e36 vs e46

[sam]

Hi guys,Am perplexed. Own a 1999 e36 and quite proud of it and maintain it very well. Lotsa TLCs but some AB guys say that I should upgrade to e46 coz wear and tear kicking in. But on the other hand, some other AB guy tells me that the reliability and maintenance on E36 is more superior.Guys, I need your input. Am frying my brains here. :huh:

 

[sam]

Sorry- this should be posted on 3 series forum

 

[fabianyee]

Maintenance is lower for the E36 but then the E46 is a newer car... however, few more years down the line u would also need to replace certain parts for the E46... Unless, u don't intend to keep the car for long....

Parts for E46 could cost more too...

 

[Juan Powerblow]

I had an E36 b4 and now own an E46. Frankly, my E36 had less problems but it was only a 318i. I think BMWs develop greater wear and there on their original components after 5 years. So, if you get a 3 year old E46, there's only about 2 good years b4 things fall apart. If I were you, I would stick to your E36 which seems rather reliable and upgrade to a new car later, an E90 perhaps, hehe! rather than risk a problematic E46 which has done its best years in terms of reliability...

 

[Slide]

Same problem that i have, however i have decided to keep my 36 as after i have put so much into it i can't bear to part with her. Secondly, its easier to make a 36 328 is faster than a 46 328 so, i'm going to keep her. Hope this helps.

Cheers.

 

[sam]

Thanks Juan, Fabian n Slide for responses. Feel a little better now. Gwad, what does a UDM do to oneself. The AB guys think I am dense or what!! Thought as much that e36 lot more cost efficient n reliable. I have invested into my baby and not fully convinced that I should depart with my darling.. for an e46.
Think my babe has a lot more attention than the rest of my family.

 

[Daredevil]

Decided to keep my ride forever ....hahaha...after the time and moolah (not much) spent on beautifying it. Will consider getting another ride when I spend more time in town.

Spoilt for choice here.....hmm...what should I get? Hahahaha......nah...better stick to my good old jalopy. Anything 1.6L and below due to inflating petrol prices.

 

[three28]

sam....

After spending hmmm... (cant count)

I will reckon that my E36 is gonna live with me forever ( YES! i have the eternity fruit )

hehehehe

But to me i feel the 46 is refined ... too refined .

The e36 feels more raw ..

my 2 cents

 

[flash]

Originally posted by three28@Jun 14 2005, 05:28 PM
sam....

After spending hmmm... (cant count)

I will reckon that my E36 is gonna live with me forever ( YES! i have the eternity fruit )

hehehehe

But to me i feel the 46 is refined ... too refined .

The e36 feels more raw ..

my 2 cents

Hee hee, my ex-E36 was too raw for me... its unbrideled power. Decided to get something more sedate. Hence my latest acquisition.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Originally posted by flash+Jun 14 2005, 09:39 AM-->QUOTE (flash @ Jun 14 2005, 09:39 AM)

 

[eddiefiola]

i prefer e46 coz it looks nicer n it has auto cruise function........

 

[supergripen]

IMHO after owning an e30,e36 and e46 i feel that each has its own pros and cons..
i feel that the e46 is a much more refined,quiet and comfortable car than the prev generations.but being all that,the car does seem to feel slow even in 2.8 guise no doubt a product of being too refined i guess.
the e36 has a more raw and edgier feeling giving the impression that it is a faster car.
both are superb cars in its own right but personally i prefer the e30 that i had before.. i'd say the most fun to drive. :wink: IMHO
k: but having said that i wud'nt trade my e46 for anything else.. it looks like nothing else on the road today,its super refined and soooo easy to drive fast.and with future mods i think its gonna be awesome...

 

[svelte]

If you guys are given a choice of either..which would it be? the E36 or E46? Coz I myself is trying to make a choice for myself soon

 

[fabianyee]

Originally posted by svelte@Jun 15 2005, 12:01 AM
If you guys are given a choice of either..which would it be? the E36 or E46? Coz I myself is trying to make a choice for myself soon

test drive both and make ur own choice...

after all, it's u who would be driving it....

 

[supergripen]

Originally posted by svelte@Jun 15 2005, 12:01 AM
If you guys are given a choice of either..which would it be? the E36 or E46? Coz I myself is trying to make a choice for myself soon

:yes: it all depends on ur budget bro.. the e36 wud be much cheaper to acquire and mod.but compared to a 46,its less comfy and refined.a 36 will give u more aural and gut stimulation whereas a 46 will be a much different animal,imagine a much more comfy,refined and smoother 36
entirely up to u,whats ur preference/fetish?:nyehehe:

 

[musclehedz]

Originally posted by eddiefiola@Jun 14 2005, 05:58 PM
i prefer e46 coz it looks nicer n it has auto cruise function........

You mean E36 don't have Auto Cruise? Mine does and no, its not aftermarket.

 

[Slide]

One last thought, using AB is all fine and good however if you wanna save a couple of bucks then maybe a specialist workshop will do just as well.

Cheers.

 

[Lee36328]

It's a question of where your sweet spot is on the smooth refinement vs feedback/handling curve.

If you drive aggressively, you need the car to communicate every little bump and camber angle to you.

If you enjoy a relaxed cruising, you need the car to buffer you from the rest of the world.

All cars are a compromise between the two.

If you have the budget, the ideal is to get a car for each end of the spectrum.

 

[eddiefiola]

musclehedz, true but it is difficult to find e36 with oem auto cruise function....... urs what model n which year?

 

[samhun]

saw the 1999 e36 comes with AutoCruise, Behind the steering wheel. The E36 still looks cool with bodykits add on, very nice interior and i specially love the shape of the doors. For myself i'll keep the e36 and get another e46. Both also nice mah.