E39 vs E46

[FastFred]

hi There are lots of second hand E39 and E46 out there .Would like to get some opinion on the difference between say 525i and 325i Here's my understanding from all that I have been readingPerformance - about the same , E46 maybe slightly quicker due to lighter bodyNoise,Vibration Handling - same Comfort and trim - E39 betterFuel consumption - E46 ? Safety - E39 ?Luggage space - E39Reliabililty - E46 ? Maintenance cost - E46 ?resale value - about same Pls note that maintenance cost and reliability have difference. Maintenance cost is monthly average cost to change parts (wear and tear parts or other engine parts/electronics gadgets ) and reliability is the breakdown frequency or Time to failure (say every year one major breakdown while driving). Is the E46 more reliable that the E39 given that it is newer ?? The E46 was a best seller for BMW from 1998 to 2004 but E39 530i was given a perfect score (best car ever) in a consumer review some years ago .Thanks for sharing your experiences

 

[initialM]

Bro,

Pls intro at newbies section.

Wah you got so many questions? Cannot be answered in a thread. Some question are also subjective. I would suggest you go through the E46 & E39 thread to have some idea. Do some research on this forum & internet. Then ask yourself 1 question, What do I want? Of course dun forget your budget. I drive both cars & I like both but slightly prefer E39 (the best used car in the world)

 

[elixir]

hi

There are lots of second hand E39 and E46 out there .
Would like to get some opinion on the difference between say 525i and 325i
Here's my understanding from all that I have been reading

Performance - about the same , E46 maybe slightly quicker due to lighter body
Noise,Vibration Handling - same
Comfort and trim - E39 better
Fuel consumption - E46 ?
Safety - E39 ?
Luggage space - E39
Reliabililty - E46 ?
Maintenance cost - E46 ?
resale value - about same


Pls note that maintenance cost and reliability have difference. Maintenance cost is monthly average cost to change parts (wear and tear parts or other engine parts/electronics gadgets ) and reliability is the breakdown frequency or Time to failure (say every year one major breakdown while driving).

Is the E46 more reliable that the E39 given that it is newer ?? The E46 was a best seller for BMW from 1998 to 2004 but E39 530i was given a perfect score (best car ever) in a consumer review some years ago .

Thanks for sharing your experiences

e39 soundproofing is better. so less noise.the ride is also more comfortable.
reliability and maintenance on the engine is the same because both using M52 or M54.
for other parts, e46 would be slightly cheaper.

 

[bmw7833]

Either e46 or 339, ask initialM, he got both..hehh..

 

[bimmer73]

E39 very solid and firm at any speed. E46 only stabilise at 140km and above. Below 140km abit rocky. so i was told.

 

[dannybaba13]

e39. best executive car for more than 20 years regards tqvm dar

 

[jarance]

E39 very solid and firm at any speed. E46 only stabilise at 140km and above. Below 140km abit rocky. so i was told.

I like you lah.. I been driving below 140 km all the time.. must go above 140 now...:top:

 

[datsunnismo]

my vote for the beast (e39)

 

[funfer_fahrer]

Hmm..there's so many comparisons with E39 nowadays. I wonder why?

 

[mizhan]

hi fred, kindly introduce urself at newbie subforum. yes, we get many queries here on whether apples or oranges are better. for me, it is very situational. having both 3 and 5 series, i have to say each have their fine moments that make back to back comparison unfair. many of their respective virtues are subjective and emotionally driven, not to mention one's state of physical condition at the time of comparison, i.e. early sunday mornings vs 7pm friday crawl on tun razak in the rain after a long day at the office. therefore, although the choice between e46 and e39 can be argued on financial and practical terms, we cannot underestimate personal considerations of what is more important to him/her at the end of the day.

 

[bimmerholic]

Hmm..there's so many comparisons with E39 nowadays. I wonder why?

Cuz it's value for money....from the way i see it. Inspite of it being 12 years or older ('97 here) and for the price that it carries now, it can easily outweight any of it's competitor (if it had any) back then and now of the same year & price with what it has to offer. It was once a 300 grand moving house and now it's priced at less than 1/6th of it's debut price and it still drives almost like new. What ever that's rattling is easily fixable and NVH level is still superb despite it's age. Every trim and plastic looks good and solidly intact with its surroundings. Not to mention it still retains its UDM heritage.

