325i : E36 vs E46 vs E90

[anxious]

How does the 325i : E36 vs E46 vs E90 compare? On paper E36 325i Power bhp 192 @5900rpmTorque Nm 245 @4200Top Speed 2310-100kmh 8.8sec E46 325i Power bhp 192 @6000rpmTorque Nm 245 @4200Top Speed ?0-100kmh ? E90 325iPower bhp 218 @6500rpmTorque Nm 250 @2750Top Speed ?0-100kmh ? Care to fill up the details and share your expiriences as to the differences b/w them. I think this would serve the members as an upgrade guide. Thanks

 

[E46Fanatic]

325i : E36 vs E46 vs E90



How does the 325i : E36 vs E46 vs E90 compare?

On paper

E36 325i

Power bhp 192 @5900rpm
Torque Nm 245 @4200
Top Speed 231
0-100kmh 8.8sec (auto) 7.7 (manual)

E46 325i

Power bhp 192 @6000rpm
Torque Nm 245 @3500
Top Speed 245
0-100kmh 8.3 (auto), 7.2 (SMG)


E90 325i
Power bhp 218 @6500rpm
Torque Nm 250 @2750
Top Speed 245
0-100kmh 7.7 (auto) 7.0 (manual)


The driving feel of power difference between the E46 and E90 is not that significant. The better low end torque, engine note and a more bitey auto gearbox is what you feel the most. In terms of enjoyment, the N52 is really lovely to listen to on Wide Open Throttle. Refinement character changes to a party animal when the pedal hits the metal, from the distinguished induction roar at about 3-4k rpms to the scream of the engine at 7k rpms.

Most of the sound dynamics comes from the exhaust for the E46 (M54) but the E90 comes from the engine compartment. The BMW engineers really improved on the engine note with the newer generation 6 potters.

 

[anxious]

TQ E46Fanatic,

Anyonelse care to share their experiences?

 

[anaksarawak]

Anxious .. boleh I share your thread kah for 318?

E36 318i /320 M40/M42/M43/M44/M50

Power bhp ??hp @???rpm
Torque Nm ??? @??? rpm
Top Speed ???
0-100kmh ?.?sec

E46 318i / 320

Power bhp ??hp @???rpm
Torque Nm ??? @??? rpm
Top Speed ???
0-100kmh ?.?sec


E90 320i
Power bhp ??hp @???rpm
Torque Nm ??? @??? rpm
Top Speed ???
0-100kmh ?.?sec

Interested to know also.. You have good ideas of what to ask la.. interesting

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Thanks E46F! The much better low-end torque on the E90 325i has removed a lot of the low end sluggishness in the E46. That's a very meaningful improvement and has given a lot of ppl the impression that the E90 is a lot more powerful. Hence, most E46 325i drivers (like me) couldn't sleep well after test driving the E90.

 

[LCP]

Hmmm, no wonder, the E90 325i is rated 250Nm @ 2750rpm... Now I know why its low/mid-range pull is so strong, possibly the bitey autobox helped too.

By the way, did you guys noticed that not many car manufacturers are able to quote 100Nm/litre of torque for their regular road-going engines in the 2-3 litre category, normally aspirated engines of course.

 

[bmwcar]

the E90 2.5L engine sounds best from 5500 to 6750 rpm when the engine note takes on a metalic sound....like a muted M3 in a way........

in terms of engine development - the biggest gainer is also the fuel consumption no doubt helped by the 6 sp auto.......

 

[David Yong]

I must add on that the handling for E90 is much more precise and better compared to E46 and E36. You can definitely a lot of improvements are deployed to E90.

 

[bmwcar]

I must add on that the handling for E90 is much more precise and better compared to E46 and E36. You can definitely a lot of improvements are deployed to E90.

that i would agree..... i have driven the e36/e46/e90 and can conclude that the e36/e46 progress was minor but the e46 to e90 was a total transformation.......the e90 is totally different - it has the same level of precision of the e46 but is soo much more comfortable and supple at the same time.....and the new 2.5 litre engine is brilliant......and now in 2007, its got 20% more fuel efficient.........

however, the e34/e39/e60 changes were equally paced.........

 

[k3nny]

I havent driven an E90.. but from what i read, i should give it a go?

 

[bmrocket]

I havent driven an E90.. but from what i read, i should give it a go?

You should kenny :top:
feels like a 21yr old virgin (more matured den your 17yr old lah :listen: )

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Oh yes! I only had an E90 325i for a month plus after I sold off my E46 and the E90 is a quantum leap from the E46! particularly in terms of engine and steering response! The E90 feels a lot more solid too.

