E46 M3 is a timeless car, especially the design.

They just nailed everything with the E46. That damn cute yet confident front face is fucking timeless and will always put a smile on my face whenever I see any E46 3-series..

"emotional" doesn't even begin to describe it. i recently spent a week away from my car and getting back in it felt like hugging your best friend after a long time. driving was like conversing about all the things i'd been meaning to say. the E46 M3 truly is a special machine, being able to own and even daily it feels like an honor from the car gods. thank you for making this video, it makes me happy seeing people appreciating these cars more openly

Your closing statement is what I’ve been saying for years! The early 2000 BMWs were the best in brand identity and uniform class! They kept the critical design elements from the 80s right through. Mercedes has also lost its way aswell. So sad to watch these designers butcher the identity of these brands. I would buy a brand new E46 tomorrow if I could.

I think the e46 M3 is in my top 10 most refined car designs up there with cars like the McLaren F1. It's beautiful and I want one when I have more money

I have an E46 330Ci. I came from a GTi. I love the E46. It really is a special car, not just driving it but the look of it. I constantly find myself looking back at it or peering through the window 😂 I plan on getting an E46 M3 whilst keeping the 330Ci. That should tell you how much I like it 😂

When I had my E46 coupe (in a gorgeous spec), I literally looked at it for at least ten minutes every day. That shape is just beyond perfect, from every angle. I vividly hope to own one again someday....

Bought mine 2 years ago and have zero regrets. It's a 2003 and mostly stock it still outperforms my very not-stock 2015 WRX. The grip it gets around corners is unmatched by most vehicles. Revving past 7k gets me every time.

Could you analyze the design of every 3 series like you did with the 7 series? and maybe do that with other model generations from other companies like audi or mercedes

The E46/M3 is just one of those cars that has its status cause it’s a one time thing… you’ll never see something like it again and it’s bitter cause we want more but it’s sweet cause it’s timeless

You're right. This is why E46 is so classic. I believe it is a legend right now.

One of the best cars ever, period.

I feel the same, I have spent many hours of my life looking at, talking about and dreaming of the e46 M3. The way it feels to drive the raspy exhaust note and genuine joy I feel admiring looking at and driving makes this my all time ultimate driving machine!

Still in love with my E46 ZHP since day one. It’s such a treat driving it, always shocks me how amazing it feels when switching from my daily car. Not the fastest, but it feels right

the old design of bmw and mercedes are not getting older, they still looks perfect

I love my e46 m3 coupe 6mt. I am now in Colorado for a couple of weeks and this car is the perfect balance of everything. The curvy mountain roads, relaxed highway cruising, tight city roads, decent mpg. And during the whole time no issues from it no matter how hard I drove it and that includes bombing it up Pikes peak. Yes it was down some power in the thinner air but it just made you focus on other rewarding aspects of this car. I cant imagine ever selling this car especially compared to the latest m3s.

I have firstly met with this legendary model in NFS MW back in 2005 and I loved and still love the car. 😎🥃

One of the best looking coupes of all time imo, not just the M-version. Even a 318i would be adorable ❤️

Every angle of this car is breath taking

I had a 2003 phoenix yellow manual. I sold it around a year ago and I regret it now. There fetching really good money if there well looked after now days. I’m driving a 1 M at the moment. I want another E46 if I can get my hands on a good one. Greetings from Oz

I FAR prefer the e46 in sedan form. The angled line from the Hofmeister kink, diagonally down through the rear door opening, curving at the base, then accelerating the eye forward to the front of the car-as if time has slowed down ; the car speeds ahead while the body stretches and the rear of the car tries to catch up. Gorgeous. Unfortunately the coupe lacks this grace. The coupe’s door outlines shunt this graceful expression by awkwardly cutting the side of the car in thirds, vertically.

E36 M3 makes me emotional! The E46 is beautiful, but the E36 M3 is my first love!

Love love love this video. Not only because I’m a huge E46 fan.(sadly I’ve only gotten to own 3, working on the third.) but I’m also a huge fan of your work. I wish you would speak about car regulations and how it has impacted car creation. Examples being pop up head light bands, rear tail lights having to be visible when a truck is open, etc…

I Will always appreciate the older M3 bmw timeless machine’s that will live on as legend. Being 22 own an M car is nuts to me to this day, I absolutely love my 95 M3 e36 that car holds so much meaning to me.

It was perfect, perfect down to the last minute detail

It looks unbelievable to this day!

Dad bought it off his best friend 12 years ago after a really traumatic event. Been using it as the family car ever since LMAOOO (10/10 coolest family car, also really fucking spacious in the back seat for a coupe hot damn, wayyyy more spatious than my mum's 4 door) Also he treats it like his baby to the point where he wont even let his best friend (previous owner) drive it anymore. Recently, the mechanic (who has a special interest in BMWs) did a compression test, and apparently it's near factory condition, and the mechanic said that it was one of the most well looked after cars he's seen, and it made my dad's whole damn day. I guess that babying was useful for something after all lol.

