E39 or e46

[remusf]

Hi Everyone

It is my first time here. I am really interested in the E39 models. My family is growing. I am currently driving a corsa lite and the wife gave birth to the second child. The E39 is intended for my wife. She hardly drives and on average she would use it once a week and for the family on weekends. I will keep the corsa for day to day travelling. I like the E39 because of the prices people are selling them for as well as the size for all the baby stuff that cant fit in my corsa now. I have heard alot of good about the E39 and would like to know is this true or not. the other thing is should i be looking at diesel or petrol? or should I be looking at a E46 rather also diesel or petrol? And also the cost of keeping them running.

I know you guys know alot more then me I never own a bmw before.

[/align]

 

[Nukleuz]

The E39 is a 5 series, and the E46 is a 3 series.

 

[msm]

Both are very good cars - you could spend days debating which is better, but when buying 2nd hand overall condition probably takes preference.

For what it's worth though, assuming you have very similar cars (condition, age, etc), the E39 is a larger and more comfortable car which has a very sporty drive. The E46 is a smaller sports car with some good luxury features. Both are very, very good though.

After owning 2 x E39s and 2 x E46's, my personal preference is the E39. However, they are generally older and more difficult to find in decent condition. Hence, go do some tyre kicking and test drive a few cars within your budget - you might just have a preference for one over the other too.

Do a search on petrol vs diesel on the forum. With the exception of the V8s, the engines are almost the same across the range.

 

[OppositeLockMT]

E39: Space, comfort, driver's car (albeit compromised- weight)

E46: Compact, fun, real driver's car

If you go for an E39 get a 530d, if you choose an E46 get a 330i

You can't really go wrong either way, both good cars.

 

[Loom]

If you go for an E39 get a 530d, if you choose an E46 get a 330i

:thinking:
That would be the fun thing to do but it seems he's looking for a spacious car for his wife, so I would consider the smaller engines too.

 

[msm]

If you go for an E39 get a 530d, if you choose an E46 get a 330i

:thinking:
That would be the fun thing to do but it seems he's looking for a spacious car for his wife, so I would consider the smaller engines too.

Those are arguably the 2 most sensible engines in the range.

 

[Dbecks07]

If you go for an E39 get a 530d, if you choose an E46 get a 330i

From a Corsa lite to that - he is gonna suffer vertigo when he accelerates...:roflol:

 

[Andy1GP]

Both are very good cars - you could spend days debating which is better, but when buying 2nd hand overall condition probably takes preference.

Very Good advice

If you go for an E39 get a 530d, if you choose an E46 get a 330i
You can't really go wrong either way, both good cars.

I totally agree with the 530d From what I can read into the post the 530d will suit your needs to the tee.

As much as I am a fan of the 330i I wouldn't recommend it based on service costs, it's a mini M3 and costs like a mini M3 to maintain, discs and pads etc are pricey. Not unreasonable but more so than say a 325i or 318i. If you we're going for an E46 just avoid the 320d altogether. Any other option you'll be pretty happy with.

But in this case my vote for the E39 530d :thumbs:

 

[ntuthuko]

how does the 330d compare to the 330i in terms of service costs?

 

[Ralf*]

If you go for an E39 get a 530d, if you choose an E46 get a 330i

From a Corsa lite to that - he is gonna suffer vertigo when he accelerates...:roflol:

I can vouch for that, being a E39 530d owner, the first time I took delivery of it and just experimented with the accelerator, I got "eye-ball-bounce"

 

[Kish2604]

how does the 330d compare to the 330i in terms of service costs?

Having Come from a 330d to a 330i in the e46 I am still asking myself WHY? The Diesal was cheaper to maintain on a service kit for service kit basis. the problem with sticking with the recommended service intervals with the petrol motors is the issue of sludge buildup,it can get bad esp if used infrequently and on short runs. the diesal also felt more alive in terms of the constant torque available, not to mention I got so spoiled with the performance and economy of the Diesal that every time I put my foot anywhere near the accelerator pedal on the 330i my range moves 50 km down!

Honest opinion from having oth cars is get the Diesal in automatic in either the e46/e39 and your good to go for 300k well spent Kms... If you don't fiddle for more power you can rest assured about reliability and excellent service.

The overall condition of the car will tell you a lot of how it's been kept, for eg, if the owner cant afford to replace with Bosch wiper blades then he also couldn't afford good quality oil to go into the car.. I am going to get my head bitten of for the last comment..

Good luck on whatever you choose...

 

[Endlani]

One day i will own a e39 540i or ///M5. But they are scarce like hens teeth