We've ranked every BMW M3 - From the E30 to the G80

[@GoodwoodRR]

Right then, exactly what do you hate us for in this list?

[@danielpaulson3631]

You mentioned the G80.

[@salvi1398]

@@amacke4736 the best at being the most ugly, sure

[@Ruxor]

I hate you because you have the ability to purchase the G80 Touring. And to the people bitching about the front end....don't worry....you will only see the read end.

[@jseally]

The fact you’ve assessed the e46 and e36 as top and bottom undermines your opinions. When you drive them they’re not very far apart. Smacks of fan boi thinking, not objective analysis.

[@toodlepop]

FINE. i'll take my F80 and go home and YOU can't come to my birthday.

[@tonycarapetis7485]

@@toodlepop yeah , F80 is underappreciated. Pretty happy with mine, although I haven't driven any of the others. Lol

[@heinztang2376]

Still better than my E36 which I love after driving all E's M3, it is my favourite so I bought it.

[@toodlepop]

@@tonycarapetis7485 i also have not driven any of the others. but i will say that it drives better than my 1996 pontiac bonneville and the humvees that i drove in the military.

[@jeengyim3072]

I love my f80..Still a neck breaker

[@Fred-rv2tu]

I loved my F80 still regret selling it.

[@R8andGT3Fan]

As a 90s kid, the E36 stole my heart forever. I know, the M version is not different enough styling wise, but it's so classy, so well proportioned, and I think that with the right exhaust it sounds A LOT better than any E46. Anyway, all of them have plenty of things to like! 😍

[@AbandonedRaven]

I love the E36 and E92 so much.

[@mac_m3]

These are the two I've owned, and are great. Can't comment on owning the others, but the e46 M3's I've driven are a nice blend of the two!

[@AbandonedRaven]

@ What I’m saving for currently is the E34 preferably, or an E36. I have been in an E36 numerous times, but I can’t speak on the others as well.

[@DjNikGnashers]

I always loved the E36 M3. It was a really well styled, very well built, proper performance car. I think my OG M2 is going to be regarded as one of the best M cars ever made, in a few years time.

[@ISpinUWin]

@@DjNikGnashers original owner here and still have it. Love it. If I had to replace it, it would be with the prev gen M2.

[@hershil12]

i doubt it considering there is an m2 comp. it may hold its value a bit better but its not too much difference between the new m2 to justify it besides a little more weight and a bit more analog but with the s58 in the m2s, im not sure how the values of previous gen m2s are going to hold up since that engine is more tuneable.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@hershil12 I see your point. I don't feel the OG M2 is really any slower than the M2C, as the 40bhp extra in the M2C is offset by the heavier weight of the newer M2C. I do absolutely agree the S58 is a lot more tunable but I am comparing standard cars, as I have been down the whole tuning route, and with my OG M2 I think it's perfect as it is. It's plenty fast enough, and while my previous 455bhp/634nm M140i was faster from a roll, beast of a car, I now get more enjoyment from the far superior chassis dynamics, handling, and cornering ability that my OG M2 has. The M2C doesn't really have any advantages over the OG in that area. And of course, in future years, the original versions of a car/model always seem to be the most sought after, as they are always the purest form of that particular model, and the OG M2 is just such a car. I'm not saying it's perfect, but it does feel like it has that special magic, that only a rare few models have.

[@simonehayes4911]

OG M2 best car I’ve owned out of nearly 40 motors, proper noise, proper driving machine ❤️

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@simonehayes4911 I agree, it's still quite 'raw' for a modern car, and feels 'special' every time I drive it. They look fantastic.

[@deanfisher1656]

On my second F80 M3…..sold the first one….regretted that and bought another one. Wonderful mods and love the brutal acceleration, with nice handling……and it looks incredible.

[@Eduhardlock]

The e46 M3 is still stunning. My favourite. Beautiful car from every angle.

[@tractioncontroldelete]

Swap the positions of the F80 with the G80, then you have a perfect list.

[@Herazo_227]

What I understand about this is that talking about the best M3 is so personal that it almost feels like talking about which is the best colour.

[@joe_ferreira]

yes, and some are going to only care about styling while others are going to only care about handling and others only about power. you can't please everyone.

