Most owners, the majority of weekend racers and a whole pile of automotive experts the world over will tell you that the last-generation BMW M3 is one of the ultimate all-around performance cars of the modern era. Though big price tags and exclusivity meant the M3 wasn’t’ huge on attainability, the last-generation model is now becoming a popular and more affordable used car buy.
Available to Canadian shoppers from 2001 to 2006, the ‘E46’ M3 was a rear-drive two-door offered in coupe or convertible body styles. The model range launched in 2001 with a 3.2 litre inline six-cylinder engine that generated 333 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft of torque. A six-speed manual was standard, and a high-tech Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) was added to the driveline’s options roster later in this generation’s life.
The SMG gearbox effectively automated the M3’s manual transmission and put two shifting modes at the driver’s disposal. One was fully automatic, and the other was a precise, computer-controlled manual setting with lightning-fast gearchanges and fully blipped shifts.
The SMG was a toy enjoyed by many owners-- though it was often considered harsh, clumsy and abrupt in many driving situations. Additionally, some purists argue that the SMG effectively computerized one of the most rewarding parts of driving a performance car: shifting gears. Though the SMG gearbox is effectively the same as the M3’s manual unit with some added parts, its relatively unproven reliability and complex computer system will likely increase repair costs when it eventually fails. Those who prefer a stick-shift are advised to stick to their guns.
Other M3 hardware included automatic climate control, a Harmon Kardon audio system, powered and heated leather seats, a self-dimming rearview mirror and a set of automatic xenon headlamps. Though M3 wasn’t enormous on interior space or utility, it was built to excel in most areas of both luxury and performance motoring.
The gist? If you’re after an entertaining, legendary and respected car with an international community of happy owners, the M3 won’t disappoint-- unless you wind up with a model that’s been abused, neglected, formerly written-off or owner-modified into a great big mechanical headache.
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| Photo: BMW |
Available to Canadian shoppers from 2001 to 2006, the ‘E46’ M3 was a rear-drive two-door offered in coupe or convertible body styles. The model range launched in 2001 with a 3.2 litre inline six-cylinder engine that generated 333 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft of torque. A six-speed manual was standard, and a high-tech Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) was added to the driveline’s options roster later in this generation’s life.
The SMG gearbox effectively automated the M3’s manual transmission and put two shifting modes at the driver’s disposal. One was fully automatic, and the other was a precise, computer-controlled manual setting with lightning-fast gearchanges and fully blipped shifts.
The SMG was a toy enjoyed by many owners-- though it was often considered harsh, clumsy and abrupt in many driving situations. Additionally, some purists argue that the SMG effectively computerized one of the most rewarding parts of driving a performance car: shifting gears. Though the SMG gearbox is effectively the same as the M3’s manual unit with some added parts, its relatively unproven reliability and complex computer system will likely increase repair costs when it eventually fails. Those who prefer a stick-shift are advised to stick to their guns.
Other M3 hardware included automatic climate control, a Harmon Kardon audio system, powered and heated leather seats, a self-dimming rearview mirror and a set of automatic xenon headlamps. Though M3 wasn’t enormous on interior space or utility, it was built to excel in most areas of both luxury and performance motoring.
The gist? If you’re after an entertaining, legendary and respected car with an international community of happy owners, the M3 won’t disappoint-- unless you wind up with a model that’s been abused, neglected, formerly written-off or owner-modified into a great big mechanical headache.
 |
| Photo: BMW |