The BMW E46 M3 makes me emotional

BMW has created several historic M3 versions over the last few decades. However, many consider the E46 M3 to be the greatest ever produced. In this video, I'll explain why I 100% agree with that.
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[@ristokankkunen4275]

E46 M3 is a timeless car, especially the design.

[@aaronstephens2373]

I love that the design lives on in the F22 M240i, its like a modernized copy

[@LiljamezZz]

🤓

[@krinos1]

🤓

[@joempoem478]

Well, the front suspension domes and the subframes would suggest otherwise.

[@AutisTECH96]

Indeed, brother, I cannot agree more! 😎👊🏻🔥

[@CS_Uravity_PRO]

They just nailed everything with the E46. That damn cute yet confident front face is fucking timeless and will always put a smile on my face whenever I see any E46 3-series..

[@t2216]

One problem is weight. It is a small car but big engine ones are 1500+kg. Coming from a 330Ci owner. Otherwise it drives very good. BMW fix it with M3 CSL that is only 1280kg !

[@antton9623]

Yes but myself don't like the newer headlight design.

[@colecooper5836]

Body design wise theyre about perfect. Mechanically they're a disaster full of flaws.

[@Euphorica]

Its heavy and ugly

[@t2216]

@@colecooper5836 They have plastic related problems, otherwise at least older inline 4 and 6 cyl ones are good. I own mine already 10 years and it has now 360k on clock. Most of it is driven by me

[@art_bun]

"emotional" doesn't even begin to describe it. i recently spent a week away from my car and getting back in it felt like hugging your best friend after a long time. driving was like conversing about all the things i'd been meaning to say. the E46 M3 truly is a special machine, being able to own and even daily it feels like an honor from the car gods. thank you for making this video, it makes me happy seeing people appreciating these cars more openly

[@TURALICRACING]

same here i went to spain for 8 days and when I came back it felt like the car missed me

[@voyeur4994]

Your closing statement is what I’ve been saying for years! The early 2000 BMWs were the best in brand identity and uniform class! They kept the critical design elements from the 80s right through. Mercedes has also lost its way aswell. So sad to watch these designers butcher the identity of these brands. I would buy a brand new E46 tomorrow if I could.

[@Godxmilkman]

Im saving up to have my engine revuilt soon, i love my E46 M3😩

[@KKoolS]

Its because the Chinese Market is the most important growing market for BMW now. Thats why the design changed so dramatically.

[@voyeur4994]

@@KKoolS obviously, that’s why they look so bad, gotta squint to make it look better. Just chuck a plastic gold lucky cat in with every new car sold, problem solved

[@claudiakramer4516]

@@KKoolS it has nothing to do with the Chinese market. Design has nothing to do with the market buying your car. Based on that Rolls-Royce also owned by BMW would design Rolls-Royce like xpeng instead of Rolls-Royce. Just because Chinese people are buying it doesn't relieve Mercedes-Benz responsibility for designing a premium car. Instead they're designing Hyundai's from the two thousands and slapping a benz badge on it

[@Lust4Machine]

I think the e46 M3 is in my top 10 most refined car designs up there with cars like the McLaren F1. It's beautiful and I want one when I have more money

[@griffin_kith6214]

Just make sure the rod bearings subframe and vanos have been done when you do, or do them when you first get it for peace of mind

[@kotarojujo2737]

@@griffin_kith6214 does that also applies to base model e46?

[@griffin_kith6214]

@@kotarojujo2737 subframe does I think the vanos system as well, not rod bearings

[@mukhtarp9218]

I have an E46 330Ci. I came from a GTi. I love the E46. It really is a special car, not just driving it but the look of it. I constantly find myself looking back at it or peering through the window 😂 I plan on getting an E46 M3 whilst keeping the 330Ci. That should tell you how much I like it 😂

[@jpadicecoffee9812]

I had both 05 models. I sold my M3 Comp a few years later after not using it as much on the weekend. My interest changed; the 330ci zhp does it all for me, reliable yet not too fast to get me in trouble, and that's the one I want to drive to 500k miles.

