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View Poll Results: What would you get?
Keep the E46 M3 6 15.79%
Get the new M4 25 65.79%
Get something else altogether 0 0%
I don't care... 7 18.42%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll

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      06-13-2014, 10:42 AM   #1
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M4 vs E46 M3

The question I'm contemplating: do I keep my E46 M3 or get an M4?

I've had my LSB M3 for 10 years now, done more track days than I can count in it, and have it set up the way I like it (save for the rough ride in SF, thanks to ground control street/track kit). However, with all of the beating from the track, it's going to start getting expensive to maintain...

Though it's not purely a financial play (E46 would win), I'm starting to think that I could just sell off () my E46 and get its newer, (better?) cousin, which won't give me maintenance headaches...

My question, and it's tough to say without test-driving it, is: how much am I going to miss the E46's relative simpleness, purity, and personality?

For those of you who have driven both, what are your impressions? Would you keep the E46? Would you go for the new kid? Would you go in a completely different direction (i.e. neither)?

Thanks!
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      06-13-2014, 11:11 AM   #2
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Hmmm, I think E46 M3 especially competition pack looks fantastic.

Keep your E46 until it blows up then move one.
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      06-13-2014, 11:39 AM   #3
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my first obvious comment would be wait until you can test drive an m3/4 in person and then you will have a better feel for what you want to do
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      06-13-2014, 07:42 PM   #4
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The E46 M3 even after all these years still turns my head every time I see one. I love every single thing about the E46 coupe body style and still get a smile on my face when I drive my 04 330 ci which is no M3. I have an M4 on order and love what the M brand stands for and in my eyes that is the E46 M3 up to this point in time. I have very high expectations for the M4 and if i was in your shoes i would keep the E46 and add the M4 to it.
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      06-14-2014, 02:16 AM   #5
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Ehhhhh! Take the emotion out of it, and it's a no brainer. With that said, I still miss my '05 IB ZCP to this day. I was the most emotionally connected to that car. I'd never go back though, especially after owning the E9X variant. The F8X is significantly better.
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      06-14-2014, 10:22 PM   #6
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I have an e46 M3, e92 M3 and drove an F80 for an extended period of time. The way I felt sitting in the F80, the torque, everyday usability, gas mileage, and looks made it the stand out choice of the 3 in my opinion. All of the previous generations still look incredible, but I think the thing I liked most about the F80 is the seating position and how quick and light it felt as an everyday driver
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      06-15-2014, 10:15 AM   #7
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Why not just keep the E46 and get the M4?

That's what I've done. I'll probably have to sell my RS5 and get a new M3 (family needs) but my E46 competition package is going nowhere!

I love that car and plan to keep it for as long as I can!
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      06-15-2014, 11:55 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Liberation
Why not just keep the E46 and get the M4?

That's what I've done. I'll probably have to sell my RS5 and get a new M3 (family needs) but my E46 competition package is going nowhere!

I love that car and plan to keep it for as long as I can!
+ 1000 .
The F80 is not a good track car. Buy it for DD use and keep the E46 M3 for the track .
1.) it's too expensive
2.) it's still too heavy
3.) not set up for serious track use ( advanced driver 20 min sessions )(two words , limp mode )
4.) track mods to make it handle a 20 minute + adv group session when available will come with an extreme price premium initially .
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      06-15-2014, 01:15 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
+ 1000 .
The F80 is not a good track car. Buy it for DD use and keep the E46 M3 for the track .
1.) it's too expensive
2.) it's still too heavy
3.) not set up for serious track use ( advanced driver 20 min sessions )(two words , limp mode )
4.) track mods to make it handle a 20 minute + adv group session when available will come with an extreme price premium initially .
Oh, thanks for the heads up. I always like to hear input from people who heavily tracked the new M3/4.

How many laps have done and where?
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      06-15-2014, 03:50 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SOM3
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
+ 1000 .
The F80 is not a good track car. Buy it for DD use and keep the E46 M3 for the track .
1.) it's too expensive
2.) it's still too heavy
3.) not set up for serious track use ( advanced driver 20 min sessions )(two words , limp mode )
4.) track mods to make it handle a 20 minute + adv group session when available will come with an extreme price premium initially .
Oh, thanks for the heads up. I always like to hear input from people who heavily tracked the new M3/4.

