E46 or E90

[diekoning]

Sorry for the double post, posted this under the Newbie area as well, not sure if I'll get the information I need there.

Long story short: Since I can remember I was a BMW fanatic, had a E36 325i M a few years back, stunning car, never had a problem. Been driving a VW Golf 5 after that, but time has come to go back to BMW :rollsmile:

I have about R 100 000K and would like to know what you guys recommend. I'm obviously looking for a car that is not to heavy on the gas, but still would like some performance when needed (but which is secondary, had the 2.0 Golf so anything from the 320i and up would be sufficient) and mainly, stability....a car that will give me minimal problems and be economical to maintain. I would prefer the E90, but maybe the E46 is a safer bet.

Models I looked at recently on the internet is E46 320D (I understand it's not a good buy), rather the E46 330D, less problems? Found one with only about 70K km for R 110 000, a bit expensive, but in perfect condition and ultra low km's.

Also looked at E46 325i, E90 320i and E90 320D. I would defenitely prefer a E90, but maintenance is probably way higher than that of a E46? How does the engines compare, is it safe to buy a E90 with e.g. 120K - 160K...also for the E46? Any advice, I'm a bit in the dark, would not like to buy a car and spend thousands in the coming year.

Thanks.

 

[Nikhil]

its E46 dude not E42 :thumbs:

 

[diekoning]

its E46 dude not E42 :thumbs:

Have no idea where I got the 42 from....probably to early in the morning! :sorry:

I see you have a 330D, it seems like the perfect combination (power, endurance, fuel consumption/economical overall)?

 

[Nikhil]

its E46 dude not E42 :thumbs:

Have no idea where I got the 42 from....probably to early in the morning! :sorry:

I see you have a 330D, it seems like the perfect combination (power, endurance, fuel consumption/economical overall)?

It’s an awesome car and once you make subtle changes they only get better. If you find a clean E46 330d then go for it, however there are a lot of them around that need a fair amount of maintaince. What sort of driving do you do and the sort of distance? Is it highway or mainly short back roads?

 

[diekoning]

Basically both, I'm a consultant so drive around alot daily between suburbs and surrounding areas e.g. Helderberg, Swartland, Paarl...between Northern sub-urbs and Cape Town.

50km - 200km daily, so would like an automatic for ease of use, but probably not a good choice in the long run.

 

[Nikhil]

I suggest an E90 320d, the auto boxes are quite good. Just to a fluid change every 100 000km. if you do find an E46 then go for a manual as the auto box is a known weak point. :thumbs:

 

[HellfireZA]

If I were you and had the same budget... e46 330D Manual... that way you get fairly decent economy, fairly decent power and a manual to put a smile on your face.

 

[diekoning]

Thanks, appreciate the advice.

Between E90 320D manual or auto with +- 150K km and E46 330D manual with +- 80K - 100K, both clean with FSH, which will you choose for practical reasons? I know the 330D has the performance obviously.

Price almost the same.

 

[Nikhil]

Well it would purely depend on cosmetics, I will take an Msport E46 over a non M sport E90. The E46 has low km tho. What’s the year model of the 330d? 2000 to mid-2003 are the 135kw engines the later 2003 to 2005 had the uprated 150kw engine.

 

[Solo Man]

E46 330d without a doubt.

 

[diekoning]

Also, what will a normal service cost for the parts only +- on a 320D E90 vs 330D E46 vs E90 320i roughly?

I know diesel is more expensive on the parts, etc. Does all of them get serviced every 15K?

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It's a 2004 model E46 330D

 

[herr bmw]

e90 320d just not a 320i:thumbs:

 

[Nikhil]

In terms of service parts prices are very similar R150 for an oil filter R350 for an air filter. Fuel filter is about R850 all from the delers.the only major difference is the 330d uses 6,5l or 7l of oil. 15000km is the bmw service interval but I would recommend 1 year or every 10 000km. Stay away from the 320i E90 please. :thumbs:

 

[Dewald Basson]

Go for a diesel if you want power and economy. I have e46 325i and my economy is 10.5l/100km in traffic(I never sit in in gridlocked traffic, and I try to drive like an old man) and 8.0l/100km(cruise control @ 120km/h) on the open road. The guys with the 330i's get better economy than that and the diesels are even more frugal.

Get a e46 cause they are prettier than the e90's :tease:

 

[diekoning]

What about the turbo on the diesels, how long do they hold roughly if looked after properly and what is the damage if they need to be replaced? If I remember correctly, after a certain year model, the turbo's don't damage the engin as they used to, when they blow?

Also, what is the average KM's for a 330D E46 and 320D E90 and what is the major things I should look out for, regarding the service history, etc?

Thanks again guys, appreciate the assistance! :thumbs:

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I can also sell one of my toys/bike, that will give me an additional R 30K, maybe I should go for the 330D E90? Performance on that car seems redicilious, 0 - 100 in about 6sec? So can take my frustration out on the car then and not bike...don't know what they are going for really...should I be able to get one for R 125 000, clean and relative low KM's?

 

[m20boy]

What about the turbo on the diesels, how long do they hold roughly if looked after properly and what is the damage if they need to be replaced? If I remember correctly, after a certain year model, the turbo's don't damage the engin as they used to, when they blow?

Also, what is the average KM's for a 330D E46 and 320D E90 and what is the major things I should look out for, regarding the service history, etc?

Thanks again guys, appreciate the assistance! :thumbs:

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I can also sell one of my toys/bike, that will give me an additional R 30K, maybe I should go for the 330D E90? Performance on that car seems rediclious, 0 - 100 in about 6sec? So can take my frustration out on the car then and not bike...

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pm sent .

if you can get the e90 330d go for it im also keen on one ,:thumbs:

 

[OppositeLockMT]

E90 if it's a daily.

 

[mo_s]

E90 320d,:thumbs:

 

[diekoning]

Seems it's between a E46 330D and E90 320D, I see you're a E90 320D owner, how many kilos does your car have and what are the things to look out for?

 

[DieselFan]

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