Properly, it looks as if I publish as soon as each few years now, however I assume after I do I’ve to make it a very good one. My 2001 E46 M3 turns 23 years previous at present (it was inbuilt Feb 2001) so I figured that was a ok excuse to replicate on my possession expertise with it, which is now about to hit the 15 yr mark (I took supply on Might 1st, 2009).

As everyone knows, automobiles come in numerous varieties and flavors, and I need to say as time goes on and I drive newer and totally different automobiles, my appreciation for the way particular this mannequin is continues to develop every year. The design nonetheless appears fashionable sufficient and has a timeless high quality to it. The ability it has is loads as well, the stability of the automotive is ideal and the suggestions from the driving expertise is addicting…it is such an ideal point-and-shoot street weapon. It is a very alive automotive…NA engine, handbook gear shifts, and it actually appears like an instrument that you just synch with. Quite a lot of fashionable automobiles make you are feeling extra like a extremely knowledgeable passenger, however with the E46 it actually emphasizes the artwork of driving, moderately than the horsepower, prime finish velocity or different ineffective self-importance metrics. That being mentioned over my possession expertise I’ve achieved all of it with this automotive…taken it to the canyons, to the monitor, for grocery runs, full drift periods…you title it. I’ve additionally maxed out the velocity at 180 mph, which was GPS verified on the monitor at 180.2 mph (I paid for the entire speedometer, I’ll use the entire speedometer). It is pretty insane how succesful, fast and enjoyable this automotive is, even in contrast in opposition to it is fashionable counterparts.

(The story, reposted from 5 years in the past lol) I first picked up my M3 10 years in the past at present on Might 1st, 2009. Two weeks prior I had seen a posting on Auto Dealer for a 2001 E46 M3, with a handbook transmission, 19″ model 63 wheels and 52ok miles on the odometer. Previous to that I drove a Saab 9-Three and was solely out of faculty for two years. I had needed one since 2003, when some drives in my mates E46 330Ci turned me on to BMW. After some analysis, I used to be hooked and it turned my “must-get” dream automotive.

After having a dealer do some inspections and have the automotive shipped from San Francisco, my automotive arrived round eight pm on Might 1st, 2009. Why this date was vital was as a result of I needed to have it in time for Bimmerfest that yr which was on Might 2nd, 2009. The following morning I met up with my greatest buddy who had simply gotten his 2009 E92 M3 per week earlier and we took our first drive as much as Santa Barbara for Bimmerfest.

After 15 years of possession my stance has nonetheless remained the identical on the automobiles character: This automotive calls for that your driving abilities are on par to get probably the most from it, nevertheless it’s each pleasant sufficient for inexperienced persons to be taught on and superior sufficient to be rewarding for seasoned racers. In comparison with quite a lot of automobiles this automotive has a novel and distinct character and persona, and it is simple to see why it is a Automotive Man’s Automotive. I’ve taken loads of ladies out in exotics and different extra luxurious automobiles. However after I take them out in my M3 I get quite a lot of reactions from different drivers, valets and different folks waling purchase which all the time leaves them puzzled at what the massive cope with it’s. I simply inform them ” It is a automotive man factor,” however there’s a considerable amount of fanfare and appreciation for the E46. I do know I get a thrill each time I see one within the wild. I’ve pushed and tracked nearly all the pieces…and I definitely have my automobiles I like for various causes and functions. In my view Lamborghini’s are the final word automotive expertise, with the sound, styling, velocity and funky issue…nothing offers the full expertise bundle…not even Bugatti’s, therefore my favourite automotive of all time continues to be the Aventador SV (I’ve pushed each variant of Aventador and Huracan, so I hove achieved my homework). Under that you just get the pure driver’s dream automobiles, and that is the place the Ferrari 458 Italia steals spot #2…it is actually what a dream machine must be and the expertise is the proper portion of all the pieces. However then there’s the automobiles that may do all of it, and the M3 has all the time excelled at being a jack of all trades and a grasp of enjoyable. And as time goes on the E46 shines brighter and brighter. I had an E90 M3 for Four months alongside aspect the E46 and whereas the E90 sequence of M automobiles are a few of the greatest you may get, the E46 simply felt “proper” in all senses. I’ve pushed the F80 M3/4’s and the most recent and best ones. And sure they’re quick and greater than succesful, however there is a slight feeling that quite a lot of the unique “Final Driving Machine ” magic has been neglected for the sake of modernization. I feel the most effective testomony to the E46 M3 is simply what number of instances BMW’s tried to remake it over time, with the 1 Collection M, the M2 CS and the present M2. Again in the beginning of the brand new millennium they actually went all out and I am pleased to report that with a little bit maintenance that very same magic from then continues to be as highly effective as ever at present.

