Some guy in San Francisco purchased an E46 BMW M3 17 years ago. He spent $55,220 on this Imola Red M3 in 2004. That comes to $81,500 in today’s dollars. Starting price for the 2022 BMW M4 is just around $72,000. The BMW M4 Rivalry? Before options, that comes to $74,700. At this pricing point, buyers are paying for options, so believe us on that. Whatever way you slice it, someone paid more for a 17-year-old BMW than the price of a new BMW M4.
Fair enough, the E46 BMW M3, and more precisely this E46 BMW M3, aren’t just any secondhand BMW vehicles that are almost old enough to vote. There were only 12,000 miles on the one that sold on Bring A Trailer for north of $80K. More importantly, it’s about as loaded as it got back then. Of course, this legendary sports car also comes with a manual transmission and an M-spec limited-slip differential.
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How much did a brand-new E46 M3 cost?
When the E46 BMW M3 was first released in 2003, its MSRP was $46,500. That is equivalent to $68,217 in 2021 USD after inflation.
Are BMW E46 vehicles good?
There are a few things you should be aware of to make a secure purchase if you’re looking to buy a secondhand early 2000s E46s.
Among the most enduring BMW models are the 3 Series versions from the early 2000s. Whether you choose a two-door coupe or a four-door sedan, there are a few aspects about the used 3 Series cars from the early 2000s that you should be aware of.
One of the most popular BMW models in history is the E46. The E46, which was built from 1999 to 2006, restored BMW’s reputation for producing dependable vehicles.
Maintaining an old, used BMW (or any old automobile, for that matter) is the main expense of ownership. While JD Power lists BMW as one of the most dependable automakers currently, there is no getting around old, faulty auto parts. Let’s discuss all you need to know before buying a used BMW 3 Series without further ado.
What followed the BMW E46?
The BMW 3 Series’ fifth generation began with the BMW E90. By the end of the BMW E46 period in 2002, the 3 Series had already had a facelift with brand-new headlights and taillights.
The BMW E90 3 Series Sedan and E91 Sports Wagon eras began in 2006, respectively. Along with it, the BMW E92 3 Series Coupe and E93 3 Series Convertible were introduced.
The fifth generation of the 3 Series has undergone significant mechanical and aesthetic improvements. First, a dimension increase was brought on by the switch from the BMW E46 to the E90. The new 3 Series E90 was more balanced because to its wider tracks, bigger wheelbase (1.4 inches wider than E46), and roomier cabin.
Why are E46 M3 prices so high?
Due to the BMW E46 M3’s timeless design, getting one to call your own might be expensive, especially for examples in immaculate condition.
The versatility of this vehicle makes it appealing to a wide range of drivers. The E46 had a wide range of trims and color choices for the exterior and inside, allowing for factory customization. The regular E46 GTR Sport model still serves a useful purpose as a daily driver even though it was used in racing competitions in the early 2000s.
The passion for BMW E46 M3s also contributes to their increasing value over time. If you already own one, that’s fantastic news, but if you’re seeking to acquire one, the potential hole in your wallet will only widen. Buildjournal states that an E46 typically costs around $26,000. It was little over $19,000 in 2016. And those are for models with a significant amount of miles on them. Expect to pay more for a low-mileage E46 M3 than you would for a brand-new 2022 M4. According to Sports Car Market, a used E46 sold for $84,000 earlier this year, and the limited-edition E46 M3 CSL (Coupe Sport Leichtbau) is expected to sell for over $100,000.
Because the mileage, history, and overall condition are important factors, the price range between E46s is so wide. Be prepared to spend extra money maintaining the automobile, especially if you want to use it frequently. Maintenance costs can add up quickly.
What is the horsepower of a BMW E46 M3?
The performance model that adheres to the car’s original concept of prioritizing handling above straight-line speed is likely the BMW M3 E46 generation from the early 2000s. Let’s see what a vehicle with a high mileage can produce on a dyno.
Because the SMG transmission was broken, the owner only paid $3,000 for the vehicle. He chose to convert the polarizing system to a manual rather than replace it, raising the cost of the M3 to nearly $5,000 overall. The vehicle has 173,000 miles on it.
He also made a few changes to his performance. The car currently has modified exhaust, K&N intake, an ECU tune, and headers without catalytic converters. The M3’s owner calculates that it now produces about 355 horsepower (265 kilowatts) at the crank, up from its initial 333 horsepower (248 kW).
Two runs—one in regular mode and the other in sport—are made by the M3 on the dyno. The initial effort generates 238.43 pound-feet (323.3 Newton-meters) at 4,500 rpm and 284.89 horsepower (212.4 kW) at 7,250 rpm. The BMW generates 289.48 horsepower (215.9 kW) at 7,250 rpm and 240.78 lb-ft (326.5 Nm) at 4,530 rpm in Sport mode.
If the predicted 355 horsepower at the crank is accurate, the drivetrain loss during the initial runs comes out to 19.75 percent. This is reduced to 18.46 percent in sport mode. These numbers are consistent with what we would anticipate given that a rear-drive car typically experiences a loss of about 20%.
