If it were me I’d keep a clean E46 M3 for life and just get a CPO 330. The E46 is the Goldilocks M3. The new m cars are pigs. Might as well keep the drivers car and have a modern disposable 3 series you don’t mind getting dirty. Keep the E46 until you die but have a daily that does 85% of what you need.

I toyed with buying an M2 before I settled on my e46 m3.

I found an IMMACULATE (inside and out spotless) Laguna Seca Blue M3 with only 70k miles and it was simply breathtaking. As soon as I saw it in person I was buying it.

I test drove an M2 and to be honest the car was probably better in most ways, but it just didn’t give me that feeling. Modern cars don’t, really. They don’t yet have the charm and character and are full of gimmicks I, quite frankly, don’t care about.

I’ve retofitted an android auto screen in my M3 and with its cruise control, sport mode, heated seats, H&K sound, it’s all I need.

You’ll like the M2, but in 20 years when you look back at both cars having owned them, the M3 is the one you’ll miss more.

I know I’ll regret selling mine when I do. (check my profile if you’re interested!)

Haven’t had an e46 m3 but i find my f87 to have a good balance of “modern features” (backup camera - never knew how nice it was to have!!) with “old school” analog sensibilities (dials, real dash, 6MT, cd player) . It felt like a big leap from my e92. The electric steering is only lacking in feeling weight transfer/breakaway lateral limit which you usually won’t be doing outside of track days anyway

I sure as hell regret selling mine.

Have owned both (e46 m3 and m2c). While the e46 is a true classic the f87 is better in most ways that matter to daily driving. It’s not like you can’t get another e46 again in the future either. A 100k mile e46 isn’t exactly a collector grade car. Life is too short to drive the same car forever. It’s fun to mix it up.