I own an E46 convertible TBH this car cost me a lot of money on maintenance like whenever i fix something another thing get damaged My entire family and all my friends told me to sell it they say "it served well but now the car is tired it's time to sell it" and my response was and still the same "i cant sell it i'm in love with this car" Till almost last year i bought a new car for daily use and i kept my "Bimo" as my gf calls it for weekends

The E46 is a great car and I love it to death, but I feel like the E36 before it is an underrated gem

e46 330i here never gave up on it it broke on me hurt me made me cry but ive nvr once gaven up on my girl amazing car i love it so much and now that maintenance is done its time to finally mod it :)

I just cant explain how beautful i think this car is everything about it is perfect every angle i always loved it and always wanted one...

You're absolutely right about the design of each model in the end. All models from the era of the E46 had their own design but they spoke the same language, connecting them as a brand family while still keeping them unique. Somewhat like siblings. Audi from that era tried the same but failed misserably as ir wasn't clear if you were looking at a A4, A3, or A6. The A2 and TT had their own face but those could be considered experiments (very good ones though).

I own 2 E46, one bought in 2007 and one in 2015. Little chance that the elegenance will ever come back - just look what they did with the interior design in the updated 3 series.

I'm the proud owner of the Phoenix Yellow E46.. 2003 model.. I bought it when it was 18 months old.. Don't intend selling... Ever!

I'd love to see your take on the F chassis generation of the 3 and 4 series. Particularly the M3/m4 since they're the same front end

Absolutely love it. Having a E46 330ci stickshift Convertible with BMW Individual interior and all black M package exterior, I am totally accepting all the repairs this car needs (and it's a lot), because I doubt I will ever get my hands on one of these ever again. Value appreciation is already compensating for that, and will even more so in the future.

Great video. Love the history and the design talk!

YES. This is the best and the timeless (with E39). And KZfaq proposes me your Z8 video next, damn I need to go the sleep but I guess not.

Wasn’t this car the one that was featured in NFS MW as the BMW M3 GTR back in 2005?

What a intro ! Thank you for the time spent on this . To me what a solid design , teutonic , powerful , planted , shark y , killer and most of all elegant . Never miss your videos , you can re design Santa sledge 🛷 , I LL watch it ! Great holidays and give the cat a raise !

Im just super happy that i purchased my dream car at 19yo while they were relatively less expensive than they are now because i might have never been able to own one. This video gave me chills man 🤤, made me love it more and take care of it till i live, god i love this car! 😍

As a e46 fanboy i just cried bro such a nice video

the frontlights aren't my favorites, but i respect them. The 2 rounded elements/radiuses complement the sideprofile of the car and the 4 exhausts on the back + recall to the older round light design. they also give slight tension in movement and add a certain tristesse for me😄 my personal favourite is the E30 in black.stunning car. front and backlights are pefect too😍the grill is not too big and the design doesn't pretend to grab attention, yet it is still simple in lineflow, elegant and timeless. Interior is lovely too. frontview looks sporty and reminds me of a stunned face wich is good😶

Great detailed video about the design! I’m with you on that one, it’s the best looking BMW and amazing car to drive. it will never be looked dated.

My dream car right here

Timeless 90s design! Love it!

E46 has always been and still is my favorite BMW design. And, similar to how BTTF movies made DeLorean DMC 12 an automotive legend, this M3 is now an immortal icon, thanks to Need For Speed series

My favorite M3 as well. I especially like the size of this one.

The E46 is a fully cohesive design. The E90 is not far behind. Very classy. Quite timeless.

i love your videos about bmw's design in the past

I really like front ends with an upper grill and a lower bumper with some intakes. This upoer and lower seperation is missing on the G82. And in tge lower bumper I like a 3 vent design, with vents streatchin out to the corners like on the E46 M3 non csl.

Please make a video on E38 7 series.It's possibly the most beautiful BMW design ever.

Love this kind of design analysis specially in 2000s BMWs which I really craved as a kid. I loved (and still like very much) the 2006 330Ci You should go next with Audi TT MK1, another german car that lost its way big time

That silver stone color is beautiful!

What A video, especially breaking down and explaining the design features and comparison!!! THUMBS UP !

Love my 6 speed manual 330CI ZHP to death... the absolute sweet spot 🙌

Amazing as always 🔥

I have a BMW 325Ci SMG, turning 20 years next year and well mantained. The only thing i changed is a digital cluster cluster and an 9 inch Android radio with a Resler modul and sound system They offert me 15.000 Euro for it, but i love that car so i cant sell it, the car is way to beautiful to sell, and till this day getting his maitenance (with maintenance bookled and i have all the invoices for repairs and maintenance in a folder) by an original BMW dealer.

Thought about this whenever I look at my vert...! Timeless!

BMW E46 M3 - pure love. best car I had

This is my dream car, shame that it seems to be pretty rare nowadays, and I'll never have the money to buy one 😔

love your content and your passion for cars

I wish i had one its the only car i wanted and its a very ideal car,I loved this car so much in need for speed heat i beat the game with the starter m3 and the csl just to find out later the game was set on hard lol.

