2001 BMW M3 | Retro Review

[@KenMrKLC]

This car ages well, think of what a 1980 car looked like in the year 2000…. This still looks modern 20 years later

[@Krazy_Shorts]

Yup...definitely! Unfortunately I don't think the new M cars will look good at all in 20 years.

[@damilolaakanni]

@@Krazy_Shorts the M3 and M4 don't look good...and they've not even been on sale for two years yet. Not to talk of the XM, which is still a concept.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

I definitely agree with you!

[@joec1774]

@@Krazy_Shorts - completely agree; still love this convertible especially, even after all these years. But..$90K in today's dollars, wowza. Is that what the current M's are?

[@Stuntzii1]

:P

[@dinosoarmotorsports]

A rare car that was always and will always be beautiful to everyone. The E46 M3 and E39 M5 are absolute timeless machines!

[@titusrome2863]

Both overrated take it easy.

[@driveri1435]

@@titusrome2863 doubt you've driven any

[@Porsche996driver]

All about that incredible German straight 6! Like a freight train!

[@hakeemsd70m]

Love them, I'm also a big fan of the E60 M5!

[@RJLightning68]

Both are genuine classics, wish they introduced the CS badges with these beauties.

[@lemonone314]

My teenage inspiration and now my car! Can't believe we were looking at a future classic in 2001.

[@joshuad1716]

same, I'm smiling ear to ear watching that imola vert, I've got a similar one. You never see anyone test or consider the vert let alone sing it some praise.

[@marccusumano1138]

@@joshuad1716 Vert is more fun 😎The gentleman's M3.

[@rlsedition]

@@joshuad1716 I wanted to like the E46 convert, but I drove one over a rough road and there was way too much cowl shake for me.

[@mperez9745]

It's always nice to see MotorWeek test a car that you actually own. My E46 M3 is hardtop 6-speed manual

[@RobbieKhan]

I've had mine for 8 years now and covered 70+ thousand miles - Absolute hoot of a car, with some tasteful and choice mods like the Eventuri carbon intake kit, you gain CSL-like induction noise and at this age a refresh of all the bushings restores the original planted feel on the road. Such a great driver's car.

[@CrazyWeeMonkey]

I know they're completely different types of cars to the E46, but the modern V6 Hondas (2013+ V6 Accords, Acura TLX's, even Honda Odyssey's lol) also produce ridiculously good and loud induction sounds with an intake, like CSL levels of induction sound.

[@Mac10Daddy]

To me, this is the best looking M3 of all time. Perfect stance and proportions

[@DefiningKicks]

Blessed to own a 2001 6MT BMW E46 M3! 6th year with the platform. It is truly iconic and one of the best driving cars of all time. Always puts a smile on my face.

[@Dillon_Landeros]

I own a 04' LSB e46 m3 Coupe. It's crazy because no matter where I go, it seems to get more attention than anything newer offered by BMW. All great cars!

[@nsbioy]

Because it is a better driving car than most of the current BMWs. Except maybe the 2 series.

[@Dillon_Landeros]

@@nsbioy I’ve never driven the 2 series, I hear nothing but great things about those cars. The new M240i looks interesting to say the least.

[@Porsche996driver]

Dude my neighbor has a super clean white E46. I could stare at his driveway for hours ha. This is right next to the CSL coupes, classic!

[@kevinmurphy4961]

I had a 2001 LSB for 11 years...best color. You're right - loads of attention...always. Loved that car. Tracked it many times. Should have never sold it.

[@Just_Pele]

I still have my E46 M3, one of the greatest M cars of all time.

[@christianbolt5761]

Me too

[@JDMHaze]

and naturally aspirated... what a peach

[@brianreardon7700]

for sure!!!! my favorite M3.... just the right size also!

[@barristerh5379]

I do too but it’s in pieces thanks to vanos 😭

[@samrez-5530]

When someone want to sell it , i ll buy it !

[@fatoputso7375]

These and the e36s look so much better than the new m lineup.

[@Aiuraech2111]

Its always been my dream car from high school and now I own 1. I have a 2004 M3 in Alpine White for the 10 yrs now and still loving it.

[@markallen2984]

BMW hasn't come close to making a 3- Series this attractive since.

[@chepepancho2958]

this is one of the few car reviews where you do not hear one negative thing about the car.

