[emtrey]

There was a silver ( like mine) E46 M-3 conv't parked at the gym today.

I could not resist walking over and peeking inside. Brings back fond memories except this car had SMG and mine was a stick shift.

E46 was a great car as is the M235 and the size comparison is scary close.

I wish BMW would make all their cars smaller. My 335 is exactly the same size as our former 1998 528.

[harma24]

Originally Posted by emtrey

I wish BMW would make all their cars smaller. My 335 is exactly the same size as our former 1998 528.

It's not just BMW. A 2018 Honda Civic is only 2" shorter, but 4" wider and 3" taller than my 1993 Accord.

[Xi-Xi]

I've got to chime in here. Completely agree with the OP. The only other BMW I've owned was a 2002 330xi. While it was a lot of fun to drive, it was also not very quick and incredibly unreliable. I decided to buy a new 2016 228i based on not much more than the very similar dimensions and the excellent driving experience. It was a great decision for me. I really like the damn thing. It's also AWD, but for having a nominally rated 15 additional horsepower, it sure seems to have a hell of a lot more power. Perhaps that's due to the 8 speed better at keeping in the power band. Whatever. I have no regrets and am thoroughly impressed. I'm seriously considering a jump to an M240xi in 2019. I just hope the Estoril blue is still available.

[mr_clueless]

Originally Posted by Xi-Xi

The only other BMW I've owned was a 2002 330xi.
...
I decided to buy a new 2016 228i
...
It's also AWD, but for having a nominally rated 15 additional horsepower, it sure seems to have a hell of a lot more power. Perhaps that's due to the 8 speed better at keeping in the power band. Whatever. I have no regrets and am thoroughly impressed.

It's probably the amount of torque and the flat power band (peak torque at 1450).

Power (SAE net): 235 bhp @ 5900 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 222 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm

vs

POWER: 240 hp @ 6500 rpm
TORQUE: 255 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm

While I know my 2015 328i has more power and is faster, I find the NA engine more satisfying to drive.

[BEM-S4]

F23 to E46 steering wheel conversion, phase 1...

[MarkDemma]

I guess I'll chime in here, but I know I've already said this probably a couple of time on this forum already haha. Definitely agree with the OP sentiments here. I bought a E46 330Ci ZHP a few years back and every time I was looking at throwing a few thousand into repairs (them BMW parts ain't cheap) I'd go take a look at the current BMW offerings. I really really hated the whole Bangle era 3's look. Kinda like seeing someone you thought was hot in college put on quite a bit of weight. I started looking at the 1 coupe when it came out, but the interior was really not what you'd expect for a car you were gonna plunk $50K. I talked with some of my folks in Munich when I was visiting and they thought it was just ridiculous that Americans would pay that much for what was supposed to be the "economy" BMW, and a coupe with no boot space at that. I drove a 118d while I was there and it was not that bad, save for it didn't have the power I was used to from my almost M ZHP.

When looking at a Vanos repair I looked again and whatever updates they did to the interiors at whatever update, it was vastly improved. Mind you, I still think my E46 has a better dash. I prefer the 4 dial arrangement. But nice enough certainly and having a modern SatNav system was nice. I also was struck by how most every dimension seemed exactly the same as my E46. Rear legroom, front legroom, length etc. The boot seems a tad smaller, which sucks considering there is no spare back there, and I wouldn't mind if it had the same fuel capacity. While I agree, the steering isn't as good as a E46, it didn't seem as bad a 4 probably because it isn't as heavy?

I think the 4 (finally) looks as good as the older 3 coupes, and I do like the interior / dash better than the 2, but it's really just too darn big and heavy.

[howiegu]

I miss my E46

[midlifecrisis]

Originally Posted by howiegu

I miss my E46

This.

I've been driving a M235i Cabrio for the last 3 years and the lease is up next month. It replaced a 2008 M3, which I owned for 7 years. I've owned a E46 328i since new, but it's modified for track use. I found and purchased a 2006 E46 M3 a month ago, and it's just wonderful. The chassis and steering are so responsive, it's so much more connected feeling than the new cars. I don't think I'll miss the 235. When it comes to driving dynamics, the E46 can't be beat. I think it's even better than the E90, although the S65 was fantastic.

[BEM-S4]

Preview... just like E46 but modernized w the red stripe similar to the current OEM upgrade options.

[BEM-S4]

Attempt 2 on pic

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by SteveInfante

My 228i is no slouch either according to a few E46 M3's that couldn't keep up in the mountains. Ha ha. #notstock

My '09 135i was excellent
It very much reminded me of my '03 325i sport.
However, the 325i sport had a much better sorted suspension.

