BMW M3 OLD E46 VS NEW G80 : Shoot-Out | Fifth Gear

For out latest online exclusive shoot-out, Jason Plato is behind two BMW M3s, the E46 & the G80, to see which is fastest around the Castle Combe circuit.
#FifthGear #BMWM3 #OldVSNew
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[@ChrisKeirRacing]

I'm the actual owner of the E46 and another point to mention is its fitted with semi slicks and the new g80 had michelin ps4s tyres which are more suited to the wet.

[@midlifecarsis6420]

It's ridiculous to test cars on different tyres. Almost totally pointless.

[@benjones7117]

Curious how to go about lending your car to fifth gear?

[@silvers123]

It doesn’t matter, the E46 still won!

[@JacK-yr8ri]

i like the infotainment screen thing you have put in

[@alexandergordon5935]

Hi what’s the infotainment system you have in the e46 - looking for something for mine

[@imthelastone]

i once had the pleasure of ragging an E46 M3 CSL, despite the fact that it was nearly 20 years ago i still remember and cherish just how bloody amazing it was, newer cars just feel numb in comparison even when they are quicker

[@piersderoos6941]

Ok

[@Miester7]

Facts.

[@dungareesareforfools]

Yes - most people (especially those who can never afford them) miss the point of performance cars. Unless you’re in competition it’s not about being the fastest, it’s about having the most enjoyment. Anyone who chooses to put their money into a car just because it’s 0-60 is a second faster than another one is a fool.

[@mittortz]

@@dungareesareforfools There are people who seem to really be into stoplight races. but the number of opportunities I've come across to do that have been extremely limited, and the 5-second ego boost of having a faster car at a stoplight against a total stranger is totally inconsequential. So yeah, it's about feeling, and that's while I'll keep my E46 M3 forever. The run to 8000 RPM never gets old.

[@mikepham7771]

New cars aren't even that much quicker tbh 1-2second quicker meh

[@robbanks50]

The fastest isn't always the best

[@RJ-JTN]

😂😂😂

[@maatttthhiiaass]

I remember that test with the E46 against the RS4 with Tiff. I kept watching the drift competition over and over again. What a great generation of cars those were.

[@martsmarts]

Like comparing Kate Beckinsale vs some modern day vlogger "model"... The vlogger may look younger and "better". But Kate B. just hits you right in your heart. Still a firecracker. Cant beat raw beauty.

[@ashman0071]

more of a Jane S or Keira K fan but no one's getting kicked out of bed for eating crackers ; P

[@KeithTheFA]

@@ashman0071 Who's Jane S...?

[@raimee81]

"Oh, I appear to have gotten into a drift by accident" 😁I giggled just as he did.

[@ShaytarnOffical]

E30 & E46s will forever stay legendary 💯🙌🏽

[@gezimrexhepi8356]

💯

[@alexfrey4828]

I think the E36 was the best generation. The best handling coupe (or sedan) ever.

[@Romania4K]

The old is better. It’s perfect.

[@JohnNick72]

If it’s a stopwatch comparison, that E46 doesn’t stand a chance. There’s no point really. By all other (non-performance measures) it is/was a fantastic car, and I prefer the size & styling better.

[@R3AP3R718]

The weight is needed for how fast cars are. On the road at higher cruising speed you need weight to keep the car stable, wether you get it with aero, which makes cars a lot more expensive to produce or just heavier. Cars like McLaren are light, but they are expensive to produce due to the materials and tech to keep it glued to the ground

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Fun fact, the E46 is the same size (near enough) as the outgoing (and also gorgeous looking) M2. So yeah, there definitely is a 'right size'.

[@chrisd2415]

It would have stood a chance, easily! If the E46 wasn’t on semi slicks in the wet 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Kacpa2]

I hate how modern "sports" cars are. They engineered out all the fun and mechanicality. You have cars that dont talk to you, weight a ton more than they should and are all automatic hedious looking edgy-wedgie abominations. Why cant we just have same cars with same characteristics but on better rubber and minor tweaks? Like RUF SCR4.0 is but not for millions of dollars but more reasonable prices?

