BMW M3 E46 | REVIEW on AUTOBAHN [NO SPEED LIMIT] by AutoTopNL

[@antomustaine]

Definitely one of the best Bmw ever made. Timeless design, n/a, unique sound, one of my dreams cars for sure.

[@simonbttger5630]

Would day the e90 is Way more timeless e46 has looked Old for years now

[@KingDaavid]

Same man. Fell in love with the e46 because of NFSMW. Personally a car I'm gonna own one day.

[@joe125ful]

Well i want CSL or expensive GTR for sure:)

[@zumzumman5135]

@@simonbttger5630 e46 looks way better than e90

[@simonbttger5630]

@@zumzumman5135 lol the e46 looks boring amd dated, the e90 stil looks Young and agressiv specially the e92

[@NOTORIOUS_CODM]

I hate when they say it’s abit outdated , this is classic it has its own beauty

[@ayugoslav5554]

Most people buy the latest cars on bankloans or on leasings with the base 110hp 3 cylinder hybrid engine and pimped out exterior just to look cool in social settings. Exactly the same type of people who get the vaxx for their all inclusive 1 week Bali vacation or for their favorite restaurant serving frozen pizza. Pretty brutal for these dorks when I pull up with a Rolex worth twice as much their financed BMW

[@nomiss6674]

@@ayugoslav5554 Did you just hate on people that flex with nice looking car, and then end your "hate" with you having a nice Rolex as flex? 🤣👌

[@ayugoslav5554]

@@nomiss6674 They can't flex it if they don't own it and I'm not hating on nobody I'm waayy too high up for that

[@blest5132]

@@ayugoslav5554 but not high enough to come down and squabble with us peasants here in the peanut gallery huh?

[@ayugoslav5554]

@@blest5132 🤫

[@zakzwijn8410]

The right mods and the right upgrades in the right places. And no tacky pops and bangs. Not a single one. I love it.

[@XalwaysaloneX]

Do you know that this engine pops and bangs when OEM right? I have a 2006 Z4M with the same engine and It does do It. With RPI tailpipes they're just enhanced

[@Dranzell]

@@XalwaysaloneX It can be the same engine, but tuned differently.

[@XalwaysaloneX]

@@Dranzell I honestly don't think so. Pops and bangs are just in this engine's DNA

[@zakzwijn8410]

@@XalwaysaloneX I had no idea. So with the OEM upgrade they occur 'naturally' in moderation instead of the artificial over-the-top trends we see nowadays? I'm not completely against it but on some cars with 'just' a few hundred hp it's completely ridiculous. Perhaps I'm just getting old.

[@papa_pt]

@@XalwaysaloneX having some overrun in the exhaust is different from changing the tune and turning your car into a popcorn machine. A lot of performance cars have a bit of overrun regardless of tune

[@MrCarGuy]

The dead spot in the steering is most definitely due to worn linkages from the high km.

[@chuuves-5413]

I read this as worm linkages. Like 🐛🐛🐛

[@joe125ful]

Maybe...

[@JerainJezza]

My bet is mostly a bad alignment. You would be surprised what that does after buying a second hand car.

[@RamonLinssen]

I own an E46, and it has zero play in the steering wheel, as should be with BMW's. This has definitely worn a LOT.

[@RamonLinssen]

@@JerainJezza Bad alignment will not result in dead spots in the steering. Worn bushings, couplings/linkages will.

[@gregk3088]

well Max, im almost certain you are the only man on the planet who hasnt always thought that the E46 M3 is by far the sharpest looking M3 ever built

[@DizzyMan24]

I'll agree with Max. Not the best - the E92 takes that honor IMO.

[@Jb001jb]

Inline six has been BMW’s bread and butter for decades. I had one like this now nearly 15 years ago as my first M car at 26. Worked hard to buy that car. There is no other car i’d like to own again like an E46 M3. I want one really bad.

[@domtoretto3280]

Nope. I agree with him Its always been ugly. Too rounded and ricey

[@spoonageDC2]

You've lost the plot mate

[@emieldeweger6459]

@ballsworker97 Everybody knows that the build quality of BMW has changed a lot after the E46 era. Everything had to become more lightweight. This means the e92 is not as well built as this E46 was. Also the V8 is not what BMW is known for, its the I6. The E46 is the last true M3.

[@PuReGhOsTT]

I will own one of these someday. Literally a masterpiece.

[@gillbates5707]

Getting mine tomorrow at 25 years old. Never stop dreaming !