[@classiccarssp]

I also have a 330CI ZHP and I think is the sweet spot.. powerful enought with all the realibility 🙌

[@Noname-rz1tw]

@@jpadicecoffee9812 I have heard this one before. Most of the M3 owners seem to find a lot of positive things to say about the 330 Ci. M3 used to be my dream car, but as I grew up and I don't care about the M badge anymore - 330 Ci became my dream car. It's such a trouble free car considering how fun it is to drive. I like the long service intervals, and there's no stress about door dings and rust. I can accept that kind of things in a car which doesn't try to be anything special. (even though it's special :D)

[@jpadicecoffee9812]

@@Noname-rz1tw I'm due for my 100k miles , 5yr service now. Need new suspensions, control arms, and reseal leaks. Just normal maintenance. But overall this car is fast enough in-city, reliable and predictable. Tough decisions on which to drive, when I own both. I kept the one that cost me less to maintain and not worry about parking it at the supermarket.

[@CHRISANDREOU4199]

Sounds like a plan 👍

[@jaycar06ify]

Bought mine 2 years ago and have zero regrets. It's a 2003 and mostly stock it still outperforms my very not-stock 2015 WRX. The grip it gets around corners is unmatched by most vehicles. Revving past 7k gets me every time.

[@Sizeofanocean007]

When I had my E46 coupe (in a gorgeous spec), I literally looked at it for at least ten minutes every day. That shape is just beyond perfect, from every angle. I vividly hope to own one again someday....

[@ikhoonyejelem2967]

Could you analyze the design of every 3 series like you did with the 7 series? and maybe do that with other model generations from other companies like audi or mercedes

[@voyeur4994]

I feel the same, I have spent many hours of my life looking at, talking about and dreaming of the e46 M3. The way it feels to drive the raspy exhaust note and genuine joy I feel admiring looking at and driving makes this my all time ultimate driving machine!

[@ramiyalda2306]

The E46/M3 is just one of those cars that has its status cause it’s a one time thing… you’ll never see something like it again and it’s bitter cause we want more but it’s sweet cause it’s timeless

[@cameron.t]

Still in love with my E46 ZHP since day one. It’s such a treat driving it, always shocks me how amazing it feels when switching from my daily car. Not the fastest, but it feels right

[@KLiangHou]

You're right. This is why E46 is so classic. I believe it is a legend right now.

[@Dennis-du4jh]

I love my e46 m3 coupe 6mt. I am now in Colorado for a couple of weeks and this car is the perfect balance of everything. The curvy mountain roads, relaxed highway cruising, tight city roads, decent mpg. And during the whole time no issues from it no matter how hard I drove it and that includes bombing it up Pikes peak. Yes it was down some power in the thinner air but it just made you focus on other rewarding aspects of this car. I cant imagine ever selling this car especially compared to the latest m3s.

[@limortaccitua]

One of the best cars ever, period.

[@BeefyMon]

I FAR prefer the e46 in sedan form. The angled line from the Hofmeister kink, diagonally down through the rear door opening, curving at the base, then accelerating the eye forward to the front of the car-as if time has slowed down ; the car speeds ahead while the body stretches and the rear of the car tries to catch up. Gorgeous. Unfortunately the coupe lacks this grace. The coupe’s door outlines shunt this graceful expression by awkwardly cutting the side of the car in thirds, vertically.

[@vladislavdimitrov4646]

Very nice explanation.

