Peak Car: 2004 BMW M3 E46
I don’t make this claim lightly, but the E46 generation M3 is one of the best cars that has ever left any factory at any time in the history of the horseless carriage. That’s it. No caveats about how it is the best car for the money or the best car for the era, or best sedan or best German…no full stop. Best car. It starts with one of the sweetest-sounding high-strung non-turbo DOHC inline-6s ever built, with individual throttle bodies and a melodious 8000rpm soundtrack and continues with 50:50 weight distribution, 6-speed manual gearbox (as the only gear box — with a small caveat*) limited-slip differential, wide tires, large trunk, seats for 5 people…this car does it all. The only thing this next E46 M3 doesn’t do is move on its own power. Find this 2004 BMW M3 E46 offered for $16000 in San Diego, CA via facepump marketcar.
Today’s E46 M3 has the same 6-speed Getrag 420G transmission but clutched and shifted via BMW’s SMG-II automated manual experience. The current car is down due to a malfunctioning SMG pump and could be fixed for a few Gs, or you could spend that same cash on a DIY 6-speed swap (put in a clutch pedal and shifter on your existing transmission) or pay someone else $3500 to get the proper 6-speed experience. Either way, this is a lot of car for the money and these things around driving around with 250K miles on the odo and still living their best lives.
From the seller:
2004 BMW e46 M3
$16,000
Listed 2 days ago in San Diego, CA
Details
Condition
Used – Good
150k miles
Car runs but needs an SMG pump to drive. Will not go into gear. Transmission is fine.
16,000 obo or will entertain trades for V8s, Trucks, euro cars, or JDM
See a better way to drive like a boss? tips@dailyturismo.com
The only issue with these is everybody knows how awesome they are so they have become too expensive. The V8 M3’s are now hitting their price floor and seem to be the way to go these days.
Won’t lie, wondered briefly if this was the final dailyturismo post. “Here’s the ultimate car, my work is done. /mic drop”
Glad to see more posts today.