325i E90 vs e46?

[anxious]

As usual just sharing my thoughts. I have had my E36 325i for more than 2.5 yrs now. Was thinking of "upgrading" to a E46 325i when my wife sugested that I hold on for a couple of years and get a E90 325i. Based on current prices the 2004 E46 325i can be had for RM130k vs 2005/06 E90 325i for RM180k. In a couple of years the E90 should go down to RM150k.(based on 10% pa depreciation) On paper the difference is :- H/P : 192 vs 218Torque: 245@3500 vs 250@2750Gearbox: 5 speed vs 6 speed The magazines have all commended the E90 to being a much better car than the E46. Anyone care to share their real life experiences with us.

 

[BMWs]

As usual just sharing my thoughts.

I have had my E36 325i for more than 2.5 yrs now. Was thinking of "upgrading" to a E46 325i when my wife sugested that I hold on for a couple of years and get a E90 325i.

Based on current prices the 2004 E46 325i can be had for RM130k vs 2005/06 E90 325i for RM180k. In a couple of years the E90 should go down to RM150k.(based on 10% pa depreciation)

On paper the difference is :-

H/P : 192 vs 218
Torque: 245@3500 vs 250@2750
Gearbox: 5 speed vs 6 speed

The magazines have all commended the E90 to being a much better car than the E46.

Anyone care to share their real life experiences with us.

E46 Less complicated. E90 More complicated.

E46 still got some manual parts. E90 Almost 100% Electronic.

E46 Less Power. E90 More power.

E46 Cheaper maintenance. E90 Expensive maintenance.

E46 Less features. E90 more features.

Both models look equally good during thier era.

Just my 2 sense :wink:

Cheers

 

[astroboy]

Aiyoo.. its like comparing the 2 Sagas.. so if you want to buy a Saga now, which one would it be.. or Civic 7th gen vs 8th gen..

Have not use both before, so my knowledge about the 2 are all hearsays which is not substantiated with any real life experience.. Better duduk diam diam..

Good luck comparing!

 

[pearl90]

hi dude...

not sure if this helps, just some opinion...

i drive a E90 325 currently and used to have the E46 320...

to me, i like everything about the E90 compared to the E46...(maybe becoz its 325 compared to 320) and i think the E46 is starting to look abit like its age...

the only thing abt the E90 tht bugs me is the engine oil issue with the magnesium engine... constantly needs topping up...

the SA said tht its normal for all magnesium engine including the later model E60...

E90 looks better, drives better, better consumption, more comfortable, more space... the only down side is the maintainance... hope this helps...

 

[jarance]

Go for the E46 if you want the feel of the E36. Most of the instrument are in the same place for E46 when compare to E36. As for E90, the feeling is quite "different". Most of the thing seem to be out of place but i guess you would get used to it.

Dont you think it would be better to enjoy the next upgrade now rather than later. E36 now should about 12years or more. In a couple of years, it would be 15 years old.

 

[astroboy]

E90 boot space is a lot bigger than E46. The E46 boot space is worst than E36.

Switching from E36 to E90 will give u a very serious cultural shock and if you don't think you are ready, go with E46..

But bear in mind that if you go with E46, you will ask the same question again for comparison of E90 vs F"whatever", expecting in 2012.

Another analogy I would use, 1 generation difference is like a choice of marrying the mother or the daughter.. :wink: Your choice. No right or wrong answer.

Was told in the recent TT, the E90 drives like an E30 despite the bigger size. I have not driven both E30 nor E46 before, so something for u to explore..

DSC, active steering, no dipstick, N52 engine oil consumption "issue", RFT, newer generation ABS with quicker, smoother pulse, non manual leveling of headlights, electric water pump, on demand engine oil pump, HID, more air bags, sub woofer under the seat, fridge under the arm rest, the extra 13.5% horsepower.. (if these features are of no or minimal value to u, then go with E46, and stay there.. )

Ask your wife to comment on the look, E46 vs E90... should be a no brainer answer, go against her will is just asking for a divorce..

 

[E46Fanatic]

Despite my nick, definitely get the E90 325i. A lot more enjoyable car. If you are used to the E36, you'll surely feel the E46 is bloated and feels a lot more vague behind the wheel compared to the E36. The E90 addresses this weakness and feels so much more like a go-kart compared to the E46 which was more like a cruiser.

