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

Could be blown shocks or deliberate lowering?