[@MisoElEven]

@@Kacpa2 The new Supra or a V6 swapped miata nd are the answer :D although the supra isnt really light either

[@cologne2792]

I'm sure the G60 is brilliant but it looks ghastly! I see an E46 every day on my commute and it still looks awesome.

[@Eidrian111]

What is a G60?

[@surgedidit]

G80*

[@cologne2792]

Eidrian - it’s the 5 series. Horrible looking thing. The E39 was a gorgeous 5 series but ever since the E60 it’s looked a bit odd.

[@jasonblair4057]

The E46 and the Clown shoe always put a smile on my face, my favourite M3’s.

[@soundseeker63]

Jason basically says what I've been thinking for a while - When it comes to driving fun and involvement, sometimes less is more. The E46 is a great example of that. By contrast the modern cars (all of them, not just BMWs) have become so big, heavy and computerised (with a ton of turbocharged power to compensate) they are rather like extremely fast tanks - Licence loosing speed, but not much feel or involvement. Manufacturers need to STOP making everything bigger and heavier with each generation!

[@steveberridge4648]

Peak era BMW for me was late 90s...E36/E46 and E39... Straight six, n/a cars with a manual box and superb ride and handling balance. Far slower than the current cars but just lovely to waft around in.

[@lucasRem-ku6eb]

Tesla, old cars are slow now.

[@brandonchappell1535]

Yep, when it became more about profits than passion. Bmws are trash nowdays

[@wotexpat9367]

I owned an E46 M3 in Hong Kong. Loved it to bits.. Great car.

[@BMW1M]

The E46 is a massive 5s slower, but still the car you'd prefer to drive. Youth of carwow, take note - this is proper professional insight.

[@clayp.e30_v86]

Everyone is impressed by bigger these days 😢 Bigger must automatically mean better but this isn't the case at all. KZbin channels have a lot to answer for. Constantly pumping out 6, 7, 800, 1000 horse power builds so people then assume anything less than this is shit but again this isn't true. I've just got my 1990 e30 on thr Road with a v8 conversion. Whilst the numbers wouldn't impress the car wow generation, the butt dyno does not lie. Its a Savage on thr road

[@gp1683]

I can tell you which one looks better...

[@pietroandreotti66]

Anyone can tho...

[@TermlessHGW]

Oh come on! Now I'll never know...

[@Rascularvideos]

My cat’s arse looks better than the G80.

[@project182r3]

How are you qualified to do this?

[@gp1683]

@@project182r3 I have eyes in my head...but hey I get it. Some people think beaver teeth styling is attractive on a car. I'm just not one of them

[@nickwatkins5321]

I had an E46 and absolutely loved it. Whoever thought that wasn’t enough power must be mad!

[@NickG24]

I had one too about 10 years ago now and thought it was the perfect blend of power, weight and poise. Such a rewarding car to drive. I remember being annoyed once when I struggled to keep up with a 535d on the motorway though. Now, I doubt I’d be annoyed. I guess the flagship cars have to push for more power and speed all of the time. The weight is a strange one though, I don’t understand why they’re so heavy, it definitely ruins the experience somewhat.

[@nickwatkins5321]

@@NickG24I changed it for an R33 GTR

[@harvenat0r2]

I’ve always had a passion for M3’s especially e46 & e92. Off topic but recently I’ve become very interested in Concorde and have started reading a book by one of their chief pilots, the last flight of Concorde was 20 years ago this October. I’ve realised I’m that generation of “machine enthusiasts” that misses the crack and roar of combustion engines, and also the character, the honest innovative design, and engineering marvel that these machines represent. Chasing nostalgia can be tiring and expensive as I’ve found out… but I will never stop loving these machines as will others, I’m not sold on the electric future with no sound.