[@rw3915]

I drove a E46 M3 for 16 years - headers, HJS cats, Supersprint Race muffler, PSS10s, etc…. Loved that car. Very feelsome car. It let you know what was going on beneath you, the steering, and just the general size and it signals in advance when it starts to lose grip. I drive a Portimao Blue G82 M4 now. It’s a special car, but it’s too big, it’s not got a sharp turning radius, and its steering feel is just about dead, although it is precise. The two cars are worlds apart. I will say the M4’s comfort is outstanding!

[@aloniabasmerom8868]

E36 M3 is the most underrated M car but the new M3, Touring and the CS version are just cool cars and the craziest thing about it is the insane tuning potential from the engine... Some guy tuned an M3 Competition to 1500hp literally 3x the stock power and did the 1/4 mile in 7 seconds making it the world's fastest M car

[@stevewhite9653]

E92 M3 is my all time favourite - how I miss mine 😢

[@HD33P1]

@@stevewhite9653 why did you sell it?

[@stevewhite9653]

@ I was getting a divorce. 🥴

[@carlossanz1062]

@@stevewhite9653 that is worse that a crash

[@joedesi99]

Same here. Regret selling mine

[@DTW_Guy]

You'll scoff at the F80 for getting turbos and being a beast yet the heavy also turbo and now with a torque converter G80 gets higher placement? You're off your rocker even if it's a wagon.

[@markharten5429]

You complain about the weight of the e92 but then place the heaviest m3 in second place...😂

[@GoodwoodRR]

We were more saying that at the time it was a change to go up so much in weight

[@leeengland1748]

@@GoodwoodRRbut we arent at ‘the time’ now

[@a.j.constantino6665]

I’m so glad I bought my DCT E90 M3 when I did. The practicality and sound of that S65 and crispness of the gearbox is otherworldly.

[@S54VR6]

thank you for helping to make my e46 m3 worth even more. the more videos like this, the better for me

[@6351stuart]

3:30 A Club Sport spec E92 M3 with a Carbon intake is one of the best cars ever, Great example of speed and handeling and are not crazy money.

[@WB700r]

which of the M3s were considered the best handling car available at any price? yup, the E36

[@acroracing]

He starts by choosing the “all time favorite” BMW M3 and continues to choose every M3 ever made.. I can agree with that.

[@pashkaS54]

E30 M3 provides by far the worst driving experience of any M car that I’ve ever driven. E36 and e46 are at the top with G80 after that.

[@bield7]

E36 or E46. The current/latest model looks dreadful

[@porscherain]

E36 for me, thanks

[@ISpinUWin]

Me too (I’m an original owner and still have it). If I were forced to replace it, I think I would have to choose the previous generation M2. It seems closest to the E36 in dimensions and it also looks great IMO.

[@abizzle100]

The shot of the e36 saloon at 1:09 seconds, that’s a beautiful car! 😍😍😍

[@M3Pilot]

i knew a guy who had one in the exact same color. so damn clean

[@VykronianF1]

This is a bogus list you lower some cars for one reason but then elevate cars that are guilty of the same thing. It’s not the positioning of M3 that I have a problem with, it’s the reasonings.

[@chadschobert1440]

I've owned both an E36 M3 and currently have a G80 M3, but think the E90 will be the gold standard that truly embodies the car the best and will shoot up in value the most over time. High strung NA V8 encapsulates the M ethos the best to me.

[@paulk1702]

I've been lucky enough to own 3 variants. SO much opinion depends on recency bias and nostalgia. The true measure is 'at the time feel.' Which is why the E46 M3 [approaching 25 years since launch] will [for those of us who were there at the time] never be surpassed.

[@RobbieKhan]

10 years of E46 M3 here (see my 10yrs of ownership video!) and yes, glad to see the E46 on #1 👍

[@fvresonanator]

1. E46 M3 2. E36 M3 3. E30 M3 4. E92 M3 5. F80 M3 6. G80 M3

[@salvi1398]

The right list. I might put the e30 over the e36, but other than that yeah. I still don’t understand how the g80 ranks so highly in this video 😅

[@fvresonanator]

@salvi1398 e36 because of the straight 6 for me. Tbh the G80 shouldn't even make the list at all...

[@DasE30Cuz]

What the E30 was able, and continues, to achieve with the rear suspension of an ox cart is pretty remarkable.

[@chrisg4rr377]

Cars in general peaked at the E46. Perfect in size, great as far as modern tech goes. I love my phoenix coupe

[@monkeymagic4555]

E36 evo....no ifs.....no buts

[@MSavageEsq]

Great video. Love the E46. Would definitely take the G80 estate.