Based on my experience, the E90 325i cost significantly less to maintain compared to the E46 325. Good luck!

 

[Traveler]

Ask your wife to comment on the look, E46 vs E90... should be a no brainer answer, go against her will is just asking for a divorce..

I think at the end of the day, this part will carry the most weight!! hehehehe!

 

[racheltoh]

I think at the end of the day, this part will carry the most weight!! hehehehe!

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA n the best part is..the wifey gets to drive the car eh.. :top:

 

[B33mEr]

Despite my nick, definitely get the E90 325i. A lot more enjoyable car. If you are used to the E36, you'll surely feel the E46 is bloated and feels a lot more vague behind the wheel compared to the E36. The E90 addresses this weakness and feels so much more like a go-kart compared to the E46 which was more like a cruiser.

Based on my experience, the E90 325i cost significantly less to maintain compared to the E46 325. Good luck!

How does an E90 which is bigger and heavier plus it has run flat tyre be more of a driver's car than E46? In fact i t hink it's the opposite that is true since the E90 is more spacious and comfortable.

Also E90 is cheaper to maintain than an E46??? U sure or not? lol

 

[infinityKL]

resale value is also something to think about...

maintenance - my say is either way this bimmers will dry ur pockets as they age...

i say go wt ur pockets...

all bimmers are nice to drive...

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Despite my nick, definitely get the E90 325i. A lot more enjoyable car. If you are used to the E36, you'll surely feel the E46 is bloated and feels a lot more vague behind the wheel compared to the E36. The E90 addresses this weakness and feels so much more like a go-kart compared to the E46 which was more like a cruiser.

Based on my experience, the E90 325i cost significantly less to maintain compared to the E46 325. Good luck!

I totally agree with E46F. As a matter of fact, what he articulated was at the tip of my mind but having read what E46F said, it's just spot on. Take it from someone who's had the E36, E46 and now the E92 (which feels similar to the E90 - I did also have an E90 325i for 2 months). No matter what I did to the E46, it never gave me as much enjoyment as the E36 in terms of handling. It kept feeling a bit bloated and imprecise. The E90 redresses all the E46's shortfalls with a stupendous poise, balance, interplay of engine power and steering etc. Then, it's even more comfortable and robust. In terms of reliability, other than the oil issue, it's roughly the same as the E46. Besides, not all of us got oil issues. I have not encountered it on my N52 (touch wood).

 

[Juan Powerblow]

resale value is also something to think about...

maintenance - my say is either way this bimmers will dry ur pockets as they age...

i say go wt ur pockets...

all bimmers are nice to drive...

Yeah, I agree. The concern I have for Anxious is simply this. What he expends on the E46 might well eat into his plan to get the E90. For that reason, it might be best to hold off. To me, the E46 is just so-so, the E90 is something to shout about in terms of what it can do.

 

[Schwepps]

I would agree with E46F and JPB completely. Up to the E36, the 3-series was a driver's car apart from all others. The E46 was iffy in that department and that's why I skipped it completely. The E90 recaptures the 3-series spirit and indeed improves on it.

Only a small percentage of the earlier units had the oil burn issue, and IMO, the E90 is the most reliable and lowest maintenance of all the 3s. Always go for the latest model if you can. After all, even the E90 is in the latter half of it's life and will be due for a change in 2012.

 

[E46Fanatic]

How does an E90 which is bigger and heavier plus it has run flat tyre be more of a driver's car than E46? In fact i t hink it's the opposite that is true since the E90 is more spacious and comfortable.

Also E90 is cheaper to maintain than an E46??? U sure or not? lol

For sure le. Weight wise, the E46 325i and E90 325i is very close, thanks to the magnesium block engine, and the E90 has longer wheelbase, and wider track, and lower center of gravity. Its also a significantly safer car. Stock a my non M 2001 E46 325i came with 16's wheels and something like 205/55/16 Dunlop SP2000 tyres all round. Although the E90 comes with runflats stock, they were on staggered 17's with 245 rears with Potenza's. Interestingly enuff, the E90 M3 weighs even more than the E90 325i but is much sharper and precise.

