E39 530-540 or E46 330???

[Tigger]

Hi there guys, I thought I'll ask you what would be the better choice...

Or maybe if you would give me pro's and con's for both...

I like the bigger e39, just don't know what one will be the best, and then there's the E46 330i which I like as well...

Thx for your input:thumbsup:

 

[msm]

Hi there guys, I thought I'll ask you what would be the better choice...

Or maybe if you would give me pro's and con's for both...

I like the bigger e39, just don't know what one will be the best, and then there's the E46 330i which I like as well...

Thx for your input:thumbsup:

For context, I've owned the following cars in the last 18 months or so:

E46 330i Auto
E39 525i Auto
E39 530d Auto (Current)

In terms of driver involvement, the E46 is better.
In terms of comfort, the E39 is better.
Although relative to it's competitors, the E39 is a better "drivers" car than other's in it's segment.

It all depends what YOU want out of the car. I use my car mainly for commuting (approximately 80 to 100KM daily, in Gauteng traffic), and I prefer the E39 as it is more relaxed.

Also found the diesel engine much better suited to Auto, than the petrol. For a "sporty experience", I would consider a 330i manual. However, right now, the E39 530D offers ME all the power and comfort that I need.

 

[freerider]

I also prefer the 330i for its involvement in the drive. If you prefer a relaxed and luxurious drive, then the e39 is your car.

 

[Nic_s]

I would prefer the E46 as I think it's one of the prettiest cars ever made

:drool::drool::drool:


EDIT:
Here is a pic of Gizmo's car:

 

[freerider]

The problem is that us South Africans never got the 330 in a coupe :bawling:

 

[Jandre]

E39 540i for me please.

If it was just me, I would take the E46. Now I have a growing family, so I opt for the space.

For you, and the missus, E46.

 

[Hellas]

I currently have the E46, but want to upgrade to E39. Problem is that I don't really see a BMW as a DD in MY context, but I'll take the E39 simply for the long distance comfort.

 

[clutchplate]

E39 all the way baby, lol. I like the E46, but the ride in the E39 is still allot more comfortable.
I have an E39, and I would still buy an E46 as a second car tho. hope that helps. Clutchy.

 

[Tigger]

I like the "big" look of the E39, you guys that have seen me at the meet's would understand better

There's just something about a E39 smoking its tires that is more appealing to me:dropjaw:, and of course if I end up with a E39, I would prob go for the 540i and then beef it up a bit...

O and Clutchy, how does the 540i perform with some mods, what have you done to yours?

And yes, I would love an E39 M5, but at the moment its not reality for me YET, someday maybe, I hope...

To come back to the main question, performance between the 330i and 540i...???

 

[Bmw.wp]

E39 LOOKS HOT... E46 LOOKS HOT....:thinker: E46 FOR 330I :clap:. Still not saying no for a e39 cause that hottness in its own class.

 

[///Marksman]

i vote 330i... cos im biased
but geniune, for the 8 months i had 1, i beat the shit out of it day after day... and it just keeps asking for more. It did feel somewhat lethargic (lack of better word) at times, but always induces a "shit eating grin" when pushing on... Also the 330 individual looks smoking hot stock... imagine modded:drool:
either way... great cars, goodluck!

 

[Tigger]

The 330i is just much more expensive than the 540i and for lesser car...
I dont know, i am gonna take 2 months to decide, but to be honest, at the moment the 540i looks like the better deal, I want something big and comfortable with lots of power and torque...

Any problems that comes out after 150000kms in the 540 e39 you guys know of?

Thx

 

[Gizmo]

But looking at how the fuel price is going, the 330i would be a better option. Mine averages 9.4lt/100km, 650km per tank. My mom's '01 540i gets just over 500km a tank and its a 70lt tank.

Look for a 2004 330i 6speed, best package out there.

 

[wynandd]

Must say, I've never been a fan of those particular rims. Would rather have the 8 spoke ones or a non BMW set of 19"...

 

[msm]

Just to balance this thread out with some E39 pics, here's mine. Average consumption on the highway at the legal limit (100/120) is around 6l/100KM. My daily route between Roodepoort and Midrand, in hectic traffic returns between 7 and 8l/100km. Currently trying to get a 1000KM out of a tank but the closest I got is around 950, as I find it a bit difficult to behave myself sometimes :mmm: ....

 

[Gizmo]

^ must be a diesel...

 

[msm]

^ must be a diesel...

Yep :clap:

I would imagine a E46 330D would be awesome as well - however, the 330i just sounds soooooo much sweeter.

 

[freerider]

The sound of the BMW 6 cylinders just makes your heart skip a beat :wub:

 

[msm]

The sound of the BMW 6 cylinders just makes your heart skip a beat :wub:

Yep, that's what I miss the most. While both my BM's are now 6 cylinder diesels, which have a nice growl around mid-range, you just can't beat the sound of the in-line 6 petrol .... that's music to my ears.

I had a E36 M3 with an aftermarket exhaust. Whenever I approached a bridge, I used to open my windows, sunroof and floor it just to hear that melody. Somewhat muted in my ex 330i, but still an awesome tone.

 

[freerider]

Every single morning I leave my window open when coming into the underground parking at the office
I often just drive with the radio off and listen to the engine