130i to E46 or e90 M3?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm after swapping my 130i for an M3, nothing wrong with 130 it's just I'm after something that is abit more special on a weekend.
I have a max budget of about 22k but happy to spend less! I have driven neither of them but quite like the idea of the e90 with the auto box.
How much of a step up is the e46 over the 130? Mine is immaculate with 30k miles.
Any advice would be great! I've though about M5's as well of both e39 and e60 but think that they are maybe abit too refined for what I'm after. Not sure I could stomach the risk of the m5 bill wise.
Car is to do roughly 5k a year and needs to be able to cope with 3 people!
Any advise would be great!
I'm after swapping my 130i for an M3, nothing wrong with 130 it's just I'm after something that is abit more special on a weekend.
I have a max budget of about 22k but happy to spend less! I have driven neither of them but quite like the idea of the e90 with the auto box.
How much of a step up is the e46 over the 130? Mine is immaculate with 30k miles.
Any advice would be great! I've though about M5's as well of both e39 and e60 but think that they are maybe abit too refined for what I'm after. Not sure I could stomach the risk of the m5 bill wise.
Car is to do roughly 5k a year and needs to be able to cope with 3 people!
Any advise would be great!
An E90 Lci Dct is the car for you!
I've had a few M3's and now on an M135i. I've driven all the variants of M Cars over the years.
The E46 is an amazing car, probably the one I've gelled with the best, although the lack of low down torque and clunky, temperamental manual gearbox are the two weak points that let the car down. Coupled with the fact that it's getting on a bit now and most you'll find will be getting loose and beginning to rust. After a nice new low-mileage 130i, this will be a disappointment.
The E9X has a nice (although mildly dated now) cabin, superb engine, coupled to the DCT 'box, it's hard to imagine what would be a nicer, smoother, enjoyable, exciting drivetrain without spending a lot more money. The E90 saloon version is the one I'd prefer, simply as I think it looks meaner and more "down to business" than a coupe. The rear doors will give you the practicality you require, and now that the new one is out, £22k should get you a nice Lci one which has a better i-drive interface and better ECU software in general. The only drawback is they are quite thirsty, but so are all performance cars.
I've had a few M3's and now on an M135i. I've driven all the variants of M Cars over the years.
The E46 is an amazing car, probably the one I've gelled with the best, although the lack of low down torque and clunky, temperamental manual gearbox are the two weak points that let the car down. Coupled with the fact that it's getting on a bit now and most you'll find will be getting loose and beginning to rust. After a nice new low-mileage 130i, this will be a disappointment.
The E9X has a nice (although mildly dated now) cabin, superb engine, coupled to the DCT 'box, it's hard to imagine what would be a nicer, smoother, enjoyable, exciting drivetrain without spending a lot more money. The E90 saloon version is the one I'd prefer, simply as I think it looks meaner and more "down to business" than a coupe. The rear doors will give you the practicality you require, and now that the new one is out, £22k should get you a nice Lci one which has a better i-drive interface and better ECU software in general. The only drawback is they are quite thirsty, but so are all performance cars.
Thanks for the reply!
Yep I was thinking either saloon or go cab...... I realise the cab. Is the soft choice but just how much does it kill the appeal of the chassis? My thoughts on cab were that on a lovely day out with the family it would be pretty nice given that I'm not a racing driver and that with baby on board it's not really all about chassis!
Yep I was thinking either saloon or go cab...... I realise the cab. Is the soft choice but just how much does it kill the appeal of the chassis? My thoughts on cab were that on a lovely day out with the family it would be pretty nice given that I'm not a racing driver and that with baby on board it's not really all about chassis!
Previously owned a 130i and E60 M5. Currently have an E46 M3 and M135i. The standout car for me is the E46 M3. It isn't the fastest of the bunch but there is something right about it which has meant I have completed 2yrs of ownership. That is a very rare thing for me. There are still very good examples knocking around and if you find a car that is well looked after and garaged the rust issues are a less of a concern. My E46 M3 is a manual and whilst the 1st to 2nd can be a little clunky when cold, it sorts itself out nicely after about 10 mins. On a warm sunny day there are no issues. This is a characteristic of the E46. Love the metallic rasp, love the handling and the looks...will always look great in my eyes. I use mine for weekends mainly and it is 02 model with 53k miles on the clock. I have spent approx £3k on the mechanicals because I just wanted everything right under my ownership (reset point). The M135i is a fine car but for me doesn't feel as special. Drove the E90 when looking to purchase the E46 and preferred the feel of the E46...it is not about power for me...but the feel you get behind the wheel. For £10k you will get a fine example of an E46 and not lose a lot of money if you look after it. Only way to know is to drive the cars.