[@helmsman6542]

Haha, don't hate you at all mate...😅 On the contrary, a quite lovely little M3 video among the tons out there. Been driving my E90M3 for a decade now so my top of the list is clear. Doesn't prevent me from liking all the other models for what they are. While keeping the E90...👍

[@Mike.1886]

Barf!! The E36 M3 drives much, much better than the E46…the late Paul Walker thought so too

[@puristM]

definitely can agree with you on this.

[@papa_pt]

What's with the quite incorrect audi and Merc photos @4:17? Agreed the early f80 are probably the worst. Much improving towards the end of that gen

[@0Happīkā0]

#1 E46, #2 E30, #3 E36 and the rest don't matter. The silhouette of the E46 is the best looking car ever. Not over styled at all but still got some meat over its bones. Very straight forward how a car should look. I'd take that over Ferraris or Lamborghinis any time.

[@therealturbofanisme]

Also why use the wrong generation pics for the RS4 and Benz c-class competition to the e92? Weird

[@frankie_wmg]

Now let's have every M5 ranked, including the special versions.

[@waquarahmad9447]

So the e92 too big and the g80 isn’t? Makes no sense I would swap those 2 spots, other than that pretty accurate

[@blackmancer]

I own a 2001 Phoenix Yellow manual (converted) E46 M3 coupe and I approve this message.

[@reedos.M3]

i've been lucky enough to own an e30 M3 cecotto and now an e46 M3, which is now ESS supercharged. they are my favourites

[@puristM]

E36 M3 coupe in Dakar yellow S50b30 is the ultimate balance weight to power ratio with a manual gearbox. fullstop.

[@jace5190]

E46 is always the answer. By todays standards, a small coupe body with tight bulging arches, the most superb na 6 and that intake noise! I've owned mine for 10 years; have driven every generation bar G80, and it's always the E46 I come back to! FYI - you mentioned the C63 when remarking the E9X, however you pictured a W202 C43 :)

[@Mattmt56]

Not feeling the E46 design so much. I'll always love the original best.

[@arisusser4984]

1. f80 2. e36 3. e90 4. g80 5. e46

[@Nkosinathi-n4s]

Hi, the red BMW coupe at the end of the video with a short trunk, is it an E36? or E46? pPlease reply...

[@ChrisDavies-r7n]

It's an E36 Compact - not the prettiest compared to the regular E36 body. The regular E36 coupe model is one of the best looking beamers ever.

[@TheManmoths]

I couldn’t agree more! 🙌🏼 I take my S54 in Z4M flavour though.

[@MasterSteve_117]

So annoyed by people saying e92 is slow. I think most haven't driven the E92 or don't understand how to correctly use this engine. It NEEDS revs, give it revs and it will put a smile on your face. Reving it is more like a "event" than crusiing it with low end power like a b58 or s58.

[@bogdanfechete9386]

Big fam of first gen BMW M4 and still own it after 10 years I can say I love it more then first day, and for the 2 S54 I own both manual and smg I think they best NA I-6 for me.

[@markseeger3352]

On looks as I have never driven any is the E46 by quite a margin, still looks modern enough without the over styling of BMW’s current models.

[@fretstain]

total newb here with a question. What's the difference between an m2 and a m3? I don't really understand bmw naming conventions

[@ethanryan5299]

My E92 M3 weighs in at 1510kg as it stands. Stripper spec/Manuel with rear seats removed and buckets. So not too heavy with the right car. You can easily get them to 450hp as well.

[@chanhyung88]

Love my E92 so much would not replace with any other M3

[@mowgli5679]

I had a Dakar evo for 16 years from when I was 20 to 36. I was happy then. I’m not now

[@mannyfox8089]

Sounds like you know the next move 😎

[@MetallicHallucinations]

I was lucky enough to own an e30 m3 in my twenties. The dogleg gearbox and sitting on the wrong side made it feel special. It always felt a bit down on power though. Cannot believe the prices of them now 😂

[@liambennett3281]

Asmuch as mine placed 4th, honestly can't grumble with it at all still turns heads next to my friends G82

[@jono9819]

6.42 “first m3 touring” Correct me if im wrong but i do recall a e91 m3 touring..