Feels good to know other see what I see when I look at the M3 e46. Simply beautiful

An an M3 CSL owner and bmw enthusiast, I agree with all points in this video !

What a gorgeous car; especially the front. What a unique idea to add a 3d-element to the front with the turning lights placed forward to the main front lights. The carbon elements in the front, the ducktail, the simple bucket seats, the alcantara steering wheel, the typical gorgeous, and perfectly harmonic dashboard, the perfect proportions. Wow! Only mess: No manual gear box. After lots of horribly proportionned "SUV Coupés", beaver fronts, BMW gives hope with the new 2 series. Still no perfection, but going into the right way.

Im in love with e46 I started with a 318ci when I pass the driving licence and the a 330ci in grey she is gorgeous. I want a m3 but the price skyrocket

Great video. I'd never known of the GT3 or the Silverstone editions. Really interesting comparison of the lines and dimensions of the cars; I'd like to see more of that. Cheers.

love my e46, will never let it go

I have a e46 330i have done a lot to it and it’s such a fun car, the m3 is definitely next on the list

Could you maybe make a video about the Mk4 golf (R32)? That's also a really timeless car of the same time period as the E46 M3.

Love of my life.😍 very practical car, even backseats and boot are enough to fit passengers and bags.

EXACTLY!! good job overall 👍

The damn headlights

I have a E46 330i with 47k miles I absolutely love it!

I got an e46 330ci vert, driving the car and just appreciating the experience certainly makes me emotional as well

Can you please make a similar video about the E92 M3?😊

The headlights man

What a difference makes the hood shut line! In the G82 it sits in the middle of nowhere. In the E46, there is no line because the hood ends below the kidneys, which is a great solution. The other is to end the hood just above the kidneys. What a designer should never do is end the hood in the middle of nowhere. It completely ruins the front end design!

i used to hate e46's because they are common but you can't say they aren't great looking, amazing cars. i now own one myself.

That's it, im starting up my E46 again.

E36, E46 and E39 were the peak BMW. I would say they were one of the best cars in general. Not too complicated like their next generations, not too oldschool for regular driving. Comfortable, well equipped and they handles so good. Yea reliability may not be so good but if you compare it to let's say GT86 that requies engine rebuild often before hitting 100k km, then it's really good. And they are relatively cheap to maintain still. I'm not going to sell my E46 325ti ever. I don't need more than this in any aspect as for my daily driver. We need to save them for future.

I love the e46 chassis. One of my favourite m3. I owned 2. A coupe and a vert. They look so great but they’re such maintenance hogs. I now own a e92 m3 and while it may not look as sexy as the e46 it is a superior car in every way.

Here is a little known fact, the BMW E30 has a wheelbase of 101.2 which is almost the same as the GR86

I can tell you in one word the problem with modern car design - computers. Kids fresh out of design school designing cars in a CAD program will never match the natural fluidity of a pencil. It's too easy to create inorganic triangular and concave shapes and just mess around infinitely with needless details that add nothing to the overall feel of the car. That and most likely several people have worked on the same model too. Looking at the arse end of a Civic Type-R is the perfect example of how wrong it can go.

Best car i ever had ! Will never sell it !

im in love with my e46 m3

Great video, loved your analysis of the design features in the end. I'm not an artist and these things don't stand out to me, so it was very educating. Thank you. I, too, think E46 is one of the best looking sedans / coupes ever designed. The other two of my favorites are Audi A4 B6 (and to some extent B7) and Mercedes W123 and W124. All three German, shocking! Which is not to say there are no Japanese or American sedans that I like, but these are my top picks.

Yes, don't know what they were thinking with the facelift designs from mid 2000s onwards

this is my dream car.

Can we get a comparison of pre-LCI E46 coupe and the LCI E46 Coupe? I have LCI E46 and I love how its look, for me, it's simple LCI > Pre-LCI, but I want to hear how someone who knows how design work, thinks about how it looks

every time someone makes a video about this car it becomes less likely that I'll ever own one

the entire e46 series i feel is the best design for a general public car design wise and they are not that bad as a daily driver also... 20 years since was made and they still stand pretty good. i sold mine recently needed to get a new model ... cause "gas ozone" and all that bullshit in europe... but i miss my e46 drick...

A real shame, that BMW didn't make the M3 touring!

I love LOVE the E46 M3. Too bad the prices keep going up up up.

absolute perfection in design inside and out. its a shame what bmw has become nowadays

It was so good looking and I'll always own one

It makes me emotional also, especially at the petrol station😩 😉

Idk if you're a designer or what, but what you explained from 10:22 onwards and ESPECIALLY 11:36 is EXACTLY what I've been trying to articulate for ages regarding car designs! The reason I believe the vast majority of modern cars look so hideous and uninteresting is because they don't follow the same principal and don't stick to one line of design. Absolutely no wonder why the 90s-2000s cars are considered as the end of an era, because that was the last era, on a whole, that gave us dozens of timeless looking cars and just damn good looking cars in general.

Ya I luckily got one a few years ago. It doesn’t move. I just look at it and sit in it.