Advice for E36 and E46

[toffeemoose]

Hi all sifus,I am a small IT business owner and would like to ask your advises.I am currently driving a Bestari (Pug 206) and wife have a Potong () car.However, usually in parties or functions, I am feeling more n more paiseh whenever I drive to such occassions with all the Beemers, Mercs, Porsche, Audi parked all around me...regardless old or new ones.My friends have been telling me for years that I could afford one, but I have never developed a taste in forking out huge cash for cars....properties..maybe...but not car.So I would like to ask any advises, if I want to get a 2nd car, maybe meant for special functions or long distance travel, which one would be better for me.some examples that I am looking below (budget around 45-50K (loan around 45k max) ...plus 2-4k extra on repairs afterwards.)1) E46 318 local 2000 - rm53k -*http://www.mudah.my/BMW+E46+318+local+00-11722940.htm2) E46 318 auto 200 LOCAL - RM50k -*http://www.mudah.my/BMW+E46+318+auto+LOCAL...FT-11595244.htm3) BMW 318 iS E36 1999 - RM45k -*http://www.mudah.my/BMW+318+iS+E36-12145421.htmWhich one is ideal for me as a 2nd car? I been reading that E46 is more expensive to maintain generally as compared to the E36...Thanks

 

[stig]

The sedan 318 (36 & 46) shouldn't be too much different mechanically so cost to maintain should be the same. 4-potter BMWs are cheap to maintain I guess.

Why you should change to a 318: The cost of maintaining your ageing Pug could outweigh the cost of buying and maintaining a 318.

Why you shouldn't: You truly believe that the car you drive never should dictate your self worth.

 

[toffeemoose]

Tell that to the bizness community in Msia...

I dont mind staying status quo..makes no diff to me...just another hassle to me

Thx anyway

 

[Eggie86]

Agreed with Stig. Don't feel shy bro. Sometimes the richest person on earth is not what he has in the wallet, but what's in his heart.

Modesty and humbleness count too. :top:

PS: Btw, all the best with your hunt. Both E36 & E46 are nice cars, but the E46 feels and looks slightly more handsome than it's predecessor.

 

[toffeemoose]

thx eggie n stig...
Appreciated it...just needed couple of inputs for a newbie like me...

 

[wutty]

Tell that to the bizness community in Msia...

Sometimes it can have the opposite effect.

Your customers will think that your profit margin is always very high that you can afford such a posh car and the will demand huge discount from you!

Anyway e46 is definitely a better looking car. However my mechanic always advise me to stay away from the 2L version because "banyak kacau". Not 100% sure but maybe other bro here can better advise.

 

[tweiboon]

Hi all sifus,

I am a small IT business owner and would like to ask your advises.

I am currently driving a Bestari (Pug 206) and wife have a Potong () car.
However, usually in parties or functions, I am feeling more n more paiseh whenever I drive to such occassions with all the Beemers, Mercs, Porsche, Audi parked all around me...regardless old or new ones.

My friends have been telling me for years that I could afford one, but I have never developed a taste in forking out huge cash for cars....properties..maybe...but not car.

So I would like to ask any advises, if I want to get a 2nd car, maybe meant for special functions or long distance travel, which one would be better for me.some examples that I am looking below (budget around 45-50K (loan around 45k max) ...plus 2-4k extra on repairs afterwards.)

1) E46 318 local 2000 - rm53k -*http://www.mudah.my/BMW+E46+318+local+00-11722940.htm
2) E46 318 auto 200 LOCAL - RM50k -*http://www.mudah.my/BMW+E46+318+auto+LOCAL...FT-11595244.htm
3) BMW 318 iS E36 1999 - RM45k -*http://www.mudah.my/BMW+318+iS+E36-12145421.htm

Which one is ideal for me as a 2nd car? I been reading that E46 is more expensive to maintain generally as compared to the E36...

Thanks

I am an IT web programmer. 3 cars that you post here most of the BMW owners also will not recommend you to have it. I believe most of us will ask you to look for inline 6 engine M52 , M54 engine. if can look for 2500cc and above.

Before you buy the car, have a test drive on 318,323,325,328 e46 then you will know why they will said like this.

 

[B33mEr]

Tell that to the bizness community in Msia...

I dont mind staying status quo..makes no diff to me...just another hassle to me

Thx anyway

Funny that you find bmw 3 series carries a business image as usually it would be the Merc - C or E class. So if you're still adamant about getting a bimmer then might i'd suggest you consider the e39 aka 5 series it's a bit more expensive but it will certainly prove it's worth in the image stake and also in the driving pleasure (though any BMW for that matter will give you equal driving pleasure)

 

[advocates]

Buy the beemer cause u love the ride and the handling..period! If you wanna buy a car to enhance people's perception of you, it will never end. Cause after getting the e36 or 46, you will be thinking that e90, e60 or F10 would be better in terms of image and prestige. thereafter, it would be a porche, a lambo, etc...

i am in a profession where many of my friends told me that I need a better car. Few years ago, I was driving a nissan altima and I have many big clients. Out of curiosity, I asked them whether they were bothered with my choice of car...one of them tolf me that it is because I have never bothered about buying the latest and the most expensive, they trusted me cause they know their money is in safe hand!!!!