[@CarlGeorgTsigakis]

Nice to see people have deferent opinions, For me the E46 is at the bottom of the list.. :)

[@shikarbabulall3897]

Apparently the E30 M3 couldn't fit a 6 cylinder engine so Paul Wright took a 6 cylinder from his M1 , took of 2 cylinders and put it in the M3 the S14 designed in 14 days , accountants were afraid it was going to be a flop, so they sold a few but customers told them stuff it to their surprise they were there for the M3 , they saw its handling in the race track , it could accelerate out of a corners faster and also M3 race drivers could break much later that the competitors.The E30 lied not in its power but in it's balance. 7:22

[@onebugsubie2538]

the e36 is a such a tunable chassis, insane aftermarket leaves the e36 at the top of my list. i love my usdm spec s52 m3.

[@conanthelibrariansunflower]

I have an E85 Z4MR and a F82 M4 . Arguably the worst M cars ever. But I love them both. They're far from perfect, especially the Z4M suspension on UK roads (I've lowered mine with an Eibach Pro kit that improved the ride but meant I ground out over speed bumps a lot more now). But if you pick your road and your moment they absolutely fly. Way much more drama and they will kill you if you don't treat them with respect. The M4 was a commuter for 3 years so racked up a few more miles than average. Now i'm retired it's my sensible car and does bugger all mileage. Works great for me.

[@therealturbofanisme]

Only people who don't know anything would rank the Z4M the worst. If the E46 M3 is the best M3 then the E86 M should be that next step above. Lighter and more rigid than the M3. I have the roadster because I love drop tops but the coupe is awesome

[@leeengland1748]

Disagree, the e9x is my favourite, love the design, the engine and the hydraulic steering. E90 for rarity and practicality

[@BoxingWave]

My favorite M3 generation order. I love all 6 gens by the way. 1. E46 M3 2. E30 M3 3. G80 M3 4. E92 M3 5. F80 M3 6. E36 M3

[@digitalgulby]

I’m happy to have owned the best one. Sad i sold it in 2017 after many fun years

[@HD33P1]

Why did you sell it?

[@STORM3SHADOW]

E46 was arguably peak M3. E90 had the best engine but it's looks and less nimble handling knocks it down. The F80 and G80 are unbelievably fast but clinical. None posses the combination that the E46 just seems to have.

[@WB700r]

@@STORM3SHADOW 46 felt heavy coming from a 36

[@jayfuentes5162]

E46 ///M3 👍🏼❤️

[@zhaoyangxie]

Numb steering on e9x!? 😂😂😂

[@ReasonX3]

6:12 Sorry, what? Where did you find this info? Its absolutely wrong. Mercedes of the same era used inline 6 and dominated DTM. If I remember correctly, BMW tried to race DTM with their old 6 series, which had inline 6, but it was too outdated by the time. So they decided to take an E30 chasse as a base, which BTW you could buy with inline 6, make a new body kit for it to install wider wheels and improve aerodynamics, and develop a new engine for it. This inline 4 "casualty" as you say, was developed by Paul Rosche - one of the best engine designers in history. He used the same engine block as their F1 engines. The reason why BMW decided to use 4-cylinder engine instead of 6, is weight distribution. The E30 has a very short hood and wheel base. On 6:14 you can see that if they used 6-cylinder engine, it would sit far beyond the front axel and would make handling less precise and responsive. The coolest thing about E30 M3 is that it became one of the most successful cars in history of motorsport, proving that precision and overall balance is more important then HP. None of its successors could repeat the success of E30. Let's also not forget that many icons of WRC used 4-cylinder engines as well.

[@shikarbabulall3897]

The silver M3 is a CSL looks much much better than the standard E46 M3

[@DoNuT_1985]

My top 3: E46 CSL, E92 GTS and the rest doesn't really matter.

[@goransimic8650]

F80-F82 series💎🎯

[@DesejadoLopes]

True my favourite Bmw m3 and m4

[@Hooligan6R]

Completely accurate

[@iDopeD9]

I love my manual ccb G80❤, I’ll accept the results lol

[@lemonone314]

I agree, BMW E46 M3 is #1

[@therealturbofanisme]

I was originally the 1000th like but I withdrew it for ranking the E36 last 😂

[@beauwulf]

E30 > E36 > E46 = E92 > F80 > G80 in looks, driver enjoyment, and cool factor. BMW has slowly lost their way.

[@Bimmer_Bill]

G80 is number one in overall capability though (as a daily and track weapon) and it’s not even close

[@beauwulf]

@@Bimmer_Bill If we only cared about raw performance stats, we'd all just buy corvettes.

