[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by termigni

oh I had random electrical gremlins too on the E46m that annoyed the crap out of me.

A good buddy of mine just got rid of his E46 M3 because of that exact issue - the electronic gremlins that he just couldn't chase down or figure out. And he's a really smart guy...

Still remains as my favorite BMW ever and the reason I started to notice the brand. Love that car.

[bobert]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Still remains as my favorite BMW ever and the reason I started to notice the brand. Love that car.

Same here, tho I never owned one.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by bobert

Same here, tho I never owned one.

My dad had a 2007 Z4MC, with the same basic engine, and we chose that over the 987 CS, which was also a cracking car.

The S54 sounded so good - and regardless of what people might think, was NOT a dog off the line. I had a tuned 135 at the same time, and while I would get the jump on my pops from a start, he always had more oomph as the speeds climbed higher.

Both were really special, and the engine and experience had a LOT to do with that.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

My dad had a 2007 Z4MC, with the same basic engine, and we chose that over the 987 CS, which was also a cracking car.

The S54 sounded so good - and regardless of what people might think, was NOT a dog off the line. I had a tuned 135 at the same time, and while I would get the jump on my pops from a start, he always had more oomph as the speeds climbed higher.

Both were really special, and the engine and experience had a LOT to do with that.

Mustn't have been much of a tune. I owned an N54 135 with a JB4, and an '02 M3 at the same time. The 135 walked it all over the place, the 135 pulled from 80-120+ like the M3 was standing still. It probably traps almost 10 mph higher. Not that I liked the 135 more...but there's no question which is the faster car. Not even close.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

Mustn't have been much of a tune. I owned an N54 135 with a JB4, and an '02 M3 at the same time. The 135 walked it all over the place, the 135 pulled from 80-120+ like the M3 was standing still. It probably traps almost 10 mph higher. Not that I liked the 135 more...but there's no question which is the faster car. Not even close.

It was a JB4.

From a stop, sure - faster up to about 100. But not beyond that.

PS - the Z4MC was also lighter than the E82 or E46.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by Stage IV

Many say that the E46 M is a timeless design, never looking outdated. I think this is because it's not polarizing, rather it's a safe and clean design with few bulges and/or flares. It does look good from all angles but not great. The M2 looks great from most angles, the weak point being the rear. But that angle is saved by the flared hips, something the 235/240 doesn't have. Who knows, in 20 years the M2 may end up looking ridiculous depending on current trends.

The e46 M3 looks (and is) a form follows function design. This is pretty true of all cars BMW made from 70s to the bangle cars. From bangle on, they became much more stylized. Which is "better" comes down to preference.

Originally Posted by dmboone25

PS - the Z4MC was also lighter than the E82 or E46.

It is lighter, but not as much as you might expect looking at them. Per BMW, a 6mt e46 M3 is 145 lbs heavier than a 6mt Z4MC.

[chris719]

I too found that the Z4M pulled quite a bit harder above 80 mph than my friend's stock N54 135i. I don't know that it would be faster than a tuned 135i - it almost certainly isn't depending on the tune. Maybe above 120 or 130 where the aerodynamics come into play more.

It's not really shown in the old magazine numbers, but from what I have observed I think later S54 software may produce a bit more power and also the Z4M has a smaller frontal area than the M3.

Either way, I am sure the stock M2 is faster than both after driving it. Although if you look at really high speed numbers you will see the M2 runs into that proverbial "brick wall" also. Might be the tall greenhouse on the 1 and 2 series.

[termigni]

A random pic I found while browsing IG

[stefan]

Originally Posted by termigni

A random pic I found while browsing IG

man the e46 is timeless. arguably the better looking car.

[termigni]

Originally Posted by stefan

man the e46 is timeless. arguably the better looking car.

I agree e46 is timeless but I do not agree that it's arguably better looking car than the M2. I see totally opposite: M2 looks better than e46 hands down.

[Obioban]

Looks are, as they say, subjective.

The e46 M3 has a very simple, form follows function aesthetic. It's from an era when all BMW's followed that theme. In the words of Ulf Weidhase (header designer of the e46 M3), "power should be felt not shown".

The e46 M3 was also the last of the form follows function styling at BMW. Starting with the Bangle cars, and everything they produced since, BMWs have become heavily stylized. Undoubtedly the M2 looks more aggressive, as a result of this.

Which is a better look comes down to the taste of the viewer.

Probably clear which I prefer

[termigni]

Originally Posted by Obioban

Looks are, as they say, subjective.

The e46 M3 has a very simple, form follows function aesthetic. It's from an era when all BMW's followed that theme. In the words of Ulf Weidhase (header designer of the e46 M3), "power should be felt not shown".

The e46 M3 was also the last of the form follows function styling at BMW. Starting with the Bangle cars, and everything they produced since, BMWs have become heavily stylized. Undoubtedly the M2 looks more aggressive, as a result of this.

Which is a better look comes down to the taste of the viewer.

Probably clear which I prefer

great pictures. both cars are great looking cars as we all can see. but my eyes still can't help but admire the M2's aggressiveness over the E46.