The E46 M3: A Benchmark for the Ages

The original BMW M3, produced from 1998 to 2006, was a powerhouse on the road and track. With its 3.2-liter inline-six engine producing 333 horsepower, it was an impressive vehicle that quickly gained a following among driving enthusiasts. The E46 M3's impressive performance was also matched by its handling, which made it a joy to drive on twisty roads and tracks alike.

One of the key factors that contributed to the E46 M3's success was its rear-wheel drive layout, which allowed for precise control and agility. The car's limited top speed of 155 km/h (96 mph) also made it feel quick but relatively effortless, thanks in part to BMW's reputation for producing smooth and refined engines.

Despite being produced for six years, the E46 M3 was eventually surpassed by newer models from competitors like Mercedes and Audi, which offered more powerful engines. However, during its production run, the E46 M3 remained a fan favorite among driving enthusiasts, particularly those who appreciated the car's dynamic handling and rear-wheel drive layout.

In comparison to its successor, the G80 M3, the E46 M3 seems relatively modest by today's standards. The newer model boasts a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with two turbochargers, producing 510 horsepower - a significant increase over the E46's 333 horses. Additionally, the G80 is significantly larger and heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at 1730 kg (3824 lbs), compared to the E46's 1470 kg (3223 lbs).

Despite its size advantage, however, the G80 M3 still manages to deliver impressive performance, accelerating from 0-62 mph in under four seconds. This is a full second faster than the E46 M3 and a testament to the significant improvements in engine technology over the past two decades. Furthermore, the G80 has been fitted with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, which provides smooth and seamless shifting.

In terms of its driving experience, both the E46 M3 and G80 M3 are known for their exceptional handling and agility. However, the newer model is more likely to induce a sense of stress among drivers, particularly in wet conditions. The car's electronic stability control system can sometimes make it feel vague and unresponsive at the front wheels, which can be unsettling on faster sections of track.

To put these cars through their paces, we brought them together for a head-to-head shootout on a wet track. With traction control disabled and the rear differential locked, we set off to see how each car would perform under pressure. The G80 M3 quickly took an early lead, but it soon became apparent that driving in the wet was not its forte.

As we progressed through the lap, the E46 M3 began to close the gap, thanks to its more predictable and engaging handling on a track with plenty of corners. However, when it came to braking, the G80 M3 had a significant advantage, thanks to its carbon ceramic brakes, which provided exceptional stopping power.

Despite its superior performance, however, the E46 M3 still managed to eke out a respectable lap time - 1:36.7 seconds - and put up a valiant fight against its successor. However, when we compared the two cars side by side after completing multiple laps, it was clear that the G80 M3 had won the day, with a blistering time of 1:31.2 seconds.

So what has 20 years done to the BMW M3? For starters, the price tag has increased significantly, with the UK's entry-level competition model starting at £75,000 - a far cry from the E46's value-adjusted price of around £70,000. Additionally, while the E46 boasted a naturally aspirated engine, its successor has been fitted with two turbochargers, producing a significant increase in power.

In terms of size and weight, however, the G80 M3 is a different beast altogether. With a longer wheelbase and wider track, it's clear that BMW has prioritized comfort and practicality over outright performance. This is reflected in its substantial weight - 1730 kg (3824 lbs) compared to the E46's 1470 kg (3223 lbs).

Despite these sizeable differences, however, the G80 M3 still manages to deliver impressive acceleration, thanks to its powerful engine and advanced transmission technology. And while driving it on a wet track may not be an ideal experience for enthusiasts, it's clear that BMW has done an excellent job of leveraging technology like adaptive dampers to disguise the car's size and weight.

