E46 M3 to 1M

[Jason23]

Just wondering how many of you made the switch from an e46 to the 1m?? Im in the middle of getting a 1m and im a little nervous about making the switch. I love my m3 so i just dont want to regret it.

[lcrain]

Well if you dont want the 1m I will take it (having a hard time finding one).

That aside I think you will be happy with the move. 1m will be similar to your m3 other than the turbos. The tt engine can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. It will be highly tunable, which some will love. But you will experience a little bit of lag.

The e46 m3 is awesome and the high revving engine is very hard to beat. Suspension, brakes, interior etc will be improved and updated with the 1m. The engine is a toss up. It will be different from your car, you will have to decide whether it is "better" or "worse." I personally think it will be better personally. If you are unhappy with the power you can cheaply attain higher figures.

[Jason]

This should help convince you

[sean67]

I had an '05 ZCP M3 and was the best handling and overall DD I have ever had (until now). It had lots of miles and if they were lower I would still be driving it. I went from that in March to '11 135i and now to the 1M. I was worried because the 135i was not near as good compared to the e46 M3 to me. After 2,000 miles on the 1M I like as well if not better than the M3. I still can't get over the difference from the 135i which to me was a huge improvement. I think you will really enjoy it more as I do. It is different but in a good way. Coming out of a corner with the torque you get on the 1M is really fun. I travel a curvy road to work and the M3 was extremely easy to drive very fast, and the 1M is the same just twitchier in the curves but the exit seem like fast foward to me and point a to b is faster.

At least for me. Handling is so subjective. The other things on the car I like better too. Both are awesome cars. Get the 1M.

Sean

[ADVANT123]

I used to own an 06 ZCP and I can say the the 1M is a good replacement for the E46 M3. Handling/feel is very similiar to the M3, but the engine has a bunch more torque so its easier to drive "fast". I think the M3 interior might be a little nicer than the 1M, but not by much.

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by sean67

...I still can't get over the difference from the 135i which to me was a huge improvement.

I've been told to never drive a 1M and I will be happy with my 135i.

But I'd love to hear more details behind the above statement.

[BimmerE82]

Originally Posted by Jason

This should help convince you

Awesome!!

[hopofthese]

I have both but my e46 is my track weapon so is hard to compared. They're two totally different cars.

Only thing I can really tell you is that you will not regret it. 1M has more power, better suspension and is a newer car.

People seem to always be afraid of new things when odds are the successor of your old car will always be generally speaking better. The feeling behind the wheel may differ but is for the better.

[danielbreese]

Can you keep both? I have a E46 M3that I bought new in 2002 and also had a E92 M3 from 2008 to 7/11 (sold it and don't miss it- too big and boring). I still have my E46 and it is much more fun! I am getting my 1M next month, but I can't part with theE46. It will do the "dirty" jobs (airport, beach trips etc).

[hopofthese]

Same track.

1M
KW Clubsports
Toyo R888
DTC 70 Brake pads on all corners

E46
Too Many mods to list. Engine is basically stock with the exception of Headers and full exhaust.

Both Cars ran just about the exact time.

[1mGator]

Originally Posted by jayjao23@yahoo.com

Just wondering how many of you made the switch from an e46 to the 1m?? Im in the middle of getting a 1m and im a little nervous about making the switch. I love my m3 so i just dont want to regret it.

JayJa,

I have an E46 M3 (2003) and just did ED to pick up my 1M. If you have the means I would suggest keeping both cars. My next statement could take hours to explain but when you drive the 1M you will understand - they are different cars but both still give you sensory satisfaction (Joy). The 1M is my first turbo (I now understand the fun my son has been having with his 335i) and it has a completely different performance feel. So my advice is to hold off selling the E46 until you drive the 1M and by all means keep them both if you can ......

Best of Luck!

[M3Sweet]

I had a heavily modified e46 M3.The 1M is better in EVERY way.

[david.orr]

I once foolishly parted with my E46M before I tested the E92M, believing in the hype and what's printed back then. When I finally tested a E92M, I was disappointed and have always regretted the E46M sale. I suspect you may still miss your E46M even if you love your E82M. As others have said, keep both if you could. Sell one later on if necessary. Wish I could be in your position!!

[dmw16]

I had a 135i for a year and now I have an E46 M3, so my comments are based on that and not directly to the 1M.

I think that coming from the E46 the 1M will feel faster thanks to the lower end torque. The suspension, brakes, etc are also newer designs and will be improved.

Personally I'd miss the higher revs on the M3 so that might be something that takes some adjustment for you. The other down side (assuming the 135 and 1M interiors are similar) is that I think the E46 has a better quality interior. The dash material in the M3 is nicer and I think the leather is as well. The 1M cabin is also a bit small for my liking.

My other issue and this is really stupid (I am admitting that up front) is I think the M3 engine bay looks better than the 1M's. The 1M's bay looks very 'normal' for lack of a better word.

All in all though I think you'll enjoy the torque and the fact that it's new. Can't really lose either way.

[sean67]

Originally Posted by jkoral

I've been told to never drive a 1M and I will be happy with my 135i.

But I'd love to hear more details behind the above statement.

Completely subjective of course but I will try to explain in more detail:

Steering: 1M is quicker and the turn in seems more deliberate and does not plow into a corner - any corner. The steering on the 1M is assisted more and was a lot different but better. 135 just understeers too much.

Ride: 135 with RF's well...sucked. The 1M is more compliant. It is stiff? Well yes but when I hit a bump or imperfection I get back what I expect. With 135 sometimes I would go over a bump or minor break in asphalt and sometimes thought I was riding on just the rims. It was a killer sometimes and just felt very unnatural. 1M is what I like and is a whole lot better to me.

Braking: 135 was great but very and too grabby. The 1M reminds of the ZCP M3 I had.

Power: 135 is great. 1M is greater. The torque curve with the overboost pulls very nice and remind me of the way a C5 Z06 I had pulled. Love it.

Overall: The 1M allows for more confidence versus the 135 and fits my driving style more. Please understand I liked the 135 alot and it was a hoot to drive and would have enjoyed it a lot had I kept it, but th 1M is fantastic.

[ZCP M3]

Moving from a 06 E46 M3 ZCP to a 1M. I'll dig up another post that I made here but the cliffnotes are I drove my E46 M3 to the dealer, drove an E92 M3 and a 135i DCT and decided the 1M was better than all.

Too inebriated right now to post my thoughts in a cohesive manner, will post later.

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by jkoral

I've been told to never drive a 1M and I will be happy with my 135i.

But I'd love to hear more details behind the above statement.

It is true! I used to enjoy my wife's 125i when I had the 135i. The 1M on paper shouldn't be that much better than the 135i but it is.

[Mnime]

at the track currently and i let my instructor drive my car and he has an e46 M3....his response...i loved the 1M!!! he said it was a lot like the e46 but lighter and more nimble on the track. as the day went on he was liking the 1M more and more...

I have never been in a M3 so i dont have any input but that was basically his two cents....

[1swift1]

...by my wife! My 2002 E46 M3 with 86K miles is my daily driver, and I was going to sell it before I needed to do a ton of work on it (rear diff, VANOS solenoid, tires, inspection, etc). I planned to sell it over 6 months ago when I "got my 1M". I've had my deposit and spot #1 since October 2010, after all. Unfortunately, the reality of a small dealership meant that I would be waiting a lot longer than originally planned. The repairs couldn't wait, so I had to spend over $4500 last month. Fast forward to now, when I finally got my allocation, 1M was built week 36, and am now awaiting transport to US. My wife is convinced it would be a losing proposition to sell the M3 now. I couldn't agree more, and will use it for the track!!!!

[C4747Z]

Originally Posted by sparoz

It is true! I used to enjoy my wife's 125i when I had the 135i. The 1M on paper shouldn't be that much better than the 135i but it is.

I agree. I loved my 135i (modd
ed 405rwhp), but I am in love with my 1M. To me the 1M is everything the 135i was missing - handling (wider stance), LSD, etc etc etc lol.

Can't wait to get my DPs in my 1M!

[woojae2001]

Dude - get the 1M - drive it and take care of it - if you don't like it you can probably make a profit from selling it back with minimal miles. And if you want to get rid of your E46 PM me - I call dibbs :-p

[Jason23]

Thanks for all the input guys i think im going for the 1M i wish i could keep both . I'll keep everyone posted...im going to the dealer to build my 1M tomorrow!!