nlpamg

Alright, so I've had my e46 M3 for about a week and I've begun to mod it. I installed the iPod kit this morning so I was finally able to test out how the e46 H/K sounds in comparison to my w203 H/K. I think the w203 H/K is slightly better, the e46 is pretty good and doesn't have the hatshelf rattle that my w203 has, but it doesn't have the center speaker and that makes all the difference. I do think though, that the w203 H/K has more base than the e46 while the e46 has slightly better clarity, but the w203 wins overall in terms of the premium soundsystem.

The glass on the e46 isn't PPG Solextra and it ends up getting really hott; so, I'm having my car tinted next week. I was spoiled with the glass on the w203 and now my face feels like it's burning even though I left the top up today.

I love the power, open top, and handling that the M3 offers... I know it's not a fair comparison to really compare the two in these regards, but the M3 is superior in terms of power and handling and is a whole lot more fun to drive.

However, as much as people like to bash the w203 (especially on e46fanatics), the w203 is a great car. Just don't listen to them on e46. I also think that MBworld is better than e46. It seems like there are more bratty little kids on e46 than over here (although we do have our share).

yeuchau

which interior do you like better
wanna take some shot of m3 interior for us??

nlpamg

it's a toss up...

honestly, I think the updated 05 and up interior on the w203 is pretty nice. I didnt' like not having digital climate control on my benz, but the e46 interior looks someone dated compared to the 05 and up w203's. I also like the way the speedo of the w203 lights up at night (I hated the speedo on the pre-2005 w203's though). but, the M3 has a bunch of bells and whistles that my w203 didn't have so naturally I like it more...

BadAssC230k

yeah there are a few things here and there that I wish i could change [gauges, HUD menu's/controls, a few buttons here and there], but compared to my old honda, this car is the sh*t! welll... for me at least. congrats on the E46.

Whats your next mods? go for the eisenmann exhaust

rlee02135

i like tthe e46 because its so easy to do FI compared to w203

FrankW

FI setup is not hard to do. There's just more tuners for BMW than MB therefore easier to find parts for them. i.e. there are 4-5 company already makes supercharger for the BMW. There are officially only 3 for MB and they cost an arm and a leg.

anywayz, Phil, trust me the Bimmer will shake and rattle after a year ish. It's always been that way. lol I'm telling you man...get a short-ram or CAI !! lol

yeuchau

how do the SMG tranny feels
how do you compare with regular tiptronic tranny

I've never drive SMG before, so curious

thinking if i should go to dealer to test drive it
haha

nlpamg

I love the SMG. It's not like the tip at all. It'll roll backwards if you don't use it properly or are lazy and it really acts more like a stick than an auto. It's a blast to drive.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I like my e46 interior more b/c it's full nappa leather, not the leather inserts or synthetic, but it's more like an M3, C32/55 comparison point...

As for mods, I've just ordered painted sidemarkers (I'm not gonna bother smoking them myself), a shorter antenna mast, silver bulbs for the front and that's it for now. I want to get the Royal F1 SMG Paddles and the Vorsteiner CSL CF Splitters, but those things are $$$. As for performance mods, I've talked to quite a few other people and it's really a toss up, I'm not sure if I want to do a CAI or just get Streamline filters. I want the exhaust badly, but it's $$$$$!

yeuchau

well
that thing is fast enough, you don't really need performance mods
haha
exhaust might be good so, so that it's sound better, even though it sound very good already

anthuny85

injen cold air sounds nuts on a e46...look into it. fairly reasonable price too.

ctC230K

Say no more, I officially hate you! hahahaha M3 is my next car i think, be it the e46 or e92. i just need to sell my 323i first

14cue

have you ever driven a 32/55? if so, how do they compare? performance wise, i mean we have read and heard all about them from mags and online reviews but what do you think?....

nlpamg

I haven't, but Frank wants to get together... I'm gonna get smoked... no way a stock M3 vert is going to keep up with a modded C32...

I've driven a w208 and w209 CLK55 (both convertibles) and that's it. I was very very disappointed with the w209 CLK55. The thing was fast in a straight line, but it wasn't fun to drive, it handled poorly (I think my C230 handled better than it) and just wasn't worth the money. I really didn't go all out in the w208 CLK55, but I must say that it was fast. I've haven't taken my M3 over 5500rpm and I won't until it's done with break in in a couple weeks, by then I'll let you know how it is performance wise. Right now, at 5500rpm, this thing is awesome

rlee02135

Frank's c32 is pushing 400hp

nlpamg

I know, I don't stand a chance...

BlackLiquorish8

Ya i like this forumn a lot better than most of the other ones i use to go on.... benzworld.org is ok but most of the people on it were old i'm stickin with mbworld lol the weather is gettin cold i'm orderin a mbworld hoody and representin!!!!

tee_tz

I agree with you nlpamg, I like Benz's interiors better than BMW's (for the C-Class vs. 3-Series). But when I say that, I mean like a 2007 C230/C350 with Navigation and black trim, not any/all. At the moment my C320 doesn't have NAV, and plus it's the 'older style' interior so I like my BMW's better. But the 2007 C350 I think is hands down better than the E46 & E90's interior.



In terms of sound system - unlike you nlpamg I have the BOSE System for my W203, and the H/K for the BMW and for me the H/K obviously wins. I love pushing that button for extra loudness!

As for your race with the C32, just make sure it's a very windy road. Unless he's done a lot of steering/handling mods, BMW's are naturally better. However, 400HP JEEEEEEEZ, after the corner RUNNNN!!!!

nlpamg - wanna switch cars?


Tee_Tz.

rlee02135

i love the ZHP. suede steering wheel, black trim, 10hp.......

advans

yeap, I agree, i personally like the facelift w203 interior vs the 3 series interior.

as compared, the C55 interior is better than the M3.

I was bashing on this guy today, on the highway actually. He had a pre facelift C230k sedan. and he had badged it C320 kompressor. and he had his 1/2 blue tinted windows opened and thought it was super cool. I rolled down the window, nodded and sped away. My friend said he was probably crying. lol

rlee02135

how do you know he didnt have the kleemann kompressor

sdsilverm3

In any case none of those are power adders. Get the filters because it'll probably get you the same amount of HP as the CAI but be cheaper. Some intakes have even lost HP.

Same deal with the exhaust. They advertise it as a "weight saver" mod not as a HP adder.


I agree. I even call them out on that crap. Frickin BMW snobs.

tee_tz

rlee02135 - To be 'technically' correct: Alcantara steering.

Actually I think that's the only thing that's better with the ZHP than the M3, the steering wheel!! [lol] ..Oh, and I guess the other 2 doors it has -- but that's a plus and a minus, depends.


Tee_Tz.

rlee02135

i cant make up my mind..definitely going for a 330ci, but should i get an 01 model to have more mod money, or get one with ZHP?
i dont think i will need the ZHP package since i am planning on doing FI.

also found this crazy s/c for it, running at 14.5 psi it gives you 475hp
too bad it costs $18K
http://www.technikpower.com/site/pro...3D%26filter%3D

FrankW

i can run the canyon's too

can't hang with my friend's S2k tho...LOL was 25-30 sec behind him going up Azuza.

FrankW

you can now have the alcantara steering wheel with the ZCP for the M3.