Man, it felt good to row through the gears today

by "WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
Published 04/08/2017 at 13:36

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STARS: 8

Sunny day, and this car just feels like an old favorite pair of shoes to me. Comfortable and just right.

Replies (23)

"Tripper" (tripe46)
04/08/2017 at 13:50, STARS: 2

The E46 is a special formula. I’ve never owned a car more than 2 years, except for my M3 which I’ve owned for 10. Every time I drive it I think, “man this car is just the tits!”

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/08/2017 at 14:00, STARS: 1

With the top down I hope.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 14:19, STARS: 1

I have to admit not. It was cool this morning, so I could either have the top down and windows up, or vice versa. I chose the latter, but am headed back out now with both down.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 14:22, STARS: 1

It really is. I ordered mine in Feb 2000, and took delivery that June.

It’s a lowly 323 (only engine in the convertible that year), so it’s slow. Has a few dings from 8 years of city life, and the interior is worn, but I love it anyways.

Still puts a smile on my face after 17 years. I think the only way I’d get rid of it would be for an E46 or E9X M3.

"Tripper" (tripe46)
04/08/2017 at 15:11, STARS: 1

Wow that is awesome! 17 years! I Bought mine used right out of school with 24k on the clock. I’ve said that I would only get rid of it for a coupe, but It’s been around so long that if I ever bought a coupe, I’d just keep the ragtop.

I had an E90 M3 for just under two years (1 car ago). It is such an amazing car, but it was super expensive to service and I found it tough to have fun with the car without really breaking the law. I never gave it the track time it deserved, and I think I bought one that was beat on because it just ripped through oil, and had all sorts of electrical gremlins. I was also owner #3 @ 50k miles. That S65 sounds fantastic, and I do miss that and the nearly perfect steering rack.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 15:24, STARS: 0

Thanks! Those are both gorgeous M3s! Especially that E46 - love the color!

Yeah, my biggest fear with buying either of those now is what it’s been through before I bought it. Either engine is fantastic though. With mine, I already know all of it’s quirks- and it’s been amazingly reliable, with few headaches. The M52 may be down on power, but it’s been perfect for 106k miles.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 15:28, STARS: 0

You’re really tempting me with that E46 convertible btw. SMG or 3 pedal out of curiosity?

"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
04/08/2017 at 15:35, STARS: 1

Slow or not, that’s awesome. Have you replaced the top or is that the original one?

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 15:40, STARS: 0

Believe it or not, that’s it’s 3rd top. One replaced under warranty when a hydraulic seal blew, and another when it was slashed - hazards of 8 years in Chicago. Wheels are aftermarket because the originals were stolen out my garage (not off the car- it was wearing 16" snows at the time).

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 15:41, STARS: 0

Also, this thing is a great example of how much fun you can have driving a slow car fast. :)

"66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash" (66671)
04/08/2017 at 15:42, STARS: 1

I drove one (a 323 CI) for around two years, can confirm it is a special car.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 15:46, STARS: 0

Nice!! Mine originally had those wheels, but they were stolen.

The one quirk of it is the really short gearing. 4000 RPM is a lot for about 80mph.

"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
04/08/2017 at 15:50, STARS: 1

I kinda figured at least 2nd. Sucks about getting one slashed, though. People suck.

No need to excuse the wheels. They’re nice and not over the top for that car. Having the other ones stolen sucks, though. Again, people suck.

For me, having a convertible is about having fun. The only convertible I have owned (350Z) was nice at first, but after a while it just wasn’t fun. That and the top needed replacing and I didn’t wanna part with that much money when I knew I wasn’t gonna keep it. I’d love to eventually have an E92 M3 convertible or maybe a 440i convertible.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 15:59, STARS: 1

Yeah, that top is only a few years old.

The wheels only annoy me because they’re a reminder that the originals are gone. I like these, especially that they’re 18s instead of 17s.

Convertibles are about fun - they add weight and subtract rigidity, so they’re not the best performers, but I just love driving with the top down. Always have.

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/08/2017 at 16:02, STARS: 1

Good, you must redeem yourself!

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 16:17, STARS: 0

Also, if you’re interested in an E92 m3 or 440i, check the picture Tripper posted of his E46 m3 in this post. Less $ to buy and still an awesome car—-

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 1

Rest assured, I did ! 75 degrees tomorrow, too— so more to come!

"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
04/08/2017 at 16:26, STARS: 1

I like the E46, but I honestly would rather have a hard top convertible. Yes, I know stuff can go wrong, but I have had a soft top already and want to try a hard top if I get another convertible.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 17:32, STARS: 0

I could see that- the hardtop removes some of the headaches of a convertible, although with more penalty on trunk space. I particularly like the look of the e93.

"Tripper" (tripe46)
04/08/2017 at 18:39, STARS: 1

Thanks! I think part of why I didn’t adopt the E90 in the same way is because I had already been through it and become familiar with the E46. I’ve spent plenty maintaining the E46 over the years, but true failures have been few and far between. When things started to go wrong with the E90, I just kept thinking “E46 wouldn’t do me like this..” Although I’m sure there are E46 nightmares too. I’m approaching 90k miles, and I’ve replaced an ignition coil and the most expensive throttle actuator (just happened recently). Other than that it’s just been wear/tear, short throw shifter, and a set of wheels.

"Tripper" (tripe46)
04/08/2017 at 18:45, STARS: 1

3 pedals. My father had an SMG coupe before I bought mine. I didn’t hate it, but it’s a finicky transmission. SMG used in any mode except for full manual, and driven as if it was a manual, is not a good experience. It was enough to make the coupe/convertible option take a back seat to the transmission for me. I really wanted a coupe, but I had it narrowed down to two cars. A Laguna Seca Blue coupe - SMG, and my Phoenix Yellow convertible - 3 pedals. I would still love to land an LSB coupe, I’d take oxford green too.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 19:21, STARS: 1

I think with most BMWs, if you are religious about maintenance, they’re fairly reliable — with the E60 m5 and 850 probably being exceptions. But they all have some issues that can bite hard. From what I understand, the E46 and e90 have different characters to some extent. Both great, just different -

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 19:27, STARS: 0

That’s interesting - I’ve halfheartedly shopped for e46s, and it seems like the convertibles are mostly SMG and the reverse for the coupes.

I would want the 3 pedal (see my post - haha) ,but have not driven the SMG.

I love that oxford green in the convertible—