BMW E46 M3 vs E92 M3

20 Jun

Posted by Horatiu B. as BMW M3

About 2 months ago, I wrote an article where I posted some comparison pictures between the current E46 M3 style and the upcoming 2008 E92 M3. The design differences between the old M3 and the new one are obvious, with the E46 style having a more classic, conservativ look, while the new 2008 M3 sports a more adventures body style, modern and in the same type controversial. Like always, with a new body style change, people aren’t always excited about the changes, and we all tend to “hate” the car for a while, and then settle for it. I’m probably one of those people, I was in the same boat when the E90 came out and it replaced the most popular BMW ever, the E46 model.

You can see more picture in one of my previous articles: BMW M3 Photos

So, bottom line, I decided to repost those pics and make a poll, I’m curious to see what you think. Feel free to drop your comments as well.

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More pictures on the next page

26 Responses

BMW-135i.com

November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
1

http://www.rsportscars.com, here is another comparison between the most talked about cars today: the BMW 135i and BMW E92 Me. Following a trend, previously I have posted these comparisons BMW 135i vs BMW 335i and BMW E46 M3 vs BMW E92 M3 , I’m going to show you today a new photo comparison. Take a look at the pictures and the specifications comparison and answer this question: Do you think the new M3 will be worth $30k more than the BMW 135i?
E46 M3 vs E92 M3 - BimmerPost - BMW Forums

June 20th, 2007 at 9:17 am
2

[...] be a difficult choice. Irv has some pics on his blog with the cars side-by-side. Interesting http://edbmw.com/blog/2007/06/20/bmw-e46-m3-vs-e92-m3/ __________________ Chicago Real Estate website: Information & Tips Real Estate [...]
Frank Morris

June 20th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
3

E46 was a very nice size; E92 is longer. I prefer the dash layout of the E92. As far as the V8 goes, I could have lived without it but I know BMW needs to raise the bar with new models.
E46 M3 vs E92 M3 - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum

June 20th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
4

[...] guys think. I’m only comparing the design right now and not the the new engine or performance. http://edbmw.com/blog/2007/06/20/bmw-e46-m3-vs-e92-m3/ __________________ BMW European Delivery For latest news and articles: BMW BLOG Wall Street [...]
Javier

June 20th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
5

I love them both, traded a 2004 M3 for a 2007 335, and have mixed emotions, love the new car, nice interiors, better everyday ride, but do I miss my M3. If I could, i would buy it backand keep them both. I think i would love that V8.
e46 vs. e90 M3 page..which one do you like better? - The BMW M Lounge

June 21st, 2007 at 8:45 am
6

[...] thread views) Message: (Aesthetically) http://edbmw.com/blog/2007/06/20/bmw-e46-m3-vs-e92-m3/ e46 vs e90 M3 sammy-d Los Altos Hills, California 2006 325xi Sedan 6 speed manual 2007 328xi Coupe 6 speed [...]
Irv Robinson

June 21st, 2007 at 5:58 pm
7

Frank, I agree with you, E92 has a little more room, which is nice. About the V8, hmm I kinda like the power it comes with

Javier, honestly, I would’ve kept the M3 for now, and then decide if I wanna get the new one, but the 335 is a beautiful car also, so in the end, it wasn’t such a bad choice
Irv Robinson

June 25th, 2007 at 5:51 am
8

77 votes and no more comments? Let’s hear some opinions people
lloyd miller

August 17th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
9

I have an E46; in my view the E92 M3 is just the latest ugly duckling Chris Bangle bungle
E92 BMW M3 vs. E46 CSL M3

September 12th, 2007 at 4:46 am
10

[...] we go with another comparison. In a previous article, we were comparing the E92 BMW M3 and E46 M3 based on their body style. I have seen this trend on many forums where people have been posting [...]
E92 BMW M3 Comparison with E46 M3 and E92 335i

September 25th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
11

[...] the past, I have already made several comparisons, between the 2008 BMW M3 and the E46 M3 , but I was only focusing on the design part and the body style [...]
Rogue

October 15th, 2007 at 12:11 am
12

anybody heard anyting on performance difference? i know I6 vs. V8 and 333HP vs. 400HP, but i read the stats for 0- 60 are both 4.8 seconds. so where did all the power go? and if the accleration is the same then what’s the point?
Mica Kingsley

October 21st, 2007 at 2:36 pm
13

that’s why it will never wor. Mica Kingsley.
daniel

November 11th, 2007 at 4:49 am
14

hey theree i agree with Rogue, because its true they r both 4.8 secs 0-60 mp/h , and old M3 looks a lot better, new M3 looks the same as 335i except for dual exhausts on each side and few other things , BMW shoudnt have changed the old shape of the car but they screwed up, some people think M3 was 5,2 seconds 0-60 but it was under 5 for sure if driven correctly, stock GTR R 32 is 5.3 seconds 0-60 and my friend owns one, he raced a M3 once and i was with him in the car, and we lost by a full car length.
335i

December 11th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
15

The E92 M3 is significantly quicker then the E46. For one, Bmw claim 0-62mph (100km/h) for the E46 was 5.2 secs, compared to 4.8 secs for the new model… So don’t bother comparing Bmw figures for the E92 against figures Car and driver or other mags posted times (of 4.8 secs) for the old E46, because Car and Driver/ Road and track have already posted 4.2-4.3 secs and 12.7-12.8 1/4s for the E92.
Its around half a second quicker to 60, and 3/4 of a second quicker over the 1/4 mile. Whats really amazing is the new E92 will hit 150mph in 24.5 secs compared to 32 secs in the e46…. now you can see how much quicker the new model really is.