[@samuelgarrod8327]

I was at Heathrow on the day it completed its last flight. Not to see it, though I did, was just a coincidence. Have seen the prototype at Duxford a few times too.

[@Pete_1986]

The e46 doesn't look dated at all compared to the new m3. It looks timeless. Whereas the new one looks hideous.

[@midlifecarsis6420]

Hard agree. It will only look worse over time too.

[@clato74]

Couldn't agree more!!!

[@dantheman1337]

it is 'dated'. It is definitely not in keeping with the current style. HOWEVER being dated is a neutral thing unless you want to pretend you have a new car and play that game.

[@richsan4923]

Car design has gone to pot. It's not just BM...what cars actually look pretty or attractive today😅

[@geoffbullock8280]

In the flesh so to speak the new M3 and M4 look fantastic in my opinion.

[@brianmcinnis3886]

I love my e46 M. It makes me smile every time I drive it. I bet with the right modifications (coil overs, larger throttle bodies, wider tires) it would be a different fight.

[@MisterMxyzptlk1972]

Same here man, love mine plain stock except for exhaust. grey, coupe, manual. gonna keep it forever

[@srivatsanadiger]

It’s so nice to see Plato on my feed, I remember when Jason and tiff were trying to jump a vw bug the farthest more than a decade ago. And Vicky’s legendary 458 spider review. Miss fifth gear.

[@jwardTLS]

My G80 arrives in June, and it’s only purpose is such that I wanted a manual gearbox RWD daily for the family. I will take my e92 m3 to the track and backroads. I’ve had a couple of e46 M3s and they are wonderful driver’s cars. As much as I’m excited for my G80, it’s only in the context of a daily. It has lost the soul of driving that older cars like the 46 had. I’ve had my e92 for 7 years now and will never give up that S65 v8 either.

[@micraw714]

Amen to that! I've got an E92 M3 as well for the weekend canyon drives and an F87 M2 with upgraded turbo as a daily. Really thinking of swapping the M2 for a G82 comp just for more power but yeah the E92 is going nowhere haha

[@madludwigii2648]

Bro how do you compare your driving and ownership experience between the e46 and the e92? What made you sell the e46 and keep the e92 if I may ask?

[@mislavkonjik2827]

​@@madludwigii2648 Do you prefer E46 m3 over E92?

[@RobManser77]

It’s so nice to see an honest review, as is often the case with Jason. I’m an amateur racer on his 7th BMW daily driver road car (my first was in 2003) and yep, couldn’t agree more. I had a brand new 3 series for the day two weeks ago and it’s just too heavy, too bulky, and too full of clumsy electronics. For me the further back you go, the better they are to drive. At this level of performance, extra power simply doesn’t matter. The drive is far more important.

[@rooster16091982]

Agreed - I have the E60 V10 now but the E39 was probably the best car I've ever owned. The newer cars just don't feel the same.

[@petertilsley3015]

Awesome show. My two favourite cars. Many Thanks Pete NZ

[@paulpalmer8235]

Bloody hell Jason Plato looks about 75 (especially with that hat on!)

[@Dingolfing]

Nice one Jason. Fantastic comparison and review. ❤

[@johncreedon7847]

E46 has so much Soul.

[@BeatPoet67]

I have a good nick e46 320d sitting in my mother's garage, and the more I see new cars, the more I think I should properly resurrect it.

[@0megalul309]

What are you waiting for

[@chrisg4rr377]

Bloody cold day. -33 degrees and Jason is still sending it

[@ChrisKeirRacing]

Yes the outside temperature sensor was playing up, been fixed now, was around 5 degrees that day, still chilly!

[@chrisg4rr377]

@@ChrisKeirRacing i figured that. I'm a e46 owner too and love the cars way more than newer ones

[@jamessheehy4895]

That E30 would be a car i’d love to try once like an original mini probably a completely unique driver experience

[@brendawg8002]

Great video. Better than the old tv format.

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

Great vid! So glad to see new Fifth Gear vids! And BOY, has his voice changed!

