I posted this along time ago in a Galaxy far far away, and thought it might help some, thinking of going from E46 to E9x of vice versa, as it often comes up in conversation.....
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Having just bought the E46 M3 Coupe and now covered quite a few miles in it, many may ask is it worth changing up from the "considered more pretty" E46 M3 to the Brute V8 E9x. So a review was in order with my findings and also taking them out back to back with a mate to help with whats the fastest out of the two and dismiss old wife's tales as well.
Looks:
For a number of years I have always looked at pictures of the V8 and thought it looked wrong, for some reason it never seemed to pop, there is some very good shots of what members have tried to capture the V8 money shot, but its a car you simply need to see in the metal. Pictures to me make it look to big, to top heavy and a little cumbersome at the rear with its hunched stance, however, over some time and seeing them on the road they started growing on me. The E46 M3 on the other hand does photo well and all the bulges and bumps seems to pop out. I feel the V8 does not picture well at all, however, in the metal, it really is a looker and has so much presence when you see one on the roads. Anyone wanting one, just needs to go see a V8 in a nice contrasting colour as it suits the car the best. Now every time I see one it turns my head and I think what a pretty car and looks so aggressive.
Is it better looking than the E46, that is a tough one, in pictures the 46 all day long, in the real world up close and personal, I'm on the fence. One other thing in recent months though the E46 is starting to show its age for me, but having said that its rare in a car, that with regards to looks, it looks so good from every single angle.
Performance:
I think the V8 should be faster as most will know, you can push buttons, and that makes it seem faster (but in reality you just don't have to push the pedal so far) but I've reached a point where I think, do you know what, its Ok. The E46 M3 on the other hand strangely feels more eager and willing, it feels faster and has a better throttle response and contrary to the V8 you actually don't have to ring it's neck out, however the V8 when you do it makes you tingle and you get the noise and with this in mind and coupled with the DCT its very very exciting. Head to head the V8 is faster, but, those that say a standard V8 blitzes a good E46 M3, I would say are over exaggerating, the V8 is faster and so it should be, but there is not a huge amount in it. I have however just bought a 92 that has been mapped and is running 455 bhp. It does make a difference and more than the figures suggest. I have always thought mapping an N/A car is a complete waste of money, not so in the V8, don't expect massive gains at all, but worth it for the differences.
The Engine:
Well the real reason you would buy the V8. Its a Gem, pure and simple, its silky smooth refined, feels ageless and nearly 9k in a V8 that just keeps pulling and getting harder and stronger with Revs and the more you spank it the better it becomes. The noise is up there with the pipe mod done, it still excites me every time I turn the key. If we are honest its the V8's trump card it will win you over with its voice so to speak. The 46 is unique with its rasp, an acquired metallic noise, those that know, know, those that don't think your back box is full of loud wasps. I like it, the engine is a legend nowadays, humble eager, ready and instant. Not many car's around at this price point with a better throttle response when warm and ready. The V8 though is top dog here, it just walks home with the win, it is special.
Handling:
This is where the E46 feels more of a track car in comparison; it feels lighter more direct, agile and nimble, more go cart like in comparison to the more refined. It probably is in the real world as well. The V8 just feels safer, quieter more solid and easy, a nicer play to be and more refined. Both are very composed and easy to have the arse out, the 46 feels more race car and a bit better (more because its simply older) but the V8 is better through refinement and is an awesome balanced power slider.
Kit:
I have a fully loaded E46 and although good, its 90's tech really, nice and all that, but the V8 is streets ahead. Mines just about got everything, most you wont use as usual, internet /TV/DVD/hardrive this and media that, but apart from maybe a toilet, the V8 has all you need really and quite up to date considering there age. This will not be important if its your weekend toy, but it still needs to be mentioned.
Gearbox:
I have drove a few manuals, and its Ok, both V8 and E46 can be at times notchy sods, which is slightly worse in the E46, but I also think they got the ratios wrong in the V8, so look at it this way, both manuals will command more money at some point in time, but we are all getting lazy. I am a manual fan, and although I have had manual’s and SMG’s in the 46, the Autos versions of both these cars are at other ends of the spectrum, the SMG being total Garbage and the DCT being utterly sublime. With the SMG Unless you are on track giving it 10 bells its just shocking, jerky, Old, lethargic, frustrating, unreliable and expensive when it goes wrong. The DCT though is just so good and so right and compliments the V8 engine perfectly. I have never had an auto give you a surge when it changes gear. Where the SMG for me was so wrong, slow, snappy, jerky and crud, this is so right. Lightening fast, brutal, throttle blips, fun and super smooth when you want it to be. The DCT is a very good box indeed.
Practical:
Who cares, but if you do, you can get 4 in both comfortably and some shopping. The V8 does come in a 4 door version if that’s your thing.