Ultimately, however, the G80 M3 feels heavy, albeit in a comfortable and refined way. While it's undoubtedly faster than its predecessor, there's still a sense that it's lacking something - perhaps a more engaging driving experience or better handling on wet roads. As we concluded our shootout, one thing was clear: while the E46 M3 may have been a benchmark for its time, the G80 M3 is an altogether different beast - and one that will likely leave many enthusiasts wondering what BMW has done to make it so much faster, yet also more comfortable and practical.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enone track two cars and a stopwatch it's the fifth gear shootout and this time we've gathered together old and new versions of the world's most iconic and enduring high performance Sports Saloon the BMW M3 from the early Northeast comes the E46 to date it's somebody's bed ding M3 and for many the best looking in fact the six looks positively dainty beside the current model the brutal snarling G80 as you might expect the latest car has more power and more torque however it's a lot heavier so while it's definitely Advantage G80 the lighter E46 should be more Nimble and might hold its own on the twistiest sections of the track there's only one way to find out let's start by wallowing in some Nostalgia now the very first M3 which is the E30 went on sale I mean this is unbelievable in 1986 and BMW only created this car so that it could take on Mercedes-Benz in the world renowned German Touring Car Championship the regulations demanded they produced 5 000 road-going models but such was the clamber for the car 18 000 were eventually produced and even though there was never a right-hand Drive version it didn't stop British petrol heads latching onto this Uber Saloon why not it looked good it was practical it was well made but most importantly they pretty much at most sports cars of the day for breakfast the M3 phenomenon had begun and since then every new 3 Series has been accompanied by an M model the E46 was the third M3 that they produced it went on sale in 2000 for about 40 Grand if I had one of these in 2002 I think it was and a beautiful esteral blue I loved it I love the fact it was quick and you know it was great fun to drive but I like the fact it was relatively understated you know it had these lovely little bulges on the Bodywork and a little bump in the Bonnet kind of gave you glimpses that there was something a bit Saucy underneath but it wasn't in your face yeah quad exhausts yeah maybe in your face now up front we're going to normally aspirated straight six 3.2 liter which will rev to 8 000 revs that adds up to 343 horsepower and the sound it makes is less glorious albeit they all sound like they need a little bit of oil because now I've got this metallic twang to them but it's a lovely noise I mean listen to this isn't it great to direct the power to the back axle E46 owners had a choice of a six-speed manual or an SMG semi-automatic gearbox like this one now most of the journalists at the time were saying they would prefer the manual gearbox I chose Miami the SMG I thought the manual gearbox whilst it was lovely the throw on the gear lever was a bit too long and I wanted to try something different and you know what I loved the SMG gearbox it can be a bit aggressive on the upshifts but you just ease off the throttles just slightly before pulling the paddle you could smooth things out a bit unlimited slip differential and some fat tires then delivers the power to the tarmac yeah all that adds up to Nore to 62 time a 5.2 seconds and a limited top speed of 155 which you know what back then they were big numbers and also you know the rare quality which BMW was so great at with their M cars it feels quick but relatively effortless linear now the E46 remained in production for some six years but during that time Mercedes and Audi produced more powerful potentially quicker cars but I tell you what everyone on fifth gear wanted the keys to the M3 possibly because it did this better car when it came to go in sidewards now this car is someone's actual pride and joy so I won't be doing any of that today but oh up here to have got into adrift by accident but can it set a decent lap time around this increasingly wet track right I've got traction control off I'm in sports start the watch and here I'm looking for traction good Apex a little bit of oversteer that's okay as once the rear starts to squirm around he can very easily get yourself in a bit of trouble on a wet track let's get a pound smooth don't let the rear break pretty tidy stop the watch the E46 M3 crosses the line in one minute 36.7 seconds time for the latest G80 so what has 20 years done to the M3 well for starters the price has gone up so this competition version which is the UK's entry level M3 will set you back 75 grand that's a lot of money but interestingly if you put an inflation adjustment to the value of the original E46 well that comes in at 70 grand so maybe this new one Isn't So outrageous now like the older car I've got a straight six