BMW M3 E46 | Is this peak M3? | Future Classics with Becky Evans S1 E3

The BMW M3's story, which began with the E30 homologation special, may well have reached its peak with 2000's E46 model. Powered by a 343PS (252kW) S54 inline-six engine that rasped all the way up to its red line, this manual legend came in both coupe and convertible form and was blessed with more muscular looks than its predecessors.
Eventually followed by a more hardcore CSL model, the base E46 M3 might just be the purists choice for the best M3 ever created, and certainly tops many lists of BMW M divisions greatest hits of the 21st century so far.
Welcome to Future Classics where Becky Evans takes a closer look at the modern cars set to be the stars of the classic car scene.
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#FutureClassics #BeckyEvans #BMWE46M3 #M3 #E46M3
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[@GoodwoodRR]

Is it now the purist's choice?

[@paulelverstone8677]

Purists? not in my book but wouldn't be surprised if some of the smart money went the way of the E46. That is a lot of car there...

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

Yes no doubt

[@rabmc]

Glad to hear it, I’ve owned a silver grey manual coupe for 6yrs, she’s really clean and only does 2k a year these days. Over the last 2yrs or so I’ve never got more comments and looks and conversation about the car, it’s really getting in to that classic bracket.

[@mocheen4837]

I have owned my manual e46 M3 for 18 years. I am approaching 80,000 miles now. It is always garaged and has never seen the rain. I have the full Dinan suspension package, exhaust, intake and software upgrade. The car sits on 19” HRE wheels. I just had the paint correction and ceramic coating completed. I had the front end wrapped with paint protection film. Prices are starting to increase on these now. I am going to hand it down to my son.

[@elfujitivo10ben66]

I still have my E46 since 12/24/2003 still enjoying it every time I drive it

[@chrisg4rr377]

The engine block is actually cast iron, not aluminium. Its really strong and handles boost

[@howarddavies136]

It's just a shame about the rest of the engine! 🤣

[@mondojoe5564]

I thought it was aluminium too being honest... They are not the strongest of engines, I do know that..

[@jonashedman131]

@@mondojoe5564 the 4mm cylinder walls doesent help :) i wouldnt call them weak tho. The can handle some boost, but maybe not in the 1000hp range

[@declanmceleney7429]

They don't handle boost all that well, not compared to other similar size 6 cylinders, the cylinder bore gap is tiny so the head gasket blows between the cylinders, cylinders walls are very think 4mm compared to a 2jz which are 10/12mm

[@mrpanda2432]

@@mondojoe5564 they don’t like over heating. I think the top is aluminium and bottom iron.

[@GalacticGazetteHQ]

ive had one for 7 years bought it for 7k! now worth 20 odd whoop whoop

[@MSchumacherfan]

I have a 2003 M3 with 65k miles, nothing like a high revving naturally aspirated engines!

[@ExoticCarList]

Nice M3! The values have really gone up in the last year...

[@jonboyy1327]

The perfect due, Becky & M3 ☺️

[@eamoonmurphy4814]

Class we love your vidoes 😊🥰😇😇

[@ricardolivi9158]

Belo carro. Bela garota.

[@jamesh2515]

Very nicely done.. hopefully more reviews like this .. B7RS4 / E93M3 / 348 etc.. Thanks.

[@jeffreyroberts7438]

The best of all the m cars!!!

[@andrewlucas6214]

Great review… no bad M3 really but, this one is a purists choice before all the over intrusive electronics.

[@papa_pt]

What electronics does the e92 have that this doesn't?

[@noelmannion4433]

Almost the purists choice I’d guess. Make it the coupe version and a few upgrades and that’d be the one for me 😃

[@BlackCeII]

@@papa_pt how about the recorded engine noise in the cabin?

[@papa_pt]

@@BlackCeII fake sound started with the F series cars

[@abuhussain2534]

@@papa_pt yup

[@johnmgriffin3060]

Great video! I have an '01 six speed convertible M3. (Note: The S54 block is iron; head is alloy. Extremely durable design if cared for; mine has 182K miles and drives like new, though a bit squeaky with the top up)

[@marccusumano1138]

Hi friend, use dry lube in the window pockets of the convertible top to stop the squeaking…took me over a year to figure that out

[@basher1285]

These are going for crazy money right now!