[@andresduques2013]

​@@gillbates5707 how's it working? You gotta let us know how it feels to drive it lol

[@gillbates5707]

@@andresduques2013 super good! Expensive to run but good things don’t come cheap ahah.

[@timbob1145]

​@@gillbates5707glad you got there dude, one day I hope I can join you in the e46 m3 owners club. Would have to be a second car for me tho, so I'm settling for an f31 335d at the mo... amazing car, but I know your e46 will be so much more fun to drive.

[@ElChanty46]

​@@gillbates5707Congrats brother, you have the ultimate driving machine🫡

[@tomassansu3575]

The fact that a naturally aspirated engine from 20 years ago produces over 100 hp/l and lasts so long amazes me

[@t1n638]

But fuel consumption

[@tomassansu3575]

@@t1n638 i dont think you should expect a good fuel consumption from an m3

[@GoldenCroc]

@@t1n638 Fuel comsumption has very little to do with hp/l max power of an engine.

[@oraclearl_fx]

@@t1n638 its actually frugal on the highway, i should know i own a 2004 plate

[@domtoretto3280]

Not that amazing

[@d.4063]

The steering feel is this particular car. My manual E46 M3 felt razor sharp. Also, a CSL carbon intake changes the intake sound to a wonderful rumbling one. Having owned several BMW M's I would say the E46 M3 manual is the purest driver's car. Sharp feel. Nice sound. And you can really beat on it without going too fast. Like go-karting on the streets. Great car!

[@ESKATEUK]

100%. That soft steering is not normal and definitely been done due to some of the mods they’ve put in place.

[@uguroncel6995]

My childhood dream car, one day i will hopefully own one of them before they extinct. Great video, thanks.

[@rushdarkwind5692]

Childhood dream çocukluk hayali demek değil mi

[@lanzaralorenzo]

I used to ride in one like this when I was 16. It was really a dream. In my late twenties these cars were cheap. Like 20k euro or less cheap. Now I'm older and with a job and they are from 30 to 45k euro. I hate my life.

[@lucagiovannelli1207]

30k could be a good deal!

[@mrvjekii]

In Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia you can find these for 15k and less!

[@DrKesa-vk2gx]

@@mrvjekii da ali u kakvom stanju

[@64siskat96]

@@mrvjekii with fake mileage 😂

[@mrvjekii]

@@64siskat96 A jbg hahaha

[@thevirgintraveller]

That's a modern timeless classic right there!

[@russelllsy]

Omg the S54 engine sound is priceless!

[@suwooshi]

the raspy sound is absolutely beautiful

[@marcushaw4851]

I was lucky enough to drive these a number of times for work back in the day. I can honestly say it is the only BMW I have ever wanted to own.

[@muhendisbibey]

7:04 You got me for a split second, LOL.

[@luismendes1011]

This is an era when BMW used to make pretty cars , i owned an e46 320d for 21 years ,zero problems, sadly I sold it 4 months ago to buy an x5 e70.

[@Reactz]

Would love to see an E39 M5 on the channel, love this generation of bmws! ♥️

[@Str8representing]

I like its design, especially interior more than most of todays cars. Definitely not outdated

[@dominolehmann8227]

The real m3 :) with great subtle mods. Well done

[@fisticdragon6272]

Drove this car ...i must say one of the best driving experiences ever

[@rufust.flywheel6060]

When the sound of the engine was real and not fake like nowadays... What can I say? I love BMW... always.

[@user-pl7lr5dn8q]

how cma u say u love blw when u love engine noises. Bmw is a joke of what it once was

[@Vito_Caligiuri]

@@user-pl7lr5dn8q I’d also question how he can say he’ll “always” love BMW..their design choices as of recent have turned me away for the most part. The 5 is the only current model I like. Them trashing their signature angel eye headlights still pisses me off, but other than, it looks great…for now. Also, their V8’s are so farty

[@Str8representing]

@@Vito_Caligiuri BMW designs getting more & more chinese :/

[@flush_entity]

My buddy's brother had one and once i took it for a drive, i've wanted one since. Probably my favorite sedan of all time. Looking at it now, its gorgeous, classy in it's own right.

[@Mr330d]

Sedan?

[@sobhangavili2447]

I have many memories in the need for speed most wanted with this car 💥💯

[@KingDaavid]

Facts

[@eightyone8071]

The nfs Car is a M3 GTR.

