Both. The E46 M3 was a stunner and back in 2001-2002 my pulse increased when every I saw one. The E92 M3 on the other hand, lack the mystic aura which I used to feel when ever I saw an M3.

The E46 M3 was a spectacle and probably one of BMW's most important car BMW has developed the latest year, it served well as a halo car. Most important the E46 M3 was a performance wonder with no other cars even close to it in terms of speed and handling. Sure the E92 M3 is a superb car as well but isn't the much superior to the competitors like the predecessor, the M3 simply isn't the default choice any longer.

BMW's golden nugget the E46 M3 had it all, speed, handling, low weight and design. One of my buddies bought one it October last year which gave me a second chance of driving one, superb car really. Would love to own one sometime especially now when the prices are dropping.

Yea but at the same time, BMW didn't have as many competitors though. This segment is much more crowded now. It's also because the E46 that other car companies started taking this segment more seriously. The current RS4 and the previous generation were day and night if you ask me.

The way I see it, the leap from the E36 to the E46 performance wise is about the same as from the E46 to the E92. BMW has improved the E92 in every subjective way possible. I have yet to hear an E46 M3 owner that test drove the E92 and said they preferred their old car (I'm sure there are some, but I haven't seen them on the forums yet).

I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for this... BUT, I believe that each generation of M3's has been a classic (E92 included). There's not one that didn't have it's own charm. That cannot be said about the other competitors imo...

Yeah the segment has definetly become incredibly competitive, even saturated. Cadillac, MB, Audi, Lexus and heck Nissan with their attractive GT-R are taking things dead serious.

Both are hot as hell, not to mention they're both in my fav color, Blue. LOVE IT!

I agree, the E46 M3 design was not as bold as the E30 and even the E92 has more of that. I too think that the I6-engine and the CSL are the reasons to remember the E46 - not its design.

I agree, arguably the best 6-cylinder engine in the world. Certainly the best I6.

M

Like I wrote earlier, only reason why M3 E46 is going to be an icon is becuase its the last M3 with 6-cylinder engine, not becuase of the design. New M3 has good design just like previous M3 and when you say M3 E46 looks better than M3 E92, its just a personal opinion.
And if M3 E46 is going to be iconic then its M3 CSL.

BTW C55 isnt a slower car than M3 E46 in straightline. Only advantage M3 E46 had over C55 is handling. C55 also had the better comfort. Today M3 E92 has better comfort, better handling but slower in straightline than C63.

The handling advantage the E46 M3 had over the C55 was a small one if you look at the objective numbers (far smaller than the handling advantage the E92 M3 has over the new C63). The main disadvantage the C55 had was it subjectively didn't feel as "exciting" or precise as the E46 M3 when taken to the limit. That, and the fact that nobody cared or knew about the C55's chassis improvements, as many just assumed it was a C32 with a bigger engine. Even though the C55 could almost match the M3 on a track, it went under the radar. Unlike the huge press release and fuss MB made about the C63, the intro of the C55 was very mute.

But back to the poll here, I voted for the E46 M3 when it comes to looks. I know the E92 M3 is far superior in every way mechanically and in terms of performance (acceleration and handling), but the E92 M3 looks a bit "bloated" to me. I prefer the more slim looking E46 M3. I think the E46 M3 will go down as one of the more memorable M3's, as it took the high reving inline 6 concept to its max. Plus, it sold so well for BMW. If the E46 M3 came with 4 doors, I probably would have bought it.

The C55 came into the game pretty late and Mercedes decided to manufacture it after the C32 had been completely trashed by the E46.

I really dislike the E46's rear and E92' rims look way better. So E92 it is.