How many laps have done and where?
The OP has a well track set up E46 M3 that will be a much better cost to performance ratio for serious track time . No cars come from the factory these days ready for real track use from an experienced driver . Given its weight and HP it will chew through tires in 1 weekend with a stock suspension set up . I've seen a stock E92 M3 that only weighed 50 pounds more (3600lbs full tank ) cord the outside edge of his front track tire running stock suspension set to max neg camber in one day . We have seen an F80 limp mode during a customer driving event by non experienced drivers so limp mode is not out of the question as well . Then you have track insurance costs which for a 70 k car approaches 400 dollars an event. It's cost prohibitive to utilize any new car as it comes from the factory as a serious track car . I've got 20,000 track miles in a Z4M so I think I can give an educated opinion on the cost for an advanced driver to track a car . Its a much better financial/ performance decision to utilize a well track developed and supported platform like the E46M3 than a brand new car period . It is known to be reliable , all weaknesses are known and can be affordable corrected and it can be really fast . No question the F80 is a better car , just not for heavy track use as it comes stock . It takes a ton of time effort and money to prep a street car for serious track use , and if the OP is up for it then it certainly can be done with the F80 . If you had serious track time I wouldn't have to explain this to you .
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      06-15-2014, 04:01 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SOM3
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
+ 1000 .
The F80 is not a good track car. Buy it for DD use and keep the E46 M3 for the track .
1.) it's too expensive
2.) it's still too heavy
3.) not set up for serious track use ( advanced driver 20 min sessions )(two words , limp mode )
4.) track mods to make it handle a 20 minute + adv group session when available will come with an extreme price premium initially .
Oh, thanks for the heads up. I always like to hear input from people who heavily tracked the new M3/4.

How many laps have done and where?
Here's me on Hankook TD street legal tires in my Z4M against a Grand AM series Cayman S race car on Hoosier slicks . I can drive ok lol.

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      06-15-2014, 07:02 PM   #12
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I just want to say to the 3 other people who voted I don't care, that you too suck.
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      06-15-2014, 07:27 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmd2003 View Post
If you had serious track time I wouldn't have to explain this to you .
Well hello mr. fancy pants
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      06-15-2014, 07:29 PM   #14
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Quote:
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I just want to say to the 3 other people who voted I don't care, that you too suck.
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      06-15-2014, 07:30 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lups View Post
I just want to say to the 3 other people who voted I don't care, that you too suck.
Make it four.
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      06-15-2014, 07:33 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M6-Coupe View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by GBPackerfan1963 View Post
Make it four.
Well, at least we have 3/5 names down.
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      06-15-2014, 08:07 PM   #17
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I was in the same boat. Drove my e46 M3 for over 10 years. Just sold it on Friday. If I had room in my garage, I would keep it and my new F80. E46 are good cars. Keep it if you will continue track it. I will miss my old car. One thing I won't miss is its lack of torque.
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      06-15-2014, 08:08 PM   #18
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E46 M3 was and still is one of my favorite cars of all time
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      06-16-2014, 03:51 AM   #19
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Thanks to all for the responses!

Emotion is certainly part of it. Though I consider myself to be a very rational person, making educated decisions, emotion is always part of it. And if I'm going to take the emotion out of it, then the financially-wise thing to do is to keep the E46. Actually, the financially wise thing to do is to get a Honda Civic. Or no car, for that matter

Given that I live in San Francisco and only have one spot, parking two cars is not an option. If it were, the decision would be simple: get a daily driver comfort car of some sort. Unfortunately, it's not, so I have to get a "jack-of-all-trades" car.

Initially, I wanted to put in an order for the M4 quickly, but given that I'm now on a 4-month engagement in France, I have some time to think through my options. (I did see the M4 at the 24hrs of Le Mans race last weekend, and damn that's a hot car!)


As for the track, it's certainly something that I do a lot, I like it, but now I'm more focused on instructing and less on topping the charts. Of course, I still want a car that's fun to drive on track but won't break the bank. As such, I probably go 4-5 times a year now and maybe drive 2-5 sessions per weekend, so it's not like it's THAT MUCH anymore...

Anyway, thanks again for putting in your thoughts. I'll just have to wait a bit and go drive one, rather than bite the bullet, put in an order now, and maybe regret it.

For the time being, I'll keep my "classic" until I return from France.
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      06-16-2014, 06:39 AM   #20
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I am in the same boat as you. I want a single car that can do it all with reasonable compromises in each usage scenario. When I looked at my track time vs. commuting mileage, it is on avg. 2K mi. compared to 12K mi. a year. So, keeping the current car with more dd compromises does not make sense. However, the risk with F8x is that it is the first year, it will need couple of years of maturity not to cause issues at the track I think. If that is a worry for you, a more mature platform, like the Cayman maybe a better choice or wait a year or two.
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