ci and a 2005 Cooper S. Anyway I love seeing these care in the hands of people who appreciate the car and drive it like it was meant to be driven!
the tach’s backlit colored blocks is super cool :3 the e9x and e6x cars immediately after had a sliding second layer underneath that actually turned to raise the redline as it warmed up haha m is so fun :3
... with probably >10k spent to keep it running.. i mean.. no logical person actually believes everything is original on that made-for-drift car... Apart maybe you? 😅
Great review. I love E46s. Have 3 of them, all coupes, and I do my own wrenching on them. M3s have great sound and top end power but too many technical problems to truly enjoy overall. I wouldn't own a convertible either, the chassis is way too willowy, where the hard tops are really stiff. Anyway, enjoy this one Thomas! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa to 8000.
I wonder how many times Thomas must've looked at James in shock with his hand over his mouth while editing. "I can't be-LIEVE you said that about my M3"
Never have I watched a video of someone who exactly feels the same way as I do about my e46 M3. Even right down to the shitty cup holders that come out when you try to fit anything other than an extra slim Starbucks cup
Mines not an M3 but the 3L Diesel engine is an absoloute dream. Everything in the e46 is in the right place inside. It’s build is second to none, rock solid, and drop the roof, it transforms into stuff of dreams
I started following Speed Academy with this build and I'm so happy to see this car in your channel guys! I wonder if such a car can have a Singer type treatment, it will be so sick!
I do prefer the looks of the older bmw and that wrap looks 🔥 I do reckon that color fits Thomas’ personality pretty well 🧐 but that’s my opinion 🤷🏾♂️😂
I love my E46. 3rd owner and the previous owner was a mechanic and kept it in amazing condition. Just over 250k miles and still stock, runs beautifully. I will say the top has presented me with an issue but the owner included a brand new harness and problem solved.
DeeJay Adverb M4’s are lame guy. I’ve also owned an E90 M3, currently own a supercharged E46 M3 (470whp/325wtq) and a MK7 GTI (402whp/410wtq). Yes, the E90 and E46 M3’s don’t have much torque. My GTI is turbo’d and has gobs if torque, but with that comes turbo lag and electronic steering, which happens with the new M4’s like yours. My stock E90 with much less hp and tq than my GTI was kids funner to drive, because revving our an engine is just funner. Don’t get your panties all wet bragging about your M4. Those cars have lost what a true //M car should be.
That non-op hazard light/central locking unit is an easy fix. Pop out the unit, the electronic module pops out after years of people pushing down on it. Glue the unit back into the housing (or electrical tape it in) and pop the unit back in.
I had an '03 coupe that I bought new. The best word to describe it is "raw". Suspension was punishing on all but smooth roads, clutch was stiff, constant shifting was not optional, passengers hated it. Engine was an absolute gem when on the boil, and really anemic below about 4500rpm. It made wonderful singing sounds as you revved it, and was as smooth as glass. But as a daily driver it wore me out. I traded it for an 07 335i, which was a much better daily driver and pretty close in overall performance. Best car ever? Hardly.
I had a 6sp coupe. Since then, I’ve had porsche 911’s, gated manual audi R8’s, and several hot hatches. But I firmly believe that the e46 is the best car I’ve ever driven... and I’m more than convinced that it is up there to compete as one of the best cars of all time.