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Help, My brain is burning [e36/e46]
- Thread starter gconry18
- Start date
The only thing is for an E46 the people are saying go for a newer 330i which I get since the 328i had the subframe issue.
But, if I had the money for a 330i (Which I definitely dont and will take me a few years to get) that would put it right in the throwing line of a E36 M3.
But, if I had the money for a 330i (Which I definitely dont and will take me a few years to get) that would put it right in the throwing line of a E36 M3.
Bayn46
Active member
You obviously like the e36 and it is a fun car to drive (drove a very well kept e36 328) so go for it if you can find one in decent condition. I think it would be easier to find a low mileage e46 though.
For me, I prefer the comfort and drive of the e46...oh and the 3.0L engine :fencelook: You asked about the clutch, I couldn't feel much difference between my e46 and the e36 328 that I drove, compared to my previous car, the e46 clutch is pretty light.
For me, I prefer the comfort and drive of the e46...oh and the 3.0L engine :fencelook: You asked about the clutch, I couldn't feel much difference between my e46 and the e36 328 that I drove, compared to my previous car, the e46 clutch is pretty light.
Raybimmer
New member
e36 is a sport orientated car . There is a problem in that finding a nice unmolested one is difficult , even with a FSH .e46 is more civilised , like a small e39 .Performance wise e36 is faster on pullaway , top end similar , economy e46 is better ,on a track a well driven e46 will not be disgraced . So e36 for school boy hooligan antics and e46 for grown up hooligans .( See e36 328i road test in 1999 Car mag !)
All valid points. I know finding a good e36 is not going to be easy. I know mileage isnt that much of a concern for these cars but where do you draw the line?
Do you turn a blind eye to everything over 200k or do you still consider it up to 300k?
Price wise I doubt I will find many good e46's to suit my budget, the e36 will be easier on the pocket when buying and that will leave money for some needed maintenance.
Can I get a general DIY maintenance cost and difficulty comparison from someone? Someone once told me the e46 has some or other thingamabob in the oil filter so it is rather expensive, true/false?
Do you turn a blind eye to everything over 200k or do you still consider it up to 300k?
Price wise I doubt I will find many good e46's to suit my budget, the e36 will be easier on the pocket when buying and that will leave money for some needed maintenance.
Can I get a general DIY maintenance cost and difficulty comparison from someone? Someone once told me the e46 has some or other thingamabob in the oil filter so it is rather expensive, true/false?
forgot to ask what your budget is...
Sankekur
///Member
hoosain said:
Well, that is a pretty generalising statement to make.
My opinion in this matter would be to save up until you can get an e46 330i, they are really awesome cars and the engine make the 328i feel lazy in comparison in my opinion.
But if you are of course itching for something different, and you want it now, then I would say go for the e36, firstly cause if seems like you really like them, and what makes you happy is all that matters in the end. Also I thing you are more likely to find a good condition e36 328i than a e46 one simply because there are more e36 around.
It will take me at least 3 years to have enough for an E46 330i. And yea I am a big e36 fan, it just does something for me visually that the e46 does not.Sankekur said:
I saw a few good e46 330i's on the gum but definitely out of my range.
Maybe I should just spend 6k to get my car converted to manual and be done with this.
Sankekur said:
True, Although my car has really been full of surprises lately with the whole vin finding story.
Thing is I now know a lot more about these cars than I did when I blindly bought this one. So now how to go about checking it out before buying.
When I bought this one I opened the bonnet and it was like.... K... Engine is there... Test drive.... It changes gear and performs better than my 318... K... No oil leaking out... Bam! I want it!
Sank i know what your are on about the 328i feeling lazy. Mine WAS like that till i did the mods. Felt like it was holding back a lot of power and it was. Its a totally different car now and i feel BMW missed the true potential of the car. Give it that it was their first e46. I think the whole issue surrounding e46 328i vs 330i is in fact just m52 vs M54. Yes the M54 is a better engine but like the e36 328i i still think the engine has a lot more potential. Not in comparison to the M54 but just in general. Thats why i actually thinke36 328i vs e46 328i comes down to personal preference. Nothing wrong with either car. Both great. Depending on which one was available first and decnet ill pic any one of the two
andrewbuch
///Member
I had the choice between the E36 316i & the E46 318i that I have got now.. The reason I chose the E46 was its a more relaxed drive & quieter inside etc & also was 8 years younger as the E36 was getting to the point where we had to start replacing stuff to keep it going.. & the fact that the E46 has got a better crash rating & airbags
But I miss the E36.. It was a much more involved & better drive.. Felt so much quicker & handled so much better (and it was still in std form, would have been even better with the camber mod).. Heck I even miss my E30 as it was also so much more fun to drive..
Fuel consumption..
E36 - M40 Engine (85kw & some Nm) I got a max of 350km out the tank in my normal driving routes etc..
E46 - M43 Engine (87kw & some Nm) I got about 450km from a tank with the same driving style & routes etc..
I know my comparisons not got anything to do with a 328i but they were both in the same class that I had the choice between...
But I miss the E36.. It was a much more involved & better drive.. Felt so much quicker & handled so much better (and it was still in std form, would have been even better with the camber mod).. Heck I even miss my E30 as it was also so much more fun to drive..
Fuel consumption..
E36 - M40 Engine (85kw & some Nm) I got a max of 350km out the tank in my normal driving routes etc..
E46 - M43 Engine (87kw & some Nm) I got about 450km from a tank with the same driving style & routes etc..
I know my comparisons not got anything to do with a 328i but they were both in the same class that I had the choice between...
Camiel said:
Lol. Saw that to but just let it slide as something he wanted to put under an E90 heading
ekseniks said:My uncle has an e46 330i, its great. He is the reason I bought a BMW but since I got my e36 328i, He's the one that's jealous
Your engine and gearbox in good nic? How a bout a test drive :rollsmile:
andrewbuch said:
WOW! You must have a foot made of led that is wearing a lead shoe with lead laces and there are lead bricks packed ontop of it...
My e36 318i got 600-650 from a tank when driving hard and my 325i gets 400-460 with the auto box.
@ Sank or whoever.
If I were to decide on going the 330i route what do I look for? Facelift? Mileage? 6 speed manual only?
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