Costs:
Both are sh1te on fuel if used as an M, with the V8 being some what sh1tier! 18 mpg as a rule for the V8, and 22 mpg for the 46, some get more, some get less, but if you like your M, expect the aforementioned, but every car has an Achilles heel. The E46 is proving to be costly so and so the older it gets, it has more money worries than the V8, so don't think its a Honda now. The V8 though, Service is every 2 years, but I do mine yearly (old habits die hard) though it has 8 plugs and 9 liters of oil, so its not cheap from the off. No adjusting this / guides that, everything else is pretty much normal BM Tax. It is worth looking at inherent issues with both as neither is perfect, but the V8 has less flaws and will prove more reliable mainly because its newer, more refined and well built.
What goes wrong:
46 - well, Vanos, boot floor, head gasket, timing chains, rust, diffs, SMG pumps, Springs, exhaust flanges and cuddly toy, oh and did I mention Rust, this is getting to be the main major issue with these cars now !! The car I just bought the previous owner spent 6k in 2 years and then I had to spend, I'm not saying this is normal, just be warned, you can buy it one for 10k, but could end up costing you a hell of a lot more!!
V8 - Not a lot really. Actuators which are well documented, and some cases of rod bearings on high miler unloved cars, but you can do preventative maintenance on these items and I would do the bearings if they have not been done as at the price of around £1200, it’s a no brainer. Late cars can still be bought from BMW, so under warranty so you can just enjoy it.
What do others think.
In the “M community” there is a lot of love for the 46, my mate turned up in his E28 M5 and loves the underdog, he would in reality take the V8 of course, but if it was to keep forever, I'm not so sure. Others that see them as a sporty BMW’s just see the newer car for what it is, newer and more expensive, and the 46 as an old dated BMW. I have not had a single negative vibe from both. Those in the know give me the thumbs up, and people come over and want to talk about the car's (and the colour) they are cool car's, truth be told the V8 looks better in the metal, gets more looks and is more modern and up to date, it just looks the newer more classier plusher car.
Round up:
God its tough, I really like them both, my wife likes the V8 all day long, and between my mates its a hung parliament, I like driving them both, one is way better and more grown up and the other is more raw and edgy. If they where dogs the V8 would be a greyhound, graceful with great strides and quick once up and running, and the 46 would be a terrier, shot to bits with bags of character. But we need to mention the noise the V8 makes, its the greyhound that's had lots of BBQ beans with a Nascar dip, it sounds awesome, Its such an event and for me its so important, it's what separates current cars with the electric future.
So to sum up and what most will want to know "Which one"
The V8 is better in every single way make no mistake (I also think its better looking in the metal) each evolution is better so don't kid yourself, It would be the V8, its just a better car with less problems and with the 46 showing its age and rust being a problem, it just looks more modern. Its also “the jack of ALL trades master of none"
******************************************************
Having just bought the E46 M3 Coupe and now covered quite a few miles in it, many may ask is it worth changing up from the "considered more pretty" E46 M3 to the Brute V8 E9x. So a review was in order with my findings and also taking them out back to back with a mate to help with whats the fastest out of the two and dismiss old wife's tales as well.
Looks:
For a number of years I have always looked at pictures of the V8 and thought it looked wrong, for some reason it never seemed to pop, there is some very good shots of what members have tried to capture the V8 money shot, but its a car you simply need to see in the metal. Pictures to me make it look to big, to top heavy and a little cumbersome at the rear with its hunched stance, however, over some time and seeing them on the road they started growing on me. The E46 M3 on the other hand does photo well and all the bulges and bumps seems to pop out. I feel the V8 does not picture well at all, however, in the metal, it really is a looker and has so much presence when you see one on the roads. Anyone wanting one, just needs to go see a V8 in a nice contrasting colour as it suits the car the best. Now every time I see one it turns my head and I think what a pretty car and looks so aggressive.
Is it better looking than the E46, that is a tough one, in pictures the 46 all day long, in the real world up close and personal, I'm on the fence. One other thing in recent months though the E46 is starting to show its age for me, but having said that its rare in a car, that with regards to looks, it looks so good from every single angle.
Performance:
I think the V8 should be faster as most will know, you can push buttons, and that makes it seem faster (but in reality you just don't have to push the pedal so far) but I've reached a point where I think, do you know what, its Ok. The E46 M3 on the other hand strangely feels more eager and willing, it feels faster and has a better throttle response and contrary to the V8 you actually don't have to ring it's neck out, however the V8 when you do it makes you tingle and you get the noise and with this in mind and coupled with the DCT its very very exciting. Head to head the V8 is faster, but, those that say a standard V8 blitzes a good E46 M3, I would say are over exaggerating, the V8 is faster and so it should be, but there is not a huge amount in it. I have however just bought a 92 that has been mapped and is running 455 bhp. It does make a difference and more than the figures suggest. I have always thought mapping an N/A car is a complete waste of money, not so in the V8, don't expect massive gains at all, but worth it for the differences.
