RS246.com Forum :: The World's #1 Audi R, S and RS Enthusiast Community

I keep seeing the same E46 M3 on the way home from work and it sounds like a bucket of bolts (private plate and fairly new). Now I know they are good cars, but it was like someone sticking some nuts and bolts into a blender in front of me. Are they all that bad?

I've driven the RS4 and that sounds gorgeous by comparison, IMHO.

My Mates M3 does not sound like that. They have a very distinctive rasp at about 4.5/5k revs, under no circumstances could this be described as nuts and bolts. They sound quite good, although a V8 they ain't....

I might be thinking of buying one of these. Anyone had experience?

I can agree with you

I think different people, interpret it in different ways.

I personally think it sounds horrid. Very "tinny" is what I'd say

I personally think it sounds horrid. Very "tinny" is what I'd say

2nd.

The one with 4 outlets that are a bit too close... looks like a Corsa owner fitted them?

Yep sounds tinny a sort of sport lads Honda with a tad more beef... Didn't like it

I bet its good to drive though... anybody tried one? I don't recall BMW making too many sheds. Its just that many are driven by cockheeds... I considered the older Model M3 myself!

Yup the E46 M3 does a bit tinny at full chat but as has been mentioned above they are a very capable car, just a pity they aren't quite so hot when the going gets slippery

the noise you are hearing is the VANOS operating when the car is booted...variable valve timing controled by oil pressure..yes it does sound like somethink is about to break...300-330bhp...iirc

V ANUS?

...300-330bhp...

Pah! Is that all???

Yeah - I used to get that VANOS rattle on my 330i - good car though.

Does it really make that tinny flapping sound?

I borrowed an old model 3.2 upturned bathtub (TT) and that had a funny rasp in the exhaust.. apparrently Audi fitted some flappy thing to make it sound raspy and sporty... I thought the exhaust was faulty ... car had done 1500 miles. It was a nice motor to drive with DSG malarkey, but it was a convertible, so not one to be seen in (hence I used the Merrick disguise 8-0 !) unless you putt from the rough!

You can hear the raspy sound on this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4S3hDcp7TY

I'm really struggling to think of a new car to buy....

I'd like 0-60 less than 5 seconds and I want to spend around 12-14k..... and I don't want an evo.

buy an M5..i did and ive never looked back..well only to wave goodbye to arse's that wanna race and get screwed...

I'd like 0-60 less than 5 seconds and I want to spend around 12-14k..... and I don't want an evo.

and you cant hear the VANOS in that vid..just the exhaust rasping...

well only to wave to arse's that wanna get screwed...

Would that be a "Hello Sailor" type wave then Woody?

I was thinking M5.... But there's just something about BMWs that put me right off.

Any other suggestions? Perhaps something a bit different.. I'm toying with the idea of waiting a few months and going for a TVR T350C. Bound to break though.