Quote:
Originally Posted by Obioban
Steering feel, engine dynamics, ease of servicing, interior design, exterior design, not wanting modern car tech, better visibility, better gauges, weight.
I have a large level of enthusiasm for the e46 M3, and zero desire for an M2. EPS is ruinous to driving for me and I hate the driving dynamics of turbo engines. My M3 converted station wagon is lighter than an M2, and the M2 is closer in weight to my M5s than my M3 coupe.
If you think about the all time great drivers cars (NSX, GT3, integra, S2000, Miata, etc), they're all light weight, NA, high revving with not a ton of low end torque, amazing throttle response, good steering feel, small, manual trans cars. The e46 is better at being light, NA, high revving, low torque, throttle response, steering feel, and has a better manual experience. It ~ties the M2 in size. From a drivers car perspective, being faster doesn't really matter so long as it's fast enough to be fun to drive.
And then, by coincidence, the e46 M3 happens to be one of BMWs best styled cars ever, and has one of their best interior layouts.
None of this is to say you shouldn't enjoy your M2-- if you value tech and torque over engagement (and, at this point, having a warranty over having a 15-20 year old german sports car), it's 100% the right choice. I'm just explaining why the market is valuing e46's as it is.
Oh, and every e46 M3 is either manual, or a quick conversion away from being manual (as the SMG is the same gearbox as the 6mt-- so converting isn't a trans swap, but instead a swapping robots/hydraulics for pedal/lever)-- and manual cars are more valuable across all not new cars.
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Couldn't have said it better myself, Emporor Obioban.
The E46 is fits like a surgical glove and cuts like a scalpel.
I can not stand the new look of all screens and waterfall consoles. I like a few buttons, analogue dials and driving engagement. Classic stays classic, digital eventually ages pretty poorly.