[@JAMA1998]

​@@beauwulf It handles better and is vastly more reliable than the e92, and has more steering feel & suspension compliance than the f80. It's easy to tell you haven't driven any of these cars and only form your opinion from what you see on the internet.

[@maverickngoose95]

G80 and now because it’s the newest. Only one to have switchable Xdrive and the best motor and transmission. Yes, better than their DCT.

[@robertborne895]

The Mercedes shown is not a C63. Looks more like a C36 or a C43

[@currythegoatofmankindthepa5156]

F80 by a country mile and when the G80 comes down in price that will be the best. But the M2 and M240i are watch you should buy

[@Luvuyo4GYM]

I’ll Keep The V8 E92 ❤❤❤

[@trebm3]

G80 at #2 while it exhibits the worst parts of 3-5 is odd at best. A lot of weird takes here. E92 is big in size but not “heavy” by today’s standards. It’s barely heavier than a e46. Power to weight ratio is actually better. It also has a nicer interior and a better chassis. Its only downside to the e46 is subjective exterior styling.

[@simonehayes4911]

Of all those we bought none 🤣 Instead a OG M2 👍

[@noobasdfjkl]

E36 is way underrated, and that comes from an E46 owner.

[@flavioc5389]

E36 3.2 Evo in Estoril Blau 😍

[@ZD-tx8oc]

1. E46 2. E30 3. E92 4. E36 5. F80 6. G80 As far as which is the best at being at M3

[@skilgour44]

E92 E30 E36 E46 F80 G80

[@Nikolayski1337]

E30 and F80 for me.

[@jensbraun7748]

E30 is the Best

[@atsr_]

Putting the G80 in second place is a travesty. Besides being absolutely horrendous it weighs 2 tonnes

[@JamesMonty]

Do more research and drive the cars, so many mistakes in the video it’s embarrassing and feels a bit ‘ai’ You showed an old C class AMG that has a six cylinder not the 6.2 v8 Lots more mistakes, I hate AI content

[@Whiters8]

Agreed. All the random concepts at the start of the video set alarm bells ringing and it just got worse from there. Many errors.

[@jamsxr]

Meh, the G80 would be my last pick for a weekend blast by my first for a daily driver.

[@OldManOnTrak]

I have owned an E90 and loved it, but swapped it for a Giulia QV, which I chose over an F80 M3 I drove on the same day I tested the Alfa. Money no object, I would love to ‘restomod’ an E46 (definitely the best looking M3) to CS or CSL spec, while retaining that manual gearbox and installing CarPlay 😊. That would be the ultimate M3 for me.

[@NAS-cd5zv]

The e36 with s54-e46 engine is the best m3

[@RogueBeatsARG]

no way the the G80 is close to the top 🤣

[@x_hailer999]

The g80 is a perfect M3 in every aspect

[@Bimmer_Bill]

@@RogueBeatsARG it depends on what you value. Although it is the size a a 5 series from a few decades ago, it is by far the most capable m3 ever. In fact, Misha flat out said it’s the best production car out period that doubles as a daily driver and track weapon.

[@RogueBeatsARG]

@@Bimmer_Bill ngl i dont care what Misha said lol, i just dont think it looks appart

[@currythegoatofmankindthepa5156]

G80 is the penacle and looks the part too

[@NinoPavkovic]

@@Bimmer_Billwrong. Nothing beats Porsche 911

[@seanoconnor8135]

Pretty cliche list. E36 and E9X equal first for me, followed by E46 and others some way behind

[@CadexLaw]

As someone that has driven every M3 but the E30, I can't fathom how you can put the E46 M3 as number one. The steering is the worst of the pre-EPS cars, super slow & numb. Yes I know it's hydraulic, I don't care. The S54 sounds awful no matter what you do to it, the only redeemable factor is the CSL intake & it's a much heavier car than the E36. For my money it's the most overrated BMW ever. I will concede that the E46 is probably the 2nd or 3rd best looking M3, behind the F80 & E30, I'd love for my neighbor to own one so I could look at it, but as far as the driving experience goes - it's underwhelming. I think nostalgia is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.

[@emiliomelian685]

BMW M3 E46 best M3 ever

[@mac_m3]

1. E46 2. E30 3. E90 4. G80 5. E36 6. F80

[@Robert-ru1hq]

Yeah ehm…. My ranking 1. E46 m3 2.E90 M3 3.E36 4.F80 5.G80 6.E30 Every single one of them is a trye dream car tho No matter the ranking