However, this BMW may soon require significant repair. Uncomfortably large amounts of white smoke are released from the tailpipes as soon as the throttle is released after each run. The owner thinks the piston rings could be beyond repair. To assess the condition of the powerplant, he plans to do a leakdown and compression test. It also needs an oil change.
BMW E46: Is it collectible?
Looking back at what this model offers, it’s simple to understand why the BMW E46 M3 is gradually growing in popularity as a collectable.
Some of the craziest cars ever produced were first created in Germany. Mercedes-Benz created the crazy 300 SL Gullwing in the 1950s; it is now valued as hundreds of thousands of dollars. Porsche released its divisive Carrera GT in more recent years. But for the past 35 years, one Munich-based automaker has captured the public’s attention with a single model.
One German-built automobile, the BMW M3, stands out among the rest. Gearheads have had the opportunity to witness this German Shepherd annihilate rival sports cars both on and off the track since 1986. The E46 M3 is still one of the coolest M3s ever produced, despite the fact that it may not be among the most significant automobiles in BMW’s history. The E46 M3, which is sandwiched between the brutal E36 and the muscular E90 M3, is nevertheless a fantastic high-end sports coupe.
E46 M3 value to increase
The E46 M3’s value has begun to rise in recent years, and this upward trend is anticipated to remain. It’s not the most uncommon M vehicle, but it’s still a highly sought-after model.
These M3s have been affordable enough in recent years to ensure that a large number have ended up in the wrong hands, but as we get past that point, finding excellent, clean specimens will get harder.
If history is any indication, now would be the perfect time to purchase a deal, provided it meets investing standards.
The BMW E46: A potential classic?
The E46 M3 is unquestionably a future classic because to its roaring, high-revving six-cylinder engine, modest yet distinctive appearance, and ideal mix of power and performance.
E46 M3: Is it uncommon?
BMW M3 GTR E46 was introduced in February 2001 and was the first M3 in the brand’s history to be powered by a V8.
Released in February 2001, the BMW M3 GTR of the E46 generation was the first M3 in the brand’s history to be powered by a V8. The primary justification for the M3 GTR’s release was that, in order to compete in the American Le Mans series (ALMS), the car had to be made available in a specific quantity for a specific period of time prior to the start of the racing season.
And because the Le Mans M3 GTR had a V8, the road car likewise had a V8 under its hood.
BMW offered 10 road GTR variants for sale at a price of 250 000 euros apiece following the 2001 racing season in order to satisfy all requirements.
The P60 engine in the road version of the car produced 380 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and was fitted with a dry sump lubrication system. A 6-speed manual transmission with a sports double-disc clutch and an M-differential with variable degree of lock delivered all power to the wheels.
The automobile received a very durable chassis and sports suspension settings from the race version. Compared to the stock M3, the GTR variant was also somewhat subdued. Two spacers that were inserted between the front and back cups, respectively, provided the body with additional rigidity. The front, back, and rear wing were all altered to increase downforce and enhance aerodynamics.
The automobile has additional benefits as a result of its large weight reduction. Like the racing version, the roof, rear spoiler, hood, and bumper vents were all made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.
To cut weight, the GTR’s interior has also been modified. The back sofa was eliminated, leather-upholstered Recaro racing seats were fitted, and exclusive M3 GTR sill pads were added.
A nice first automobile, the E46?
The E46’s fundamental simplicity makes for easy learning. Despite certain more serious problems, such as those with the subframe or lifter-tick, they are mechanically fairly reliable. I haven’t encountered many problems, aside from the typical maintenance requirements of any car beyond 185,000 miles.
What makes the E46 so great?
The internal motorsport section of BMW produced the BMW E46 M3, which is the high-performance variant of the E46 3-series. It was first only made as a coupe, but a convertible version was later added. During its premiere, it won over the hearts of true sports car aficionados right away. It resembled the classic BMW M3 E30 in terms of its lightweight design and high-revving inline-6 engine.
Due to its elegance, allure, and general design, the E46 generation has since been regarded as the best M vehicle ever produced. For a while, the E46’s excitement was quite consistent, but it has recently returned to the forefront, and the desire for this car is once again on the rise. In light of this, we are here to explain why the E46 M3 is the greatest M3 money can currently buy if you are in the market for one.
The E46 M3 is dependable.
Yes, fast. Athletic: Yes. Yes, it is cozy. Elegant: xxxx Yes. This car is from a vintage of BMW that many people view as the pinnacle. In that case, a car’s build quality constituted luxury rather than gadgetry. The BMW was the definition of “The Ultimate Driving Machine” because of its superior balance, handling, and “all things to all people” design approach. The E46 M3 is comparable to other performance-oriented cars from this era in terms of speed, style, comfort, and dependability. How you maintain it affects how reliable it is. This vehicle didn’t put up with abuse. If you treat it well, it will reward you by spoiling you for years to come with its linear acceleration and lovely exhaust note. When the kids of your children question you about the cars you’ve owned in the past. Which would you rather to talk about: the Camry or the E46 M3? You only get one life. In your lifetime, own one of them.