15 Years Of The Final Driving Machine

Effectively, it looks as if I put up as soon as each few years now, however I suppose once I do I’ve to make it a very good one. My 2001 E46 M3 turns 23 years outdated in the present day (it was inbuilt Feb 2001) so I figured that was a adequate excuse to mirror on my possession expertise with it, which is now about to hit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 yr mark (I took supply on Might 1st, 2009).

As everyone knows, vehicles come in numerous varieties and flavors, and I have to say as time goes on and I drive newer and totally different vehicles, my appreciation for a way particular this mannequin is continues to develop annually. The design nonetheless appears to be like trendy sufficient and has a timeless high quality to it. The facility it has is lots as well, the steadiness of the automotive is ideal and the suggestions from the driving expertise is addicting…it is such a terrific point-and-shoot street weapon. It is a very alive automotive…NA engine, handbook gear shifts, and it actually looks like an instrument that you just synch with. A whole lot of trendy vehicles 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, high finish pace or different ineffective self-importance metrics. That being mentioned over my possession expertise I’ve executed all of it with this automotive…taken it to the canyons, to the observe, for grocery runs, full drift periods…you title it. I’ve additionally maxed out the pace 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 in opposition to 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 in the present day 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″ type 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 pals 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 8 pm on Might 1st, 2009. Why this date was vital was as a result of I wished to have it in time for Bimmerfest that yr which was on Might 2nd, 2009. The subsequent morning I met up with my finest good friend 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 expertise are on par to get probably the most from it, nevertheless it’s each pleasant sufficient for newcomers to study on and superior sufficient to be rewarding for seasoned racers. In comparison with plenty of vehicles this automotive has a novel and distinct character and character, and it is simple to see why it is a Automobile Man’s Automobile. 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 folks waling purchase which at all times 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 all the things…and I definitely have my vehicles I like for various causes and functions. In my view Lamborghini’s are the final word automotive expertise, with the sound, styling, pace and funky issue…nothing gives the entire expertise bundle…not even Bugatti’s, therefore my favourite automotive of all time remains to be the Aventador SV (I’ve pushed each variant of Aventador and Huracan, so I hove executed my homework). Under that you just 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 all the things. 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 among 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 best 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 ignored for the sake of modernization. I believe one of the best testomony to the E46 M3 is simply what number of occasions BMW’s tried to remake it over time, with the 1 Sequence 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 blissful to report that with a bit repairs that very same magic from then remains to be as highly effective as ever in the present day.

From an repairs perspective, my M3 has been a terrific automotive to personal. In 15 years the one main issues which have been executed are:

– Repair a subframe crack earlier than the automotive was delivered to me- VANOS recall was executed by the earlier owner- 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 times- 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 outdated 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 maintaining my automotive working robust all these years, and to all the buddies and fellow lovers I’ve met and pushed with over the past 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 will be one other 15 extra years earlier than that occurs once more…lol

My Automobile’s Stats:

Make: BMW

Mannequin: E46 M3

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

Transmission: 6-speed handbook

Mileage when purchased: 52,000

Current Mileage: 220,000

Identify: Sonic

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

1. 2017 Lamborghini Aventador SV2. 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia3. 2001 BMW E46 M34. 2021 Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder5. 2024 Chevy Corvette Z06

Another automotive’s pushed/tracked extensively for reference (under no circumstances an entire record):

1994 Acura NSX2018 Acura NSX2022 Alfa Romeo Gulia Quadrifoglio2022 Aston Martin Vantage2024 Aston Martin DB122022 Audi RS4 2022 Audi R8 V10+2012 BMW E92 M32017 BMW F82 M4 Competitors Package2017 BMW M22019 BMW M2 Competition2021 BMW M2 CS2021 BMW M5 CS2024 Chevy Corvette Z062017 Dodge Viper ACR2005 Ford GT2004 Ferrari Enzo2005 Ferrari F430 Scuderia2012 Ferrari 458 Italia2018 Ferrari 488 GTB2023 Ferrari 812 Superfast2018 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ2022 Lamborghini Huracan Evo2022 Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD2017 Lotus Evora2018 McLaren 600LT Spyder2020 McLaren 720S2022 Mercedes AMG GT-S2004 Porsche Carrera GT2008 Porsche 997.1 GT32018 Porsche 991.2 911 Turbo S2022 Porsche 991.2 Turbo S