Autocar: E30 M3 vs E46 M3 CSL vs M2 Competition - What is the best M Car of all time?

M-Pilot · 08-15-2019, 05:30 PM

Haven't watched the video yet but based on the title, it's an easy decision (at least for me)... In fact, it's my favorite against any other BMW.

M3 CSL

Neptune7 · 08-15-2019, 05:43 PM

My favorite BMW is the McLaren F1.

Jbravo33 · 08-15-2019, 05:45 PM

E46 M3 hands down. Biggest car regret of my life thus far was selling it. Pic is 18 years old. Still would have looked 🔥🔥🔥 today.

10" · 08-15-2019, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormchaser7

They left out the best M car ever made. The 1M

This.

E30 M3 a close 2nd.

CarJunkie · 08-15-2019, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormchaser7

They left out the best M car ever made. The 1M

+1
But I am biased.

Obioban · 08-15-2019, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormchaser7

They left out the best M car ever made. The 1M

They talked about it.

SEAT TIME RULES · 08-15-2019, 06:26 PM

It wasn't in the mix but a E36 M3 with the 321HP Euro motor is my favorite.

Drove a swapped in one and it was impressive compared to the US motor car.

The Euro motor was sweet!

Darth One · 08-15-2019, 06:27 PM

Cherry picked three cars and called the winner the "greatest of all time"

No Boost · 08-15-2019, 06:50 PM

Here's to hoping it's the M2 CSL

Obioban · 08-15-2019, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEAT TIME RULES

It wasn't in the mix but a E36 M3 with the 321HP Euro motor is my favorite.

Drove a swapped in one and it was impressive compared to the US motor car.

The Euro motor was sweet!

They talked about it.

MrOhnoez · 08-15-2019, 07:25 PM

If i had to say one, I'd say the Z3M coupe.
Tiny car, PLENTY of power.
Iconic design, good design history.
while not the coupe, but the Z3 has pop culture from being in James Bond.
Just my favorite M car ever made.

Luongo · 08-15-2019, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lennyf

E46 M3 CSL

(nuff said)

With that POS SMG transmission???
I have to disagree with you here.

GOLFFRR · 08-15-2019, 08:35 PM

those new m2 comps are pretty insane and fun to drive would be hard for me to not vote for them. but to each their own

IB M · 08-15-2019, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

those new m2 comps are pretty insane and fun to drive would be hard for me to not vote for them. but to each their own

Yes to each their own - there is no best M3 or BMW. All the cars listed here are best of the best overall but no way to objectively pick "the best".

marcva · 08-15-2019, 08:47 PM

G T R

TheBingoBalls · 08-15-2019, 09:01 PM

Of the 3, it's a no brainer that the E46 was the winner. If we were to include all the generations, I think it's safe to say that a lot of people would decide that the E9X was the better M car. It might not have that "classic status/image" surrounding it, but arguably, I think the E9X just does everything better than the E46.

DML · 08-15-2019, 09:15 PM

But only one of the three can be purchased new, in seven months I'll be giving that M2 Comp. some serious consideration.

Eau_Rouge111 · 08-15-2019, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsf721

I owned an E30 M3. Loved that car. I got it new in 1088. It was Alpine White with black leather interior.

Best part about being a young man in that car other than the having it was that it handled better than it was fast and that is what I credit for having sold it in mint condition and being alive today.

Drive that sucker 178k !

In 1088 huh? Haha...I get it typo...it happens

marcva · 08-15-2019, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eau_Rouge111

In 1088 huh? Haha...I get it typo...it happens

William the Conqueror's retirement gift.

Sedan_Clan · 08-15-2019, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jbravo33

E46 M3 hands down. Biggest car regret of my life thus far was selling it. Pic is 18 years old. Still would have looked 🔥🔥🔥 today.

I also had an'03 PY ///M3 with IR leather. Biggest regret was getting rid of my '05 IB ZCP ///M3 with Speed Cloth and OEM Carbon fiber CSL bits. For some reason Crevier BMW got their hands on CSL parts back then, and my buddy Vaheh worked there at the time. Hooked me up phat!

Commanderwiggin · 08-15-2019, 10:03 PM

Depends on the day honestly...love both my E46 M3 and my M2 Comp...and wish I had an E30 M3. Definitely the top 3 ///M cars imo.

Duck360198 · 08-15-2019, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eau_Rouge111

In 1088 huh? Haha...I get it typo...it happens

October 1988 maybe? Haha!

There's just something about the CSL. A truly purpose built car. I don't feel like BMW has done anything remotely close to the CSL since the release of that car. I mean to have a car where you could get it completely optionless....that's just pure awesomeness. I get it, SMG isn't everyone's cup of tea...but it was such a technological upgrade at that time. I personally love SMG.