[@dimebarcocker]

Glad somebody else spotted that. False teeth???

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

@@dimebarcocker I really don't know? I hope it's nothing medically related. Perhaps this is his real voice as opposed to a TV presenter voice? Unsure ✌️

[@acidofil]

lovely honest review

[@michaelscurr9046]

Great review

[@deepakaggarwal5364]

Brilliant shoot out! Can you do one with the e92 M3 too? That would make a great part two addition:)

[@robc5955]

Christ if Plato found the new one a handful, us mortals stand no chance.

[@RobManser77]

A lot of it will actually be his experience and ability causing the problem. Modern cars do lots of things that clash with everything you learn as a racing driver. To take just one example: delicate throttle control that’s developed in cars with linear throttles that have no lag will be really hard to replicate in a modern drive by wire emissions compliant car. In my experience, drivers who have developed that control don’t even notice the problems with modern cars. The same is true of steering, brakes, and feel/feedback. Racing cars are linear and progressive; modern cars are spiky and non-linear, which A to B drivers tend to like, but competent drivers hate. I’m only an amateur racer, but whilst I’m totally happy flat out in a single seater or older car, I would really struggle making a video like this where I had to drive a modern car flat out. The wet makes this even worse.

[@lawrencegatt4515]

❤ we love your video’s down under 🏁🇦🇺👏👏👏🥃

[@jfo333777]

Some nice retrofits in that E40 interior!

[@markmowbray1769]

Has to be the old M3. It will continue to work, easier to fix. More connected drive maybe. Ohh, also looks like a car not the top of a twin top pop up bin.

[@BeatPoet67]

Yeah, they're great apart from the rusty arches.

[@richlee509]

​@Richard Smith keep them clean and they won't rust and keep an eye on the bracket on the bumper as that can cause rust as it rubs against the metal. Check all the rubber bungs are in place under the floor. Get an under chassis washer and bloody well get any salt off the car immediately

[@dhalsim-1]

The E46 M3 is great but buy one that had all it's issues sorted, otherwise you'll have an endless headache, learned from experience.

[@Duffmanb6]

Id rather have my E46M3, got to drive some new ones and it just doesnt compare. E46s were just so simple, nimble and light thats its just so fun to drive. Gotta love them!

[@jjchockey]

Now drive an E30 with a Z3 steering rack and good suspenion. 600lbs less than the E46 M3.

[@jermainerobinson7098]

Love this type of video big up Jason a great TV car journalist 5th gear don’t do to him what you did to tiff 2 legends in the game 👏🏽👍🏽

[@kneeenaw4]

I had a 2006 model, bought it in 2008 with 7K miles on from new nearly stacked it on the way home showing off to my mate by pressing the sport button on a roundabout in the wet. It was a beast

[@RbNetEngr]

The E46 M3 was not available in Estoril Blue in 2000. It was Laguna Seca Blue.

[@michaelregan7957]

Is that track ever dry? Great video.

[@hello.goodbye9828]

Always favourite channel

[@tomperry3071]

I recently got an e46 smg with welded in rear roll cage sparco front buckets with 4point harness coilovers, engine and gearbox remap, 380mm front big brake kit should be fun for this years trackdays

[@BarringtonSmythe]

Bang-On Plato!! Bang-On Dear Boy.

[@thedownshiftchannel]

E46 👌🏽

[@VillaArgento7089]

I have a 2001 m3 manual coupe in LSB in perfect mechanics. I love that cars drive almost as much as my vintage 911 coupe. The car is simply magic in the corners and makes me smile ear to ear at every interaction with the car. Truly beautiful work from BMW

[@pcar928fan]

I have always preferred you guys to Top Gear! Great job as always. I loved my E46 M3. I ultimately parked it in a tree and that was the end of that car. Sad day for sure!