engine up front it's a wee bit smaller and it's three liters but as is the way nowadays this car is no longer naturally aspirated in fact not one but two turbochargers have been added to the mix the results 510 of your funniest horsepowers so this car has a 170 more horsepower than the E46 that's huge but it's not the only thing about this car that's massive now in terms of size this car is on a different scale you know it's 30 centimeters longer 12 centimeters wider than the older car and when you add in all the Comfort the entertainment the safety and all that kit and caboodle you know it tips for scales that are whacking 1730 kilograms well that's heavy that's 260 more kilos than the E46 so although the new car has a superior power the weight ratio the E46 is far from disgraced you know BMW have done a good job in using technology like you know adaptive dampers to disguise the sheer mass of this car but it still feels heavy nevertheless it will still haul its lordy ass to 62 in under four seconds that's 1.3 seconds quicker than the E46 and in a further blow to the older cars chances this particular G80 has been fitted with an 8th Grand drivers pack that includes carbon ceramic brakes now there's only one gearbox option in this car you can't get a you know a fancy dual clutch version apparently the engine torque would destroy it which I could quite believe so we've got a you know an eight-speed ZF which to be honest is it okay and just to remind you that torque figure is 650 newton meters right enough chat time for a fuss lap start the watch know I've got to be so careful I mean I've got the toys off oh yeah fighter she's so nervous in the wet by the first checkpoint the G80 has opened up a slender lead of 0.4 of a second the new car might have been ahead but I really wasn't enjoying myself you know what there's just this vagueness to the front in terms of I got no idea what the front tires are doing and how much grip I've got left nevertheless by the second checkpoint the G80 is 3.7 seconds ahead I mean it's bloody quick but awesome it's not very nice to drive in the wet fast all right and stop the watch the G80 crosses the line in one minute 31.2 seconds that's five and a half seconds faster than the old one such a stressful Drive in the way it really is yeah I'm being hard on it but honest to God I'm not I'm not a fan I think they've just gone overboard as predicted the older car simply couldn't keep up with the new car Superior technology and outright grunt particularly on the faster open sections of the circuit but I'll tell you what I know which car I'd rather drive home in don't forget if you like what you see remember to click the Subscribe button for the fifth gear YouTube channel to be first to see our latest content and maybe drop us a comment below if there's a shootout that you're dying to seeone track two cars and a stopwatch it's the fifth gear shootout and this time we've gathered together old and new versions of the world's most iconic and enduring high performance Sports Saloon the BMW M3 from the early Northeast comes the E46 to date it's somebody's bed ding M3 and for many the best looking in fact the six looks positively dainty beside the current model the brutal snarling G80 as you might expect the latest car has more power and more torque however it's a lot heavier so while it's definitely Advantage G80 the lighter E46 should be more Nimble and might hold its own on the twistiest sections of the track there's only one way to find out let's start by wallowing in some Nostalgia now the very first M3 which is the E30 went on sale I mean this is unbelievable in 1986 and BMW only created this car so that it could take on Mercedes-Benz in the world renowned German Touring Car Championship the regulations demanded they produced 5 000 road-going models but such was the clamber for the car 18 000 were eventually produced and even though there was never a right-hand Drive version it didn't stop British petrol heads latching onto this Uber Saloon why not it looked good it was practical it was well made but most importantly they pretty much at most sports cars of the day for breakfast the M3 phenomenon had begun and since then every new 3 Series has been accompanied by an M model the E46 was the third M3 that they produced it went on sale in 2000 for about 40 Grand if I had one of these in 2002 I think it was and a beautiful esteral blue I loved it I love the fact it was quick and you know it was great fun to drive but I like the fact it was relatively understated you know it had these lovely little bulges on the Bodywork and a little bump in the Bonnet kind of gave you glimpses that there was something a bit Saucy underneath but it wasn't in your face yeah quad exhausts yeah maybe in your face now up front we're going to normally aspirated straight six 3.2 liter which will rev to 8 000 revs that adds up to 343 horsepower and the sound it makes is less glorious albeit they all sound like they need a little bit of oil because now I've got this metallic twang to them but it's a lovely noise I mean