[@oraclearl_fx]

Defintely the best looking M3 for sure

[@fabio_7778]

Τhis e46 m3 together e92 8v it's amazing cars.. Atmosphere power with super engines ✌✌👌

[@joe125ful]

Yes i really like M3 with 4.0L V8! So great sound!

[@zafer7368]

My dream build is the e92 V8 engine in the E46 love the E46 shape and love the V8 engine

[@henrickhansel]

We appreciate it more today because it has a simple and elegant design unlike the newer models. Me too did find it particularly beautiful back in the day, I Always thought the e92 was better looking but I don't know because the e92 was my first car so it will always have a special place in my heart.

[@fordgrunt351]

Yep lovely. I just purchased an E46 M3 in silver with CSL style wheels looks fantastic 👍🏻

[@MforLife]

Great Video! 👍 E46 M3 will always be a legend! Still, I'm a little disappointed that so few people voted for the E90 M3! 😉

[@oh_loww]

I love that steering design more than whatever they got now

[@jjohnstone5981]

Just picked up one of these. Definitely a special car.

[@tumim8271]

This car is perfect last year I got one and traded in my late 2019 M3 which cost me a lot to maintain. I got this car cheap and saved a lot of money, redone everything and still left with the change to take road trip. Yes it’s not as quick as new cars but one thing I don’t know you not gonna be racing most of the time. Just drove 14hrs in a day & I could keep up with new models.This year with things being expensive I’m glad I traded my new bima for this old horse. My pockets ain’t hurting. I hate electric cars and all assistance features. when I buy a car I wanna drive it and i wanna feel the noise and gears that’s sporty for me. New cars are sissy built. I was baptised in 98 Toyota Corolla with no power steering and I’m glad that’s the 1st car I knew how to drive.

[@Peter-it2gt]

@AutotopNL about the steering @ 9:40 you have to replace the "flexible steering coupler" after this it will steer sharp. Part number 32 30 1 094 703

[@maurobeadelouzai1888]

The best BMW M3 ever made , 3.2 6 cilinders in line , natural aspirated , 343 CV !!!!

[@coyotehd816]

Such a classic car with an amazing sound!!! Still has plenty of N/A punch 8k redline and gorgeous looks😍

[@jameslifts2196]

Damn that sounds terrific. My future car possibly

[@lucaslindsey2386]

Jesus isngiving all things to His followers in eternity. God has already given us His Son.

[@Lumiere_]

Such a beautiful sound from an I6

[@KRAEMERP2010]

For me the BMW inline 6 sound, is the best car sound ever..

[@georgechristodoulou919]

Oh boy , I've been waiting for this review for so long! Thank you AutotopNL!

[@_kunkle]

the sound of the csl intake is a MUST. The extra 20-30whp is also a plus😎

[@AvidUTuber]

9:10 this is very uncharacteristic of an e46 M3 wearing pilot sports. Control-arm bushings might need to be replaced, or there's some play between the steering column and power steering rack

[@Nathan93Baker]

E46 is definitely the best looking M3. Also M3's age like a fine wine because you see less of the old models on the road as the fuckboys move onto the next one. Making them desirable.

[@phanaticmarcoz8400]

Well the "fuckboys" dump the semi new models because BMW parts and maintenance are quite expensive

[@thestoicwhinger]

I'm no BMW fan but I've always loved the E46 coupe shape. Its proportions, overhangs, size.. perfect

[@Tarpe_Diem]

This Car looks so good both inside and out

[@PatjeNRG]

Def the most beautiful M3 that has been made. E46 are still nice cars

[@obakengmodikoe3772]

E46 is unbeaten, exterior and interior especially the coupes 👌

[@PrinceYanelbg]

A quick car with a good driver. Great review, keep it up!

[@suwooshi]

Man this one is in an insanely good condition. It’s not cheap to keep those things running. Spent more than 5k on my 330i alone in the past few years. What you said about the steering is a bit strange to me, it should be much more direct.

[@jetstream454]

Probably good that it's worn so Max's jittery steering doesn't throw the car everywhere 💁‍♂️

[@makosasimakis118]

20 years after ... still PEAK M3 ...

[@g.w.7893]

The proportions are perfect. BMW really nailed it with the E46. Shame modern cars have mostly gotten to be massive. This M3 is timeless and brilliant.

[@jasonjoaquin295]

E46 best of the 3 series

[@omnihein9322]

I love that engine. Best natural (not tuned like the LFA or fake) production engine sound.

