Have owned both (e46 m3 and m2c). While the e46 is a true classic the f87 is better in most ways that matter to daily driving. It’s not like you can’t get another e46 again in the future either. A 100k mile e46 isn’t exactly a collector grade car. Life is too short to drive the same car forever. It’s fun to mix it up.

Yes it is crazy talk, it is a better daily, but I would try to keep the e46

I sold my e46 m3 to buy a g87 m2. It’s a better driving car in every way, I’d say go for it. Some of the “purists” will try to sway you against it, but I’ve been incredibly happy with my upgrade.

Own both - tough call. Love both rather equally, despite how very different they are (yet also obviously remarkably similar, starting with size/dimensions). For a DD - tough to argue that the F87 is the much better bet - far more real world power that can be tapped into on the street (torque), and the minor creature comforts over the E46 are better, like wireless Carplay for example. That being said, I’ll never get rid of either car, and the E46M still holds a very special place in my garage.

It’s honestly what I would do

I never owned an e46 M3, but owned a 325i and a 330ci, as well as e90m and an f87 comp and have driven my dad’s f80, g80cs, and g80 xdrive. The biggest thing I can say is it’s faster, but you feel a lot less feedback and have to trust the car more. The newer the bmw is the less connected you feel with it. They are great performers, but just lack the mechanical soul, and feel more numb because of it. I do enjoy my f87 and the turbo car tuneability is nice, it’s still fairly stiff and sporty feeling, but not much steering wheel feedback. As for the og m2s a lot of people love them, they’re fun from what I’ve heard but suffer from the numbness as well, a friend of the indie mechanic who I use went from f87 to an e36 M3 and he has told me it’s slower, but it’s just much more fun. Depends on what you’re looking for. Faster/more upgradable, f87. Classic that’s only gaining value and more mechanical experience, e46.

Yes

I sold my e46 M3 at 120k miles to get my current car and while I do love what I have currently and have modded it to my liking I always miss the e46 m3. I plan on adding one to my stable again sometime soon. If you can afford it mentally and otherwise I would say keep it (as finding a nice m3 with a history you can verify that is not sold by “I know what I have type folks” is getting harder and harder. If it is your only car and you want to upgrade for creature comforts and updated ergonomics then sure I guess. I owned my e46 m3 for 7 years and loved every moment (and that is with the vanos grenading and me having to replace the engine). Nothing quite drives or feels like an e46 m3.

Don’t sell. Only acquire

I got rid of my E46 years ago and in a way I miss it but when I get back my in dads built 330 ZHP which is even faster than mine was I don’t. The performance today is just better and not less pure, old gen just feels fast but isn’t. And you’ll love modern tech in a daily. However if you’re talking about selling it and still bringing a nut to buy an M2 then no.

I currently have an M2 Competition. I would say that it depends what you are looking for. The M2 is really capable but the engine, even S55 in the comp, is less special than S54. Now, it is clearly faster than the E46 M3, but I am not sure it’s more fun exactly. It’s a more modern car for better and worse.

I just sold my OG m2. It bores me to tears. It was a drift machine that was otherwise fairly inert in terms of balance.

It was just a regular car unless you were using all the fuel xtra performance. That might be a plus for some. For me it was a minus. Too civilized. Not special feeling. And I never liked that turbocharged engine. Sold it and have zero regrets.

This thread hits home. Currently struggling whether or not to sell my low mileage (26k) S54 M Roadster for a G87. I’ve owned both M2s and kind of miss having a car I don’t stress about owning/driving because it’s basically a museum piece.

If it were me I’d keep a clean E46 M3 for life and just get a CPO 330. The E46 is the Goldilocks M3. The new m cars are pigs. Might as well keep the drivers car and have a modern disposable 3 series you don’t mind getting dirty. Keep the E46 until you die but have a daily that does 85% of what you need.

I have both and I prefer my E46. I won’t sell the M2, but its noisy and uncomfortable on the highway and the steering feel is meh. But the acceleration and cornering and racy feel is hard to beat. For daily driving, E46 is better. And cheaper to fix. And serviceable at home.