[Supercar Ace]

Originally Posted by NB STIG

Thanks for sharing the love story for your Laguna Seca M3. I know there are "better" cars out there that are faster, more reliable, more capable, more luxurious, etc. BUT, there is something special about an M3 e46...I guess some would say it has a soul. I own a 2005 BMW M3 ZCP in Interlagos Blue and I absolutely love it. My car has currently 83K miles and it brings me joy every time I turn the key on and I hear the amazing S54. Again congrats and many more happy miles...

Thanks you and Interlagos Blue is another great color! Definitely don't sell it

[KevinM]

Very cool. Thanks! I'll possibly be posting my thoughts on my E39 M5 after 20 years in December, and am certainly enjoying the S54 in my E86 Z4 coupe, which is coming up on its 15 year anniversary. To state the obvious, wonderful cars and engines which will not be available again.

[Supercar Ace]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Very cool. Thanks! I'll possibly be posting my thoughts on my E39 M5 after 20 years in December, and am certainly enjoying the S54 in my E86 Z4 coupe, which is coming up on its 15 year anniversary. To state the obvious, wonderful cars and engines which will not be available again.

Congrats on the double decade mark with the e39! That is such a classic machine and a beast of a performance car! I am loving the trio you have going, an excellent sampling of past and present!

A few random snapshots from over the years...

[sly1types]

Beautiful car, congrats on keeping it that long.

I have a LSB E46 that i have owned since 2004. I have almost sold it so many times, but its just the perfect car. Last year i had most of it resprayed, fixed some imperfections in the interior and added a carbon airbox, now its like new.

[Supercar Ace]

Originally Posted by sly1types

Beautiful car, congrats on keeping it that long.

I have a LSB E46 that i have owned since 2004. I have almost sold it so many times, but its just the perfect car. Last year i had most of it resprayed, fixed some imperfections in the interior and added a carbon airbox, now its like new.

Twin! And congrats on the 20 year ownership mark! I thought about selling my car about 2 times but then realized the only replacement would have to be another one, so that idea got nixed fast lol. Only thing left for me to do right now is touch up the interior as after all these years of use it's starting to wear (though the back seats look brand new still).

[NB STIG]

Thank you...Yes, I plan to keep my 2005 M3 ZCP and enjoy it as much as possible. Here are some pictures of my car. Enjoy!

[sly1types]

Originally Posted by Supercar Ace

Twin! And congrats on the 20 year ownership mark! I thought about selling my car about 2 times but then realized the only replacement would have to be another one, so that idea got nixed fast lol. Only thing left for me to do right now is touch up the interior as after all these years of use it's starting to wear (though the back seats look brand new still).

Thanks!

On the interior I did a coby wheel, zhp shifter, replaced the console, cup holders the center vents, coin tray and all that center portion as it was showing wear. I wanted stay OEM+

[Supercar Ace]

Originally Posted by NB STIG

Thank you...Yes, I plan to keep my 2005 M3 ZCP and enjoy it as much as possible. Here are some pictures of my car. Enjoy!

The comp wheels with angel eyes in that blue...looking cleeeeeeeeeean Feel free to post more pics I love seeing other people's cars

Originally Posted by sly1types

Thanks!

On the interior I did a coby wheel, zhp shifter, replaced the console, cup holders the center vents, coin tray and all that center portion as it was showing wear. I wanted stay OEM+

Looks slick! My interior is the light grey so now the question is refresh it but keep it grey or switch colors? But I definitely will keep it with the OEM look. The latest "mod" I did was installed a BlueBus bluetooth kit so now I have glorious bluetooth capability while still rocking the completely OEM infotainment setup.

[joshgarvey426]

I must say as time goes on and I drive newer and different cars, my appreciation for how special this model is continues to grow each year. The design still looks modern enough and has a timeless quality to it. The power it has is plenty to boot, the balance of the car is perfect and the feedback from the driving experience is great...it's such a great point-and-shoot road weapon. It's a very alive car in all situations ..

[uniqueMR]

Superb!!!
Happy Birthday, E46.

Ultimate driving machine, ultimate driver

Thanks for sharing

[Supercar Ace]

Originally Posted by joshgarvey426

I must say as time goes on and I drive newer and different cars, my appreciation for how special this model is continues to grow each year. The design still looks modern enough and has a timeless quality to it. The power it has is plenty to boot, the balance of the car is perfect and the feedback from the driving experience is great...it's such a great point-and-shoot road weapon. It's a very alive car in all situations ..

100& agreed!

Originally Posted by uniqueMR

Superb!!!
Happy Birthday, E46.

Ultimate driving machine, ultimate driver

Thanks for sharing

My pleasure!

[JM322]

Originally Posted by Supercar Ace

Well, it seems like I post once every few years now, but I guess when I do I have to make it a good one. My 2001 E46 M3 turns 23 years old today (it was built in Feb 2001) so I figured that was a good enough excuse to reflect on my ownership experience with it, which is now about to hit the 15 year mark (I took delivery on May 1st, 2009).



As we all know, cars come in different varieties and flavors, and I must say as time goes on and I drive newer and different cars, my appreciation for how special this model is continues to grow each year. The design still looks modern enough and has a timeless quality to it. The power it has is plenty to boot, the balance of the car is perfect and the feedback from the driving experience is addicting...it's such a great point-and-shoot road weapon. It's a very alive car...NA engine, manual gear shifts, and it really feels like an instrument that you synch with. A lot of modern cars make you feel more like a highly informed passenger, but with the E46 it really emphasizes the art of driving, rather than the horsepower, top end speed or other useless vanity metrics. That being said over my ownership experience I have done it all with this car...taken it to the canyons, to the track, for grocery runs, full drift sessions...you name it. I've also maxed out the speed at 180 mph, which was GPS verified on the track at 180.2 mph (I paid for the whole [...]

What are you thoughts on the two turbo s? The 991.2 and 992?

[Supercar Ace]

Originally Posted by JM322

What are you thoughts on the two turbo s? The 991.2 and 992?

Both are stupid fast. I think the 991.2 looks way better than the 992. But they are reliable, quick and very capable, and I think they are better car to get than say a Skyline GTR R35 simply because they feel faster while driving them. As great as they are, they are too subtle and understated styling and engine sound wise for me personally, so for the money I'd rather go with something Italian or for a GT3. But if you want all the speed and reliability and you don't won't a lot of attention, then this is a great car to get.

[DrewDawg2]

Like the OP, I've owned my ('02 6MT) E46 M3 since May 2009. It can be challenging at times to find honest and qualified technicians for servicing and repairs at times, but it remains my favorite ever BMW (or any other car) ever made. While I do appreciate some of the modern BMWs (my wife drives a '23 M340i-phenomenal all around car), like many enthusiasts, I truly lament the loss of smaller naturally aspirated analog manual transmission cars.

[Supercar Ace]

Originally Posted by DrewDawg2

Like the OP, I've owned my ('02 6MT) E46 M3 since May 2009. It can be challenging at times to find honest and qualified technicians for servicing and repairs at times, but it remains my favorite ever BMW (or any other car) ever made. While I do appreciate some of the modern BMWs (my wife drives a '23 M340i-phenomenal all around car), like many enthusiasts, I truly lament the loss of smaller naturally aspirated analog manual transmission cars.

Another 15 years owner! I love to see it and nice looking spec!

My best friend snapped this last week:

[M5Rick]

Any cabriolets...love those.

[Supercar Ace]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Any cabriolets...love those.

Can you spot them? I miss doing dumb stuff like this