I've only spent on precautionary oil changes so far on the E90 in 2.5 years of ownership, where the E46 started with a 1k repair bill right past 1st year (power steering hoses), followed by a few rounds of control arm bushes, and a few rounds of power window issues, relay switch issues. Big items like alternator also kaput before 3 years, leaving me stranded at a basement car park in KL. I had to pay for labor and claim under goodwill for the alternator. Thankfully I didn't kena the dreaded expansion tank bust issues which is common leaving E46 BMW drivers sheepishly stranded by the road. This type of failure leads to other types of damage, such as engine head/block warp, oil leaks, burnt gaskets etc.

 

[astroboy]

A relatively new used E90 325i is selling at above RM250k (some warranty intact plus BSRI), unless you want to go below 2006 model or below which is sub RM200k but you end up carry the non warranty maintenance burden.

If cannot afford, then like me loo.. go for E90 320i, now u can get LCI at about RM220k at super low interest rate, with features I can only dream off , full 2 years warranty plus 60k km or 3 years BSRI which ever comes first, zero mileage.. :top:

Nothing smells better than a brand new BMW, priceless! :top:

 

[B33mEr]

For sure le. Weight wise, the E46 325i and E90 325i is very close, thanks to the magnesium block engine, and the E90 has longer wheelbase, and wider track, and lower center of gravity. Its also a significantly safer car. Interestingly enuff, the E90 M3 weighs even more than the E90 325i but is much sharper and precise.

I've only spent on precautionary oil changes so far on the E90 in 2.5 years of ownership, where the E46 started with a 1k repair bill right past 1st year (power steering hoses), followed by a few rounds of control arm bushes, and a few rounds of power window issues, relay switch issues. Big items like alternator also kaput before 3 years, leaving me stranded at a basement car park in KL. I had to pay for labor and claim under goodwill for the alternator.

Hehehe ... interestingly the M3 doesnt have run-flats for a tyre either

Ok so in terms of driving satisfaction is of individual opinion and prefernce same as styling (btw i still think E46 butt looks much better than the E90 bangelised butt ). As for performance the higher HP does give an E90 325i an edge over it's predecessor but then again i wouldn't describe the E46 have a boat like performance either and almost the same torque output as the E90.

As for maintenance cost bro ... Don't forget the E90 have more electronics as compared to the E46 so parts will be more expensive. Parts for E46 nowadays you can get it at chop-shop if you're budget conscious and as for bushings ... itu biasa lerr bro wear and tear parts

 

[BlackE90]

Anxious, buy the E90 now and enjoy your ride for another 3 years (BMW M'sia pays for your maintenance), then, upgrade to F30 in 2012. You'll never go wrong. Ask Astroboy.

 

[champion]

I have driven e36 and e46 but not the e90. Cant give you much advise. But since you planned to upgrade, why not go all the way to e90 ? So you wont have the dilemma to have to look for another UDM(short term).

e39 perhaps ?.......cabutttzzzzz...........

 

[E46Fanatic]

Hehehe ... interestingly the M3 doesnt have run-flats for a tyre either

Ok so in terms of driving satisfaction is of individual opinion and prefernce same as styling (btw i still think E46 butt looks much better than the E90 bangelised butt ). As for performance the higher HP does give an E90 325i an edge over it's predecessor but then again i wouldn't describe the E46 have a boat like performance either and almost the same torque output as the E90.

As for maintenance cost bro ... Don't forget the E90 have more electronics as compared to the E46 so parts will be more expensive. Parts for E46 nowadays you can get it at chop-shop if you're budget conscious and as for bushings ... itu biasa lerr bro wear and tear parts

Another thing you'll instantly notice is with the improved auto slushbox of the E90 (6 spd) over the E46 (5spd). The new 6 spd auto tranny is significantly more urgent, locks up fast, and feels much less slippage. The autobox on the E46 is best described by one word - Lazy. You'll need to constantly and continuously whack the E46 hard to make the tranny wake up to smell the roses . Not very possible in KL traffic sometimes. The tranny behavior makes a big difference in overall driving experience between the 2 cars.