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Originally Posted by BMWM5NYC
Feel the same way about my '02 Imola Red 6 Speed.
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Such a great color
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Originally Posted by Yugo
Amazing. Thanks for sharing. I can def relate and agree on a lot what you said about the e46 m3. I have owned two in the past and do regret selling my zcp. As much as I do enjoy my e90, there was something special about the e46. Today's bmw's are certainly not what they used to be.
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I agree there. I had an E90 M3 for 3 months along side the E46, and the E90 is a great car. I persoanlly prefer the E46 looks wise and feel wise as though the E90 was faster, the E46 felt more raw.
I've tracked the F80/2 M3 & M4, and they are awesome cars for sure. What I found interesting about the M4 is that it drives smaller than the E90 which felt bigger. What I've thought of was picking up an F82 M4 to go along side the E46, but now I've set my sights a little higher...
A halmark sign they nailed the E46 was how many times they tried to remake it, with the 1 Series M, the M2 and now the M2 comp pack. All great cars, but raw feeling the E46 delivers is something that modern building standards won't allow.
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Originally Posted by OUGrad05
Great car, great color, great post. Love the review.
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Thank you
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Originally Posted by clee1982
How do you make CSL road legal, or just some odd ball law for car older than x number of year?
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You have to wait 25 years. The CSL isn't US legal because of DOT emissions standards at the time, and since BMW was only making 1,300, it wasn't worth the cost to certify it for US use.
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Originally Posted by SleepingBMW
Lol love the pics.
Did you pay all the models or do they just flock to the car in bathing suits when you park it?
But really how'd you find them?
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Thank you, and to answer your question a little of both
For some shoots I've paid the models, for other's I've gotten them for free because they needed stuff for their portfolio. I typically find talent through agency sites, though mind you this is 5 years before "Instagram Models" started running rampant. But once you know enough models it's fairly easy to put out a call and find cool girls that are reliable for photoshoots.
Speaking of, I'm way overdue for one...
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Originally Posted by Coops90
Very nice.
The hoes seem to like your LSB, too.
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Chics dig the LSB...I've def had girls come up and compliment me on the color. And at all these shoots my car somehow because "the party car." I have stories...
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Originally Posted by EL Jeffe 5
nice writeup thanks for sharing
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Cheers!
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Originally Posted by IB M
Respect for 134 k miles put on a LSB E46M over 10 years. Friends, cars, girls.
Life well lived.  |
Yup! The adventure continues but it has been a very full, rich and amazing ownership experience.
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Originally Posted by Jbravo33
Great review and couldn't agree more. I had a Phoenix yellow E46 M3 from 2001-2007. I knew the car was special but up until 2 weeks ago it really dawned on me 12 years later exactly how special. Prior to that an E36 4 door. Post E46 CLS 55, E92 briefly, and up until last week a F83. Ive been telling everyone since I got the f83 (last May) that I enjoyed the e46 better IMO. I just couldn't put my finger why since it had been so long that I drove it. Sat in my first Porsche 2 weeks ago a manual 991.2 and took it for a test drive. I was blown away and immediately remembered exactly what I was missing and what was so so special about the E46. I'm not comparing a 991.2 to an E46 by any means but when it comes to pure driving fun, and being in something that's so perfectly balanced with power and weight it's a totally different animal then let's say my F83. I feel as if the new M's have too much power for the chassis. Especially with a tune that I had.
I can drive make no mistake about it but I never felt 100% confident with the F83. The E46 wasn't nearly as fast but man I felt I was one with the car. the high revs, manual gearbox and natural aspirated motor that's what I was missing! I don't want the fastest car with the biggest supercharger and turbos and tunes. I want the car that makes me feel as if I'm driving it and it's not driving me. Needless to say I picked up the 991.2 GT3 last week and it feels like 2001 all over again. I've been an M fanatic all of my life and IMO the e46 was the last of them.
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Awesome review, and I agree as well. The 991.2 GT3 is a brilliant machine and looks great, I wouldn't mind one in Miami blue. Last week I drove the McLaren 600LT, and when I drove it I told the dealer that it felt like "the M3 of McLaren's." Certain cars just have that "at one with the machine feel" and I'd say that of all the cars I have driven, the top examples are the E46 M3, 911 GT3 (any generation, especially 997 & 991), Aventador SV and the McLaren 600LT.
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Originally Posted by Hansell
Laguna Seca Blue. One of my most favorite colors. Interested in selling? Seriously.
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Shoot me a PM. After 10 years I am starting to consider it as several people have inquired about it.
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Originally Posted by 2011zx10R
Great write up!
I knew a guy that had 2006 M3;
That thing was solid! It put my eyes back on the M3. I'll never forget the first time I saw a blood red 1986 M3. SMH I was totally amazed.
Also agree the e46 is timeless. Also agree the F80 has more power than suspension ability. Add insult to injury I'm running high performance all season Continental DWS 06. While perfect for my gti they are a bit overwhelmed by the F80.
