E46 vs E39

[peterhkp]

Hi,Am new here. Seriously consider getting a used UDM. Not sure if to go with 3 series or 5 series. Appreciate your comments on the following to help determine choice:-1. Have a family with 3 kids. So adequate space is important though not critical. Otherwise go for MPV. Impression was E46 backseats and boot are a bit tight vs. E39.2. Ride and comfort - Which one is better? Any big diff? I mean it's bmw quality afterall.3. Power - Heard all over that E46 318 (1.9 or 2.0) and E39 520 (2.0) are underpowered. So, am looking at 525 or 325.4. Maintenance - What's diff btw 525 vs 528 and 325 vs 328. Think performance (hp/torque) is quite similar but any other major diff in terms of maintenance, ride, performance.5. Budget - about 90-100k.6. Any other key things that I need to know. For example I see got many imported model like 323. Better to get CKD and what to watch out for in CBU imported?Thanks!

 

[erica34]

my opinion...
1. e39 wins on space. (+1 for e39)
2. e39 wins on comfort (+1 for e39)
3. 525/325 even on power but smaller car will most likely accelerate faster (+1 for e46)
4. no idea about maintenance but subjectively e39 better built (+0.5 for e39)
5. used prices for e39 makes them better value (+1 for e39)
e39 winner

 

[bimmer73]

with 3 kids. definitly E39. By the way the 520 is a 2.2 better responds the the 523. in term of maintainence hard to say depends on your driving style.

 

[bmw7833]

Check on initialM' thread then u will know how much the maintenance for e46/e39.

 

[bimmerholic]

Check on initialM' thread then u will know how much the maintenance for e46/e39.

eh where can use his thread for maintenance check?...his thread is for those who wants to restore the car to showroom condition..not just regular maintenance wor...:top:

 

[jaleeks23]

Hi,

Am new here. Seriously consider getting a used UDM. Not sure if to go with 3 series or 5 series. Appreciate your comments on the following to help determine choice:-

1. Have a family with 3 kids. So adequate space is important though not critical. Otherwise go for MPV. Impression was E46 backseats and boot are a bit tight vs. E39.
Reply :- Definitely E39, well balanced.

2. Ride and comfort - Which one is better? Any big diff? I mean it's bmw quality afterall.
Reply :- Definitely E39, ride is comfortable on stock yet stable. Noise level is low, much better than E46.

3. Power - Heard all over that E46 318 (1.9 or 2.0) and E39 520 (2.0) are underpowered. So, am looking at 525 or 325.
Reply :- E39 M54B22 - Cruising speed is around 150kmh @ 7lit/100km. E39 2.2 can touch 210kmh. Depends on power definition and requirement I think. Looking for neck breaking acceleration, then both E39 and E46 will not give you that.

4. Maintenance - What's diff btw 525 vs 528 and 325 vs 328. Think performance (hp/torque) is quite similar but any other major diff in terms of maintenance, ride, performance.
Reply :- it's a BMW, E39 is best used car, so depends on how you drive I guess and the condition when you buy. Spare parts are same/slightly higher compared to new japanese cars in the same range but handling still beats any other japs in it's range.

5. Budget - about 90-100k.
Reply :- E39 M54B22 2003 is about that region depending on condition. E39 M54B25 2002 is about that region depending on condition.

6. Any other key things that I need to know. For example I see got many imported model like 323. Better to get CKD and what to watch out for in CBU imported?
Reply :- depends on luck, but I guess CKD is still the safer bet. I bought CKD.

Thanks!

Thank you.

 

[haywire]

eh where can use his thread for maintenance check?...his thread is for those who wants to restore the car to showroom condition..not just regular maintenance wor...:top:

haha I think if anyone follow initialM's maintenance style, plus monthly installement for the car, one month kopak already la.....

 

[haywire]

E46 definitely too tight for 3 kids in the back. Might be ok if they're still small but once get bigger its gonna be tight. Also E46 boot a bit too small, a small sacrifice to pay for the rear-wheel driven car. If you balik kampung with your wife and the three kids then you'll know.

 

[deep3102]

u should be looking at e39 or e38 kurang kurang...hehehe..

 

[t2ribena]

budget 90k to 100k...errmmmm

if me i will buy the cheapest e39 520 i can get lets say rm50k then i go somewhere in sg.besi and get me self a rm40k alpina B10 halfcut...merge both together and wala...a alpina B10 4.6l V8 on da road...all in rm100k...

hehehe...

 

[morpheus5039]

budget 90k to 100k...errmmmm

if me i will buy the cheapest e39 520 i can get lets say rm50k then i go somewhere in sg.besi and get me self a rm40k alpina B10 halfcut...merge both together and wala...a alpina B10 4.8l V8 on da road...all in rm100k...

hehehe...

Saw an 1996 E39 528i selling for juz 38k in motortrader 2 weeks ago, too bad i was too late, some lucky person got it

Frankly speaking, E46 looks better in stock form if compared to E39 (my opinion only).
But, i LOVE BIGGER CARS! :love: bigger space :listen:

 

[jeffreychung]

In ur case go for e39 would be the best .
e46 is just too small to fit 5 people...

For the maintenence would b roughly the same .

 

[bmw7833]

This is old topic and never ending..

To TS, when your mind come cross e39, then just go ahead! Otherwise u will admire who drive it on the road someday.

 

[bimmerholic]

Let me make it even easier to choose...

With 3 full size adult at the back in an e39, they'll feel so tight altogether. So E46 is outtaf the Q in terms of backspace.
MPV maybe?

 

[peterhkp]

Thanks for all your info. Am going for E39. Targeting 525. Do let me know if anyone interested to sell....will be monitoring the classified section closely.

 

[champion]

Great you have made up your mind. Another e39 on the way folks.......

 

[bimmerholic]

Good pick bro!..You'll never regret your choice made.

 

[alantiong]

its a no brainer dude.. with kids.. E39.. hands down..

perhaps should go for E38.. nice car shitty value.. worth buying

 

[alantiong]

by the way.. i have got one restored E39 for sell.. no harm taking a look.

gimme a call

alan

 

[buzzlie]

its a no brainer dude.. with kids.. E39.. hands down..

perhaps should go for E38.. nice car shitty value.. worth buying

Roughly what is the price range for E38 ya bro?