[@stephankrain]

One of the best looking coupes of all time imo, not just the M-version. Even a 318i would be adorable ❤️

[@mafia_gamer_official30973]

I have firstly met with this legendary model in NFS MW back in 2005 and I loved and still love the car. 😎🥃

[@parskaf]

the old design of bmw and mercedes are not getting older, they still looks perfect

[@kentrelhayes5982]

Love love love this video. Not only because I’m a huge E46 fan.(sadly I’ve only gotten to own 3, working on the third.) but I’m also a huge fan of your work. I wish you would speak about car regulations and how it has impacted car creation. Examples being pop up head light bands, rear tail lights having to be visible when a truck is open, etc…

[@TigerWoods707]

Sadly?? Haha nice though man 👍🏼

[@michaelscurr9046]

I had a 2003 phoenix yellow manual. I sold it around a year ago and I regret it now. There fetching really good money if there well looked after now days. I’m driving a 1 M at the moment. I want another E46 if I can get my hands on a good one. Greetings from Oz

[@startingtech3900]

damn you had a dream spec the 1m is ugly

[@mrsoisauce9017]

Wasn’t this car the one that was featured in NFS MW as the BMW M3 GTR back in 2005?

[@jamescox1806]

E36 M3 makes me emotional! The E46 is beautiful, but the E36 M3 is my first love!

[@rafaellastracom6411]

I had a 1995 E36. What a car! A long, lost love.

[@jamescox1806]

@@rafaellastracom6411 u 2? Lol

[@AstralasProduction]

It's difficult for non car enthusiast to notice difference between M3 and regular E36

[@kotarojujo2737]

@@AstralasProduction yeah thats why its so underrated because the different between base model e36 and m3 in exterior is basically non existent.

[@johnny042395]

I'd love to see your take on the F chassis generation of the 3 and 4 series. Particularly the M3/m4 since they're the same front end

[@0megalul309]

F30 a bit of a sleeper

[@erikalvarez4516]

Every angle of this car is breath taking

[@dschingy]

You're absolutely right about the design of each model in the end. All models from the era of the E46 had their own design but they spoke the same language, connecting them as a brand family while still keeping them unique. Somewhat like siblings. Audi from that era tried the same but failed misserably as ir wasn't clear if you were looking at a A4, A3, or A6. The A2 and TT had their own face but those could be considered experiments (very good ones though).

[@AMGThanatos]

I Will always appreciate the older M3 bmw timeless machine’s that will live on as legend. Being 22 own an M car is nuts to me to this day, I absolutely love my 95 M3 e36 that car holds so much meaning to me.

[@surellow]

I just cant explain how beautful i think this car is everything about it is perfect every angle i always loved it and always wanted one...

[@CursedThulium]

Dad bought it off his best friend 12 years ago after a really traumatic event. Been using it as the family car ever since LMAOOO (10/10 coolest family car, also really fucking spacious in the back seat for a coupe hot damn, wayyyy more spatious than my mum's 4 door) Also he treats it like his baby to the point where he wont even let his best friend (previous owner) drive it anymore. Recently, the mechanic (who has a special interest in BMWs) did a compression test, and apparently it's near factory condition, and the mechanic said that it was one of the most well looked after cars he's seen, and it made my dad's whole damn day. I guess that babying was useful for something after all lol.

[@emilistankschool]

The E46 is a great car and I love it to death, but I feel like the E36 before it is an underrated gem

[@kentrelhayes5982]

I felt that

[@l04d83]

Not exactly underrated, their value is 2x the E46 M3 here in EU. The E36 has gotten extremely popular here, especially the coupe of it. E36 330ci or E36 M3 can easily cost over 20k or 40k.

[@kentrelhayes5982]

@@l04d83 looking at a E46 330 for about 2k here in Germany now. (98) trying to take it back to the states with me

[@l04d83]

@@kentrelhayes5982 Yeah, some people still have reasonable prices. About a month ago, a listing came up on our car selling site for a E36 330ci with 120k km for 17000€. And it actually sold for that price. Meanwhile E36 M3s go for around 35000€ here.

[@ALRemmo]

I own an E46 convertible TBH this car cost me a lot of money on maintenance like whenever i fix something another thing get damaged My entire family and all my friends told me to sell it they say "it served well but now the car is tired it's time to sell it" and my response was and still the same "i cant sell it i'm in love with this car" Till almost last year i bought a new car for daily use and i kept my "Bimo" as my gf calls it for weekends

[@lamaludwig1470]

I own 2 E46, one bought in 2007 and one in 2015. Little chance that the elegenance will ever come back - just look what they did with the interior design in the updated 3 series.

