E46 or E90

[Nikhil]

Involved? Hell no? the the E90 is a lot more forgiving and a very numb driving experience, you also comparing a non M sport car to an M sport. E90 m sport is quite harsh especially with run flats compared to the E46 but the non M sport models on both E46 and E90 are comfortable.

 

[DieselFan]

Involved? Hell no? the the E90 is a lot more forgiving and a very numb driving experience, you also comparing a non M sport car to an M sport. E90 m sport is quite harsh especially with run flats compared to the E46 but the non M sport models on both E46 and E90 are comfortable.

Definitely. Multi link suspension... is where's it's at.

And no I'm comparing a e46 with polybushes koni shocks and eibach springs. To an e90 msport stock without rfts. The steering is also stiffer in the e90 which makes it more involved. Then the relatively floaty steering of the e46's.

 

[Nikhil]

Involved? Hell no? the the E90 is a lot more forgiving and a very numb driving experience, you also comparing a non M sport car to an M sport. E90 m sport is quite harsh especially with run flats compared to the E46 but the non M sport models on both E46 and E90 are comfortable.

Definitely. Multi link suspension... is where's it's at.

And no I'm comparing a e46 with polybushes koni shocks and eibach springs. To an e90 msport stock without rfts. The steering is also stiffer in the e90 which makes it more involved. Then the relatively floaty steering of the e46's.

The E46 had a steering rack revision which corrected this in the later models, and feels far more direct. I will at some point upgrade to an E90 but it feels nowhere near as direct an involved as an E46 or even an E36 for that matter. :thumbs:

 

[OppositeLockMT]

Pre 2001 steering on an E46 is quite stiff :thumbs::thumbs:

 

[herr bmw]

I find the e46 a more comfortable drive... but the e90 suspension is better, more involved.

my brother in law has a e46 320d with 90 000km on the clock,m/sport and 17 inch tyres, and when he went in mine recently to bela bela couldn't belive how much softer the ride is.note I have m/spot with 19 inch tyres.even his wife and daughters were shocked and told him to sell the e46 and buy a e90.

of course he wont as his e46 is in mint condition for its age

 

[NavZ]

I've had an E46 & an E90.
I'd say manual E46 330d if you can find a clean one.
Just don't EVER EVER EVER get an E90 320i :fencelook:

 

[viven]

I've had an E46 & an E90.
I'd say manual E46 330d if you can find a clean one.
Just don't EVER EVER EVER get an E90 320i :fencelook:

I agree, E46... definitely never get the E90 320i

 

[DieselFan]

I find the e46 a more comfortable drive... but the e90 suspension is better, more involved.

my brother in law has a e46 320d with 90 000km on the clock,m/sport and 17 inch tyres, and when he went in mine recently to bela bela couldn't belive how much softer the ride is.note I have m/spot with 19 inch tyres.even his wife and daughters were shocked and told him to sell the e46 and buy a e90.

of course he wont as his e46 is in mint condition for its age

Possibly because of the Konis I have on the e46. But the car is also lower than my e90. And my e90 also has 19s and the e46 has 17s.

Nikhil from what I've found in know there was definitely a revision on the 4th 2001 and my car is a 11 2001. Then on a forum some one said it was revised in 2002 again but I've found no other links regarding this.

What is interesting is the msport II pack has a different steering rack in the earlier models. Anyway it's on the list to look into the rack. Possibly have it reconned and adjusted. Or get a z3 rack.

 

[Doomsdaya]

:rofl: at the E90 320i comments

If I had a budget of R100k to spend, I would go for an E46 330i 6speed manual, decent economy, power and that tone also bear in mind it will be cheaper to maintain than a diesel or any E90 out of plan...

 

[DieselFan]

Why are diesels expensive go maintain?

 

[Nikhil]

Why are diesels expensive go maintain?

would also like to know this :fishwack:

 

[Doomsdaya]

Why are diesels expensive go maintain?

Did not say a diesel is expensive to maintain

 

[Nikhil]

Why are diesels expensive go maintain?

Did not say a diesel is expensive to maintain

Haha the only thing expensive on a diesel is the turbo and injectors they will only get screwed up because of age or abuse :=): services are cheaper on my E46 330d than my E36 325i with oem parts

 

[Spiro]

guy in my office selling 2004 e46 330d Manual... i think 75k... the car is full house, and has 200k on clock though...


pm me if you need details..