From an maintenance perspective, my M3 has been an ideal automotive to personal. In 15 years the one main issues which have been achieved are:

– Repair a subframe crack earlier than the automotive was delivered to me
– VANOS recall was achieved by the earlier proprietor
– Changed the unique battery (died in 2010 after 9 years)
– Changed the facility steering pump in 2012
– Changed the cylinder coil packs in 2013
– Changed the alternator 2 instances
– Changed the VANOS Solenoid
– Changed the gas pump in 2018
– Changed the suspension/shocks in 2018 (after 17 years)
– Changed the battery once more in 2019 (after one other 9 years)
– Changed the unique clutch in 2020 (at 196,000 miles)
– Changed the VANOS with the Physician VANOS improve in 2021
– Spun a rod and needed to do an Engine Rebuild in 2022 at 198,000 Miles
– Whereas doing the engine rebuild changed the radiator, battery and cylinder coil packs

At current the automotive is 23 years previous and runs higher than model new, so I caught with my unique plan of driving it till the wheels fell off then shopping for it new wheels to maintain going.

A really particular thanks and cheers to BMW for making such a particular machine, to my guys at Mini Corsa for preserving my automotive working sturdy all these years, and to all the chums and fellow fanatics I’ve met and pushed with over the past 15 years, it is actually been a blast of an expertise. And sure, the plan for my M3 nonetheless stays the identical as they did 15 years in the past: Drive it till the wheels fall off, after which by some extra wheels. Hopefully with this engine rebuild it will be one other 15 extra years earlier than that occurs once more…lol

My Automotive’s Stats:

Make: BMW

Mannequin: E46 M3

Colour: Laguna Seca Blue (nonetheless manufacturing unit unique paint aside from the entrance and rear bumpers and hood which have been resprayed as a result of rock chips)

Transmission: 6-speed handbook

Mileage when purchased: 52,000

Current Mileage: 220,000

Identify: Sonic

Private Rating of Prime 5 Favourite Vehicles I’ve Pushed:

1. 2017 Lamborghini Aventador SV
2. 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia
3. 2001 BMW E46 M3
4. 2021 Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder
5. 2024 Chevy Corvette Z06

Another automotive’s pushed/tracked extensively for reference (not at all an entire checklist):

1994 Acura NSX
2018 Acura NSX
2022 Alfa Romeo Gulia Quadrifoglio
2022 Aston Martin Vantage
2024 Aston Martin DB12
2022 Audi RS4
2022 Audi R8 V10+
2012 BMW E92 M3
2017 BMW F82 M4 Competitors Package deal
2017 BMW M2
2019 BMW M2 Competitors
2021 BMW M2 CS
2021 BMW M5 CS
2024 Chevy Corvette Z06
2017 Dodge Viper ACR
2005 Ford GT
2004 Ferrari Enzo
2005 Ferrari F430 Scuderia
2012 Ferrari 458 Italia
2018 Ferrari 488 GTB
2023 Ferrari 812 Superfast
2018 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster
2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
2022 Lamborghini Huracan Evo
2022 Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD
2017 Lotus Evora
2018 McLaren 600LT Spyder
2020 McLaren 720S
2022 Mercedes AMG GT-S
2004 Porsche Carrera GT
2008 Porsche 997.1 GT3
2018 Porsche 991.2 911 Turbo S
2022 Porsche 991.2 Turbo S