[@OP941nine]

Can't believe this is now a classic😌

[@ronan7812]

It's been my dream car since 2000. Finally got one in 2019. A 2001 model with 185,000km on the clock. Carbon Black coupe with the M-technic suede interior and manual. Cost me €15,000 to buy it. Be aware folks if you buy one of these nowadays you will spend a lot of money on repairs/overhauls. Prices include labour. Since I got mine I've had to replace every bush €2000 (some poly upgrades). Replace the clutch and flywheel €2000. Repair cracks in the rear axle carrier panel (€1500). Overhaul the differential (€1200). Correct BMW fluid for diff (€120). Both rear drive shafts replaced with OEM (€750 each) Propshaft Guibo, support bearing and rear cv joint replacement (€500). Gear stick and linkage bushings replaced (€200) Ignition coils (€250). Front control arms (€250 each). Poly front control arm bushings (€250 set). Con rod bearings changed (€1500) Its a labour of love for these cars. Make sure you have some extra cash to fix things because parts ain't cheap. After all of that enjoy it because it's a fantastic car and so much fun. As well as being a perfect daily driver summer and winter.

[@Ricardo_C]

One of the best looking cars ever made

[@kz1000ps]

It's crazy that this design is 20 years old and yet I still stare at it like I'm seeing it for the first time. Just drop dead gorgeous

[@jmin8400]

@@kz1000ps It's not 20 years old... Finished mockups of this exact design were already signed off on in 1998, not even including the basic coupe styling finished in 1996. A design's age goes back to when the artist first finished it, not when you first see it publicly years later or buy it.

[@kz1000ps]

@@jmin8400 I was referring to when the product was going on sale, but thanks for your long-winded explanation...

[@jmin8400]

@@kz1000ps As someone who designs and develops automobiles professionally and is also an automotive historian, the majority of you in the public are generally unaware how far in advance we have to work on these products.

[@kz1000ps]

@@jmin8400 Alright. Apologies for the snippiness but I didn't appreciate the somewhat lecturing tone of your comment. I'm not one of the dullards that needs educating ;)

[@samsonchan1488]

“The good ole days…”

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man I always wanted one of those! A thing of beauty! And still look great today! And now they are becoming more and more collectible and expensive!

[@iamthemedici]

He wasn’t joking when he said the drive of a lifetime

[@adams1696]

The good old times, I was only 5 but playin gran turismo lol. Cars will never be the same again :(

[@iamthemedici]

@@adams1696 100% those cars will go down history as all time greatness

[@rookietoprobuildz]

Can't believe this M3 came out in 2001 , still looks modern today in 2022

[@07wrxtr1]

Looks better than what bmw offers today… m240i is the only thing that doesn’t look hideous

[@klasseact6663]

This is my favorite BMW of all time, color included (LSB) but I'd add the 19" BBS Comp Pkg rims and it would be perfect

[@mocheen4837]

I am running 19” HRE 441 R wheels with the full Dinan suspension package including front and rear strut braces.

[@nolahahnshouse3389]

M3 will always be a classic

[@dudndadn12212]

I own a 03' imola red 6 speed manual like the one in the video. Absolutely love it.

[@MAINEiac06]

Stylistically, the best 3 series to ever roll off the line.

[@GyroPyro121212]

The E46 M3 represents the peak of BMW design and performance. IMO only the E9X M3 and E6X M5/M6 can do so much as to hold a candle to it.

[@joshuad1716]

love my e46 m3s, got one of each because I love them so much! childhood dream car and to this day my favorite car ever!

[@soundseeker63]

E38, E39 and E46 were peak BMW design IMO. And the E46 M3 was arguably the nicest of them all. A far cry from the bloated, fussy and rather tasteless cars they are making now. No wonder they are going up in value so damn fast! We won't see cars like this made again unfortunately.

[@jimihendrix731]

I had a friend who was an ace driver who owned one of these with a 6 speed. I absolutely loved getting to ride shotgun in it when he went out on the country roads and drove it all out.

[@GlennsCarCollection]

I have been waiting for this one. This was my dream spec M3, i bought one, Laguna Seca Blue coupe with black interior, 6 speed manual, slick top. 10k miles. Unfortunately it was stolen and never found.

[@Dieselpurge]

😡😥😭

[@waswolltihr1526]

Man, that sucks. Sorry for your loss.