[@Steveo15]

the frontlights aren't my favorites, but i respect them. The 2 rounded elements/radiuses complement the sideprofile of the car and the 4 exhausts on the back + recall to the older round light design. they also give slight tension in movement and add a certain tristesse for me😄 my personal favourite is the E30 in black.stunning car. front and backlights are pefect too😍the grill is not too big and the design doesn't pretend to grab attention, yet it is still simple in lineflow, elegant and timeless. Interior is lovely too. frontview looks sporty and reminds me of a stunned face wich is good😶

[@Gen_X]

I'm the proud owner of the Phoenix Yellow E46.. 2003 model.. I bought it when it was 18 months old.. Don't intend selling... Ever!

[@Blk.E92]

e46 330i here never gave up on it it broke on me hurt me made me cry but ive nvr once gaven up on my girl amazing car i love it so much and now that maintenance is done its time to finally mod it :)

[@startingtech3900]

dont mod lamely

[@brandongoldberg5343]

Great video. Love the history and the design talk!

[@dealman3312]

It looks unbelievable to this day!

[@v.s.727]

I really like front ends with an upper grill and a lower bumper with some intakes. This upoer and lower seperation is missing on the G82. And in tge lower bumper I like a 3 vent design, with vents streatchin out to the corners like on the E46 M3 non csl.

[@Overjustification]

Absolutely love it. Having a E46 330ci stickshift Convertible with BMW Individual interior and all black M package exterior, I am totally accepting all the repairs this car needs (and it's a lot), because I doubt I will ever get my hands on one of these ever again. Value appreciation is already compensating for that, and will even more so in the future.

[@morangott3]

Great detailed video about the design! I’m with you on that one, it’s the best looking BMW and amazing car to drive. it will never be looked dated.

[@austriadiamolo]

It was perfect, perfect down to the last minute detail

[@stevensims3342]

The E46 is a fully cohesive design. The E90 is not far behind. Very classy. Quite timeless.

[@rlsedition]

My favorite M3 as well. I especially like the size of this one.

[@alainprevost5374]

Love this kind of design analysis specially in 2000s BMWs which I really craved as a kid. I loved (and still like very much) the 2006 330Ci You should go next with Audi TT MK1, another german car that lost its way big time

[@gio_ziraqa]

Im just super happy that i purchased my dream car at 19yo while they were relatively less expensive than they are now because i might have never been able to own one. This video gave me chills man 🤤, made me love it more and take care of it till i live, god i love this car! 😍

[@ricoricardo4850]

WHO?

[@gio_ziraqa]

@@ricoricardo4850 joe

[@ricoricardo4850]

@@gio_ziraqa mama

[@theslavscav]

E46 has always been and still is my favorite BMW design. And, similar to how BTTF movies made DeLorean DMC 12 an automotive legend, this M3 is now an immortal icon, thanks to Need For Speed series

[@diegomartinmartindiego7829]

What a intro ! Thank you for the time spent on this . To me what a solid design , teutonic , powerful , planted , shark y , killer and most of all elegant . Never miss your videos , you can re design Santa sledge 🛷 , I LL watch it ! Great holidays and give the cat a raise !

[@onlyhuman7420]

Please make a video on E38 7 series.It's possibly the most beautiful BMW design ever.

[@vladislavdimitrov4646]

He has such videos.

[@IroquoisPlissken]

YES. This is the best and the timeless (with E39). And KZbin proposes me your Z8 video next, damn I need to go the sleep but I guess not.

[@Kev27RS]

Timeless 90s design! Love it!

[@Een_Thijs]

Could you maybe make a video about the Mk4 golf (R32)? That's also a really timeless car of the same time period as the E46 M3.