Its a pity the C63 runs 3.9 secs to 60 and 12.3 over the quarter, as well as covering the 0-150mph run in 22.5 secs!

now thats a giant killer

The real bargain however lies in the 335i, which stock is good for 4.8 secs and 13.3-13.5 over the 1/4mile, but when equipped with a procede V2 chip and exhaust, can run 4 seconds flat and 12.3 over the 1/4.
All for well under 50 grand!
Alfa75Evoluzione

December 27th, 2007 at 1:27 am
16

The E92 M simply does NOT look “M” enough…
Gary Bunn

January 16th, 2008 at 8:52 am
17

The E46 M3 will always be the best.
E46 best M ever

January 17th, 2008 at 10:50 am
18

E92 just has to be given some time it will adjust. Couple friends have M3 e46 def under 5 sec car. (4.7-5 sec)diffrent car drivers post diffrent results. SMG II will probably give u a 5.0-5.1 sec 0-60 compared to the 6Speed.
No need for the e92 just yet when the e46 are still being worn in.

Mercedes says im here

Bmw say i was there
Irv Robinson

January 27th, 2008 at 2:10 am
19

maybe, I still wanna drive the new M3 before I decide which one is best
Mike.R

February 19th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
20

I own a 03 m3 and I personally wouldnt mind seeing the v8 but I like the heritage the m3 was based off of. Which is a perfect all around car with some good power, great handles and decent weight. The e92 however looks like an amazing M but I hate to see the i6 evolve to a v8. Oh well my 1 cent. e46 m3 ftw!
Big Al

May 23rd, 2008 at 1:56 pm
21

I traded my 2007 335i coupe for an 08 E92 M3 about 3 weeks ago. Let me tell you, IMO it seems like night and day. Insanley more responsive in the M, and ridiculous power surge you feel at 8,300 RPM. I can’t speak for the E46 M3 which i’ve never driven but have much respect for, but this E92 is a monster and IMO worth every penny.
Big Al

May 23rd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
22

You also have to see the E92 M in person to really appreciate it’s beauty. I purchased mine in Space Grey Metallic with the stock 18″ (not the 19 in option) More meat on the tires and it actually matches the body color. The response i’ve had from the general public was the look of shock and awe, accompanied by many thumbs up, and near collision causing stares. Simply magnificant.
Tony

June 21st, 2008 at 4:33 pm
23

Hey every1,I love the E46 M3,because of many things.1 the steering is stiffer even at 120mph,it has more control i dare to say an RS4(V8) specially in the bends.i love the dial gages in the old M3 it looks gr8888,the new dial gage looks cut back(costs)it looks cheap.i love the cockpet in the E46 in the E92 looks as if its missing some vitamins. i love the front looks(specially in Gun Metal(Graphite).
the new 1 has its own unique look(resembls 335)to my opinion.but who can deny the performance difference….0-160mph in the E46 M3 in 42.something seconds but the 0-160mph’s in the E92 in 29.1 seconds.
If u compare an M5(v10) whith an M3 E92 is quite nice(M5 0-150mph in 23.4 & 0-150 in the M3 E92 in 24.3sec’s)…
but the story changes with the M6 0-150mph in 19.5 seconds(faster then a 5.0L Gallado by 2 seconds) n 160 in 23.2sec’s.
If i was going to buy a car with my own money i wld difinitly but the E46 M3 instead of 335i.but M3 or the M5 i would say M3(cause im young,keep the rest of the money for better use).But spending $100 plus i would say M6 cause it is quicker then Gallardo(5.0L),R8,F430(a big claim aint it).want to be sure plz check car and driver.gr8 web site for car performance reviews.

Sorry for any spellin mistakes.tc every1.
d_hero

June 30th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
24

I think e46 version looks better… but the new chasis is amazing - it is much quieter and much more lower end grunt… but worth the cost to upgrade? to gain .5-1.0 sec in 0-60?… probably not - I too like the I6’s heritage - I’m keeping my e46 for a long time. The E92 version comes in additional sedan versions which will make ownership less exclusive - look at history - IE e36 model M3s.
Peter Canston

July 29th, 2008 at 6:50 am
25

Very Nice :).
I saw a comparison between the Porshe 911 and the BMW M3 here: http://www.carchannel.be/nl/artikel/bmw/porsche-911-versus-bmw-m3 , really nice :).
Paul

July 31st, 2008 at 2:54 am
26

The new 3 series has an ugly linear dash. The passenger has no cockpit to sit in. Reminds me of a camry. The E46 is set up with 2 discrete spaces, one for the driver and one for the passenger. Much cleaner and more driver oriented.- Paul