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.
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.