Now it feels like M is just tossed around and thrown on anything and everything BMW can. Feels too watered down now.

08-15-2019, 05:30 PM	#23
M-Pilot Brigadier General 4892 Rep 3,673 Posts Drives: 981 Cayman GTS Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 [0.00] 2023 Toyota GR86 [0.00] 2016 Porsche Cayman ... [10.00]	Haven't watched the video yet but based on the title, it's an easy decision (at least for me)... In fact, it's my favorite against any other BMW. M3 CSL
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08-15-2019, 05:43 PM	#24
Neptune7 Major 1455 Rep 1,374 Posts Drives: M5 CS Join Date: May 2018 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	My favorite BMW is the McLaren F1.
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08-15-2019, 05:45 PM	#25
Jbravo33 Private First Class 186 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 2018 GT3 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	E46 M3 hands down. Biggest car regret of my life thus far was selling it. Pic is 18 years old. Still would have looked 🔥🔥🔥 today. Attached Images __________________ 2016 Austin Yellow Cabrio
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08-15-2019, 06:26 PM	#29
SEAT TIME RULES Major 1135 Rep 1,258 Posts Drives: 20 BMW M2C 17 Mazda MX-5 RF Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: "Get Busy Living, or Get busy Dying" iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M2C [6.67]	It wasn't in the mix but a E36 M3 with the 321HP Euro motor is my favorite. Drove a swapped in one and it was impressive compared to the US motor car. The Euro motor was sweet! __________________ 2005-2006 BMWCCA Boston Chapter president 2004 Mazda Rev It Up Finalist 2002-Present HPDE Instructor My 2020M2C Build: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1696726
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08-15-2019, 06:27 PM	#30
Darth One drunk poster 6610 Rep 3,649 Posts Drives: M4 GTS \| E46 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Cherry picked three cars and called the winner the "greatest of all time"
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08-15-2019, 06:50 PM	#31
No Boost enthusiasm > practicality 4043 Rep 2,245 Posts Drives: 987 CS \| G35x Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Chester County, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 987.1 Cayman S [10.00] 2008 Infiniti G35x ... [0.00]	Here's to hoping it's the M2 CSL __________________ FSI 3.8L Stg II\|6MT\|SOUL\|IPD+GT3 TB\|Numeric Racing\|KW\|Tarett\|Rennline\|Raceseng\|APEX\|Recaro\|7.3 lb/hp VQ35HR\|5AT\|Stillen\|FI\|UpRev tune 8k rpm\|TransGo\|Hotchkis\|Whiteline\|H&R\|Z1\|Corbeau\|R1 Concepts\|10 lb/hp Left lane campers, GTFO!
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08-15-2019, 07:25 PM	#33
MrOhnoez Captain 586 Rep 600 Posts Drives: '21 GLI, '79 beetle, '99 M3 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Southern region iTrader: (0)	If i had to say one, I'd say the Z3M coupe. Tiny car, PLENTY of power. Iconic design, good design history. while not the coupe, but the Z3 has pop culture from being in James Bond. Just my favorite M car ever made.
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08-15-2019, 08:35 PM	#35
GOLFFRR 11190 Rep 27,954 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	those new m2 comps are pretty insane and fun to drive would be hard for me to not vote for them. but to each their own __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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08-15-2019, 08:47 PM	#37
marcva Captain 378 Rep 647 Posts Drives: E36 M345 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Vienna, Virginia, USA iTrader: (0)	G T R
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08-15-2019, 09:01 PM	#38
TheBingoBalls Brigadier General 4293 Rep 4,853 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 F36 BMW 440i x ... [0.00]	Of the 3, it's a no brainer that the E46 was the winner. If we were to include all the generations, I think it's safe to say that a lot of people would decide that the E9X was the better M car. It might not have that "classic status/image" surrounding it, but arguably, I think the E9X just does everything better than the E46.
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08-15-2019, 09:15 PM	#39
DML Colonel 972 Rep 2,017 Posts Drives: 2020 Heritage Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Darien CT. iTrader: (0)	But only one of the three can be purchased new, in seven months I'll be giving that M2 Comp. some serious consideration.
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08-15-2019, 10:03 PM	#43
Commanderwiggin Major 2210 Rep 1,274 Posts Drives: M2C - X3M - Turbo E46 M3 - 45E Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: SOCAL iTrader: (2)	Depends on the day honestly...love both my E46 M3 and my M2 Comp...and wish I had an E30 M3. Definitely the top 3 ///M cars imo. __________________ 575RWHP F87 M2C 875AWHP F97 X3M 1000+RWHP Turbo E46 M3 ALL TUNED BY BEND CALIBRATION
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