[@bradfoster8146]

You are so entertaining to watch! Great stuff. I myself would rather have an E46. It's just a timeless car

[@leerennick923]

I had an E46 M3 2002. Definitely one of my favourite cars I've owned. But as far as a limiter is concerned. I had an indicated 172 mph. Miss that car

[@pshep138]

If it was indicating 172, I bet you were doing about 155. Lol. The speedometer on my E46 M3 was about 8 mi/h off of a GPS speedometer at ~ 80 mi/h, and it got worse the faster you went.

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

I heard that the M models back then were officially limited to 155 mph yet were in fact set to 10% above that, which would be 170.5 mph so pretty much bang on 172

[@elpena7547]

@@kasimirdenhertog3516 The speedometers are set to show over the actual speed. You can go in and re code the overage and it will be correct. I did it to my car last year and rather than 5-6 mph over actual speed on the highway, it now shows the correct mileage

[@DouEditz]

@@pshep138 172- 8 = 155!!??

[@PiOfficial]

@@pshep138nah my e46 Speedo is 100% bang on correct. Tested with my GPS speedo and a speeding ticket 😂

[@minomarazzini]

E46 is unforgettable 😍

[@TheRetroShed]

Give me the E46 anyday. It’s beautiful, it’s a classic, timeless design that still turns heads today. There’s one up the road from me and I look at it most days when walking the dogs. One day I’m just going to know on his door. “Ok. Stop messing around. How much?” :) you can keep the new one - looks ghastly.

[@christianbolt5761]

My two favorites are e46 and f92. Have had an e46 m3 for 17 years now

[@matthewnicholas6365]

I changed my manual shifter for a shorter one from an e60. That and new rubbers and fittings made it much nicer.

[@alexandergordon5935]

What’s the infotainment in the e46. Looking for an up to date system for mine

[@martinrigby8269]

Nice to see cars driven by proper driver's

[@Sc50001]

Old but gold.

[@E46S54M]

I would like to see a rematch on a dry track with more turns and shorter straights

[@Lesciba]

I wish you guys used the e46CSL for this test.... Please source that for us & try it with the CSL version 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@TOMUK420]

It was either e46 m3 or Impreza or mitsubishi evo when i was younger but nothing sounded like the m3 you would hear its metal roar way before you see it beautiful sound

[@tinajohnson7534]

I'll take my e46 over any newer car, any day. A truly fantastic driving experience, no matter how old she is!

[@Snappy650]

U a real one

[@BobK5]

‘It’s a stressful drive in the wet’, hey Jason you’ve turned everything off no wonder it’s stressful in the wet 🤣

[@matan2903]

Old school ❤️

[@johnsmith-mk3zq]

OLD will always be GOLD

[@NickG24]

Owned an E46 M3 for a couple of years. Special car, wish I still had it. I haven’t driven one of the new M3’s but I expect it to feel how Jason said. Maybe the X drive would take all the difficulty away and set an even better time but won’t be as rewarding, no way.

[@terminatedphil]

I take that E46 M3 any day of the week, thank you 😊

[@andyw30sey6]

How would you compare the e92 to the e46?

[@emelian3340]

BMW M3 E46 BEST M3 EVER

[@livingwithosteoarthritis.]

Filmed at castle Combe. Spent many summers there felt like winter

[@m.m8760]

The e46 looks stylish even today. It has enough power by today's standards unless your an influencer and great handling too. Can we please ask whoever retired at BMW to come back.

[@fastm3980]

Fuckin seriously 😳

[@michaelmuller5489]

Good old times

[@Kev27RS]

The M3 E46 is still gorgeous today! One of the best looking cars by BMW and coupés in general!

[@joehasagolf]

-33 degrees. that was a cold day!

[@blackmancer]

SMGII was a good gearbox and with the right software really good

[@tonythereal3901]

Love from Taiwan 🇹🇼

[@MarkyFormula1]

Good review! Jason's voice sounds a bit slurred these days. Spotted the graphic people calling it an e36.

[@pshep138]

Not sure if it's available in the UK, but the Competition xDrive would've solved a lot of the problems you had with the car in the wet. And if it were dry? The car is fully RWD at the touch of a button in the dash.