[@MrCarGuy]

Not tuned? Come on. The noise has been tuned for the optimal sound level and note for decades in performance cars

[@omnihein9322]

@@MrCarGuy no I mean like the LFA was literally musically tuned by Yamaha. I know engines are tuned for optimal performance, the sound is important but it's not the main attraction(at the time) like the LFA.

[@gavinr9107]

The LFA is arguably the best sounding production car ever made.

[@thezig2078]

@@gavinr9107 Nah, it's just loud, that's all

[@Jens_Roadster]

@@thezig2078 and beautiful.

[@Mo_Zinho]

That 3rd gear pull 🔥🔥🔥

[@jdm6364]

I disagree with "always go for the manual" If you haven't owned an SMGII and done serious mileage with it that statement is simply not true. An SMGII with the CSL software on it is simply a bliss on track, shifting quicker than you can manually, always perfect downshifts as if you heel & toe. Combine it with the Carbon Airbox & you'll have a hard time finding a car that gives you a similar goosebump experience. Yes it can get a bit bumpy around town and you should never ever drive it in automatic mode but always manually shift using the paddles or the lever.

[@MEMcAndrews]

SPOT ON! Have you considered relocating the hydraulic unit? I did so, and now I can swap out the pump motor in less than 30 minutes the next time it fails (it’s not the pump that fails. The motor brushes eat through the commutator).

[@marci3115]

By far the best BMW ever.

[@yes8032]

The best bmw literally ever

[@joe125ful]

And you need watch CSL/GTR and 4.0l V8:)

[@64siskat96]

i own a 318i e46 but if i had to choose a m3 id prefer the e92 tbh

[@RespectFor3RunFamily]

I have e46 320d and i love it,i can imagine having this 💖💖💖

[@BlacktulipSF]

my dream. (owner e46 330i touring in perfect state)

[@uz1144]

Best m3 drive- best looking m3. Love it

[@SH-sc9or]

The car's steering linkage needs some maintenance, because in mine steering is excellent. And I do prefer the SMG over manual.

[@alecxpro2071]

Awesome. Now find the E39 M5 and show the kids how nice family saloons were back in the day.

[@suprimemiray6285]

This car is the father of all cars. Its the legend. I hope he takes good care of the S54 and the car overall

[@juangaviria5723]

Thanks for the video. I respectfully disagree on the seats. While they certainly don't hold you in place for twisties and spirited driving, they are much more comfortable than those of my F80 for more than an hour drive.

[@Schwurbel.deluxe]

E46 coupe is still the most beautiful. Loving it and missing mine.

[@h.f1093]

20 years old still the most badass looking. im not a bmw guy AT ALL but i love this model. it looks so good edit: 9:15 thats called a "Rollstop". Where i come from this costs up to 250 Euros. always go to a full stop, your wallet will thank you

[@zodiac909]

NOTHING PISSES ME OFF MORE THAN SOMEONE STOPPING THIS MAN FROM REACHING TOP SPEED ON THE AUTOBAHN!!!!!

[@RitaSonowal-x8b]

Whenever I see this car, it just reminds me of old days playing NFS most wanted 😢

[@nightmere33]

i start loving this car after i played need for speed most wanted since 2005

[@akramkssiri2642]

The best bmw engine ever made, and the most reliable , and and and ... the most entertainning

[@flick4556]

Dream car right here 😍

[@hyperthunk]

I drive a 2002 330ci and I absolutely love it. Mileage is getting a bit high so might need to search for a replacement, which will be another 330ci or an E46 M3. My favourite looking beemer ever.

[@hyperthunk]

@अनिश् disagree but I do love that model too, if I ever see one with relatively low mileage I might pick it up. All petrol cars will probably be collectors items soon enough the way they're pushing electric now.

[@FishFind3000]

9:15 your steering is all worn out. I drove a e46 m3 and it only had 64K miles and the steering was nice and tight. It turned amazing and had no dead space.

[@col3760]

I'm gonna have one some day. This is my favorite sound in the world

[@Robert-ru1hq]

Yes I need this

[@petertimowreef9085]

Isn't it a funny coincidence that all the best cars ever made came out when I was a young boy? Very curious.