[@27rs49]

What a gorgeous car; especially the front. What a unique idea to add a 3d-element to the front with the turning lights placed forward to the main front lights. The carbon elements in the front, the ducktail, the simple bucket seats, the alcantara steering wheel, the typical gorgeous, and perfectly harmonic dashboard, the perfect proportions. Wow! Only mess: No manual gear box. After lots of horribly proportionned "SUV Coupés", beaver fronts, BMW gives hope with the new 2 series. Still no perfection, but going into the right way.

[@DS-pk4eh]

BMW E46 M3 - pure love. best car I had

[@marko-ns21f1]

i love your videos about bmw's design in the past

[@bakican9276]

As a e46 fanboy i just cried bro such a nice video

[@classiccarssp]

Love my 6 speed manual 330CI ZHP to death... the absolute sweet spot 🙌

[@walterverbeeck6929]

I have a BMW 325Ci SMG, turning 20 years next year and well mantained. The only thing i changed is a digital cluster cluster and an 9 inch Android radio with a Resler modul and sound system They offert me 15.000 Euro for it, but i love that car so i cant sell it, the car is way to beautiful to sell, and till this day getting his maitenance (with maintenance bookled and i have all the invoices for repairs and maintenance in a folder) by an original BMW dealer.

[@NeverDieKnight]

What A video, especially breaking down and explaining the design features and comparison!!! THUMBS UP !

[@JasonA1124]

My dream car right here

[@KennyHunteX]

I wish i had one its the only car i wanted and its a very ideal car,I loved this car so much in need for speed heat i beat the game with the starter m3 and the csl just to find out later the game was set on hard lol.

[@atSlickBoiChris]

Feels good to know other see what I see when I look at the M3 e46. Simply beautiful

[@alexk_215]

An an M3 CSL owner and bmw enthusiast, I agree with all points in this video !

[@sentree9857]

That silver stone color is beautiful!

[@startingtech3900]

titanium silver

[@PZJJProductions]

Thought about this whenever I look at my vert...! Timeless!

[@brunosutter]

Can you please make a similar video about the E92 M3?😊

[@alexgh4621]

Fuck the coupe, the sedan and wagon are cooler

[@brunosutter]

@@alexgh4621 E9x M3 wagon, nice one😂👌🏻

[@paularthur9218]

Im in love with e46 I started with a 318ci when I pass the driving licence and the a 330ci in grey she is gorgeous. I want a m3 but the price skyrocket

[@Nexarius97]

Can we get a comparison of pre-LCI E46 coupe and the LCI E46 Coupe? I have LCI E46 and I love how its look, for me, it's simple LCI > Pre-LCI, but I want to hear how someone who knows how design work, thinks about how it looks

[@Gshekela]

Love of my life.😍 very practical car, even backseats and boot are enough to fit passengers and bags.

[@metno_]

I have a e46 330i have done a lot to it and it’s such a fun car, the m3 is definitely next on the list

[@PutoAnimations]

This is my dream car, shame that it seems to be pretty rare nowadays, and I'll never have the money to buy one 😔

[@chris5468]

Never say never. Set a goal and start saving.

[@javimad]

What a difference makes the hood shut line! In the G82 it sits in the middle of nowhere. In the E46, there is no line because the hood ends below the kidneys, which is a great solution. The other is to end the hood just above the kidneys. What a designer should never do is end the hood in the middle of nowhere. It completely ruins the front end design!

[@alfyer5]

I love the e46 chassis. One of my favourite m3. I owned 2. A coupe and a vert. They look so great but they’re such maintenance hogs. I now own a e92 m3 and while it may not look as sexy as the e46 it is a superior car in every way.

[@thomashutson]

I have a E46 330i with 47k miles I absolutely love it!

[@alexbueno5815]

I got an e46 330ci vert, driving the car and just appreciating the experience certainly makes me emotional as well

[@steeven23]

love your content and your passion for cars

[@ponczak]

E36, E46 and E39 were the peak BMW. I would say they were one of the best cars in general. Not too complicated like their next generations, not too oldschool for regular driving. Comfortable, well equipped and they handles so good. Yea reliability may not be so good but if you compare it to let's say GT86 that requies engine rebuild often before hitting 100k km, then it's really good. And they are relatively cheap to maintain still. I'm not going to sell my E46 325ti ever. I don't need more than this in any aspect as for my daily driver. We need to save them for future.

