Love the C32 however most recently the urge for a manual is starting to eat me like ruben studdard eats...well everything . So hear is my question, keep the C32 , and also get a 2003-04 E46 M3. is it worth doing this late in the model cycle. I dunno, I really like the idea of having a coupe again and a more involving driving xperience. let me know what you think,

I truly believe most people that own a C32 look into the M3 and there are positives to owning each. perhaps this way I can get the best of both worlds

does anyone out there own both, or have owned the E46 M, I would like to hear your point of view. also consider that I would give the C32 to My wife (she loves it ) as a daily driver. and trade in her E-class (W210).

 

the e46 m3 is a great car. i don't own one but several of my friends have them and i have ridden in them, raced vs. them, and drove m3 before. the brake feel and steering feel are better than c32. the brakes has more initial bite and better modulation IMO. steering provides better feedback IMO. the e46 m3 motor is awesome, and the individual throttle bodies make the throttle repsonse so sharp and torque curve more satisfying than paper statistics would indicate. test drive one and see how you like it. i really liked how the e46 m3 drove. it is late in the model cycle but for the price for which they can be had now, it is a great all rounder car which offers driver enjoyment. think of it this way, what other car would you get for comparable money? i don't think many match the all rounded driving experience for the price (since you already have a c32). sure they're dime a dozen but it doesn't take away from the driver involvement. some street-valved moton clubsports, 4.10 gears, clutch/flywheel, and lightweight wheels would make an awesomely fun yet still civil driver's car. that said, it won't make 400hp with simple bolt ons, but since you have the c32 already, and the m3 prices have dropped (can have a clean sub-30k mile one for mid-30's), i would say yes it is a good buy for the money. i don't mean to discount the c32, it's a great, fast, comfortable, everday car. but if you can have both, i'd give the m3 a try.

 

thanks for the response Kev, I drove several of them and it's just a different car all together. Not as solid feeling as C32 (rattles and what not ) but the delivery of power is much different feeling and the where I live there are nto as many of them , especially tuned or moded. But its the crature features in the car that i lik eas well, the tach and warm up meter, the way the Navi faces the driver more as well. I also like the cabin a little more sport. Also it seems easier to find events that cater to the car. without a doubt the C32 feels faster and more solid, but the fun factor I believe is more evident in the M. Hell as long as the 2 cars exist this ill always be a question. Also I just love the way the motor sounds in the M.

Who knows. Any thought on the Last generation M5 (1999-2004) 400 hp - 6 speed. I have never driven one but hear they are amazing any experiences? please advise.

thanks
VIc

 

You could also try the S4.

Test drive a 2004-2005 B6 S4 with the 6-speed manual tranny, aircraft-turbine V8, and 340hp. The S4 is cheaper than a comparable M3, has four doors, AWD, and is every bit a refined German luxury sedan.

Interior build quality on the S4 makes the C32 interior look like that of an entry-level American luxury car.

With an intake, reversible ECU flash (GIAC), and Milltek non-resonated cat-back exhaust from stratmosphere.com, you'll be pushing 380HP.

It really is an awesome car. And if you're worried about reliability, Audi actually ranks higher than MB & BMW.

 

I'm right behind you. Except this time I'm going to let you get it first, then I will get the same.



PS....Is the House of M3's still a thought.

 

dirk........... go to hell. Popozao. j/k - any comments on the M5? the 99-04 model? any experiences? please advise. i never considered an S4 - Had a Audi TT 225 Quattro Coupe prior and like it but rattled too much for me and the tranny felt a little clunky, also IMHO I think the S4 body looks a little too conservative. kinda like a girl with a great personality and great to introduce to the family, but the M3 is more like some hot chick, one you want to show up to the party with. IMO -

Vic
carry on -

 

i tested a new b7 s4 manual with some friends who have m3s. our consensus was that the build quality was great, the interior is awesome (alcantara, recaros, attention to build quality, navigation screen functioning), and it is a great car. we were initially impressed with how it cornered. however, it lacked that visceral punch delivered by the m3, and the m3 was decidedly better in handling. it will not be as fast as the c32 or m3, but the motor does sound great. i think it loses a bit of steam on the top end range, but for daily driving, it is a good choice. my friend has an m3 and is taking delivery of a new b7 s4 as his replacement (he had smg m3, wanted stick, tired of same car), but nonetheless, he does consider it a noticable downgrade in perfromance - but is the best replaceemnt for m3 if u want euro and manual.

 

Vic, seeming how you are sick of your 2002 silver c32 with black wheels, I found the perfect car for you.
https://mbworld.org/forums/classifieds/135309-fs-2002-c32-silver.html

 

dirk, WOW your car looks great. SOMEONE should by it so you can buy a new car. and then ... i will shortly copy you. please someone buy Dirks car, he told me that he is willing to throw in a Jeff Striker Video.

Leahland bra

 

I say... buy a E39 M5.

Far better to mod due to the V8. Great looking car and interior is just as good as the M3.

You get 4 doors!

 

modding a E39 M5 is not cheap just so you know if you want more serious power out of that V8. The thing about late M car is that they cannot be made to have good HP gain without spending a lot of money. On avg the late AMGs can all have some 100hp gain while the Ms only gain about 50hp with similar amount of money. i.e. for the e39 M5 you can get Dinan to build you a supercharger setup and it'll cost you more than $10k for maybe 550hp while $5-6k can make your E55 go up to 600+hp.

