This epic supercharged E46 M3 is nothing short of a masterpiece, delivering incredible performance with effortless style and eye-popping attention to detail, and it’s an absolutely breathtaking build on every level.
The debate will forever rage about which generation of M3 is the best, and, while fans of each model will always fight for their chosen car’s honour with a fiery passion, we can all at least agree on the fact that every generation is special for its own reasons and that there is truly no wrong answer. However, it always feels like the E46 M3 is the one with the biggest following, and it’s easy to see why.
Even today, almost a quarter of a century after it was launched, it still looks fantastic. After the subtle and subdued E36 M3, the E46 M3 was BMW absolutely on top of its design game, and the car has so much purpose and presence, as well as just being a perfectly proportioned and incredibly stylish machine. Then you’ve got the god-tier chassis it was blessed with, which made it one of the best-handling cars of its generation, and that means it’s still incredible to drive 24 years later. And the cherry on top is the S54 engine, making 343hp at a sky-high 7900rpm, delivering a spine-tingling straight-six howl as it does so.
Pretty much everyone who loves BMWs would love to have an E46 M3 to their name, and that makes Daniel Gumienny (@dan_m3e46), the owner of this example, a very lucky man. But, as you might have noticed from the pictures, his is rather special. There’s a lot going on here, and trust us when we say that this is one of the finest E46 M3s you’re going to find, anywhere.
Daniel’s car history
For Daniel, BMWs are just a bit special, and, growing up, he always wanted to own one; “BMWs are my childhood dream. Since the first time I saw an E30 325i on the street as a child, I knew BMW would be the car I will be driving,” he grins. “In my opinion, BMW has the most beautiful design, sport features, and the way the car drives, BMW always stands out among the others in every aspect,” Daniel enthuses, and you can feel just how much the Bavarian brand means to him.
“My first BMW was an E36 320i; I was in love with that car because of the six-cylinder engine, and these days six-cylinder engines still sound like music to my ears,” he smiles. Since then, he’s owned a few BMWs, with the current line-up including an F10 530d that serves as his daily and an R 1250 GS Adventure bike, but it’s the car wearing the M badge that we are interested in.
“The E46 M3 is, in my opinion, the most beautiful M3 model created to this day by BMW designers and the last true old-school sports car, mechanically,” Daniel says. “I bought it on Autotrader; it was in used condition, and it required a few jobs to be done,” but it’s now a full-on build that will leave your jaw on the floor.
Supercharged E46 M3 exterior
There’s so much we want to talk about, but we have to start with the outside because, well, just look at it. Everything about this M3 is so right; Daniel has done an incredible job making it look sensational, and this is, without a doubt, one of the best M3s we’ve ever set eyes on. “I wanted my M3 to stand out among the others and be unique, so I have modified it in my vision,” he smiles, and he’s really gone above and beyond to make his M3 special. First of all, there’s a custom front bumper, which has been enhanced with the addition of a carbon splitter, and then you will notice that those rear arches are exceptionally fat, with Daniel having them widened to dramatic effect.
They give this M3 so much presence, and it just looks so incredibly muscular and powerful – which it is, but we’ll get on to that later… This M3 also has an OEM CSL boot lid, as well as a carbon diffuser, and the finishing touch is the carbon roof that’s also been fitted, and it makes this car all the more special. Finally, it was treated to a respray in its original shade of Silver Grey and looks stunning for it. We can’t get over how good this M3 looks – it is perfection.
Chassis & Wheels
Speaking of which, those wide arches have been absolutely stuffed with a set of stunning aftermarket wheels, and they add even more visual drama to this build and take it to the next level. “I chose the BBS RS2s as I like the design and fit on the E46 M3 the most, I didn’t like any other wheels as much,” he enthuses, and we can only agree.
These spectacular BBS splits measure 19” across, a hefty 9.5” wide up front, and a massive 11.5” at the rear, necessary to fill out those fat arches, and there’s just the tiniest bit of poke, which adds extra aggression to the whole package. And you can’t just fit a set of stunning wheels like that without adding a bit of lowering, which Daniel has done via a set of BC coilovers. They bring those swollen arches down low over the sidewalls, and that drop delivers some serious visual drama that makes this M3 look even better.
Interior modifications on the supercharged e46 M3
When your M3 looks this good on the outside, you can’t cut corners and leave it with a standard interior, and Daniel has gone all out on the inside. “It all started with the Recaro Sportster CS front seats, I went for elegance, sport and comfort,” Daniel explains. “Then all-new leather upholstery; I wanted to choose an interior colour not typical but matching the car colour, which was ordered to be custom made,” and the end result is stunning.
The Sportsters are absolute goals, pretty much the seats that every BMW owner wants in their car, and Daniel’s choice of leather colour, a delicious cinnamon shade, totally transforms the interior. At the back, meanwhile, sits a roll-cage, while the steering wheel, gear, and handbrake gaiters have been finished in Alcantara.
Engine modifications on the BMW E46 M3
Considering how astonishing this build is on every level, it might be surprising to hear us say that we reckon we’ve left the best for last. That’s because what’s lurking beneath the bonnet is something seriously special, and what’s filling out the M3’s front bumper might just have given you a clue as to what it could be. “I wanted the car to have more power, as it’s never too much,” grins Daniel. “So I decided to go with an ESS 580hp supercharger. To prepare the original engine for the power increase, I replaced the rod bearings, fitted a new head gasket, and modified the Vanos oil pump disc.”
The sight of a supercharger will always make us happy, and hearing that Daniel has a massive 580hp to enjoy makes us exceedingly happy indeed, especially when it’s been paired with a full Supersprint exhaust system that really amplifies that soaring straight-six soundtrack. It’s a combo that makes this E46 M3 even more awesome. And, because stopping is just as important as going, sitting behind those BBSs, you will spot the red calipers of the 996 911 GT3 brake setup that Daniel has installed.
Favourite modification
Everything about this supercharged E46 M3 is just awesome, there’s no other way to describe it. Daniel has done an incredible job, and every aspect of this car is simply astonishing. He’s put so much into it, and the results speak for themselves; this is such a complete build, pure modified perfection.
Every element shines on its own and works wonderfully as part of the whole, and it’s not surprising to hear that Daniel can’t choose just one aspect of this M3 as the one he loves most of all. “I can’t pick; my favourite is the car as a whole,” he grins. “The car was modified over the years I have owned it, mostly in my free time as my hobby,” Daniel adds, which makes the finished build all the more impressive.
What’s next for the supercharged E46 M3?
Except it isn’t finished, of course, and Daniel has been busy since the photoshoot; “I added some interior details, including a carbon front CSL centre console, a quick-shifter, a race shifter cover, and a rear seat delete with an Alcantara-trimmed board. In the future, I’m planning to add Air Lift suspension,” he says, and clearly, no matter how perfect and complete a build might appear to an outsider, there’s always something else on the owner’s mind.
But when those modifications are constantly enhancing and improving a car that’s already at this incredible level, they’re worth it. The E46 M3 is an exceptional machine in standard form, arguably one of BMW’s best, but even where M machines are concerned, there’s always room for improvement, and Daniel’s build takes things to the next level, and beyond.
Photos: Ade Brannan.
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