 

[E46Fanatic]

K3nny, if its a 2nd car, why don't you opt for a 2 door koopay? The E60 will be the workhorse, and the koopay the party equipment. Also since you are used to the R34, an E92 335i with Procede v2 should do the trick hehe.

 

[Bimmer910]

E36 318i /320 (M43B18)
Power bhp 115hp @5500rpm
Torque Nm 168@3900 rpm
Top Speed ??kmh
0-100kmh 10.9sec

E46 318i / 320 (M43B19)
Power bhp 117hp @5500rpm
Torque Nm 180@3900 rpm
Top Speed ???
0-100kmh 10.4sec

E46 318i FACELIFTED 2Ltr (N42B20)
Power bhp 143hp @6000rpm
Torque Nm 190@3900rpm
Top Speed 208kmh
0-100kmh 9.9sec

E90 320i (N46B20)
Power bhp 150hp @6200rpm
Torque Nm 200@3750 rpm
Top Speed 220kmh
0-100kmh 9.3sec

I hope this helps. Please correct above where necessary.

Cheers

 

[k3nny]

K3nny, if its a 2nd car, why don't you opt for a 2 door koopay? The E60 will be the workhorse, and the koopay the party equipment. Also since you are used to the R34, an E92 335i with Procede v2 should do the trick hehe.

Bro, sounds like a plan!

Im gonna buy Toto tonight, Big Sweep!

Tomorrow when results come out, if its a done deal, i promise you that you'll be the first to test drive it!

Hehe...

But seriously, i cant see myself paying 400+K for a 335ci..

Just can't justify the amount to myself.

Just like some people, they choose to buy M5's. While the M5 is a great car and i would love to have one in my stable, i wouldnt pay for one.

As a luxury car, it defeats its purpose.

1. The ride is substantially harsher than the regular E60's
2. Fuel consumption is higher
3. Noisier car.
4. Harder to drive and jerky with SMG3 i think or maybe i wasnt good at it?
5. You wont let your driver drive it to chauffeur your family or customers around

As a sports car, it also defeats its purpose.

1. No modding as you only have this 1 car, and its your daily driver to work. Can't do overnighters in the workshop
2. Too expensive to mod.
3. You are likely to trash it with more care due to its price
4. You wont track it as often or at all due to its price


For Rm800+K

I would opt for a 523i which is around RM320k now? and a R34 GTR which is around 200k now.

Thats a total of RM520K which still leaves you around 350K to play with.

RM100k for a kick ass white Hamann E60 with 20inch rims.
RM50k for a kick ass audiophile sound system.

And the remaining 200K to transform your GTR to a 1000hp monster.

Now you have the best of both worlds.

523i.

1. Your driver can drive it
2. Fuel consumption is better
3. Still as pimp as a M5
4. Awesome ICE
5. Less maintenance headache.

GTR

1. You can track it
2. You can trash it
3. You can mod it and let it sleep in the workshop
4. And 1000hp!!! damn.

But then again, thats just my preference.. Im sure there are PLENTY of people that would shell out for a M5.. or just convert it and go around town telling lies! hahahaha

 

[Bimmer910]

But seriously, i cant see myself paying 400+K for a 335ci..

Just can't justify the amount to myself.

Just like some people, they choose to buy M5's. While the M5 is a great car and i would love to have one in my stable, i wouldnt pay for one.

Why dont you just get yourself an E46 M3. Theres one for sale in the forum.

 

[Schwepps]

I would agree with all who say the E90 is a quantum leap up from the E36 and E46, so if k3nny hasn't driven one yet, he should. Why go a model back if he can get the present model?

To me the 325i Sports is the best medium between a normal 3er and an M. It has more than enough torque for most driving situations unless he wants a track car. In which case he shouldn't be looking at a BM anyway, IMHO.

 

[k3nny]

No.. k3nny is not buying anything for awhile.

Im contented in my little Proton Wira.

Like i said, if i strike toto tomorrow, ill be able to go get me one and join the club!!

 

[Schwepps]

The post before this has been sitting there since Sunday. Just wondering, committee, what's going on? Or are you all busy reading political blogs?

 

[berserkdroid]

The post before this has been sitting there since Sunday. Just wondering, committee, what's going on? Or are you all busy reading political blogs?

Bro, we also need to do our part laa... just report the post using the "report this post" button so that the mods are alerted.

Anyway, just reported already so it should be gone soon.