Please please buy any beemer you want..but I would buy it cause of my passion and not people's perception.

My two sen worth!

 

[ICEMAN 68]

you can't please ppl's perception ...what if they start telling that ehhh e36 or e46 is old ...pity that car larrr ..end up being put for sold under a lamp post sooner or later ...someday ...

 

[toffeemoose]

thanks all....

people's superficial impression aside....of the 3 german marquees..BM, Merc, Audi...i love the Beemer's look...especially the M series..

 

[manjit]

Agree with ICEMAN

Bro, buy a car that please you, not others. It can be of any model or make.... ask me, i'll choose BMW. CAUSE

BMW BADGE NEVER AGES

 

[infinityKL]

whatever the reason....
since its a bimmer, i suggest an e36 325 to start off with...
perfect all rounder...

 

[raymondban]

BMW a car must buy cause later sure Banyak Masuk Wang

 

[2wenty6]

whatever the reason....
since its a bimmer, i suggest an e36 325 to start off with...
perfect all rounder...

I'm inclined to agree. The e36 325 at its current market price is a good balance between price and the utility you gain. It is decently fast and most would say it has a timeless design. With your budget of around 50k, you can get an e36 and have about 20k for maintenance and modifications. Make no mistake, the e46 or the e36 WILL require maintenance when you get it. Probably more or less the same, it all depends on the car you eventually choose. Some are well maintained and have slightly less things that require replacement, some are in horrible condition (which you shouldn't buy in the first place) and will require a boatload of money to do up.

As you already alluded to, people do judge you by the car you drive. Rolling up in a clean and nicely done up e36 says something about your character - that you appreciate the classic and classy things in life.

To illustrate, it is somewhat like ending up with this:

http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/333111ff8.jpg

As compared to:

http://autocarworld.com/wp-content/...eries/2002-bmw-3-series-1600x1200-image-1.jpg

 

[Galaxy7]

go for 325 (e36 or e46)

 

[slyder]

Yup go for a 6potter meaning 325 or 328. as a reference road tax for 325 is rm880++. 328 is rm1600++. for e46 i was told last time should avoid the 318 and 320 as more problematic compared to to 325 and above.
cheers

 

[tweiboon]

See..........as i said most of the BMW owners will ask you go for inline 6 engine or 6 potter engine. After you test drive for sure you will know what they trying to tell you and for sure no con you.........hahahahahahahhaha

 

[B33mEr]

I'm inclined to agree. The e36 325 at its current market price is a good balance between price and the utility you gain. It is decently fast and most would say it has a timeless design. With your budget of around 50k, you can get an e36 and have about 20k for maintenance and modifications. Make no mistake, the e46 or the e36 WILL require maintenance when you get it. Probably more or less the same, it all depends on the car you eventually choose. Some are well maintained and have slightly less things that require replacement, some are in horrible condition (which you shouldn't buy in the first place) and will require a boatload of money to do up.

As you already alluded to, people do judge you by the car you drive. Rolling up in a clean and nicely done up e36 says something about your character - that you appreciate the classic and classy things in life.

To illustrate, it is somewhat like ending up with this:

http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/333111ff8.jpg

As compared to:

http://autocarworld.com/wp-content/...eries/2002-bmw-3-series-1600x1200-image-1.jpg

Hahaha ... that's not fair comparing to a modded E36 with a stock standard E46 with a 16" wheels summore but i agree with bro sach and you ... An e36 325 makes an ideal purchase with the budget given.

 

[Petrus]

Hi bro,

I really think you shouldn't force yourself to buy the car just because of what people think lah. No offense here, but in fact i do hear some ppl even say to one of my fren that bought an E36 these words..

"alahai....E36 nowadays pun lebih murah dari Waja...Waja pun kereta baru lagi tu..." .. i am just pointing this out so that later you dont regret getting it coz ppl will also compare the price if you base your purchase on wot ppl think lah....

You should buy a BMW coz you like it and have passion for it... not because of what people think... coz our BMW are more delicate compared to other cars and require more TLC... which only a passionate owner and driver can give...

just my two cents lah... but if you are passionate for a BMW...(tak kira lah harga dia lebih murah dari Proton Saga lama ke)...then go for it !!! Sure you will enjoy the feeling of owning one ....