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E46 m3 or stay with my classic

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Old 20 March 2016, 11:01 AM
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Townsend94
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Default E46 m3 or stay with my classic

The question I've been thinking about lately is do I sell all my parts and my version 2 classic and buy an e46 m3?

I've been collecting parts for a while now and I was going to do a new age Twinscroll engine conversion with it but now I keep looking at the e46 m3's?

Does anyone know how it would compare to my classic and if I should go for it?

It would be my daily driver and a track/weekend toy

I'm not worried about fuel costs more that what I've read is that it isn't that fast which is making me think twice
Old 20 March 2016, 11:15 AM
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south_scoob
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Surely only you can answer that classic is a small light all weather machine.

M3 is rwd a lot wider and 350kg heavier. If somthing goes wrong with it I suspect big bills to fix it as well.
Old 20 March 2016, 12:04 PM
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AdeT
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I really like them. I'll be selling my sti blob for one later in the year. Laguna seca blue, manual and subframe reinforcement are my must haves.
Old 20 March 2016, 12:06 PM
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imprezagaz
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Have had a few e46 m3s all smg. They are good but you soon get bored and will miss the Subaru feel
Old 20 March 2016, 04:09 PM
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jonnyboy82
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Ive got an itch for an m3 too.
Old 20 March 2016, 06:14 PM
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guinnessman2001
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I bought my E46 M3 three years ago after selling my Impreza.

As an all round package it's superb. Quiet inside, quick enough on the road and looks stunning from any angle.

Check rear subframe for cracks if it hasn't been reinforced and listen for any strange vanos noises.

I miss the burble but the M3 is a keeper.
Old 20 March 2016, 07:57 PM
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scooby k
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Originally Posted by guinnessman2001
I bought my E46 M3 three years ago after selling my Impreza.

As an all round package it's superb. Quiet inside, quick enough on the road and looks stunning from any angle.

Check rear subframe for cracks if it hasn't been reinforced and listen for any strange vanos noises.

I miss the burble but the M3 is a keeper.
Don't you think they sound a bit dull though, I always liked them imola red but they sound very tinny/ raspy for a gt car. I would go for a e92m3.
Old 20 March 2016, 07:59 PM
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Munk
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i had one for a time.. get in and drive,quality build quick enough, still prefered the subaru..
Old 20 March 2016, 08:13 PM
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I was very tempted by a E46 M3 myself and spoke to quite a few guys who have had Impreza's/Evo's and have made the change.

General opinion is that for a very nice, quick daily driver then go for the M3.
However, as a weekend toy it isn't quite as special or as much fun as an Impreza.

Service and repair costs can be a bit painful.

Still fancy one though.
Old 20 March 2016, 09:50 PM
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guinnessman2001
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Originally Posted by scooby k
Don't you think they sound a bit dull though, I always liked them imola red but they sound very tinny/ raspy for a gt car. I would go for a e92m3.
The rasp is part of the package, sounds like a chainsaw approaching the red line.

I honestly prefer the look of the E46 over the E92, although admittedly the newer car is superior in most areas.

Imola Red is one of the most desirable colours, but wasn't manufactured in great numbers so can be difficult to find.

Mine's Carbon Black, looks superb when in the sun, but a real pain to keep clean.
Old 21 March 2016, 09:54 AM
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Townsend94
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i think I may have to scratch this itch but also keep my classic for the summer.

From what I've read is the subframe reinforcement is a biggy to look for.
Old 21 March 2016, 11:34 AM
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imprezagaz
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Valve adjustment is sometimes missed on the due services as their manual adjustment. Also look for rear springs and exhaust clamp to the rear back box.
Old 21 March 2016, 11:44 AM
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banny sti
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M3 good all round car better daily proposition but does not excel at anything, Impreza one trick pony but it excels at that one trick especially with some decent handling and brake mods
Old 21 March 2016, 02:13 PM
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Tidgy
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i went from a 400bhp hawk wrx to an e46 M3 and tbh its dull.

Dont get me wrong, really nice car, comfortable, loved the smg box, pulls ok. But as said pretty boring by comparison and really only comes alive higher up the rev range.
Old 22 March 2016, 08:40 AM
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Townsend94
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Hopefully more towards winter time il be able to keep my scooby and get an m3 also

But even if I don't like the m3 after 6months or a year I should be able to sell if for roughly what I bought it for as they are steadily rising in value
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