Comparisob Between E36 & E46

[AnGeLiCdEmOn108]

hi forumers,i was going through most of the threads and only manage to find a comparison between e36 325 & e36 328. basically there were many comments and towards the end it all bores down to the price of road tax. i was wondering whether it will be great if we did a comparison between e36 & e46. further more e90 has been launched.i am a little sceptical whether to get a e46 or e36. if its a e36, i thought of 328 and if its a e46, i wouldnt mind a 325 or 328. any comments from the wise ones in the udm world?

 

[seanswn]

Cannot compare, one New one Old,

Depends on your available $$$.

Both are great cars, but maintenance wise, I guess E36 will be lower.

I drove both of them, but never own any cause no $$$

Going to get an Alfa 146 soon, can't compare to Bimmer, different animal

Cannot compare an orange with an apple

 

[E3six]

Originally posted by AnGeLiCdEmOn108@Apr 26 2005, 11:25 PM
hi forumers,

i was going through most of the threads and only manage to find a comparison between e36 325 & e36 328. basically there were many comments and towards the end it all bores down to the price of road tax.

i was wondering whether it will be great if we did a comparison between e36 & e46. further more e90 has been launched.

i am a little sceptical whether to get a e46 or e36.

if its a e36, i thought of 328 and if its a e46, i wouldnt mind a 325 or 328.

any comments from the wise ones in the udm world?

If money not a issue here, e46 is a good ride to go for it.

 

[AnGeLiCdEmOn108]

thanks for the reply guys...

i understand that mulla ($$$) is the most important thing. good if all of us had more mulla...

anyway, i was thinking about the handling, performance, availability of the mod parts (understand that can import or available in e-bay but what i mean is locally available), technology difference and stuff like this lah...

spoke to a 328 guru last couple of days back when i was in kl. his opinion was e36 and not e46. the handling and feeling in e36 is better compared to e46...

so what is your opinion...

 

[AnGeLiCdEmOn108]

hey seanswn,

why going for 146 lah? aiya... anyway, i was going through the motor trader and found a 147 year 2004 for rm 100k. dont know why he is selling it for so cheap...

anyway good luck mate... contact three28 if you are interested in bimmer cause he told me he had a friend that wanted to sell a 3's for a reasonable price...

cheers...

 

[krazeepete]

Hi Mate,

Here's some feedback from somebody who is technically stupid

My wife owns an E36 328i and I own an E46 328i.

Personally, aside from the slight ratlles here and there on the E36, I think it is a great drive and seems more responsive than the E46. Seems to be more fun driving it at high speeds and part of the driving response comes from the vroom of the engine. the steering on the E36 seems also more resposnsive and heavier espeially on faster turns and going past 180km/h on the highway.

The E46 328i is a very different animal. When i first tried the E46, it seemed very "Japanese" or "more Mercedes" to me. Too quiet, refined and tamed to a large extent. In fact, I persoanlly find the 325 and 328 a very differetn drive although most people may say it is similar. On deciding on a year 2000 328i and a year 2002 325i (with facelift) I chose the older 328i as the drive seemed closer to that of the E36. (heavier steering and seemingly better low gear response)

You should try both cars if possible before making the choice. or better still, if you have the dough, check out the E90

have fun deciding.

Again... apologies for the non technical feedback but this is just some thoughts from a guy who loves a good drive

 

[AnGeLiCdEmOn108]

thanks krazeepete... eventhough it was not technical, its information to me. infact this is the same my friend told me...

i had a feel with the e90 as they launched it in bangkok faster... did not get a call from the BM distributor for this model as the last time i manage to test to e46 kau kau then was not sure to buy it in bangkok or kl... hahaha typical customer...

thanks for the infor again and if you have done some mods... can you post your car and your missus car...

 

[maelzx]

My opinion is based just on the looks of it

I like E36 taillamp but I like E46 headlamp .... so I choose E39

Anyway I'll go with E36 (and yes this judgement is based on the looks because I havent drive any 3 series before)

 

[seanswn]

Originally posted by AnGeLiCdEmOn108@Apr 27 2005, 06:28 PM
hey seanswn,

why going for 146 lah? aiya... anyway, i was going through the motor trader and found a 147 year 2004 for rm 100k. dont know why he is selling it for so cheap...

anyway good luck mate... contact three28 if you are interested in bimmer cause he told me he had a friend that wanted to sell a 3's for a reasonable price...

cheers...

no money lar,

But damn the seller just told me someone took the car as I'm trying to arrange loan :beaten:

 

[willie]

Originally posted by maelzx@Apr 27 2005, 08:15 PM
My opinion is based just on the looks of it

I like E36 taillamp but I like E46 headlamp .... so I choose E39

Anyway I'll go with E36 (and yes this judgement is based on the looks because I havent drive any 3 series before)

me too.... i prefer E36 tail light with E46 head lamp... haha.....