The Engine:
Well the real reason you would buy the V8. Its a Gem, pure and simple, its silky smooth refined, feels ageless and nearly 9k in a V8 that just keeps pulling and getting harder and stronger with Revs and the more you spank it the better it becomes. The noise is up there with the pipe mod done, it still excites me every time I turn the key. If we are honest its the V8's trump card it will win you over with its voice so to speak. The 46 is unique with its rasp, an acquired metallic noise, those that know, know, those that don't think your back box is full of loud wasps. I like it, the engine is a legend nowadays, humble eager, ready and instant. Not many car's around at this price point with a better throttle response when warm and ready. The V8 though is top dog here, it just walks home with the win, it is special.
Handling:
This is where the E46 feels more of a track car in comparison; it feels lighter more direct, agile and nimble, more go cart like in comparison to the more refined. It probably is in the real world as well. The V8 just feels safer, quieter more solid and easy, a nicer play to be and more refined. Both are very composed and easy to have the arse out, the 46 feels more race car and a bit better (more because its simply older) but the V8 is better through refinement and is an awesome balanced power slider.
Kit:
I have a fully loaded E46 and although good, its 90's tech really, nice and all that, but the V8 is streets ahead. Mines just about got everything, most you wont use as usual, internet /TV/DVD/hardrive this and media that, but apart from maybe a toilet, the V8 has all you need really and quite up to date considering there age. This will not be important if its your weekend toy, but it still needs to be mentioned.
Gearbox:
I have drove a few manuals, and its Ok, both V8 and E46 can be at times notchy sods, which is slightly worse in the E46, but I also think they got the ratios wrong in the V8, so look at it this way, both manuals will command more money at some point in time, but we are all getting lazy. I am a manual fan, and although I have had manual’s and SMG’s in the 46, the Autos versions of both these cars are at other ends of the spectrum, the SMG being total Garbage and the DCT being utterly sublime. With the SMG Unless you are on track giving it 10 bells its just shocking, jerky, Old, lethargic, frustrating, unreliable and expensive when it goes wrong. The DCT though is just so good and so right and compliments the V8 engine perfectly. I have never had an auto give you a surge when it changes gear. Where the SMG for me was so wrong, slow, snappy, jerky and crud, this is so right. Lightening fast, brutal, throttle blips, fun and super smooth when you want it to be. The DCT is a very good box indeed.
Practical:
Who cares, but if you do, you can get 4 in both comfortably and some shopping. The V8 does come in a 4 door version if that’s your thing.
Costs:
Both are sh1te on fuel if used as an M, with the V8 being some what sh1tier! 18 mpg as a rule for the V8, and 22 mpg for the 46, some get more, some get less, but if you like your M, expect the aforementioned, but every car has an Achilles heel. The E46 is proving to be costly so and so the older it gets, it has more money worries than the V8, so don't think its a Honda now. The V8 though, Service is every 2 years, but I do mine yearly (old habits die hard) though it has 8 plugs and 9 liters of oil, so its not cheap from the off. No adjusting this / guides that, everything else is pretty much normal BM Tax. It is worth looking at inherent issues with both as neither is perfect, but the V8 has less flaws and will prove more reliable mainly because its newer, more refined and well built.
What goes wrong:
46 - well, Vanos, boot floor, head gasket, timing chains, rust, diffs, SMG pumps, Springs, exhaust flanges and cuddly toy, oh and did I mention Rust, this is getting to be the main major issue with these cars now !! The car I just bought the previous owner spent 6k in 2 years and then I had to spend, I'm not saying this is normal, just be warned, you can buy it one for 10k, but could end up costing you a hell of a lot more!!
V8 - Not a lot really. Actuators which are well documented, and some cases of rod bearings on high miler unloved cars, but you can do preventative maintenance on these items and I would do the bearings if they have not been done as at the price of around £1200, it’s a no brainer. Late cars can still be bought from BMW, so under warranty so you can just enjoy it.
What do others think.
In the “M community” there is a lot of love for the 46, my mate turned up in his E28 M5 and loves the underdog, he would in reality take the V8 of course, but if it was to keep forever, I'm not so sure. Others that see them as a sporty BMW’s just see the newer car for what it is, newer and more expensive, and the 46 as an old dated BMW. I have not had a single negative vibe from both. Those in the know give me the thumbs up, and people come over and want to talk about the car's (and the colour) they are cool car's, truth be told the V8 looks better in the metal, gets more looks and is more modern and up to date, it just looks the newer more classier plusher car.
Round up:
God its tough, I really like them both, my wife likes the V8 all day long, and between my mates its a hung parliament, I like driving them both, one is way better and more grown up and the other is more raw and edgy. If they where dogs the V8 would be a greyhound, graceful with great strides and quick once up and running, and the 46 would be a terrier, shot to bits with bags of character. But we need to mention the noise the V8 makes, its the greyhound that's had lots of BBQ beans with a Nascar dip, it sounds awesome, Its such an event and for me its so important, it's what separates current cars with the electric future.
So to sum up and what most will want to know "Which one"
The V8 is better in every single way make no mistake (I also think its better looking in the metal) each evolution is better so don't kid yourself, It would be the V8, its just a better car with less problems and with the 46 showing its age and rust being a problem, it just looks more modern. Its also “the jack of ALL trades master of none"
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