[@Matt-M3]

It has been available in the UK for about a year now, maybe more. I think they got the RWD for the sake of making it as fair as possible. But you're right, probably could have shaved another 3 seconds off with AWD.

[@steveberridge4648]

I think you're right but RWD BMWs used to be friendlier in the wet. I think I it's the trend for using michelin cup tyres and the like for the quickest possible dry lap time. They're just no good in typical UK winter and spring weather !!

[@pshep138]

@@steveberridge4648 yeah the Sport Cup 2s certainly won't help in the wet.

[@qwerty69600]

I would moan about you not picking a dry day, but it seems 2023 is going to be the year of continuous pissing down rain here in the UK.

[@paganmonkey4439]

Jason shame you are not competing in the btcc you are a Legend brother respect. Any chance of a free driving lesson lol.

[@johngarnham5772]

The e46 M3 will always be remembered in the future, the G80 will not be. The handsome e46 (3 Series coupe/ M3), great design, great engine, nice size and not in your face. A perfect M car in manual or SMG form. Just classic, great fun.

[@DjNikGnashers]

I always wanted an E36 M3, or E46 M3, but I missed the boat on low mileage ones at reasonable prices. I have an OG M2 instead, and I think that is actually the spiritual successor to those cars, as it's the same size, and roughly same power. It also still feels quite raw, and nothing like the other modern M cars.

[@leenevin8451]

The new one has solid metal subframe mounts

[@FASIGMAN]

Agree entirely

[@mrpanda2432]

Love the E46. Looks lovely. Drivers car. ❤

[@inderjitvarma6912]

Waiting....❤

[@Dudewheresmym3]

What tires are on the E46?

[@backyardbeasts7264]

Love my e46 one of the best drivers car I’ve owned 👌

[@markgosnold1787]

Standard E46 M3 coupe is 1495kg dry, 1570kg kerb weight. So it didn't do bad at all. I'd much rather have the E46.

[@MM-xr6tz]

E46 every time, light, looks great still and joy to drive. Buy now before they go North.

[@e46M3_DakarYellow]

Estoril blue ///m3. What a combination

[@Aston8V]

Would be great to see you do a comparison of M3 and Z4M Coupe. Same engine but the Z4 never gets the love for some reason.....

[@fattyshtc]

I love the feeling from my e46 its only a 330 not the fastest car often get left for dust but Its about the experiences for me.

[@chrisd2415]

Had an E46 M3 it was an incredible car, the only thing that let it down were the brakes which I changed for AP racing, now have a F82 M4 which is amazing also, tried the G80 and just didn’t like it, felt dull, numb and heavy.

[@NickG24]

Agree, the only issue was the brakes. I like that the F82 M4 is still reasonably light by today’s standards. Haven’t tried the G series but can imagine it is as you and Jason said.

[@ChrisKeirRacing]

I've since upgraded the brakes to newer F80 M3 ones 👌

[@riaanbresler2888]

Mr Plato and I have the same idea drive home in e46 hmmm wait a minute I still have one !!!

[@patdonnellan1024]

Both look good ...new modern beemer look....and older beemer look...personal choice....beauty in the eye of the beholder...

[@johnnyog9648]

Cool cars but when did the Dachshund make an appearance in the video?

[@shanewaller2864]

I was lucky enough to have a mystic blue e46 m3 a few years ago and at the same time I had a 400 plus bhp ford sierra cosworth, I it was out and out pace I was after it was the cossie but when i wanted to blast down to Germany 🇩🇪 the m3 was called upon. Upon. That car would do flat out 176 mph and sit all day at 150 mph with ease .Best out of the box sports car I ever had and sold .certainly do miss that car .😢

[@piersderoos6941]

Did you ever take them out of the boxes?

[@howarddavies136]

Shout out for the mystic blue! I drove mine for the first time this year and man I've missed that feeling.

[@robi4387]

Me in the show room looking at the new G80: do you have one in pretty?