[@kylereyes2337]

Did your LSB E46 M3 come with alarm system?

[@bmw3-er]

Uh oh. Hope you get a better replacement for it.

[@Volvo8Fifty4Life]

Hey, it’s Glenn! How are you doing? Are you enjoying your s2000?

[@tommym321]

Back when you could tell immediately the difference between a bmw, Mercedes, Audi, etc….now everything looks the same, including Hondas.

[@Pilot545]

One of my favorite BMWs! Still looking great 20 years later! 👍🏼

[@douglasb.1203]

E46's will always be in style.

[@Porsche996driver]

This E46 was just the perfect evolution for BMW. Starting with 1917 their first straight 6 aircraft motor! Perfectly balanced - like an airplane. Grocery getter, autobahn, or race track. You could justify it in the top 10 cars of all time.

[@maclac48]

Always did like these Beamers! 👍🏿

[@davidaubin3902]

0:34 John: WHY THE MERE THOUGHT OF DRIVING THE NEW M3 MAKES US WEEK IN THE KNEES! LOL

[@acmotorcars]

This was the first M car that I had the pleasure of driving. The chassis is superb and it communicates to you down to your fingertips. Driving this made me get my E39 M5 about 7 years ago. (Another BMW great)

[@fvhitman4hire]

So awesome to see this review! My daily driver is a black 2001 M3 Convertible (w/ hardtop) 6spd manual with 80k on the odometer. Hands down the best car I've ever owned.

[@one7decimal2eight]

Best looking m3 and m5 of all time.

[@ChrisMotorONE]

Remind me of my 2004 M3 coupe. My was a SMG trans, yet many smg owner have issue, luckily mines was good.. wish mine was a 6 speed, would have kept it til today

[@ravisriram6746]

Looks so much fresher and purposeful than the current overstyled and rather meek-looking 3 series.

[@JEdmund81]

The LSB E46 M3 is my favorite BMW. Such a great car. Fun retro review!

[@somejackball]

sweet ride, great model year. we came close to getting a Bmr back in 91, for my Ex, but she ended up getting a 3000 GT VR4 ☮

[@Xayuap]

don't blame me I would prefer the E36 over the VR4 Itś like choosing a Lotus instead of a Porsche

[@MitchZero9]

When 2001 is retro 😫 I was 12.....

[@charliehmi76]

BWM used to make such cool looking cars

[@MistrMcGill]

this car was a beast and still is a beast with current supporting mods

[@soopaghetto]

I feel the driver wasn't aggressive enough demonstrating the seat bolster support or leg adjustment capabilities. Also, he didn't properly manhandle that shifter. Other than that, 11/10 on m3 content!

[@thewatchersofthewood3530]

Wow such high praise! Very happy with my 06 M3 Convertible For the last 12 years. Same spec as the one they tested. ❤

[@LrulestheworldM8]

Hands down, the best bmw ever made. nothing made since then, or before then, has captured the imagination of the American public like this car has. Its fast, luxurious, and simple. a fantastic car.

[@waltervila33]

Also the subframe connectors are great at making the suspension cave in or turning the car into an accordion in case of a crash

[@SportsMusicCars]

@@waltervila33 ya

[@ojayhenry9061]

a bit of nostalgia... i have one in the stable and although a little slow for this modern time, it is still a blast to drive..

[@princek3467]

Greatest M3 ever.

[@brianlee9233]

I agree. The G80 is too (but only in black)

[@alexs8923]

I 'nudged' my mom to buy a 2001 BMW 325i (base) back in the day while we were test driving potential 2-3-year-old used cars. The 330ci was obviously better (to me), but the E46 M3 is absolutely stunning to this day. I own a few vehicles now that I'm older, including a relatively rare green '94 Acura NSX, but that blue M3 still does things to me... I'll take repaint or wrap in whatever color, too, but the Laguna Seca is pretty special, too!

[@1234Tubie]

I owned the 2002 Silver/Red nappa leather M3 coupe with SMG back in early 2003 and did a few LCs on the Capitol Expressway in SJ CA. Lots of eye popping from the open space coffee shop nearby when I did that lol. Later I switched to 2005 Porsche Boxster S and kicked a Vettie to a street curb but the M3 was a beautiful coupe though.

