BMW E46 M3 CS: The Golden Child. Shooting Brake's UK road review

If you wanted the fastest, lightest, sharpest E46 M3 for the road, you had to buy the GTR, with its motorsports purebred P60 V8. Except you couldn't, because BMW wouldn't sell you one. So instead, you could buy the CSL, which had a track focus and a pared back interior - unless, of course, you wanted a manual. BMW wouldn't sell you a manual CSL.
If you wanted the ultimate (and the last) traditional BMW M3, with 6 cylinders, three pedals and four seats, you had to buy the M3 CS. A late model M3 distilled with some of the CSL's highlight parts, the M3 CS has long been lauded as BMW's golden child - their best suited, most appropriately setup road car ever.
This 1 of 1, low mileage, low owner, Imola Red 6-speed manual E46 M3 coupe sold on Shooting Brake for £38,250. If you're looking to buy or sell your next pride & joy, Shooting Brake is the place for you. We tailor-make digital marketing campaigns for each car to ensure they reach their optimised audience, whilst 100+ professional photos, a comprehensive writeup and a stringent consignment vetting process ensure buyers can bid in confidence.
Enjoy the video and happy bidding. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out on more videos on cars that you love.

[@oktanskioktan9372]

I Always wanted M3. Sadly when I was 27 I had no money to buy and maintain M3. So I bought 330Ci'04 instead. Now, 8 years later I still got it. Thought many times to get rid of it, but it is Such a great car. And M3 now is still expensive and much older - I think BMW are for driving. I done almost 70k miles in 330Ci'04 and still ride it from time to time.

[@TonmoyGhosh]

Same story here mate. Had a zhp from age 24 to 31. I bought myself and e46 m3 as a 40th bday present last year

[@oktanskioktan9372]

@@TonmoyGhosh I'm 35 now, still got 330Ci, Wrangler, ZRX, Fiat500... Should I get M3 or M2 (prelift with N55) for 40? This is a not bad idea mate

[@angry.8]

Watching any M3 review never get old.

[@shootingbrake]

Great to hear as we love doing M3 content!

[@ghaleboncars]

Phenomenal car. M cars have become faster and larger since, and in many ways better, but the sense of flow you develop in a well sorted E46 M3 on real life roads is something to behold.

[@jf9601]

Well done for slowing down your pace of delivery, it makes a difference and now I can watch and enjoy.

[@shootingbrake]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@kingsleythomas5443]

I still found it a bit difficult tbh.

[@DjNikGnashers]

Thank you for the in-depth attention to detail, of the finer points that make this particular model such a fantastic car. These are just out of my price range now, for a second car, but my OG M2 seems to be the spiritual successor to it, and aside from it not being as rare, I do think it is a slightly better car in every way, and will eventually be a classic.

[@shootingbrake]

The F-series M cars certainly moved the game on, and have plenty of advantages over the E46, however as with all modern cars you do lose some tactility, feel and character which is what defines the E46 M3 experience. Agree the OG M2 will become a classic though!

[@interlagos.m3cs]

Stunning car that. Love mine and completely agree the CS upgrades further elevate the E46 M3 package. Very well executed video too, congrats to Ghaleb and the SB team.

[@shootingbrake]

Thank you! Interlagos is a great colour, one of the best they ever did.

[@DriversPulse]

This car is really pleasure to drive !

[@dinkyduffy4458]

Excellent review

[@geordierag]

Fantastic

[@manualmedicinebjornhermans3542]

TOP!

[@bekabeka71]

To me the E36 coupe is the best looking one bmw ever created along with E34 legendary Giorgi tevzadze died in ✝️🇬🇪🇬🇪

[@DjNikGnashers]

Yes I agree, the E36 was a better looking car, I had two of them (not M3's, just 328is), and thought they were perfectly styled.

[@2702simmo]

I know the e36 is popular but I’ve not heard many say it’s better looking than the e46 m3 which is just about the perfect looking car The E36 is the least desirable looking from my point of view efych is subjective I know

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@2702simmo The preference for which looks best, is simply an opinion, and I appreciate everyone has their own view my friend. I do hear more people say the E36 is the better looking shape, and this is not only echoed at car shows, but also in the motor trade where I worked for many years. The thing which does it for me, are the headlights, which are lovely clean boxy lines on the E36, and I am not a fan of the bubble light E46 look. I also think the E46 looks better on smaller wheels, and my E36 coupes always looked just perfect on 17" BBS, where the E46 looked over-wheeled to me personally. I guess I prefer the straighter lines, and boxy look of the E36. The E46 always looked just a little bit dumpty in comparison. I own an OG M2 which to me, is better looking than both 😇

[@mocheen4837]

I like the E36 but the E46 looks nicer with the bulging fenders.

[@bekabeka71]

@@mocheen4837 e36 screams classic 90s hence why it has the best driving experience than any other car

[@Alpeueli]

German SS Car.