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Originally Posted by speeder
Can you elaborate? I've looked at e46es but ultimately realized that I don't like the styling and friends who owned them new told me that they were underwhelming cars, a little too heavy and not sports-oriented enough. That plus their known issues has moved them off of my list. E36es are 200 lbs. lighter and have the best factory seats ever put in a car.
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It likely comes down to how you want to use the car. I tracked both, extensively, and the S54 is so much more powerful than the SB52 in the M3. The E46 also has room for more tire, and already has much better brakes from the factory.
The interior quality was also much better, and in my five years of ownership I never once replaced a window regulator or had an issue with door latches.
To be fair, my E36 M3 was a daily driver, and by the time I acquired my E46 M3 I was able to use it as a dedicated “fun” car.
The E36 was quite a bit more affordable to run — remember it has far less bespoke M parts than the E46.
I think you will love either one. They are different, but both are wonderful. I sold my E46 for more than I paid after five years and lots of track miles. First person who looked at it, bought it. I should have put it on auction, given all the interest.