15 Years Of The Final Driving Machine

Properly, it looks as if I publish as soon as each few years now, however I suppose once I do I’ve to make it a superb one. My 2001 E46 M3 turns 23 years previous at present (it was inbuilt Feb 2001) so I figured that was a adequate excuse to replicate 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, vehicles come in several varieties and flavors, and I need to say as time goes on and I drive newer and totally different vehicles, my appreciation for the way particular this mannequin is continues to develop every year. The design nonetheless appears trendy sufficient and has a timeless high quality to it. The ability it has is loads besides, the steadiness of the automotive is ideal and the suggestions from the driving expertise is addicting…it is such an incredible point-and-shoot street weapon. It is a very alive automotive…NA engine, guide gear shifts, and it actually looks like an instrument that you simply synch with. A variety of trendy vehicles make you are feeling extra like a extremely knowledgeable passenger, however with the E46 it actually emphasizes the artwork of driving, somewhat than the horsepower, prime finish velocity or different ineffective vainness metrics. That being stated over my possession expertise I’ve performed all of it with this automotive…taken it to the canyons, to the observe, for grocery runs, full drift periods…you identify it. I’ve additionally maxed out the velocity at 180 mph, which was GPS verified on the observe 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 at present 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 school 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 necessary was as a result of I wished to have it in time for Bimmerfest that 12 months which was on Might 2nd, 2009. The subsequent morning I met up with my finest 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 vehicles 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 rookies to study on and superior sufficient to be rewarding for seasoned racers. In comparison with plenty of vehicles this automotive has a singular and distinct character and persona, and it is easy to see why it is a Automotive Man’s Automotive. I’ve taken loads of ladies out in exotics and different extra luxurious vehicles. However once I take them out in my M3 I get plenty of reactions from different drivers, valets and different individuals waling purchase which at all times leaves them puzzled at what the large 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 every thing…and I definitely have my vehicles I like for various causes and functions. For my part Lamborghini’s are the last word automotive expertise, with the sound, styling, velocity and funky issue…nothing supplies the entire 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 performed my homework). Beneath that you simply get the pure driver’s dream vehicles, and that is the place the Ferrari 458 Italia steals spot #2…it is actually what a dream machine ought to be and the expertise is the proper portion of every thing. However then there’s the vehicles that may do all of it, and the M3 has at all times 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 sequence of M vehicles are a few of the finest you will get, the E46 simply felt “proper” in all senses. I’ve pushed the F80 M3/4’s and the most recent and biggest ones. And sure they’re quick and greater than succesful, however there is a slight feeling that plenty of the unique “Final Driving Machine ” magic has been neglected for the sake of modernization. I believe the most effective testomony to the E46 M3 is simply what number of occasions BMW’s tried to remake it over time, 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 blissful to report that with slightly 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 incredible automotive to personal. In 15 years the one main issues which were performed are:

– Repair a subframe crack earlier than the automotive was delivered to me
– VANOS recall was performed 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 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 authentic 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 conserving my automotive working sturdy all these years, and to all the chums and fellow lovers 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 Automotive’s Stats:

Make: BMW

Mannequin: E46 M3

Colour: Laguna Seca Blue (nonetheless manufacturing facility authentic paint aside from the entrance and rear bumpers and hood which have been resprayed on account of rock chips)

Transmission: 6-speed guide

Mileage when purchased: 52,000

Current Mileage: 220,000

Identify: Sonic

Private Rating of High 5 Favourite Automobiles 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 (in no way 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