Back on topic; great write up and the car looks outstanding!
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Thank you! The modern M cars are great, I think a huge issue is that almost everyone has now pretty much cuaght up, so in such a crowded feel they tend not to shine as bright because they made everyone else get better. That being said, I have driven all the new M cars (expect the newest M5) and I will say for a modern car, they are great and very capable. But driving feel is highly subjective and the modern cars, while great, do lack some of that classic BMW "driver's feel" to me, which I get as times are changing. And as stated before, I would love to pick up an F82 M4 because I think it's a great machine.
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Originally Posted by flanast
Great pics!!! And I liked the car pics too.
But seriously, that's and aluminum hood. Don't even let the prettiest girl lay on that bro.
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Too late
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Originally Posted by Ftpohyeah
I love how you said you need to drive with your body and not just your hands.
It sounds as fun to drive as a motorcycle!!
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I haven't ridden a motorcycle but I am sure they are fun too haha
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Originally Posted by OM3N
Nice write up and pics!
Much like you the bug bit me after I test drove my friends wife e46 330Ci. Soon got in a 2002 M3 myself and I agree in all your impressions!
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Cheers!
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Originally Posted by F82PRETEND
best e46 color too! great!
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Thank you, it is my favorite color and so after I saw LSB for the first time I knew that I had to have it!
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Originally Posted by smr123
Nice write up, I had one or 15 years, bearing recall, 2 batteries, tires, brake pads, wiper blades, VANOS once, and a leaky mirror, causing a shift console to be replaced, that's it!
Loved that car!
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It's amazing the quality these things have, you take care of some routine stuff and they go strong for a long time!
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Originally Posted by HyeWarrior
Awesome write up!
Small world, I was in that cruise with the two limerock Orange E92 M3's you posted lol, that had to have been over 5-6 years ago at this point.
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Yes! That cruise was on 1-5-2013 (I know this because facebook tells me) so it's been 6 years. That was a great drive!
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Originally Posted by Mrgunfun
E46 M3 owner here
This is literally what I say to my people.
Funny, I just met a guy at a BMW dealership who brought in a 2003 E46 M3 for service and he said the same thing.
People who owned and drove this car know how special it is.
Keep up the good work! |
It's funny how many other M3 owners I run into from all generations that say the E46 is their favorite. Thanks for the kind words!
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Originally Posted by Saphirschwarz
Girls are ok but i had a hard-on over LSB
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Same
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Originally Posted by yco
why CSL is not road legal?
because of semi slicks when they were new? couldnt find a thing why its not..
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The CSL isn't US legal because of DOT emissions standards at the time, and since BMW was only making 1,300, it wasn't worth the cost to certify it for US use.
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Originally Posted by shay2nak
What's up! I knew I recognized those pics. lol
Great write up. I don't know what it is with some cars that make them special compared to all others. They have quirks and unique personalities. These are the ones you want to hang on to. I think maybe 90% of people don't really get us 10%'ers that love cars and modify them. I'm lucky that I have 2 that I'll keep forever. I think we're even more lucky that we can have a bond with our cars and share them with other enthusiasts. We are a special group of people.
My Exige is the 7th car on the side of the road. I came with Graham.
I remember that day. Was awesome. Hang on...I got some pics. lol
The girls were nice. The one with all the tattoos was the cutest. |
Dude, how have you been! Small world indeed! That was a fun drive and this is probably my favorite shot of your car from that day:
Also I think Graham (the ornage elise right?) still owes me $50 from that event as he was the only one who never paid
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Originally Posted by SunnyD
Friend of mine just picked up a 991.2 GT3...let's plan a drive soon.
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Done! Perhaps mid June?
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Originally Posted by DreamTime
This is 100% my all time favorite car. LSB E46 M3, manual... 
Awesome story, thanks for taking the time to share. You have fantastic taste in cars, and you're a lucky man to have such a beauty. |
Thank you, I certainly have been blessed. When I see my car in the garage I get a flashback from Tiff's first review of the car on old Top Gear when he says "and if you're lucky enough to own one of these..."
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Originally Posted by EYEHAVEYOU
I remember seeing your car over on m3forum.net, very cool to see you still own it. E46 M3 is one of the greats, plan to hang on to mine for a long time to come.
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Long time no see! Yes, these cars are keepers that's for sure.
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Originally Posted by greekcs
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That was a very nice looking setup you had
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Originally Posted by uniqueMR
Superb  |
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Originally Posted by Humdizzle
I do miss mine sometimes. 04 imola/imola 6 speed. sold it 7 years ago.
I miss the styling. don't really miss the lack of power or that awful rasp lol. |
You either love or hate the rasp, and yes, it certainly is a noisy car haha.
❯ 10 Years of Driving Joy - Owners 10 Year Review of the E46 M3