 

[AnGeLiCdEmOn108]

Originally posted by seanswn+Apr 27 2005, 01:36 PM-->QUOTE (seanswn @ Apr 27 2005, 01:36 PM)

 

[AnGeLiCdEmOn108]

Originally posted by willie+Apr 27 2005, 02:24 PM-->QUOTE (willie @ Apr 27 2005, 02:24 PM)

 

[AnGeLiCdEmOn108]

does anyone can update details about the "on-board computer" not sure what is the name...

what is the difference between e36 & e46?

 

[gwumpkus]

Originally posted by AnGeLiCdEmOn108@Apr 30 2005, 11:46 PM
does anyone can update details about the "on-board computer" not sure what is the name...

what is the difference between e36 & e46?

on board computer: OBD-II i believe.. conrtols engine functions as well as a plethora of electronic devices... assicsts modic diagnostics, when the car goes wrong. read: when u send it in, mechanic plugs in the diagnostic handheld computer hich scans the OBD for errors, and other discrepancies.

onviously, the E36 version and E46 versions are different..differnt engines to start with... for the 4-cylkinders, the E36 has a few different engines: the early M-40 (timing belt version; 8 valves) carried over from the E30...then later the M43(16 valves)...theres an M44 i believe used in the 318iS if i'
m not wrong.

early E46 used the M43, then there was a "technical upgrade" version M43-TU.. i think with VANOS (like "vtec"..variable valve timings of sorts..)

...hope this is useful..and understandble..

cheers!

 

[E46Fanatic]

This is unusual, as most people shop within their budget ranges, ie. compare cars within the same price brackets heh.

Basically, 1 E46 328i is almost 2 E36 328i in some cases (depending on condition etc). So from a price perspective, they are different cars for different prospective buyer markets. Having driven both, I'd have to agree that the strenghts for each car is in different areas. However, comparing a brand new E36 328i and brand new E46 328i is not going to be realistic as in fact, the E36 will likely be much more tired and worn, which will affect your ownership experience, more so as the years you own the car fly by.

In summary, if your price range is in the used E46 328i, do look around, as they are so many other options as well to consider besides comparing it to an E36 328i

 

[AnGeLiCdEmOn108]

Originally posted by gwumpkus+May 2 2005, 08:52 AM-->QUOTE (gwumpkus @ May 2 2005, 08:52 AM)

 

[AnGeLiCdEmOn108]

Originally posted by E46Fanatic@May 3 2005, 02:56 AM
This is unusual, as most people shop within their budget ranges, ie. compare cars within the same price brackets heh.

Basically, 1 E46 328i is almost 2 E36 328i in some cases (depending on condition etc). So from a price perspective, they are different cars for different prospective buyer markets. Having driven both, I'd have to agree that the strenghts for each car is in different areas. However, comparing a brand new E36 328i and brand new E46 328i is not going to be realistic as in fact, the E36 will likely be much more tired and worn, which will affect your ownership experience, more so as the years you own the car fly by.

In summary, if your price range is in the used E46 328i, do look around, as they are so many other options as well to consider besides comparing it to an E36 328i

totally agree with you with regards to the prices. 1 e46 = 2 e36. however, what about the handling since you have used both the animals?

besides the status of drving a e46 compared to a e36 because it is newer and stuff like that, what is your comment about the feeling of driving a e46 and e36. what you have to say about e46 is like drving another japanese car?

 

[AnGeLiCdEmOn108]

guys... since the e90 is launched, is there any significant price runtuh to the e46? :nyehehe:

 

[E46Fanatic]

Originally posted by AnGeLiCdEmOn108@May 2 2005, 10:31 PM

totally agree with you with regards to the prices. 1 e46 = 2 e36. however, what about the handling since you have used both the animals?

besides the status of drving a e46 compared to a e36 because it is newer and stuff like that, what is your comment about the feeling of driving a e46 and e36. what you have to say about e46 is like drving another japanese car?

The E46 is grown up from the E36 just like how the E36 grew up from the E30. Ride and handling give different charastics, and with each generation the car behaves less and less like a go-kart, but offers more supple, refined and "cultured" ride and handling. Its the same with all cars even with the Type R Vtecs (e.g. DC2 vs DC5 and EK9 vs EP3) and WRXs. As they grow up the feel less and less "raw" and "basic" and more refined. I think BMW came out with the 1 series, to bring some of that go-kart, harsh, direct feel back into their cars.

At least the E90 is lighter than the E46, but the car has grown and I suspect ride comfort improved too?

To be honest, if I really wanted a raw and harsh go karty ride, I'd pick up a Lotus Elise or even get an older Civic Type R for the fun of it. The newer 3's are inbetween driving excitement and luxury, and is a balanced compromise between the 2. So far the 3 series balance for me at my current age is about right. The 5 is a bit too much into the luxury territory for me now. Maybe in a few years time I'd see things differently

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Originally posted by E46Fanatic+May 3 2005, 04:53 AM-->QUOTE (E46Fanatic @ May 3 2005, 04:53 AM)