So...why does the BMW E46 M3 seem to come up in discussions all the time? Were there some popular frequently references articles about it at some point? Was there something particularly special about it? I don't see why it seems to have a legendary status.

 

Have you driven one?

 

Well, being an E46 M3 owner, allow me to chime in:

It's basically the same size and type of car as a Mustang (2+2 RWD sport coupe) and apparently served as a benchmark in the S197's development -- it's kind of a German Mustang taken to the Nth degree in a certain sense though both cars are nonetheless very distinctive. Of course it cost about twice as much and probably three times as much to maintain, but you do get a lot for that money and, properly maintained, will last forever.

When it came out almost ten years ago, it offered performance on par with the upper echelon sports cars of the day (911, Vette) yet with everyday, real world drive-ability, refinement and practicality -- it could even get 30mpg highway and had a LEV EPA rating, not bad for a low 13 second quarter miler capable of topping 165mph, all with a mere 3.2 liter mill under the hood. It was a frequent face on any number of magazine top car lists for years and can still readily hold its own against many of today's performance cars a decade later.

While the numbers are impressive enough, its not just how fast they go (very) but how well they go fast, a subtlety that often gets lost on many. It is the overall balance and engineering refinement (not to be confused with softness as they are anything but soft) along with the breadth of capability that really makes the E46 M3 stand out.

Probably worth taking one for a spin if you have the opportunity as their appeal goes far beyond the impressive numbers.

 

Leguna Seca Blue

They're great fun to drive. Personally, i'd rather pick up the E46 M3 as opposed to the new one(though I really do like that carbon fiber roof). Like rhumb said, they are great cars that can hold their own, even today. They look fantastic and sound great as well. If you haven't driven one yet and get a chance to do so, take it!

 

I would actually advise against that. Makes you want one, extremely bad

 

Sounds like it's been in the lime light for quite some time. I've had my head in the sand for the last decade.