Ok, rate the last 3 generations of M3's/M4

[Ian1973]

Ok, having owned my F80 now for a bit over a month and also owning an E46 M3, just curious what the forum thought of the looks of the last three. I will also add I owned an E92 335i with the sport package, 19" wheels and a BMW front lip.

My perspective, I am very much on the fence with the looks of the F80. Sometimes I look at it and it looks very aggressive at certain angles. I have some add on parts that probably add to it also, but some angles to me are unpleasant. I used to look at my E92 and think nearly every angle was very attractive, especially the rear. The E46 was even more so I think, though I'd have to really think about it. I do think the E92 M3 was so pretty as is the E46 M3, but in different ways. I'd be hard pressed to name a winner there, but may have to go with the E92.

I wouldn't say i'm let down, ultimately who cares with such performance and lack of driving it while looking at it, but I do think the F3x/F8x could be step back.

I will caveat that I was never a huge fan with the E90 M3, the F80 crushes that for sure.

Just trying to get my thoughts down and see what others think.

[9SECDD]

Originally Posted by Ian1973

Ok, having owned my F80 now for a bit over a month and also owning an E46 M3, just curious what the forum thought of the looks of the last three. I will also add I owned an E92 335i with the sport package, 19" wheels and a BMW front lip.

My perspective, I am very much on the fence with the looks of the F80. Sometimes I look at it and it looks very aggressive at certain angles. I have some add on parts that probably add to it also, but some angles to me are unpleasant. I used to look at my E92 and think nearly every angle was very attractive, especially the rear. The E46 was even more so I think, though I'd have to really think about it. I do think the E92 M3 was so pretty as is the E46 M3, but in different ways. I'd be hard pressed to name a winner there, but may have to go with the E92.

I wouldn't say i'm let down, ultimately who cares with such performance and lack of driving it while looking at it, but I do think the F3x/F8x could be step back.

I will caveat that I was never a huge fan with the E90 M3, the F80 crushes that for sure.

Just trying to get my thoughts down and see what others think.

I've owned an E36 M3 sedan, an E46 M3 coupe and now my F82 M4. I think each version got progressively better and more aggressive in the looks department. My E46 will always have a special place in my heart, but the F82 M4 wins for me hands down. Stunning looks and sick, sick performance.

[b0bab0i]

This won't have much factor overall, but from purely an aesthetics point of view, E46, E92, then the F80.

[AnujS2K]

Love the e46 m3, I think the proportions and lines were perfect. The colors it came in suited it well too.

I also like the E30M but then again I like boxy cars too.

I think the F80 is the best looking 4 door M to date.

[04RC51]

F82, then E46, then E92.

[khanyam4]

e46 f82 e92.

[pikkagtr]

e30>f8x>e36>e46>e9X

[M4ever?]

Originally Posted by 04RC51

F82, then E46, then E92.

My vote as well

[DaBean]

E46 = F82 > E92

I love the looks of my E46 - it shows signs of age when parked near newer cars, but independently, it still looks extremely good. At the time, it definitely stood out amongst the "regular cars".

F82 was "love at first sight" - finally, BMW did itself a favor and made a car for enthusiasts, seemingly designed by enthusiasts and not accountants / conservative corporate heads. I have no desire to alter its exterior, whereas on the E46 I made a few tweaks.

I honestly never like the E92 that much... In fact, I find it "bland" compared to the E46 and the F82... I never had the urge to buy one. Whereas for the E46 and F82, it was an easy decision.

[Ray knight]

i think the F80 is one of the best looking cars i've ever seen. looks better than all previous.

[TonySCV]

F80 over the E90 - not even close. The E90 looks bland in comparison. The F80 is basically a 4-door 1M with bolder styling, which is a home run for me.

The coupes are more evolutionary. I liked the E92 a lot, but the styling does look a lot smoother (which people may equate to bland) now that the F82 is out. The E46 is a design that is aging very well. I was convinced when the F82 came out that the E92 would become a classic design over time, now I'm not so sure. The E46 OTOH is looking better with age.

The F8x front and rear bumper fascias are not my favorite. They look tortured, and really need the splitters and diffuser on lighter colored cars.

So I would rank them:

F80 > E90
E46 > F82 >= E92

[V1.47fan]

Looks: E46 > E9X > F8X

Driving fun: E9X > E46 > F8X

Performance: F8X > E9X > E46

[jeff4598]

I think e 90 was best looking, never liked the rounded door opening on the e 92.

[Ian1973]

I never got to live with the E92 M, but I know when I would park my E92 335, I would always look back and love the rear end, to a less extent the E46, but the F80 I don't as much. I like the looks, but I'm not insanely drawn to it like I was the others. It's like the proportions look more like a small crossover, the hood has some serious height and the rear does also.

I haven't been around the F82 enough yet to judge.

But I am happy the F80 is more striking than the E90. If it wasn't I would own an F82 now.

[GOLFFRR]

to me the Ms have gotten better each gen with the f8x being the best.

[yaymitch]

I've owned the E36, E46 and now the F80. When the E46 came out it was ahead of it's time in both looks and performance. E36 was amazing car in its own right. The F80 is the best looking M3 sedan ever IMO. I was never a fan of the E9x M3, looks or performance. So I would have to rank as follows:

F80>E46>E9x.

[Brosef]

as an e92 owner with an F80 on order, here is my view of the subjective merits of each (objective performance obviously improved with every gen.):

looks: E46 ~ F80 > F82 > E92/E90

sound: E90 >>>>>> E46 > F80/F82

driving fun: all gens have their own unique charms to them.

[V1.47fan]

Engine sound: E9X > E46 > F8X

Engine willingness to rev: E9X > E46 > F8X

Closest thing to an Italian Exotic: E9X > E46 > F8X

Throttle Response: E9X > E46 > F8X

[Capt Crunch]

Originally Posted by 04RC51

F82, then E46, then E92.

Bingo. The E46 is such a timeless, handsome car. The E92 didn't feel much faster and looked boring, especially the interior. For street driving, I've always preferred turbo cars because they feel deceptively fast -- My old STI, Mazdaspeed3, and current GTI all were almost as fun to drive because I wasn't going to the track more than 1-2 times a year and my commute was all city. When the M3 got a turbo motor and I finally had the means to buy new, the decision was easy.

[MasterC17]

I've owned every generation M3 except the E30, so can not comment on that. But the F8X blow's away every generation prior. I know there are still plenty of people in love with their older generation cars, and I understand it, but there is no comparison in my opinion. The car is better in every discernible fashion. Does that mean I don't enjoy driving my E46 or E36? Nope, still love them too. But I acknowledge every time I step from car to car their generational differences and improvements. Let me put it this way, BMW is not going to build a car that underperforms the previous generation. They each have their upsides and caveats, but at the end of the day I absolutely love my F80 and would take it over the E92, E46, and E36 any day of the week.

[pikkagtr]

Originally Posted by V1.47fan

Engine sound: E9X > E46 > F8X

Engine willingness to rev: E9X > E46 > F8X

Closest thing to an Italian Exotic: E9X > E46 > F8X

Throttle Response: E9X > E46 > F8X

You also accidentally ranked those from worst to best performance

[MDREDev]

Originally Posted by b0bab0i

This won't have much factor overall, but from purely an aesthetics point of view, E46, E92, then the F80.

agree 100%