[@sandrodeclercq5387]

I have a e46 convertible from 2002 full option and those seats are HEAVEN okay the are not racing seats but damn i love em

[@r3sta]

beautiful one of my dream cars

[@davidlarkey690]

The e46 m3 had a deliberately slower steering rack for high speeds. They did three colour coded types. M3 was green, the 3 litre msports had purple, which was a quicker rack and blue for the csl and m3 clubsport models which were quicker still. I went from a 3 litre clubsport to the m3 and noticed the difference in steering immediately. Its a worthwhile cheap replacement to get a purple rack fitted and also the e39 shortshift fitted (better then the e46 shortshift)

[@intle4072]

Dude living my dream life

[@gameesonee3167]

one of the best M cars ever made

[@user-dv9yx4ul4q]

Man it's such an nice cometary, it's everything i want to know about the car. Love that bmw e46. Ich have a 320i

[@YueLiangTan]

Theres alot of reasons why this is my dream car

[@FlightSimXtreem]

Lieve Max jonge, je moet iets minder praten tijdens de test rit, als in vertel je verhaal en laat de geluiden om je heen het praten voor je doen. Verder blijf je/jullie top werk leveren, kudo's daarvoor!

[@MartinK26]

This wheels are the best for e46 😍

[@apc9079]

You said something completely false, the S54 engine runs well into the150k-200k mile range if maintained, definitely not done by 110k. Only someone who trashed the car would retire this engine that prematurely.

[@MEMcAndrews]

Mine has 130,000 miles on it, and it runs better today than it did when it left the factory.

[@RooDBwoY]

Definitely worn steering components causing the dead centre. Mine is seriously tight and doesn’t have that silliness. The noise of that straight-6 always makes me smile when I drive it every day :-)

[@MEMcAndrews]

Why are you and SMG hater? I’ve got 13 years and 80,000 miles on my SMG, and would NEVER even consider swapping out this gem for a manual. Just relocate the hydraulic unit to a serviceable area (mine is in the drug well), and do a $350 motor rewind when it fails. Mine has failed at every 60,000 miles, and when it does so again, I’ll have it back on the road in less than 30 minutes (I keep a spare motor on hand).

[@axiyxav5377]

the best and most beautiful model of the 3 series ever made ♥ this got character and charme

[@prince2218]

It's been nice. Gets prettier everyday

[@RadevEdits]

My dream car ❤️❤️

[@leonardomengarelli2976]

The cooler 3 series of all times!!

[@carguy7627]

I had a 2006 carbon black M3 with the competition package that I kept for eight years. That car was great, but I didn't like how heavy it was nor the maintenance costs. I put 88k miles on it. I told myself that I'd get another sporty car down the road and by then carbon fiber would be used more because it'd be cheaper. Little did I know that cars would just get heavier and heavier. Still, 3400+ pounds was just too much for me when I started pushing the car. It's still a great car though.

[@thesherba]

a Steering Linkage Couple Guibo would fix the steering wheel "dead center" ;)

[@Drifter5696]

The dead spot might be because of the worn steering rack. Common problem in E46. I have 330d and DO NOT have such dead spot at all

[@fit4duty724]

I disagree about the SMG, I have had my 2004 e46 m3 with the SMG and I have had no issues " knock on wood" and believe it or not the SMG, has better time in the quarter mile and 0 to 60 times. than the manual.

[@MEMcAndrews]

My sentiments exactly. If/when your SMG pump “fails”, don’t be fooled. It’s most likely the pump motor that failed. NOT the pump. Rewind the motor, or buy a new one for $500, then relocate the entire hydraulic unit to the drug well (if you have space), or to the trunk; where you can swap out the good motor in less than 30 minutes.

[@fit4duty724]

Thanks@@MEMcAndrews

[@Mark-th1gn]

The steering has probably to do with a worn out steering coupler. Should be a little more direct i think.

[@amansiddique4214]

One of my dream car 🚀

[@imZenqii]

The new V60's look a LOT like E46s and both models are beautiful

[@joe125ful]

Oh yes great car. M3 CLS and 4.0L V8 are probablly greatest M3. Next: Mercedes CL 600 V12 from TopGear can be nice show this car too.

[@isaiahthomas7210]

That slack in the steering is just the steering cupling thingy

[@MEMcAndrews]

Hah! The “thingy” is also called guibo.

[@abdelhamidchagdaly]

it's realy an amazing car it's a ''small monster with big power ''

[@johnbergen9663]

I have an ‘04 M3 cabriolet so agree that it’s a beautiful car!

[@johnbergen9663]

And want to note that even though my car has 128K miles on it the steering is nice and tight/precise. No dead spots. Car has new shocks and rear trailing arm bushings, etc. A 4 wheel alignment made a big difference in how the car tracks.

[@royalzak2670]

These things are still upwards of 30-40k. Crazy, goes to show how desired they are even after almost 2 decades