DieselFan
Honorary ///Member
My opinion is they both have their weaknesses in build quality.
But you can't say an e90s shocks lasted x and my e46s lasted x + y. That is not build quality. That comes down to driving style and road conditions.
Talking about interior though, both like I said have their positives and negatives. E46s door panels at the top wear flat and so do the grab handles. E90s does not have this problem as its not a layer of vinyl.
E90s plastic paint on the trim rubs off eventually. So does the rubberised coating on the e46s.
So in my opinion they both have their positives and negatives.
I prefer the multilink suspension of the e90. But I do enjoy cruising in my e46. I like both cars.
Things like water pumps etc. The e90 has more electrical components and they do give up more frequently than their mechanical counter parts. Such is the nature of electrical components. But this other other benefits such as less parasitic drag on the engine.
They are both great cars. Let's not get into a mine is better argument.
OP should buy whichever car he can afford. If you can afford and e90 and the maintenance then go for an e90 320d. But with a 100k budget youre not looking at a great example.
I would suggest a MANUAL e46 330d 150kw and have some cash left over to do the required maintenance and maybe a tune if he wants more power.
But you can't say an e90s shocks lasted x and my e46s lasted x + y. That is not build quality. That comes down to driving style and road conditions.
Talking about interior though, both like I said have their positives and negatives. E46s door panels at the top wear flat and so do the grab handles. E90s does not have this problem as its not a layer of vinyl.
E90s plastic paint on the trim rubs off eventually. So does the rubberised coating on the e46s.
So in my opinion they both have their positives and negatives.
I prefer the multilink suspension of the e90. But I do enjoy cruising in my e46. I like both cars.
Things like water pumps etc. The e90 has more electrical components and they do give up more frequently than their mechanical counter parts. Such is the nature of electrical components. But this other other benefits such as less parasitic drag on the engine.
They are both great cars. Let's not get into a mine is better argument.
OP should buy whichever car he can afford. If you can afford and e90 and the maintenance then go for an e90 320d. But with a 100k budget youre not looking at a great example.
I would suggest a MANUAL e46 330d 150kw and have some cash left over to do the required maintenance and maybe a tune if he wants more power.