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BMW M2 Forum > BMW M2 Discussions > Please help me decide M3 CSL, e92 M3 or M2

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      07-02-2015, 06:47 PM   #1
Hazey82
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Hi everyone, I currently own a beaut E46 M3 with 58,000 miles (93,000km) I'm very fastidious and I like to take my cars out and drive them the way they are meant to be on some nice roads.

Things I like about the E46: it's rawness, sound, looks, handling, timeless design. Cabin/dash layout, feeling of connected to the road. Power is fine can have fun at its limits.

Things I dislike: km getting high, ageing in areas(all fixable), the brakes , occasional rattles squeaks/too firm in a normal commute. SMG thump/thud shifting always wishing it was manual. SMG conversion is option.

I'm really wanting that new car feeling. Knowing everything is mint and perfect and being fastidious it will stay that way. That feeling of wanting to take the car out and drive is a feeling slowly being lost with my e46.

Prices are in Australian $$
- My E46 M3 $40-45,000
- E46 CSL 44,000 miles or 70,000km $99,000
- e92 M3 Comp (MY13, white, CF roof, manual) 8,000 miles or 13,000km $100,000
- M2 estimate $110-120,000
- M4 $160,000

CSL would be great for the obvious reasons and that special feeling and never ever selling it etc. trying to justify double the price is hard, looks are not that different (I have same colour and CSL wheels) going to have the same dislikes with smg, ageing, rattle/firmness etc. Would have to buy a daily

E92 addresses all the dislikes I have with my e46. I've never really desired to own it over the e46 as I think the e46 looks better but the appeal now is will be as new, owning a V8 (always wanted one) and also the last of the NA, special feeling in years to come and desirable? Fitting an M performance exhaust : D but feels a bit lazy get going due to weight. When I compare this to the M2 it's lacking the brakes (visually & purpose) and probably won't look as good but will be 10-30k cheaper.

M2, addresses all the dislikes, brand new feeling, modern E46, the looks. Being in the presence of the new m4 and m3 I get a real special feeling with its aggressive looks, fenders, brakes, seats. The M2 will have most of this and those are big items for me over the e92 it's just the engine sound, NA throttle response and desirability potential in the future. I can see holding onto the e92 but the M2, M4 not so much only because of the engine.

I know some don't agree but if the M2 won't have power dome(highly likely) and no CF roof and the fact it has N55 just makes it less special and why it would possibly be an e92 vs M4 decision. That may all change when it's revealed though. The dislike on the m4 is sound, size and not being able to have fun at the limits as much (unless on track) because of its size and crazy power. Yesterday I saw a white F80 m3 and I turned the car around and followed it in awe. I wouldn't do that with the E92 and don't think I ever have.

Getting to the end of this I've realised in a nutshell my dilemma seems to be engine vs looks/brakes and keeping the E46 in conjunction with a M2, E92 or M4 doesn't seem feasible due to its value and I'd prob never want or need to drive it over the others.

Thanks for reading and trying to help.
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      07-02-2015, 06:56 PM   #2
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M3 CSL? Whazzat?
E46 with 58k miles is too high mileage? I've got an e46 with 90k and i'm keeping it!
You need to wait until the M2 is fully revealed. IMO.
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      07-02-2015, 07:04 PM   #3
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This is impossible to do before the M2 is at least revealed in my opinion
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      07-02-2015, 07:07 PM   #4
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Agree with what the other guys say. And still don't agree with you about the powerdome (especially considering the 1M did fine without one).

Secondly, that is not even remotely high mileage for an NA M engine. My E92 has over 84k miles now and is still running like a champ. Yes, you would have to put some money into your current E46, but that's still cheaper than going out and buying a new M2.

Personally, I have 0 desire to sell my E92 M3 for an E46. I really adore this car. Hell I probably wouldn't trade it for a brand new M2 either, which is why I keep adding cars to the collection rather than replacing them. You are right about the brakes though. The M2's brakes will blow the E9x M3's out of the water, and we aren't just talking about looks!