To top it all, I came across a review on a E39 that read: The e39 gave its major rival a good run for its money for 2 generations to come close to what the E39 had to offer. :top: :top: :top:

So value for money it is for me :top:

 

[mizhan]

E39 530i MSport!!!

 

[Seelan]

Hi Bros ,

I m new comer to the BMW group ...keen in buying E39 525i . I did allot of reading and mostly have recommended very highly about the car . Would like to get extra opinion about these car regarding the regular issues , maintenance and cost of parts . Of course all the while i'm been using a japanese car . Can anyone advice me .Thanks and appreciate . cheers ......

 

[transporter]

I like you lah.. I been driving below 140 km all the time.. must go above 140 now...:top:

hahahaa :top:

 

[champion]

hi

There are lots of second hand E39 and E46 out there .
Would like to get some opinion on the difference between say 525i and 325i
Here's my understanding from all that I have been reading

Performance - about the same , E46 maybe slightly quicker due to lighter body
Noise,Vibration Handling - same
Comfort and trim - E39 better
Fuel consumption - E46 ?
Safety - E39 ?
Luggage space - E39
Reliabililty - E46 ?
Maintenance cost - E46 ?
resale value - about same


Pls note that maintenance cost and reliability have difference. Maintenance cost is monthly average cost to change parts (wear and tear parts or other engine parts/electronics gadgets ) and reliability is the breakdown frequency or Time to failure (say every year one major breakdown while driving).

Is the E46 more reliable that the E39 given that it is newer ?? The E46 was a best seller for BMW from 1998 to 2004 but E39 530i was given a perfect score (best car ever) in a consumer review some years ago .

Thanks for sharing your experiences

Both cars have its pro and cons.
I would strongly advise you to test both cars if you have not already done so. Once you like either 1 of them, the rest of your questions comes secondary.

 

[XXX]

Hi Bros ,

I m new comer to the BMW group ...keen in buying E39 525i . I did allot of reading and mostly have recommended very highly about the car . Would like to get extra opinion about these car regarding the regular issues , maintenance and cost of parts . Of course all the while i'm been using a japanese car . Can anyone advice me .Thanks and appreciate . cheers ......

if one is willing to buy a BMW one should not have all this thoughts abt parts and so on because then you will never own one, one needs to remember that one is buying a use to be RM300K car so dont expect parts and maintenance of a RM70k car eventhough thats what it may cost now...if you can afford and think you deserve something better in life...then "Just Do It!":top:

 

[narish17]

Hi Bros ,

I m new comer to the BMW group ...keen in buying E39 525i . I did allot of reading and mostly have recommended very highly about the car . Would like to get extra opinion about these car regarding the regular issues , maintenance and cost of parts . Of course all the while i'm been using a japanese car . Can anyone advice me .Thanks and appreciate . cheers ......

Seelan,

I've been thru the situation u r facing now...just read thru the e39 thread n u will gain a lot of knowledge n be able to understand better...

i have never regretted on my decision... the e39...it's simply seperb...:top:

 

[eddiefiola]

dah lama aku tak kutuk org.....

e39: best second hand car in the world at the moment....

e46: worst car in the world still, regardless new or used....... e46 sucks.....sorry to e46 owners.......

buy other bmw if can afford..... e60 n-engine onwards (not the first generation), e90, e81 etc etc.....

 

[Hellraiser]

Hey Fred,

Whats the question again..........? Too many questions. Are you writing a thesis?

 

[jarance]

dah lama aku tak kutuk org.....

e39: best second hand car in the world at the moment....

e46: worst car in the world still, regardless new or used....... e46 sucks.....sorry to e46 owners.......

buy other bmw if can afford..... e60 n-engine onwards (not the first generation), e90, e81 etc etc.....

bro, your E46 where got sucked?

It was one of the best that I have seen long long time ago.. :top: