The best BMW ever made

[Silex]

How come nobody here likes the simplistic nature of an individual throttle body of the E36 M3? The venerable S52. The one where North America got the bastard child in order to lower the cost by $10k versus the S50B32. Instead we got a stroked and bored 325i engine. That thing was simple in design and reliable (by BMW standards).

In any case, my vote goes for the an E46 M3 hardtop with SMG. Only SMG, because it was a single clutch system reminiscent of Ferrari's before the California came out. It was a true GT car. None of that hokey pokey slapstick shit. There was no clutch pedal, but you better left off the go pedal in-between shifts and modulate it properly otherwise "ker-plunk". It had to be driven to be appreciated. Then it breaks and costs $10k to fix with less than 100k on the engine and we begin to wonder what went wrong...

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Never been a big fan of BMW's but I have a soft spot for the mid 80's 635CSI and M6.

 

[DarkThinker]

My top favorite ever BMW and my childhood dream car would be the 850CSi, the Alpina 5.7L version no less.

Followed closely by:
E39 M5
E21 323i (Hell make it an E21 Hartge 323irs H3 )
E28 M5
E36 M Coupe
E63 M6

All of these would be amongst the first cars I would buy to put in one garage if I were to suddenly become loaded which is highly unlikely.

 

[Silex]

I second the M coupe especially the S54 one. Except I would still take an E46 M3 with SMG over it.

 

[MrWizzard]

I gotta say I think I still love the E39 M5 the most.

My pops has that exact car 🙂. 14k miles on it, and he wants to sell it. :-/ I wish I could buy it off him. It can do some sweet slides. I liked the old BMW body style more than any of the new ones.

I would take the old V8 over the new v8 and v10s.

 

[Koing]

I do like cars that are fast but ride well.
One reason I always buy sedans.

The M5 can be comfy on the highay, but still do a mean drift.

And that thing just looks so good.

It's my style 😀

No doubting it's comfy but for me anythings comfy...The S2000 was comfy so I'm fine with anything. E39 M5 just feels weighty and a bit bloaty in corners..

Good style though and if you need 4doors it's great.

Koing

 

[EightySix Four]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qju9iEFqp3Y

I love that sound... Holy shit.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

A mate has one, just feels big and bloaty to me...but it's a very nice car overall, just not for me.

The CSL is a very special car!

Koing

What are you driving at the minute Koing? I can't remember (M3 isn't it?)

 

[PricklyPete]

I'm surprised how many of you are saying that you would specifically take the M with the SMG. Nothing wrong with the SMG... but unless I'm only using the car as a track day special, there is no way I'd go with SMG over manual if given the option.

 

[Silex]

I only said I would, because I think the technology was a nice evolution of the vehicle. The E36 M3 came with SMG I as an option overseas, but it was clunky and crap. The E46 M3 was a world car so we got all the same stuff as everybody else including the SMG II. the latest SMG III in the E92 M3 is even better but it's twin-clutch. BMW has lost their rawness over the years, but in my mind the E46 is the best best blend of price, performance, and luxury.

But knowing me I would do something crazy like a HorsePowerFreaks turbo kit, make 750rwhp, and then call it done with the car. It's all it needs.

 

[PricklyPete]

I only said I would, because I think the technology was a nice evolution of the vehicle. The E36 M3 came with SMG I as an option overseas, but it was clunky and crap. The E46 M3 was a world car so we got all the same stuff as everybody else including the SMG II. the latest SMG III in the E92 M3 is even better but it's twin-clutch. BMW has lost their rawness over the years, but in my mind the E46 is the best best blend of price, performance, and luxury.

But knowing me I would do something crazy like a HorsePowerFreaks turbo kit, make 750rwhp, and then call it done with the car. It's all it needs.

I believe the SMG III is what is in the E60 M5 and its just E-DCT in the E92 M3. To be honest, I have not driven the SMG II equipped E46 M3, but with such a visceral car, I couldn't imagine buying one without the manual. It is in no way BMW's slickest manual...but slamming through the gears with that high revving engine is invigorating.

 

[Silex]

From what I know about the transmission in the E46 M3, the SMG II is the same 6-speed, but with a hydraulic actuator attached to the outside of the bell housing. That's it. Same everything on the inside which explains why they used a single-clutch design.

 

[PricklyPete]

From what I know about the transmission in the E46 M3, the SMG II is the same 6-speed, but with a hydraulic actuator attached to the outside of the bell housing. That's it. Same everything on the inside which explains why they used a single-clutch design.

Yes, that is my understanding as well. But not being able to modulate the clutch yourself is definitely taking a lot of control away from you...not to mention the fun factor of a 3rd pedal. I'm not saying the SMG II wasn't good...and if I was using the car primarily for the race track...it might just be the better transmission...but otherwise I'm definitely a bigger fan of a manual.

I drove a E92 around a track with the E-DCT...and while the transmission was unbelievably slick and the car was AWESOME, I would still buy one with a manual.

 

[Silex]

I'm all for manual cars (both of mine are), but I guess my mentality is that I can buy any sports car in a manual so might as well get an M3 with a manumatic 🙂 But it better not be the only car I have otherwise I will miss the traditional slapstick.

Okay, back on topic. Sorry OP!