[@mrpanda2432]

Lovely car❤ Weak rear sub frame chassis were an issue so look out for that if you are buying.

[@MEMcAndrews]

Great review, but please don’t dis the SMG. It’s spectacular. Yes… I’ve lost NOT ONE, but TWO electro hydraulic actuator pumps… but it’s only the motor. So I’ve relocated mine to the (2004 vert) drug well, where I can easily remove and rewind the motor every 65k miles.

[@twarken5078]

The engine block is cast iron, aside from that, nice review 😊

[@jorisvh3502]

i drove the new M4 at Zandvoort this year and got a head-age whit-in a minute just looking at the large amount of buttons. So i never would consider buying one. Enjoying an BMW M is about pure driving, clean steering, confident breaking, the screaming sound (not the 2022 disorder burble!), accelerating and rear wheel drive (or 4x4). Having the most gadgets is for people that like to exaggerate. Today there is a market for a brand new purist BMW M. And please let it be narrow like the E46.

[@LS3_Capri]

Great vid! I’ve got a White VXR8 which I think is a future classic, if you ever want to do a video on that?

[@swnsng]

still miss my 2002 e46 M3.

[@happychappers8311]

I'd love to see a review on the e36 m3

[@Northwindbreeze]

But then the company hires consultants and change an incredible car into history, by producing the next generation of disappointments.

[@jameseastwood4984]

A lot of it is legislation though tbh.

[@noelmannion4433]

Very well prepared script, high production values and (of course) great presenter.

[@chrisg4rr377]

Not a great script. Some "facts" were wrong

[@CameraJosh]

Please do an e92/e90 as well!

[@dmc3489]

I highly recommend one if you have the means and opportunity

[@OEMplusRESTO]

I feel the e36 m3 evo is a bit overlooked compared to this. Much more rare. Subjectively better sounding(less raspy) Great car though, the e46 m3. And with the possibility to add a carbon intake factory style(csl) that make it sound even more glorious. Prices are incredibly steep on these where i live

[@Leeholtom2911]

I had a 98 E36 M3 Evo before my E46 M3 and the E46 is better in every single way, makes the Evo looks boring and feel slow in comparison there is a huge gap in every way!!

[@alexclark6777]

Maisie Williams reviews cars now?

[@lilterrio105]

My dream car:🤩🤩 The car I can afford: 2006 325ci 🙂🙂 P.s “she’s very pretty to me!”

[@IPv6people]

Nice video. And why is the lady looking besides the camera?

[@yn_9291]

Next on the list: BMW Z4M Coupé, same engine, better looks, more exclusivity (less than 5.000 made worldwide)

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

Ugly front end

[@RobbieKhan]

Cast iron block, not alloy!

[@paulelverstone8677]

You cannot deny the E46 M3 its credentials, in a time where 'the ultimate driving machine' still held some sway, but the styling to me bordered on the vulgar. It also helped the rise of the 'BMW driver' and all the connotations that came with that. While Audi and Merc hadn't quite managed the same trick, they took alternative routes to carve their own niche. Stuttgart went with walloping V8's while Audi began a clean, crisp styling trend that still impresses today. All imo, of course...

[@86BBUB]

Funny - I can't go out in my 2006 without being asked if I'd like to sell it. Guess people like "vulgar".

[@ninezerofive]

What's with the camera work ? Why are the people talking past us to somebody in the bushes ?

[@rolandscull]

Surely they could have found a better example!?! It's a right state. And a convertible? Really? Nice review though, Beck is great.

[@mrchilli8901]

mk5 r32 or the e46 m3?

[@Lamar96]

You lot could’ve found a better example, the condition is horrible, just look at the exhaust tips.

[@Aeneas137]

Your only option in the early 2000s? come on! there's the Boxster s, the Z3 and M, Even the early Z4.