[@_n-Dee_]

EXACTLY!! good job overall 👍

[@ernestcooke4988]

Amazing as always 🔥

[@VioletGiraffe]

Great video, loved your analysis of the design features in the end. I'm not an artist and these things don't stand out to me, so it was very educating. Thank you. I, too, think E46 is one of the best looking sedans / coupes ever designed. The other two of my favorites are Audi A4 B6 (and to some extent B7) and Mercedes W123 and W124. All three German, shocking! Which is not to say there are no Japanese or American sedans that I like, but these are my top picks.

[@sydneyNemesis101]

love my e46, will never let it go

[@midgetsun4026]

Great video. I'd never known of the GT3 or the Silverstone editions. Really interesting comparison of the lines and dimensions of the cars; I'd like to see more of that. Cheers.

[@GeorgeZaharia]

the entire e46 series i feel is the best design for a general public car design wise and they are not that bad as a daily driver also... 20 years since was made and they still stand pretty good. i sold mine recently needed to get a new model ... cause "gas ozone" and all that bullshit in europe... but i miss my e46 drick...

[@rvalent9366]

Could you do an episode on E46 coupe facelift without m pack? Thanks

[@helmetculture]

CS - clubsport CSL - club sport lightweight Coupe also works but the origin of CS is clubsport. As long as you don't call it competition sport

[@avery4528]

Here is a little known fact, the BMW E30 has a wheelbase of 101.2 which is almost the same as the GR86

[@Sable.Noah99]

I love the m3 e46 but if I had to pick a bmw I would get the E39 M5 bmw. Extremely underrated. With a face that sticks out and a rear that still feels like a iconic bmw that you love.

[@Kev27RS]

One of the best looking BMWs and Coupés in general ever made!

[@thevideogamer0mg99]

i used to hate e46's because they are common but you can't say they aren't great looking, amazing cars. i now own one myself.

[@silkee]

I can tell you in one word the problem with modern car design - computers. Kids fresh out of design school designing cars in a CAD program will never match the natural fluidity of a pencil. It's too easy to create inorganic triangular and concave shapes and just mess around infinitely with needless details that add nothing to the overall feel of the car. That and most likely several people have worked on the same model too. Looking at the arse end of a Civic Type-R is the perfect example of how wrong it can go.

[@ahmedp8009]

I love LOVE the E46 M3. Too bad the prices keep going up up up.

[@MasterStupidify]

Bembli, what is your opinion on the design of the BMW E60? I think they aged pretty well, while looking still pretty modern after 19 years

[@spicysnowman8886]

The lci can still look modern, but the 04-07 models look dated imo.

[@omidnamin9004]

absolute perfection in design inside and out. its a shame what bmw has become nowadays

[@HaggardPillockHD]

Yes, don't know what they were thinking with the facelift designs from mid 2000s onwards

[@ilmelangolo]

It makes me emotional also, especially at the petrol station😩 😉

[@tias88]

That's it, im starting up my E46 again.

[@v.s.727]

A real shame, that BMW didn't make the M3 touring!

[@kentrelhayes5982]

Would have been my dream

[@startingtech3900]

i hate wagons

[@salem99099]

I always loved the e46 since it came in production

[@TheOfficialGlitchTTG]

It was so good looking and I'll always own one

[@scottdickieson9019]

Ya I luckily got one a few years ago. It doesn’t move. I just look at it and sit in it.

[@startingtech3900]

youll get her running one day bro

[@IdaiMakayaPublications]

💯 % agree. This was the 3 Series' design peak. Best mix of solidity and style. Nothing on this one looked cheap, inside or outside. Now they look more plasticky, and M3 is too different from 340i. Back then, they were closer in appearance, but the cost differences felt justified.