As the driver of a ZHP, 135 and an X5 4.8is, the X5 should be higher on the list: 355 hp and it handles better than most cars... In many ways it's our favorite vehicle.
Dinan CAI &Throttle body, ESS Tuning TS2, Bimmerbrakes gen3 headers, UUC SSK & DSSR. Achilles oil pump, VAC oil pan baffle
M3 Motor mounts, UUC Trans mounts, Modified clutch style LSD 3.15, TMS front subframe reinforcement, Koni Yellow sports,
H&R sport springs, UUC sway bars, BMW Perf. Rotors, UUC SS brake lines, Hawk HPS pads, CSL replica wheels,
Rotora strut bar, FXR HID conversion, M3 Mirror conversion, BSW stage 1 speakers
Rob,
I have to say that your X5 is a beast
As I recall when this was written it was about overall balance as a car to own and drive. The ZHP won due to that and the article clearly said if you want a track beast E46 M3 is better but not for all around use. Or something to that effect.
Jon D. Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner
Jon D -- 04 330cic Imola Red ZHP Vert -- Active Autowerke Exhaust, Software remap & Strut Bar, K&N filter, custom stereo[Alpine head unit (CDA105) w/Sirius Radio, Iphone integration & Alpine amp (PDX-5), Hertz speakers (165.3 F, 130.3R), JL Sub(CS110RG -W 1v2)], Color match grills, tint all around for when the tops up, custom painted 135s
Other Cars
2014 Audi SQ5 2015 GMC Canyon All Terrain
Sure.
The M3 IMO is the best M (besides mine of course ) on that list. As you move up the M group, you lose feel and response in the car. Being able to drive the E39 and E60 Ms (as well as the E92 & E90 Ms) I can confirm that there is a HUGE difference from the E39 to E60, E46 to E90. Not to mention the cost of maintenance increases as well. I haven't driven a M6, just a 650i but the feel isn't there.
The M5s are a slouch. Slow to move side to side, and they don't like and disruptions.
Project STX: TCKline Racing l APEX l Vorshlag l Eibach l Hawk l Schroth l BMW Performance
I am also assuming that the article takes into account the practicality of DD and maintenance and well-roundedness...
and in that case E46 330i/ci certainly IS a worthy winner, more so in ZHP flavor.
2005 AW ZHP Coupe. CW, Alcantara, Leather st. wheel, HK, Xenons, Step, Dinan chip & air box, USASpec, Sprint Booster
Oh, is it possible we can a scanned image (or just a good pic with a camera) of the actual page of the magazine, where they have the rankings printed ? I'd like to use it as a pic for a FB post, if permitted.
2005 AW ZHP Coupe. CW, Alcantara, Leather st. wheel, HK, Xenons, Step, Dinan chip & air box, USASpec, Sprint Booster
The backdated magazine I believe is only available for purchase @ $10.00. I was gonna buy one...just cuz. Nothing online that I'm aware of.
Call Me Dane l 2/2004 330i ZHP l 18x8 ET45 BBS CK's wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ @ 245-40-18 l KW V1 Coilovers in front l KW V1 springs w/ Bilstein B8 dampeners in rear l BMW Performance Rotors l UUC StrutBarbarian l Racing Dynamics Rear Strut Bar l Jim Conforti Shark Injector l Light Birch Interior Trim l Bimmian Celly Mount l M3 Trunk Mat l l e90 Performance E-Brake & Shift Knob l M3 Tri-Stitched Boots l AL Headlight Retrofit with ZKW Lenses l CobyWheel Wrap w/M3 Stitching l LCM sw 4.5 triple blink and rear fogs l Maple Interior Trim
I had not yet seen this one, LMAO, brilliant! It's true, I came here to get away from some of the stuff going on on other e46 forums...
I fall in and out of love with the x5is, I really want one (in part because you can get it in Imola Red) but then I think about that fuel guzzling v8...
I was bidding on one on ebay a few years back and while trying to rebid (granted I had had a few to drink and got distracted between upping my bid and clicking "bid now") I accidentally clicked "buy it now." Thankfully the seller was really cool about the mistake, but I can say I "accidentally" bought one. It was perfect too, except that it was from the north, Imola Red on black, loaded...
Are you being serious or sarcastic? I've been an e46 owner for a LONG time, at some point I vaguely remember rigidity being rated better in the sedan as opposed to the coupe, especially if you don't have folding rear seats (like my car). So the m3 has us on power, but perhaps not on handling, maybe this is what the magazine is talking about. These tables were turned when the e9x was introduced, coupe was/is stiffer than the sedan... Either way, I still wish I had the m3's power, no doubt about that. While the e46 coupe/vert has grown on me over the years, I still prefer the FL sedan as far as looks go...
Your swaying me to start looking for x5's again, see my comments above...
- 2021 Tesla Model Y LR-AWD '21-
- 2014 CPO i01 BEV Capparis White Tera World, '17-'20
- 2015 CPO i01 BEV Laurel Grey Tera World, '17-'18 R.I.P
- 2015 i01 REx Laurel Grey Tera World, '15-'17
- 2003 CPO 330i ZHP Imola Red Build 03/03/03, '06-'15