 

I completely agree.. but the man wants a Manual transmission.

If he wanted an Automatic... I would agree with your response.

4 door Manual transmission cars that perform well are very few... (Volvo, Audi, BMW, Cadillac)

 

one more thing:

I was about to give up on the C32, however the pullies and springs have given new life to my affair with this car. I think I'm going to keep it for at least 6 to 8 months. The car just performs better, plain and simple. I have not added the ECU, I will do that in about 2 months in order best appreciate the gradual increase in power..

please, drop $500 on springs and you will be more happy without affecting the ride quality.

if you are even in the LA area, and you want to drive my car, let me know.

 

guys, thanks for your insight. I have heard nothing but raves about the E39 M5 but have never driven one. the few reviews that i have read say it is out of this world. TOPGUN, how big of a difference did the pullies make? was the fun factor dramatically increased? how about 0-60 and 1/4 mile times/ est.. I am still goin to keep the C32 regardless however do you think it would make little sense to have both cars, especially since I have destroy M3's all day in my C'. are they too simuliar to need both. I don't know man - the manual is whats hard on me. I have never had an auto except for this car. ........

 

i was about to give up on c32 as well. pullies are coming in on friday, i hope that and ecu will bring new life to the car. thing i'm lacking is throttle response, but i heard that intake and ecu will sharpen that up.

 

you my friend.. have an upper hand.... COIL OVERS..

therefore all you need is the pulley kit. Run without the ECU and see how you like it. I say give it 2 weeks or so, if you need more power drop the coin on the ECU.

Trust me, from 2500 rmp and beyond you will find the torque you were missing.

From 4000rpm and beyond, more power and more torque..

By the way, you will be spinning tires more frequently even with ESP on.

I'm going to do the ECU in about a month or so, but frankly I'm very pleased with the performance of the car.

Remember that torque is what this car really needs, and specially down low. The pulley and ECU really help that, more top end and higher speed limit is just an added bonus.

 

my coilovers coming as well...lol

 

hey topgun - yeah i do plan to run without ecu for a while so i can appreciate it, then do ecu to feel the improrvement. since you have pulleys, where did you feel you gained the most improvement, top end, midrange, or low-end? i used to think of pullied c32's as top end cars, but i see people running quick et's with fairly powerful trap speeds, indicating to me that the off-the-line is much improved. with the added torque down low, can you still launch it well, or is it really difficult? thanks for any input.

vic - i think the e39 m5 is a great car. the sweet v8 and awesome sport interior make the e39 very sporty. my family has an e39 530i and its a very dependable car, i think some added sport would be quite nice. i don't think it's very cost efficient on modifying the motor for big big power, but you can do some stuff to liven it up without going into cams (4 cause it's dohc v8) or headwork, where it starts to get expensive. maybe some 3.46 gears, clutch and flywheel, headers, ignition, exhaust, lightweight wheels, and suspension would be perfect. the headers really open it up, the kelleners sport mufflers are MEAN. ignition mods are popular, and the drivetrain to really amplify the response. that said, stock i think it's a great car, just make sure to wake up the v8 with Kelleners exhaust! it's versatile and may be outdated, but i still think it should be quite fun. personally i like the e46 m3 cause it's more compact and i would think a bit more fun handling wise, but the m5 is a step higher. good luck with your car choice.

frank - congrats. i'm quite happy with the H&R's and i hope you will be too as well. they can go very low in the rear hehe, just need the right tires. falkens and you can slam that ****!

 

Here's a little sample of what an ECU and pulley upgrade can get you!Drag Times Link for MY401's car

12.7 @ 108 !!!

Almost bought his car a couple of weeks ago.

 

You have not stated what you need in a car besides a manual tranny. Why limit yourself to only the M3? Since you are thinking of a used M3, does that mean you have a cap on expense? Do you need for doors? Will a two door be OK with seating in the back, or can you go for a two seater only? Why not a Cayman or Z06 at $50k+. S4 2002+ or CTSV if you need four doors? Why not buy a 4 door BMW 330i PP manual used!? Great used price and can put all the go fast goodies that will make it outperform a stock M3 and be very stealth.

 

The Striker video stays here seeming how I stole it from your house. I know its a stretch but I am positive the car will sell if I can get you to part with your beloved personal plates on your Jeep to sweeten the deal.

 

I looked into the Cayman but as of right now i can't deal with the dealership. They think the new cayman is an F430 or something. I do find the look of the car refreshing. I never thought of buying a 330i or the idea that you can get one for sooo cheap. something to consider.

Dirk - I normally would be worried about posting my plates on the forum like this, but i will let it slide this time, - hopefully someone will follow this rainbow to my Shangri La. ........ Dirk ....... got to hell. LOL

four door or 2 door - I guess it doesn't matter. I refuse to drive american and japanese. ( Just not my stlye ) - I'll keep pondering - keep you guys posted -

still no response from anyone who has driven the M5?

Also guys, how much was the pully upgrade installed? also which did you go with and are they the same? really HOW much better is it?

Carry On
ViC32amg