listen to this isn't it great to direct the power to the back axle E46 owners had a choice of a six-speed manual or an SMG semi-automatic gearbox like this one now most of the journalists at the time were saying they would prefer the manual gearbox I chose Miami the SMG I thought the manual gearbox whilst it was lovely the throw on the gear lever was a bit too long and I wanted to try something different and you know what I loved the SMG gearbox it can be a bit aggressive on the upshifts but you just ease off the throttles just slightly before pulling the paddle you could smooth things out a bit unlimited slip differential and some fat tires then delivers the power to the tarmac yeah all that adds up to Nore to 62 time a 5.2 seconds and a limited top speed of 155 which you know what back then they were big numbers and also you know the rare quality which BMW was so great at with their M cars it feels quick but relatively effortless linear now the E46 remained in production for some six years but during that time Mercedes and Audi produced more powerful potentially quicker cars but I tell you what everyone on fifth gear wanted the keys to the M3 possibly because it did this better car when it came to go in sidewards now this car is someone's actual pride and joy so I won't be doing any of that today but oh up here to have got into adrift by accident but can it set a decent lap time around this increasingly wet track right I've got traction control off I'm in sports start the watch and here I'm looking for traction good Apex a little bit of oversteer that's okay as once the rear starts to squirm around he can very easily get yourself in a bit of trouble on a wet track let's get a pound smooth don't let the rear break pretty tidy stop the watch the E46 M3 crosses the line in one minute 36.7 seconds time for the latest G80 so what has 20 years done to the M3 well for starters the price has gone up so this competition version which is the UK's entry level M3 will set you back 75 grand that's a lot of money but interestingly if you put an inflation adjustment to the value of the original E46 well that comes in at 70 grand so maybe this new one Isn't So outrageous now like the older car I've got a straight six engine up front it's a wee bit smaller and it's three liters but as is the way nowadays this car is no longer naturally aspirated in fact not one but two turbochargers have been added to the mix the results 510 of your funniest horsepowers so this car has a 170 more horsepower than the E46 that's huge but it's not the only thing about this car that's massive now in terms of size this car is on a different scale you know it's 30 centimeters longer 12 centimeters wider than the older car and when you add in all the Comfort the entertainment the safety and all that kit and caboodle you know it tips for scales that are whacking 1730 kilograms well that's heavy that's 260 more kilos than the E46 so although the new car has a superior power the weight ratio the E46 is far from disgraced you know BMW have done a good job in using technology like you know adaptive dampers to disguise the sheer mass of this car but it still feels heavy nevertheless it will still haul its lordy ass to 62 in under four seconds that's 1.3 seconds quicker than the E46 and in a further blow to the older cars chances this particular G80 has been fitted with an 8th Grand drivers pack that includes carbon ceramic brakes now there's only one gearbox option in this car you can't get a you know a fancy dual clutch version apparently the engine torque would destroy it which I could quite believe so we've got a you know an eight-speed ZF which to be honest is it okay and just to remind you that torque figure is 650 newton meters right enough chat time for a fuss lap start the watch know I've got to be so careful I mean I've got the toys off oh yeah fighter she's so nervous in the wet by the first checkpoint the G80 has opened up a slender lead of 0.4 of a second the new car might have been ahead but I really wasn't enjoying myself you know what there's just this vagueness to the front in terms of I got no idea what the front tires are doing and how much grip I've got left nevertheless by the second checkpoint the G80 is 3.7 seconds ahead I mean it's bloody quick but awesome it's not very nice to drive in the wet fast all right and stop the watch the G80 crosses the line in one minute 31.2 seconds that's five and a half seconds faster than the old one such a stressful Drive in the way it really is yeah I'm being hard on it but honest to God I'm not I'm not a fan I think they've just gone overboard as predicted the older car simply couldn't keep up with the new car Superior technology and outright grunt particularly on the faster open sections of the circuit but I'll tell you what I know which car I'd rather drive home in don't forget if you like what you see remember to click the Subscribe button for the fifth gear YouTube channel to be first to see our latest content and maybe drop us a comment below if there's a shootout that you're dying to see\n"