The 135i's rear suspension tuning sucked, as it was the limiting factor in an otherwise excellent automobile.

I've drive a few 2 series, 2.0 and 3.0, and the overall suspension is much better than the previous 1 series.
However, the current 2 series steering doesn't come close to either the former 135i or E46 in direct feel.
The steering feel in the 2 is better than in either of my F30 335i Msport and 340i Msport.
The steering in both the current 2 and 3 is still quite accurate and precise, but the feeling in the driver's hands doesn't "speak" clearly as it used to.

Hopefully the new 3 series will get that back, and eventually BMW will let the next 2 series steering speak clearer and better to the driver...hopefully.

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by RPM90

My '09 135i was excellent
It very much reminded me of my '03 325i sport.
However, the 325i sport had a much better sorted suspension.

The 135i's rear suspension tuning sucked, as it was the limiting factor in an otherwise excellent automobile.

I've drive a few 2 series, 2.0 and 3.0, and the overall suspension is much better than the previous 1 series.
However, the current 2 series steering doesn't come close to either the former 135i or E46 in direct feel.
The steering feel in the 2 is better than in either of my F30 335i Msport and 340i Msport.
The steering in both the current 2 and 3 is still quite accurate and precise, but the feeling in the driver's hands doesn't "speak" clearly as it used to.

Hopefully the new 3 series will get that back, and eventually BMW will let the next 2 series steering speak clearer and better to the driver...hopefully.

It simply comes down to the bushings in these cars, they're soft. Front control arms and torsion arms have soft durometer bushings, whereas the M variants use a high durometer rubber and steel bushing, translating to much more road "feel". It has very little to do with the electric rack. With the modifications now done on my own vehicle, I can attest that I have more road feel and translation through the steering wheel, than any stock M car, vette, etc that I've ever driven, and feels very similar to the track spec'd e36/46's I've tried out in the past, as well. In sport mode, the steering weight is almost a bit too much, now, it seems artificial. In comfort, it is very similar to my friends e92 M3, but more feel/feedback on my car due to the alignment that I have. That all said, not many will go to these lengths, they'll probably buy a whole new car to get what they want. I'm happy with the car, more so now, than ever.

Rear subframe and differential bushings are also very soft, when compared to what we used to have, due to the newer generation chasis stiffness.

Primary factor is the new F chassis are stiffer than previous generations. BMW had to soften the bushings to cater to the other 90% who buy these cars, and those clients bought an m-lite to have a flavour of the "M" experience. The only way to improve that feeling on these cars is to change the bushings and suspension (namely shocks). You have to remember, they designed the car for the average male/female, and do not cater to top line performance/feel on these M-lite variants, as they do with the full blown M models.

But that said, even F series M owners are upgrading suspension, bushings, brakes, etc, so I guess BMW can't please everyone, can they?

[gds52]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

F23 to E46 steering wheel conversion, phase 1...

Open a new thread dedicated to ur conversion.
Just curious about ur motivation for this change

[Denk]

I'm glad BMW still makes some smallish cars. I love the e36/e46 size. I like how I feel like I'm sitting further down in my M240i, I always felt I was sitting on top of my e92's which were noticeably bigger but still nothing like the current m4/M3. My old e46's felt like I was sitting up too high also, not as hunkered down as the M240i. These seats must go down further, I've got more headroom even with the sunroof.

[SizzlerWA]

I miss my E46 ZHP sometimes. It had much better handling and vastly superior front and back visibility to my M240 XDrive. The M240 is much quicker though. None of the backup cameras or parking sensors were even necessary on the E46 because you could see the front and back of the car so well. Now me M240 beeps at me all the time, because it needs to ...

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by SizzlerWA

I miss my E46 ZHP sometimes. It had much better handling and vastly superior front and back visibility to my M240 XDrive. The M240 is much quicker though. None of the backup cameras or parking sensors were even necessary on the E46 because you could see the front and back of the car so well. Now me M240 beeps at me all the time, because it needs to ...

I don't know what tires you have on your M240X, but we do that the RWD M235 with the LSD and MPSS tires was fractionally quicker around the Ring than the 1M, with BMW's own professional driver. It's hard to say the prior BMW cars like the 1 series and E4X/9X cars were better handling. They may have felt better connected, but stock for stock and on summer tires, the M235/M240 RWDs are better handlers overall.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by gds52

Open a new thread dedicated to ur conversion.
Just curious about ur motivation for this change

Will open one once installed, it arrived today. Motivation was pretty simple, drove the E46 and liked the wheel with the perforated leather + Dad gets excited when we have matching stuff ie our Apex wheels.