Having said that, you just cannot go wrong with an M3 CSL. Those are amazing cars that are appreciating in value and will continue to do so. An M3 CSL and a nice daily driver would be amazing
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      07-02-2015, 07:51 PM   #5
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Get an e92, check out the M2 after release and maybe jump on one if it clicks. Variety is nice.
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      07-02-2015, 07:58 PM   #6
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I'd love to be able to keep my e46 in addition to a new M2 or m3 but cannot justify it just sitting there knowing I'm always going to choose the M2/M4 car for the fun drive. Knowing it's just there and is special, wouldn't be enough. If it was $25k maybe so. I'm more of a car enthusiast than a BMW enthusiast tbh. I do feel that if I saw one in 5-10years time on the road I would wish I owned one. Arrrgh!
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      07-02-2015, 08:25 PM   #7
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If money was not an issue, I would own a MG M4 with a JB4 and a rear section exhaust... They are just bad a$$... I do agree that the noise that the car makes is not music like the E92 M, but it sure is fast... 120+ trap speeds, rock solid chassis, big enough for the family = my choice...

I have owned 2 E46 M3's and although I do agree with the OP, the styling is timeless, they are too slow... My JB3 135i (only) trapped 110+ and was a good deal faster than the E46M's... With KW's, wheels and sticky tires it lacked nothing except the styling...

I am curious to see the M2 reveal, however I think I will underwhelmed with the N55...
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      07-02-2015, 08:27 PM   #8
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I'll most likely sell my e92 and get the M2...I go through cars like crazy. I just need one fun car and already have a company car. I don't think the M2 will disappoint, I'll miss the s65 growl for sure but hopefully not too much. New tech and enhanced performance are hard for me to resist and I think the M2 is the most appealing car that's coming out of the M Division...despite the weak sauce color options and no CF roof.
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      07-02-2015, 08:59 PM   #9
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Your E46 still has quite a bit of life left of it and certainly is a classic BMW. That said, if the new car bug has bit...

The CLS is an instant collectors item/classic. This would be a great car to replace your E46 if you put it away and only drove it on special occasions.

In terms of a new car, the M2 might fit the mold of what the E46 is the best. I guess we'll see when it is released!
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      07-03-2015, 08:46 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Denk
Get an e92, check out the M2 after release and maybe jump on one if it clicks. Variety is nice.
I rather like this advice .....



The M3 E9x is a unique M car and in the short term compared to the launch of an M2 likely will not depreciate much. The M4/M3 are already out and many E9x owners have already made the jump to F80.




If the M2 is the schiznit then OP could then flip the E9x and if the M2 underwhelms would still have a great car that is newer
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      07-03-2015, 11:46 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster View Post
I rather like this advice .....



The M3 E9x is a unique M car and in the short term compared to the launch of an M2 likely will not depreciate much. The M4/M3 are already out and many E9x owners have already made the jump to F80.




If the M2 is the schiznit then OP could then flip the E9x and if the M2 underwhelms would still have a great car that is newer
I think everyone should get to enjoy owning an S65 at least once
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      07-03-2015, 02:23 PM   #12
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Hands down M2. Don't even think about it.
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      07-03-2015, 03:14 PM   #13
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Wait for the m2, then decide.

Get what you really want. An e46 is great to own in the meantime
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      07-04-2015, 10:43 AM   #14
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Agreed about E92. Everyone needs to try out the S65 for a while. Take it to stage 2 and you won't worry about slow off the line.
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      07-09-2015, 06:32 PM   #15
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I think I would go for the CSL just because it is such a rare car. And probably what is influencing me is that I cant get one here.
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      07-09-2015, 08:04 PM   #16
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I think you are a bit lost there as they serve different purpose to different people.

M3CSL, collectible but high mileage
E92M3, low mileage, great V8 and great DD but dated
M2, no performance or fun factor information yet but brand new everything
M4, not what you want anyway

At the end you own the car and you drive it so think of what's more important to you. If I were you I would get a 2nd hand 1M.

If you are put off by turbo then get E92M3 but you should at least test drive the M4. That bespoke M engine is marvellous and you won't be missing NA after that.
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      07-09-2015, 08:08 PM   #17
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I'm as big a fan as you'll find of the S65. But this close to M2 launch? I'd have to wait and see it before pulling the trigger on anything else.
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      07-10-2015, 07:32 AM   #18
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which shall it be...

I know the feeling. I went into the dealer to show my wife the new M4 that I was selecting. It will officially be her car. She wanted a 2-door, so the M3 is no longer an option. While looking at the M4 we saw a souped up M235i with all the M-performance Carbon Fiber....she fell in love and I will save about 30-40K....then I started looking into the M2...we are now on the wait list. I like the smaller footprint of the M2 and with a little help from Dinan, I can get nearly the same horsepower out of the M2.
Just my opinion, but I think the M2 is going to be the biggest bang for the buck.
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