Agree! A Change Soon? E46 Impression. (archive)

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In Reply to: Well said...(more) posted by ChasM3 on February 04, 2000 at 14:12:16:

As an owner of a '99 M3 I can tell you I am very satisfied with the E36 M3 and will NOT go after the new E46 M3. I will wait and see what BMW has up their sleeve next. I really believe there will be a big change to the new M3's engine and other tweaks to the car quite soon after the first year. How soon before a change? Probably only one year!

On a slightly different subject; I also own a '00 E46 328i. When I drive the 328i I just can't seem to get the feeling that the E46 would have the same "race car" feel that I get in the E36 M3. The E46 is a much larger feeling car. Its big rounded dash and larger interior size makes me feel there is too much bulkiness everywhere, almost "boat like". I feel like I'm in a slighly smaller 528i when I'm in it. Some people may like that feel but it would take a while for me to ever get used to it.

: : 1. I thought it was settled that there would be 1 car and 1 engine world-wide.

: : 2. let's ask people with the current world car, particularly those with late model, low milege, m3's, who are happy with them. What would be the motivation to trade in for an e46 with a 3.25 liter?

: : 3. Back in the USA, I don't think it is coincidental that 3 of the first people who balked, me included, at the 3.25, were people who had late model m3's or 328i in my case, low milege, under warranty, more than satisfied and happy withh their present vehicle. To us, it appears the e46 3.25 m3 was perceived quite differently than an e46 m3 3.4 liter; it dosen't matter why -- but it affected our motivation to part with our present car, that is, make a change. To me, I felt let down by the prospect of BMW's failure to correct an engineering problem, and being tossed a left-over, the euro engine slightly tweaked, instead of a something that seemed more innovative and sophisticated. TO ME, it appeared there was more motivation to WAIT and see what was next, maybe even a junior v8 or the m5 engine.

: : I don't feel I have to justify my decision to purchase or not to anyone on this board, nor is it my business what others feel is right for them
: : to do.

: : No big deal, maybe to you the 3.25 and 3.4 look essentially similar. I respect your construing things that way. Perception and motivation are so intertwined.

: Perception is a major factor. If I felt like a 3.25 engine would be the final play for BMW on the new M3, I would have no hesitation. The euro engine is a fine piece of work and will be 90-100 more HP than my 99 M3. I would love to have one and certainly am not ready to give up my spot on the list just yet. But...assuming that BMW intended for the car to have more, i.e. the new 3.4 or ???, throws a different light on it. They may still be entertaining the idea of a new high tech engine or a V8 in the near future which might be worth waiting for.

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