BMW’s illustrious M3/M4 lineage has always been at the forefront of car culture ever since the E30 hit the market 40 years ago. Each generation has it’s own legion of followers, but the generation with the largest legion has to be the E46. It’s recognised as one of the best cars ever assembled by the boffins down in Munich (or rather Munchen), standing as a high water mark for Deutschland’s most innovative car brand. For the young people who saw it in Need For Speed Most Wanted, Gran Turismo 4, on Top Gear, or in the numerous magazines, the impact was profound. It became a hero car to be revered; a dream to be realised for the future and for Patrick, the dream became reality. Let’s talk about it.
One big reason why Patrick loves this car is it’s inline 6 engine. The 3.2 L S54 unit stuffed into the front has the right amount of punch without feeling overwhelming for the chassis. As we know, the inline 6 is a key part of BMW’s DNA, having seen use in the company’s most prolific cars from the M division. The first official “M” car, the M1, had an inline 6. The 3.0 CSL had an inline 6. One of my personal favourite cars, the 635, had an inline 6 too and the current M3/M4 uses one with 2 turbochargers and a forged crankshaft. Despite the VANOS issues, the naturally-aspirated engine in this car is designed to stimulate the soul for that trademark driving pleasure. It evokes the successes of yesteryear without making a total mockery of it.
Looking at the car from this angle, it’s hard not to get excited. How many times have you looked at modern cars and thought, why is that line on a road to nowhere? Why are there soo many? Put the pen down! More lines on a car does not equate to a better design, much like more lines of code doesn’t equate to a superior program. The design of the E46 is well proportioned with a consistent theme that bulks up the standard 3 Series, letting people know that this model is top dog. With the correct wheel fitment, you can’t go wrong. Seeing the exposed tyres under the flared arches is delightful as it implies stability, control and purpose without being overbearing. It’s very gentlemanly in that regard. Much like Patrick.
Now for all you manual lovers out there, you’ll be pleased to know that this car does indeed come with a manual gearbox and not that finicky SMG unit. Not being a slave to the problematic computer when shifting is such a liberating feeling on mountain roads. I’m not sure how you could ever get bored of it. That’s the addicting thing about this car – you talk to it and it talks back like all of the greatest performance cars do. It’s not a threatening axe murderer who will execute you at the first opportunity, but a carresive type who’s a whole lot easier to love. How could you possibly resist such an alluring prospect?
You may feel like the universe is indifferent about your life; constantly dumping a big layer of liquid shit directly onto your head for seemingly no reason. Yes, there are battles but the universe always has a way of balancing things out. You cannot have darkness without light, and even though dark matter may not be fully understood, you do know that light matter is a beacon of positivity when all seems lost. When we come together, we celebrate, we cherish and we admire what we create. Enthusiasm is infectious and honestly, this car represents it. Patrick may not have built this car from the ground up but it’s still a real, tangible expression of passion that unites us all.
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