So, I have been tossing this idea around for years now. And with a baby inbound in 3 months, I'm seriously starting to consider it. Not that I have to ditch the S, but I'd love to have a fun car to throw the little guy in. The dream would be to pick up a used e92 M. Used 08s seem like they can be had for around $45k. But, picking up an e46 would leave me with much more extra(play) money in the end. I know the e9x is a huge upgrade to the 46, and I'm sure it would be difficult to find a MINT e46M.

Any thoughts from the guys out there that have done this move? Should I skip the 46 and splurge on the 90? Or, do some good searching to find the perfect e46 M3? I love both cars, but I know that I wouldn't be completely blown away by going with an e46. I could only imagine how amazing the e9x Ms are.

 

There should definitely be a multitude of good condition, always garaged, weekend driven E46Ms. They're both solid choices and there is a lot of knowledge out there about them as well.

 

Having driven an '08 335i coupe...it was PLENTY fast and still had the refinement of a newer Bimmer.
That option might lower the cost of your outlay without sacrificing too much (other than the cache of driving an M-badged car, which I get).

Don't mean to muddy the waters, but I'd prefer an e92 335 over an e46 M3 any day.

Again, I realize that doesn't answer your question, so I will spend your money and tell you to get the e90 M3 if you can afford it.

 

yummy V8 goodness is what I'd go for. The i6 is nice in the M3, but the rumble of a V8 cannot be beat. If you're going to upsize, do it the right way, in my opinion.

 

E46 > E92. I'm super biased. The E46 design is so timeless.

Just get a 6 speed and get your rear subframe reinforced.

 

+1

 

E90 M3 sedan is so much more appealing to me than either the E92 coupe or the E46 coupe, I just love it... I also read somewhere that the sedan actually has better balance than the coupe, anybody heard this? Other than that I like the E46 Comp package cars, almost got one with the rare M cloth interior over the S.

 

I think it's because it doesn't have the large door the e92 has. It makes the chassis more rigid.

 

Agreed, you'll def. appreciate 4 doors for getting a baby in and out of the car seat. Sedan is considered the (slightly) better handling version as well, b/c the B pillar stiffens the chassis, and the shorter trunk provides better mass centralization. I love mine, it's a fantastic car w/ no real shortcomings aside from a voracious thirst for fuel.

E46 M3's are nice, but they don't have as good a reliability records and require more/more expensive maintenance (for instance, valve adjustments are required on the E46M, but not on the E9X M).

 

Great posts, guys. Thanks!