nthusiasts will debate for decades to come which M3 was the best. Any of you that know me will be aware that my roots date back to the revered E30 M3. I grew up with them and love homologation specials with competition pedigree. That said, one would argue that the E46 M3 will go down in the history books as the most all round, multi-tasking M3 of all time. Utter day to day usability blended with track day ability when required.

Another debate that continues,  is which E46 M3 to own. Well, they are all great and all do slightly different things.  The people driving a manual version will tell you the SMG took away that analogue driving experience and that  a gear-lever and clutch pedal is the only pure way to enjoy an E46 M3. The other camp,  who own SMG gearbox M3s,  will argue just as virulently and passionately about the pro's of SMG.  Trust me, I have driven and owned more E46 M3s than most and the debate works both ways. The SMG soon becomes second nature and the F1 style of changing gear will soon change your driving habits and create a new bond with the now normal generation of manual gearbox.