:thumbs::thumbs:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Going to mirror a lot that was already said, but summarise based on my thoughts.

E46: The six cylinder engines, especially the M54 is fantastic! So much character, decent power, and not as heavy on fuel as one would typically think, especially when used mostly on the open road. Tough as nails if looked after and really not that hard on the wallet to properly maintain. The 330d is also a gem, but I would be wary of the 320d - these engines often had problems sadly. In both cases, while performance and economy is very good, maintenance is generally more expensive than the petrol engines and there are things to look out for. Dampener pulleys tend to fail eventually, usually you can pick up on this before it fails, or replace as a preventative measure since it can cause damage as well as leave you stranded since all belt driven ancillaries stop functioning. Problem is finding them with low mileage and in good original condition, and with the spec that you want.

E90: Ja, rather stay away from the 320i. I personally feel that the diesels are fantastic and overcome most of the niggles from previous generation engines. Dampener pulley is still an issue. Maintenance is also still more expensive. Performance and economy is fantastic. The six cylinder NA petrol engines are good but not quite as economical as the older E46 M54 engines. Maintenance is mostly the same. Automatic gearbox in the E90 is pretty good, especially the later gearboxes. The 320d and 330d are both fantastic with either manual or automatic gearboxes. The lack of a proper spare wheel and place to put a spare wheel counts as a negative for the E90 along with RFT's. On the normal suspension 17" RFT's aren't too bad in terms of ride, but larger size and especially with the sport suspension is the makings of a harsh ride. But, ditch those RFT's and even 18" wheels on the sport suspension is softer than 17" RFT's on the normal suspension! Suspension is more complicated and therefore more costly to repair worn parts and diagnose. But with all said, it is far easier to find the right E90 for your needs at the moment...

Hope this helps! :thumbs:

 

[diekoning]

Going to mirror a lot that was already said, but summarise based on my thoughts.

E46: The six cylinder engines, especially the M54 is fantastic! So much character, decent power, and not as heavy on fuel as one would typically think, especially when used mostly on the open road. Tough as nails if looked after and really not that hard on the wallet to properly maintain. The 330d is also a gem, but I would be wary of the 320d - these engines often had problems sadly. In both cases, while performance and economy is very good, maintenance is generally more expensive than the petrol engines and there are things to look out for. Dampener pulleys tend to fail eventually, usually you can pick up on this before it fails, or replace as a preventative measure since it can cause damage as well as leave you stranded since all belt driven ancillaries stop functioning. Problem is finding them with low mileage and in good original condition, and with the spec that you want.

E90: Ja, rather stay away from the 320i. I personally feel that the diesels are fantastic and overcome most of the niggles from previous generation engines. Dampener pulley is still an issue. Maintenance is also still more expensive. Performance and economy is fantastic. The six cylinder NA petrol engines are good but not quite as economical as the older E46 M54 engines. Maintenance is mostly the same. Automatic gearbox in the E90 is pretty good, especially the later gearboxes. The 320d and 330d are both fantastic with either manual or automatic gearboxes. The lack of a proper spare wheel and place to put a spare wheel counts as a negative for the E90 along with RFT's. On the normal suspension 17" RFT's aren't too bad in terms of ride, but larger size and especially with the sport suspension is the makings of a harsh ride. But, ditch those RFT's and even 18" wheels on the sport suspension is softer than 17" RFT's on the normal suspension! Suspension is more complicated and therefore more costly to repair worn parts and diagnose. But with all said, it is far easier to find the right E90 for your needs at the moment...

Hope this helps! :thumbs:

Thank you for your insight, helps alot! So a E46 330D with low mileage or E90 320D, but E90 330D if I can get the extra cash.

I found a e46 330D with 70K, which is extremely low, for R 110 000. Would that be a better buy than spending the same amount on a E90 320D with 150K? It has more KM's, but better technology right, which balance out the extra KM's? Please advise.

 

[herr bmw]

that e46 330d with 70k for R110 000 sounds like a bargain.go check it out

would be my first choice over an e90 320d unless the e90 had similar kilos or less

 

[DieselFan]

110k sounds expensive to me for a e46 330d. But if the car is mint then it's probably worth it.

However mileage doesn't depict condition. Check the maintenence history and make sure it was serviced regularly.

 

[Philip Foglar]

If it is really well specced and in mint condition, I would happily go for it over an E90 320d. :thumbs:

 

[Sankekur]

I would defenitely prefer a E90........

Then get an e90.