[@TejasArt]

They should do a side by side with the M2. It’s literally an updated E46 M3

[@RogerAlan]

Except for the turbo motor that will never be as visceral or emotional as an S54.

[@Xayuap]

@@RogerAlan not as heavy

[@RogerAlan]

@@Xayuap The m2 doesn’t have the feel an older hydraulic steering m car. I’ll take a small weight penalty for the pleasure.

[@Xayuap]

@@RogerAlan ¿do you like hidro steers?

[@BiffTannenBTTF]

This makes me so proud to have one in my garage now.

[@hsinwulau]

Still the best looking 3 series ever made.

[@noseefood1943]

Prolly best looking m3 of all time

[@xekret]

I had a 2002, still miss it.

[@MarkMeadows90]

One of my favorite M3s

[@soulstance]

Finally, my car's being featured in the Retro Review 😂

[@Hoodean]

we love ya, John!!

[@moparguy5876]

Insane that these could keep up with or beat V8 competitors. 330 + hp out of a 20 y/o n/a I6 blows my mind.

[@xxxpensive1415]

Individual throttle body does miracles is nothing new

[@moparguy5876]

@@xxxpensive1415 is that a hallmark of m3s? I know the e30 had individual ones too

[@robertcohen8554]

Not as insane as $50,000 in 2001 for this. That blows my mind.

[@mediocreman2]

I guess. That's only 103hp per liter. S2000 has 120hp per liter.

[@J.Gainez]

@@mediocreman2 me personally i couldn’t care about that, i like the s2k but would rather have an M3 any day

[@xXBurntBaconXx]

I got to drive an E46 M3 Cabrio Manual. I wasn't a fan of the shifter. Throws were long, felt rubbery as he said. The clutch was good, but the engine was just wow. It has so much torque every where. Now I know why, 80% at 2000 rpm. I thought the LSD was a little slack compared to what I'm use to. But it is an old car so it could have been worn out.

[@jeremiahanthony5521]

I love the convertible with the SMG

[@Cheezwizzz]

Man that convertible is stunning 🤩

[@ak2112]

This remains the ultimate daily driver.

[@SweetSpot909]

still looks great and modern

[@arthurdardalis]

The best looking BMW past, present and future, end of story

[@KyoRedBladeZR1]

Come 2005, said M3 (GTR) would become the hero of Need for Speed

[@smokefast90606]

I have one of these little bundles of joy

[@axispowerdiesel]

All things considered, I think the E46 M3 is one of the greatest cars ever made

[@axispowerdiesel]

In addition my 2004 Alpine White/Black Nappa 6spd Coupe is at 195k miles and running absolutely beautifully. Truly the last of the great iron block I6 BMWs, a final evolution from 1970s roots.

[@ninjamoto21]

Peak bmw design era we all miss

[@steveespinola7652]

This car is a thing of beauty.

[@carypyke935]

Styling so classic it could only get worse from here....

[@ddddmmmm9026]

Please do the Lincoln LS

[@Shake-n-Bake578]

BMW and AUDI produced the best designs in the late ‘90s and the early ‘00s.

[@dongypooh]

E46, in general, is what I picture when someone says 'BMW'. I would love to own one of these some day.

I had a brand new alpine white with the upgraded 19s and 6spd it was such a fun car best m3 ever

[@andydhillon1977]

They look so classy in white.

[@johnbehneman1546]

Thank you so much.

[@gedaman]

This car still looks fresh and modern in 2022. BMW really had great design during this time.

[@Mrlegoofficial]

Crazy to think this aired less then a week before 9/11…SAD…

[@erinfreize]

This reminds me of my 325ci. It's even the same color!

[@TheVagolfer]

I had the exact same car, Laguna Seca blue with the baseball glove leather interior, 2003 model with 75K miles. Like an idiot I sold it two years ago for 17.5K, it's worth well over 25K now!

[@soulstance]

Might even be worth over30k if it stays around 100k mileage

[@TheVagolfer]

@@soulstance Thanks.

[@idonjohnson6999]

Looks great in that red in the sun.

[@Kimbrough87]

I’ll tell you BMW cars age very well 😊

[@robertcohen8554]

Really good looking even today.

[@robertcohen8554]

@Jack Bradford Don't ask me, I only have had domestic U.S. vehicles... I know very little about foreign vehicles. I don't know what a new M3 or M4 looks like. I saw this car because it was on video.

[@robertcohen8554]

@@dr.jiIIaIicecooper2587 Currently a Chevrolet, a Dodge, and a Pontiac.

[@robertcohen8554]

@@dr.jiIIaIicecooper2587 are you stalking me? 🤗

[@brianlee9233]

@Jack Bradford Then buy it in black, for pete's sake!

[@spacemanspiff9773]

The E46 M3 is the best looking BMW in the 21st century! Of course I’m biased since I owned a 2003 M3 convertible. 😬

[@60NXNP09]

I've always lust after this car definitely top 3 M car ever made stylistically pleasing an every way.

[@JDMHaze]

5:00 "variable diff lock" hmm Would this be bmws early version of torque vectoring ?

[@rlsedition]

This is the apogee of BMW's M3 model - not too large or heavy, plenty of power, a manual trans and good design for both exterior and interior. Today's M3/4 seem to have lost the plot.

[@frankatcheson5019]

the best of the best! And the Best Looking! It is good to Look Good when you are Winning!

[@J.Gainez]

if you currently own an M3/M5 from this generation, i envy you, i was born in 97 and i don’t exactly come from a wealthy family, by the time i could’ve even considered getting one the prices started skyrocketing 😕

[@RogerAlan]

6 speed convertibles are pretty easy to find for reasonable money

[@joshuad1716]

I was born in 94 and have 2, the prices aren't unreasonable now and there are still deals to be had out there if you look hard enough and are willing to drive

[@RogerAlan]

@@joshuad1716 I’m with you on this. I finally got my own in really nice shape for less than the price of a really cheap Hyundai.

[@joshuad1716]

@@RogerAlan I bought my 45k mile 6sp vert imola/cinnamon 10/10 condition for 22k last summer

[@usman1alam]

Bro I was born in 96 and I own one of these beauty’s. Silver grey with black nappa leather. Convertible SMG. You don’t need a wealthy family, you gotta make these things happen yourself! Make sure a wealthy family comes from you

[@djp1234]

This is the best BMW ever made

[@googleuser3007]

Almost purchased this model M3 (manual) convertible in triple black in 2003, but the insurance cost kept me away. I purchased a Merc CLK 430 instead. Insurance was literally half the cost. Ever since, I’ve been a Merc owner.

[@andydhillon1977]

Mercedes plummet in value for a reason.

[@Jm8126-5]

This car was and still is amazing

[@CBXweb]

Six days after this aired, things got a lil' wild

[@373axle]

Back when BMWs were the benchmark for driving feel & fun among competition.

[@lawrencelenerd3988]

1st car I ever had the chance to drive where the "sport" button really did something

[@SavageBunny1]

I bought a mint condition, exterior/exterior 1 owner, Laguna Seca blue last month for $7k, it had a bad rod bearing but it was still running, I had a spare engine that I threw in it, and now I'm rebuilding the original one with 12.5 pistons and lightweight rods.

[@bmw3-er]

Don't forget to reinforce those subframes

[@SavageBunny1]

@@bmw3-er They only go out when you bang the gears, both previous owners where 60+ year old men, also of there's no cracks, you can just reinforce it from the trunk with a custom brace, no need to drop the subframe, although it would be good to replace the subframe bushings.

[@24hourgmtchannel64]

0-60 in 5 seconds 2:43 is intersting vs. the 2000 Motorweek 323 CI test where that base model ran 0-60 in 6.5 second on the 2.5L 170 hp six, no limited slip and a 5 speed manual with a taller final rear gear ratio (3.07:1 vs the M3 3.64:1). Same 1.5 second spread on the quarter mile. BMW had to be fudging the numbers on that base car by at least 40.

[@Euphorica]

Ain't no way a 323 is doing 6.5 lol

[@24hourgmtchannel64]

@@Euphorica I'm sure Motorweek got 6.5 but my guess is it was a slighly juiced up journalist tester press car with the ECU reprogrammed a bit more for performance rather than the standard production cars fuel economy and emsissions.

[@I53-624]

Fun fact a ported rb or 2jz head still have less air flow than a stock s54 head, and both of those motors made less hp per liter with twin turbos 🙏

[@ChrisLitton]

For me growing up ... this was what a BMW was.