yup. e46 m3's are truly great cars, but the evo will simply outperform it.

 

This was the same decision I faced in 2008. I must've test driven 4 Evo IXs and 4 M3s (and 4 STIs) until I eventually chose the e46 M3. Here's why:

If I wanted a dedicated track car, I would've come home with the Evo. The steering in the IX is unbelievably sensitive and I did not want to live with a "go-kart feel" in my commutes for a sales job. There was also a raw, racecar feel and sound to the IX and I wanted something more refined.

I never regretted the decision EXCEPT when it came to maintenance. Inspection II in an M3 is around $1000 - $2000 depending on the shop you go to. Mods are also more expensive on a BMW but then again, it's a BMW--you should expect a higher price tag.

The more lovely things about the E46 M3 (models vary) were leather seats, heated seats, heated mirrors, auto reverse mirror, self-dimming mirror, integrated Bluetooth, rear wheel torque, better stock sound system, rain sensing wipers, comfortable ride, less hassle from cops (and mine was red), and less attention from ricers.

 

Oh wow, I'm glad I found this thread. I've owned both cars. The e46 M3 definitely, without a doubt, undeniably handles better in stock form. The M3 is so balanced it's unreal. It has amazing grip, better than my stock Evo IX MR. With that said, traction control in an M3 does not work in the rain, at 60 mph, on the freeway, in the event of a hydroplane. This is why my M3 now resides in a junkyard as a total loss. Also, the brakes are better in an M3. I've driven both my Evo and my M3 on a track. Zero brake fade with stock brakes on my M3 and they were more powerful. The Evo brakes WILL fade in stock form and they are not as strong. Some people have posted in this thread that the Evo is easier to drive fast. Is this a joke? The M3 is a much more balanced, refined, all around sports car and it shows when you drive it. Stock for Stock, the M3 is a better braker, handler, performer than the Evo. Period. Put me in a stock e46 M3 on a track against a stock Evo and I guarantee the Evo won't catch me.

 

Ooof! I'm sorry to see that BMW all smashed up, breaks my heart.

To the OP:

I would suggest you drive them both (on a track if you can) and see for yourself.

They are completely different cars that behave differently when pushed, so to try and bench race the two cars is insane.

NA vs FI
AWD vs RWD
and so on.

 

Evo > e46 m3, and maybe even e92 m3.

I've driven both, and Evo is way tighter/faster/responsive.

 

I agree bc I've owned all three !!!

The evo is a true performer, but the M3 is the luxury performance car to have for dd bc less noise & less attention especially from the cops...

 

rofl ur lucky i don't have a stock evo

 

I have driven both and I think the M3 has a harsher ride than the Evo. I guess as far as handling you would have to be at a track to feel the difference. I personally like the Evo better though. I think its all personal preference. On a side note I hate the way the exhaust sounds on an M3. Its very raspy. Some people like that though.

 

Guy A. "Oh man, Evo IX, hands down."

Guy B. "M3 is way better all around than the Evo IX."

How is that going to help the OP make a decision? That's what I'm talking about.

 

I looked at a M3 before I bought my Evo but these pics and your story just gave me confirmation that I made the right choice. Sorry man, but all that refinement doesn't mean sqaut when you're slamming into guardrails at 60mph in the rain. If I only drove my car on the track on nice sunny days then maybe it would still be a question. But since I DD my Evo year round in Northern IL in everything from 95* heat to roads covered in 12" of snow with ice underneath, I'm so glad I bought the Evo instead! AWD, all year round FTW!!!

 

If it matters I had a e39 m5. I now have 2 MRT's and a 8 mr. EVO's are wayyyyyyyy more funnnnnnnn. Your either EVO or BMW. I'm EVO 100%

 

Evo all day! Stock for Stock the Evo and M3 are fairly matched (IMO the evo will come out on top in a stock for stock situation with equal drivers)...If you're looking for a track car and it comes down to an Evo or an M3 then the Evo is 100% the winner here! Just like someone else above has said...go from stock with both cars and throw $10k in mods....there is no way the M3 will be able to outpower or out handle an Evo at that level...actually I bet if u put $10k into an Evo and $15k into an M3 the Evo would still come out on top lol....Look at the Sierra Sierra Evo or Cyber Evo as an example...yea deep DEEEEP wallets went into them but they race with the best time attack cars in the world including BMW's and yet the Evo's are always right at the top...proven fact!

 

I've seen the limits of a lightly modded E46 M3 at Buttonwillow. KW coilovers, NT01's, light bolt ons, some mild race pads and a pretty decent driver. I ate him up with new Z1* Specs, RBF600, -Hawk HPS!- and a tune @ 22psi. The rest of my car is 100% stock, even the OEM airfilter. His car looked pretty good but just couldnt carry quite enough speed mid corner and definitely couldn't get on the throttle as early as I could on the exits.

 

wow this is a good topic.. i was torn between the two cars..but i picked the EVO IX..I still drive my friends m3 once in a while.. and i do miss the true GT car feel it has. But when i jump back into my EVO i feel raw power and control, which is what i am looking for at this time in my life. The M3 is very fun, i am not a fan of SMG so if you decide to get one please opt for the True 6 speed. I have the SSL evo so i have leather and Sunroof. BEst of both worlds.

the m3 suspension is way stiffer and the clunk their rear diff makes seems like the car is going to break, another problem is the high maintence costs. i wish i could own both..

 

I drive a moderately modded Evo IX and track it regularly (NASA DE3). Around 370awhp, JIC Coils, Star-Specs, Carbotech pads, good fluid, etc.

Last fall I was running away from an E92 M3 at Road Atlanta with a pretty decent driver. The honest truth is, I get passed so rarely at track events it has made me realize just how potent the car is (driver is a work in progress). As far as bang for the buck, the only other car that I can think of right off hand that presents a very similar $/performance ratio (on the track) is a C5 Z06. A well driven C5z on good rubber is potent. Of course a well driven C6z is really fast, but a lot more money.

Find a decent condition Evo IX. Add $10k in (well chosen!) mods and for a round $30k, there are just not a lot of cars that can perform even closely on the track.

And as far as the driving experience. Evo's are raw, brutally honest cars. But I find that one of the cars best traits. They are also surprisingly forgiving when pushed to and beyond their limits. As long as you don't panic, you can drive the car out of all kinds of trouble.