The stock wheel leather also never struck me as very high quality, and my OCD prevents me from looking at BMW OEM alcantara options. Plus with those you lose heat.

[BEM-S4]

Custom Steering Wheel by Dallas - Install and Review https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1496421

[G80indy]

I wish I could order an M240 vert with MT and LSD!

[G80indy]

Well it turns out I can order an M240i vert with MT !
Hmmm

Anyone here interested in an e46 330i time capsule?
Ordered from Munich orig owner 2002 LCI sedan, steel gray.
16.5 k
5 speed
Showroom (for real)

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Dylan86

It simply comes down to the bushings in these cars, they're soft. Front control arms and torsion arms have soft durometer bushings, whereas the M variants use a high durometer rubber and steel bushing, translating to much more road "feel". It has very little to do with the electric rack. With the modifications now done on my own vehicle, I can attest that I have more road feel and translation through the steering wheel, than any stock M car, vette, etc that I've ever driven, and feels very similar to the track spec'd e36/46's I've tried out in the past, as well. In sport mode, the steering weight is almost a bit too much, now, it seems artificial. In comfort, it is very similar to my friends e92 M3, but more feel/feedback on my car due to the alignment that I have. That all said, not many will go to these lengths, they'll probably buy a whole new car to get what they want. I'm happy with the car, more so now, than ever.

Rear subframe and differential bushings are also very soft, when compared to what we used to have, due to the newer generation chasis stiffness.

Primary factor is the new F chassis are stiffer than previous generations. BMW had to soften the bushings to cater to the other 90% who buy these cars, and those clients bought an m-lite to have a flavour of the "M" experience. The only way to improve that feeling on these cars is to change the bushings and suspension (namely shocks). You have to remember, they designed the car for the average male/female, and do not cater to top line performance/feel on these M-lite variants, as they do with the full blown M models.

But that said, even F series M owners are upgrading suspension, bushings, brakes, etc, so I guess BMW can't please everyone, can they?

I was simply commenting on my personal experiences and opinions on the stock BMWs in question, in response to the post referenced in my post.
Yet you seem to have a need to explain, remind, and correct on topics I didn't even mention.
Thanks, but I didn't ask.

Not sure why you're bringing up the steering rack in response to my post.
I know it's not only the electric assist rack that determines feel at the wheel, but then I didn't claim it was.

I'm not new to cars and automotive engineering and tech.
So, thanks for the reminder to "remember" why auto makers do what they do, however, I don't need your assumptions about what I know or remember.

As for why BMW does what they do, again, I didn't comment on that, and yet you feel you need to talk to me about that in response to the post I made.
I would appreciate your comments if I had asked for them, or discussed them in my post, but I didn't ask, and I don't need them.

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by RPM90

I was simply commenting on my personal experiences and opinions on the stock BMWs in question, in response to the post referenced in my post.
Yet you seem to have a need to explain, remind, and correct on topics I didn't even mention.
Thanks, but I didn't ask.

Not sure why you're bringing up the steering rack in response to my post.
I know it's not only the electric assist rack that determines feel at the wheel, but then I didn't claim it was.

I'm not new to cars and automotive engineering and tech.
So, thanks for the reminder to "remember" why auto makers do what they do, however, I don't need your assumptions about what I know or remember.

As for why BMW does what they do, again, I didn't comment on that, and yet you feel you need to talk to me about that in response to the post I made.
I would appreciate your comments if I had asked for them, or discussed them in my post, but I didn't ask, and I don't need them.

If that's your personal take-away from what I posted, then yea, back to regurgitating subjective opinions from one person to another, it is.

So to this

Originally Posted by RPM90

The steering in both the current 2 and 3 is still quite accurate and precise, but the feeling in the driver's hands doesn't "speak" clearly as it used to.

Hopefully the new 3 series will get that back, and eventually BMW will let the next 2 series steering speak clearer and better to the driver...hopefully.

It is of your opinion that the steering in the newer model (the one you own, or test drove?) doesn't "speak" clearly, as it used to. You "hope" the new 3 series will get that back, and "eventually" the next 2 series. Sorry to break it to you, but the current offering, and next 3 series will feel softer than previous models. And the next 2 series platform will be a transverse wreck, aside from any M designations.