Nicely, it looks like I publish as soon as each few years now, however I assume once I do I’ve to make it an excellent one. My 2001 E46 M3 turns 23 years previous immediately (it was inbuilt Feb 2001) so I figured that was a adequate excuse to mirror on my possession expertise with it, which is now about to hit the 15 12 months mark (I took supply on Might 1st, 2009).

As everyone knows, automobiles come in several varieties and flavors, and I need to say as time goes on and I drive newer and completely different automobiles, my appreciation for a way particular this mannequin is continues to develop annually. The design nonetheless seems trendy sufficient and has a timeless high quality to it. The facility it has is a lot besides, the steadiness of the automotive is ideal and the suggestions from the driving expertise is addicting…it is such an amazing point-and-shoot highway weapon. It is a very alive automotive…NA engine, guide gear shifts, and it actually appears like an instrument that you simply synch with. Numerous trendy automobiles make you are feeling extra like a extremely knowledgeable passenger, however with the E46 it actually emphasizes the artwork of driving, slightly than the horsepower, prime finish velocity or different ineffective vainness metrics. That being stated over my possession expertise I’ve completed 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 will use the entire speedometer). It is pretty insane how succesful, fast and enjoyable this automotive is, even in contrast towards it is trendy counterparts.

(The story, reposted from 5 years in the past lol) I first picked up my M3 10 years in the past immediately on Might 1st, 2009. Two weeks prior I had seen a posting on Auto Dealer for a 2001 E46 M3, with a guide transmission, 19″ fashion 63 wheels and 52k miles on the odometer. Previous to that I drove a Saab 9-3 and was solely out of faculty for two years. I had wished one since 2003, when some drives in my buddies E46 330Ci turned me on to BMW. After some analysis, I used to be hooked and it grew to become my “must-get” dream automotive.

After having a dealer do some inspections and have the automotive shipped from San Francisco, my automotive arrived round 8 pm on Might 1st, 2009. Why this date was essential was as a result of I wished to have it in time for Bimmerfest that 12 months which was on Might 2nd, 2009. The following morning I met up with my greatest buddy who had simply gotten his 2009 E92 M3 every 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 expertise are on par to get probably the most from it, however it’s each pleasant sufficient for newcomers to be taught on and superior sufficient to be rewarding for seasoned racers. In comparison with a whole lot of automobiles this automotive has a novel and distinct character and persona, and it is easy to see why it is a Automobile Man’s Automobile. I’ve taken loads of women out in exotics and different extra luxurious automobiles. However once I take them out in my M3 I get a whole lot of reactions from different drivers, valets and different folks waling purchase which all the time leaves them puzzled at what the massive take care of 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 every thing…and I actually have my automobiles I really like for various causes and functions. For my part Lamborghini’s are the final word automotive expertise, with the sound, styling, velocity and funky issue…nothing supplies the overall expertise package deal…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 completed my homework). Beneath that you simply 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 needs to be and the expertise is the right portion of every thing. 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 4 months alongside aspect the E46 and whereas the E90 collection of M automobiles are a number of the greatest you will 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 a whole lot of the unique “Final Driving Machine ” magic has been ignored for the sake of modernization. I believe the perfect testomony to the E46 M3 is simply what number of occasions BMW’s tried to remake it through the years, with the 1 Collection M, the M2 CS and the present M2. Again at the beginning of the brand new millennium they actually went all out and I am comfortable to report that with a little bit maintenance that very same magic from then continues to be as highly effective as ever immediately.

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

– Repair a subframe crack earlier than the automotive was delivered to me
– VANOS recall was completed by the earlier proprietor
– Changed the unique battery (died in 2010 after 9 years)
– Changed the ability steering pump in 2012
– Changed the cylinder coil packs in 2013
– Changed the alternator 2 occasions
– Changed the VANOS Solenoid
– Changed the gasoline 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 protecting my automotive working robust all these years, and to all the buddies and fellow fanatics I’ve met and pushed with during the last 15 years, it is really 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’s going to be one other 15 extra years earlier than that occurs once more…lol

My Automobile’s Stats:

Make: BMW

Mannequin: E46 M3

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

Transmission: 6-speed guide

Mileage when purchased: 52,000

Current Mileage: 220,000

Title: 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 (under no circumstances a whole listing):

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 Bundle
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