luckyJ

Any 993 guys former or current e46 M3 owners? Contemplating purchasing one as a DD and what it feels like driveability wise compared to the 993. Thanks very much for the input.

JM993

I did exactly what you are contemplating and sold the M3 in less than a year. Hated it except for the engine. Big, heavy, and numb - especially the steering. Ultimately replaced it with a Boxster S which was better, but then replaced the Boxster S with another 993.

Much better now

Cheers,
Joe

RudyP

JM993 is right that it will feel heavier and number than your 993 but that may be ok - if I understand you, you are thinking about the M3 as a DD and keeping the 993. I have an E92 M3 as a DD and I love it. It is definitely bigger, heavier and number than the 993 but it is also, comfortable, much faster and very capable in handling, braking, etc and generally more practical (ie I can fit 4 people in there). I think you may like the combo of M3 + 993.

tcsracing1

it is like taking your 993 and making it boring to drive = M3

Quadcammer

Meh, I had an e36 m3 and an e46.

The 46 sounds like crap, is a bit short on torque, and rides too hard for its generally more cushy nature.

That said, a 6 speed e46 m3 in good condition is an enjoyable car to drive. It handles pretty well, is pretty quick, and should be fairly reliable. Only problem is expensive maintenance (valve adjustments) and that crap *** sound (rasp x is good)

really though, for a sporty daily driver, its a good choice.

DB_NC_95C2

I had an E46 M3, daily driver, track toy (first car learned to drive on track), its connecting rod bearings started frying and BMW said 'here's your new bearings' (I have no idea if they ever sorted the bearing oil feed issue) and the tech writer blamed me for it because I was honest enough to say I drove an ///M car on track, I changed the stoopidly expensive BMW-Castrol synth before every track event, he was an a$$hole and BMW's "customer service" drove me right into a Porsche showroom.

I got a no-sunroof 996 C4S, put tequipment rollbar and 6pt harnesses in it and I drove the pi$$ out of it once a month on track or more for 1.5 years, had an off at VIR, broke the plastic undertray, Porsche tech volunteered to fix it under warranty, I wouldn't let them, I said "I broke it, I fix it".... It was a fun car, but I like the 993 so much better.

M3 would be an ok daily driver, but why bother getting an M3, why not just a BMW sedan ? on track the M3 was capable but not as much fun as a Porsche.
A tweaked turbo 335i msport would be a fun daily driver, but there is no substitute

One either likes the engine in the back and the push from behind or one doesn't. We all like it ;-)

ca993twin

Is it just me? Everyone I know with a BMW that's over 5 years old complains that they are just rolling, expensive, maintenance nightmares. Sample size of about 4 or 5 cars. I'll never own one.

x50type

As db_nc said,"'M3 would be an ok daily driver, but why bother getting an M3, why not just a BMW sedan ? on track the M3 was capable but not as much fun as a Porsche."

The first M3 [E30] was a fun car to drive in the 911 vein but under powered - which made an interesting drive. The next one [E36] was a psuedo M3 built down for the US market.

The M3 models that followed are in the Viper category IMHO.

They make a nice DD's but a waste of money as a DD over yer standard 3 series - unless you have to have gills.

No comparison to the 993.

zirrah

Agree it's no comparison to a 993, just faster. But a 993 would be preferable for the pure driving experience. Disagree about DD an M3. Standard 3 series are ok, but if you're comparing apples to apples, you have to compare the E46 M3 to an E46 330i sedan, not a current 335i. The E46 M has 100 more hp and much more fun around a corner than a 330i. If you compare to a 335i then yes, the 335i is much better as a DD if you need any room.

The sound of an E46 sucks outside the car, it's great inside though. They tuned it from an interior standpoint. A mistake imo, but any easy fix. The exhuast is great you just need a $700 midpipe mod and it sounds great.

Just my opinion after many years of DD'ing an E46 M3 and having driving a buddy's 993 CS many times.

stace

I recently bought a '09 335i - 6 sp coupe as a DD. works well for that, comfy and smooth but still quick enough. Clearly not a 993. If I want another 100hp it's about $500 for tuner software. But my mod $ will go into the 993 not the bimmer.

Rialas

If two rear seats aren't important, a Z4MC will put a big smile on your face. Same power, less weight, and the M engine rasp is addictive.

Neun 11

I've had 3 Porsches, close to my 4th, and 9 BMW's, including 3 M3's and my curent '11 E92 335is. My affinity for BMW's is due to it being a new car with good sporting performance, relatively practical, that I can afford. It's a financial stretch for me to own Porsches and I envy you guys with "fleets" of them, and especially those who track them. The E46 M3 is, in my opinion, a lousy daily driver. It goes really well, but that's where the DD part ends. It feels, and is, very heavy and the suspension is really harsh--unless you go the magical Dinan shocks--and it will eat you out of house and home in gas and maintenance. My current E92 is has nearly as many horsepower (320 v 333) and is a much better all-around car, especially with a suspension upgrade. Like the E46 M3, the is is not available in 4-door form now, but you can do BMW Performance upgrades to get the same power, but how much more do you need for DD? (Yeah, for many people "more" is never enough.) If you accept that an air-cooled car does not a good DD make, the best solution is a WC Porsche or a E90/92 3er. That's my opinion, FWIW.

x50type

stace

Good choice... "I recently bought a '09 335i - 6 sp coupe as a DD. works well for that, comfy and smooth but still quick enough."

According to KBB E46 M3 is nearly $19,000 more than the perfectly adequate DD the 335i.

Hence my earlier comment.

Knight

Not very impressed with the clutch delay mechanism on the 6spd E46, as well I never found the overall transmission very smooth in general usage, only when your pushing the car or driving fairly spirited.

Seriously for DD the 6spd requires work to drive it smooth, pia in traffic. Like others have mentioned, the car seems high maintenance, almost like its not built to drive hard without something needing to be repaired. For early models, def watch out for the rear subframe issues, fairly common problem dating back to the E36s.

I will say the engine sounds great in the higher rpm ranges, the 3.2 just screams. Usable DD torque in the 993 3.6 is much better.

I'd go with 3 series or C class sedan for DD.

matt777

I hated that thing. Its a solution for a problem that never existed.