[speed130]

I’ve had both and have driven roughly 200k miles between them, a 6MT Coupe which was lost in a garage fire (still not over it) and now a SMG Convertible for the past 16 years. They are each different driving experiences but there is something to be said about learning the SMG’s tendencies while pushing the car properly and having the option to cruise around with it shifting itself. It’s a nice trade off for those that don’t want to or physically can’t consistently deal with three pedals.

I recall a little less then half of e46 M’s were produced with the SMG but is was a $2400 option at the time. The value of manuals have risen because they no longer make them. They no longer make them because less and less people were buying them and modern cars were becoming too powerful for most people to handle ie the need to driver aids programmed through the engine, transmission and differential(s). It is enthusiasts that are driving-up prices because properly sorted cars (especially those remaining stock) are getting rarer and rarer. It’s supply and demand.

And I do very much miss my 6MT e46 M3 Coupe. It was the best, most complete GT car I’ve ever had. Which is why I’m not surprised to see prices increase. People should be chasing them! They’re well worth it. There is no other chassis/driving experience quite-like the e46 M3, regardless of transmission.

[Forzanerazzurri]

[QtheGenius]

any individual car has a chance of becoming a six figure car, but that doesn't mean every example will be. If you have less than 5,000 miles, perfect paint, museum kept example of a CSL, then in a few years it might be $100k. Maybe a tastefully modified example could as well, but your average example that you see on the street? Probably not.

[M5Rick]

I'd love to try out an E46 M3 if it lives up to it's reputation of being a good driving experience.

[Forzanerazzurri]

Originally Posted by QtheGenius

any individual car has a chance of becoming a six figure car, but that doesn't mean every example will be. If you have less than 5,000 miles, perfect paint, museum kept example of a CSL, then in a few years it might be $100k. Maybe a tastefully modified example could as well, but your average example that you see on the street? Probably not.

CSLs have been well over $100k for awhile now.

Like this one

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/v...m3-csl/1329408

This one had 5k like your example:

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/m...m3-csl/1295495

Here's one with 70k miles on it for 78k quid:

https://www.iconicauctioneers.com/20...toneleigh-0223


Good examples of e46 m3s have also approached 100k recently too:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-bmw-m3-coupe-6/

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005-bmw-m3-coupe-73/

[SunnyD]

Bone stock, extremely low mileage, slick top, cloth interior, 6MT...I can see that yea

[///Marecki]

I'm not sure it's gonna get to 100 - the production numbers are probably just too plentiful.

On the other hand... inflation.

[M5Rick]

5k or 100k miles these are worth it. Playing this vid of one with a manual g/box conversion and quicker diff with semi slick tyres, only for mature drivers.

[Chihuahua]

I shouldn't have clicked on this thread. I am getting some really stupid ideas in my head right about now...

[Pauly Wauly]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...-m3-coupe-179/

[SW111]

Originally Posted by Pauly Wauly

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...-m3-coupe-179/

I saw that today and just about fell over! 112K!

[Pauly Wauly]

Originally Posted by SW111

I saw that today and just about fell over! 112K!

Lol, yeah I know... Gorgeous car!!! When you want something money is no object.

[SW111]

Originally Posted by Pauly Wauly

Lol, yeah I know... Gorgeous car!!! When you want something money is no object.

I love Laguna Seca Blue but the cinnamon interior is not for me.

[Pauly Wauly]

Originally Posted by SW111

I love Laguna Seca Blue but the cinnamon interior is not for me.

I think the Cinnamon interior pairs well with the Laguna Seca Blue.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Pauly Wauly

I think the Cinnamon interior pairs well with the Laguna Seca Blue.

I like that as well but think it would look better with the Imola Red interior. I had a 135i with Black Sapphire paint and Coral Red interior and really loved that color combination. Got me to like red interior, though I don't think it looks good with every color paint.

Btw, the E46 M3 is my favorite BMW, especially in that beautiful Laguna Seca Blue.

[Pauly Wauly]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I like that as well but think it would look better with the Imola Red interior. I had a 135i with Black Sapphire paint and Coral Red interior and really loved that color combination. Got me to like red interior, though I don't think it looks good with every color paint.

Btw, the E46 M3 is my favorite BMW, especially in that beautiful Laguna Seca Blue.

Yea, a red interior would look good with the blue. I`ve seen blue BMWs with red interiors and that color combo looks really good. Red interiors work great with many colors. They look very good on white and black cars, that`s probably why you liked your 135i color combo so much.

I prefer a black interior, they are easy to keep clean. I owned cars with beige/cream interiors and it`s a hard color to keep clean.

I like the E46 M3, too, but my favorite generations of classic BMWs are the E20s, E30s, etc. I love the look of the older BMWs round headlights. They looked cool in the 80s, and still look cool today

[328dabi]

Originally Posted by speed130

I recall a little less then half of e46 M’s were produced with the SMG but is was a $2400 option at the time. The value of manuals have risen because they no longer make them. They no longer make them because less and less people were buying them and modern cars were becoming too powerful for most people to handle ie the need to driver aids programmed through the engine, transmission and differential(s). It is enthusiasts that are driving-up prices because properly sorted cars (especially those remaining stock) are getting rarer and rarer. It’s supply and demand.

Manuals are being phased out because automated gearbox’s and automatics return better fuel economy and accelerate faster today. Years ago the opposite was true. In 1997 an accord could be had with a slow shifting 4 speed auto or a 5 speed manual. Fast forward to 2018 and the accord could be had with a 10 speed auto or 6 speed manual. While technology takes away from the driving experience, it makes cars safer and faster. From abs to sequential gearboxes, torque vectoring and hybrid/electric supercars. It isn’t going away and will only continue to progress in that direction. I’ve driven a lot of cars, owned nearly 40 in my life, including highly modified Porsches. The most fun I’ve ever had behind the wheel was in a 1976 2002 with a 4 speed manual and 100hp.