[@reruedamotor7514]

Great video guys!!! But my favourite BMW M3 is the E92. THAT´S A SPORTSCAR!

[@BlackCeII]

Nope. Car and driver and roadandtrack and even Top Gear say the e46 M3 might be the most perfect sports car ever made.

[@RafaWnuk]

I just feel magnificent , when such girl ,.. actualy Lady , talking about , any bmw . And M3 ? :)

[@zariisofficial]

Im looking to buy an E46, such a classic design, i think modern Bm's look awful

[@AAlx77]

The last nice BMW...

[@dukeallen432]

Post 1987 BMW’s designed to disintegrate. Plastics, wire harnesses, interiors. Disposable. EV’s will be no different. Bad for environment.

[@papa_pt]

Worst thing about modern BMWs are the goddamn gaskets.. probably could have spent a $1 extra for better quality plastics. If you don't run them daily/weekly they dry and rot out very quickly

[@pawegrzybek8651]

🇵🇱🏎️👍👏e46330ci cabrio,

[@SimonBeere]

This cars hanging

[@eleycki]

Peak was obviously a tin top, not the nasty convertible.

[@BlackCeII]

Wrong

[@eleycki]

@@BlackCeII 🤣 er no. Have you driven them?

[@FakingANerve]

@@eleycki Driven both, loved both. Typically I'd prefer the rigidity of the tin top, as you say, but these days I'm a little partial to the rag top. Then again, my daily is a 5spd 330Ci convertible in the same blue-on-silver color combo seen here, and I'd wager there's no better anti-depressant than a top down drive on a nice day.

[@eleycki]

@@FakingANerve ha, that is funny as I had an e46 m3 hard top, and before that a 330i drophead. Both superb in completely different ways!

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

Peak was carbon top csl

[@C.I...]

The car that answers the question: What if BMW made a convertible out of an actual house brick?

[@moss786]

Spoken like someone who couldn't ever afford one lol

[@C.I...]

@@moss786 Ridiculous. I can definitely afford a brick.

[@KRBY555]

could have washed it!

[@alexander1485]

Sports coupe or convertible, sports cars have only 2 seats.

[@BlackCeII]

2 doors, yes. Not only 2 seats

[@marccusumano1138]

911 has four seats, are you saying g a 911 isn’t a sports car? 🤣

[@BlackCeII]

@@marccusumano1138 yes. Sports coupe or whatever

[@rodneypratt4324]

You know what you're hilarious to me that that's a German car but it's made for midgets. I'm a normal Texan guy 5-11 200 lb. Felt very cramped in there and it felt slow

[@BlackCeII]

You couldn't be more wrong. I'm six foot four and mine has more than enough room. And it's not slow. Are you sure you're talking about the correct car?

[@FakingANerve]

I'm 6'3 and don't seem to have a problem. 🤷‍♂️ Were you in the backseat? It's not exactly roomy back there.

[@cyberorkid]

I'm a 6-3 German and the car fits me like a custom tailored glove...

[@firdausHITMAN]

why test a flipping convertible? its not an M3.

[@kayfelix5054]

Why all the womens wave with their hands while talking nowadays? The first job was a "follow me" guide at the airport?

[@fritzbrause6332]

OMG, can't you find a more credible presenter?

[@Bowhuntingskills]

Will your mum be bringing your tea in soon incel?

[@Birmingham_racing]

You clearly don't know who she is

[@noelmannion4433]

Nobody forced you to watch her review and, in any case, Becky is an enthusiast and proper petrolhead by any definition. She’s now well up to or perhaps beyond the standard set by Vicky Butler Henderson, Amanda Stretton and many other female presenters who also happen to be much better than most of their male counterparts.

[@ARDEN440i]

Isn't she an ex racing driver or something?

[@fat_biker]

@@ARDEN440i Ex drag racer, current occasional competitive drifter, full time petrol head, M3 owner, Classic Porsche owner, TV presenter...

[@moss786]

State of that gear stick and the dirty rust stained exhaust tips are really getting to me