Sadly I am going to have let my E46 go, with two small kids there is a need for a larger car...Range Rover incoming. Who knows, I might change my mind and just keep it when the time comes. The only car I have owned where the thought of selling it keeps me up at night.
Sadly I am going to have let my E46 go, with two small kids there is a need for a larger car...Range Rover incoming. Who knows, I might change my mind and just keep it when the time comes. The only car I have owned where the thought of selling it keeps me up at night.
My brother in law used to have a E46 M3 Coupe and he loved that and he swapped it for the Cab E93 M3 DCT and he loves that too, he used both as weekend cars and he loves his cab now though because he can take the kids out with the roof off and the V8 sounds awesome with the roof off and I used to own a E92 M3 Coupe and you would never think they shared the same engine as it just sounds a million times better in the cab model.
I think your budget dictates the answer.
With a £22k budget, I think I'd spend half your budget now on the e46 and bank the rest until e90 prices come down a bit more over the next year or so. The e46 won't lose a great deal in that time.
You'll struggle to get a facelift, DCT e90/1/2 with sensible miles at that price. But I'd guess there'll be plenty in 12-18 months.
They're both brilliant cars and both a real step up from the 130 in terms of pace, handling and chassis dynamics. The e46 might feel a little dated, but you'll soon forget that as you start to explore the engine.
With a £22k budget, I think I'd spend half your budget now on the e46 and bank the rest until e90 prices come down a bit more over the next year or so. The e46 won't lose a great deal in that time.
You'll struggle to get a facelift, DCT e90/1/2 with sensible miles at that price. But I'd guess there'll be plenty in 12-18 months.
They're both brilliant cars and both a real step up from the 130 in terms of pace, handling and chassis dynamics. The e46 might feel a little dated, but you'll soon forget that as you start to explore the engine.
I loved my 130i, such a lovely free revving engine, but I really don't think the step up in straight line performance is that high compared to the e46. On the chassis department the 46 is in a different league, none of that silly open diff nonsense, and a much more planted rear end over the bumpy stuff.
For me the e92 is just sublime, the interior is very similar to your 130i and the engine is so addictive....
Happy hunting, both are great cars.
For me the e92 is just sublime, the interior is very similar to your 130i and the engine is so addictive....
Happy hunting, both are great cars.
I think the e90 cab is the one I really fancy having as I've never owned a cab or a v8. I agree budget wise I'm prob. abit short budget wise, how do we think these are going to drop?
I'm in no real rush to change as I like my car, I presume my 130 will be depreciating less than the M3??
Thanks in advance.
I'm in no real rush to change as I like my car, I presume my 130 will be depreciating less than the M3??
Thanks in advance.
M3Driver said:
An E90 Lci Dct is the car for you!
I've had a few M3's and now on an M135i. I've driven all the variants of M Cars over the years.
The E46 is an amazing car, probably the one I've gelled with the best, although the lack of low down torque and clunky, temperamental manual gearbox are the two weak points that let the car down. Coupled with the fact that it's getting on a bit now and most you'll find will be getting loose and beginning to rust. After a nice new low-mileage 130i, this will be a disappointment.
The E9X has a nice (although mildly dated now) cabin, superb engine, coupled to the DCT 'box, it's hard to imagine what would be a nicer, smoother, enjoyable, exciting drivetrain without spending a lot more money. The E90 saloon version is the one I'd prefer, simply as I think it looks meaner and more "down to business" than a coupe. The rear doors will give you the practicality you require, and now that the new one is out, £22k should get you a nice Lci one which has a better i-drive interface and better ECU software in general. The only drawback is they are quite thirsty, but so are all performance cars.
Agree entirely with the above having owned pretty much the entire bmw range over the years, from 316i to all variants of the m3 and m5 (bar the e30)I've had a few M3's and now on an M135i. I've driven all the variants of M Cars over the years.
The E46 is an amazing car, probably the one I've gelled with the best, although the lack of low down torque and clunky, temperamental manual gearbox are the two weak points that let the car down. Coupled with the fact that it's getting on a bit now and most you'll find will be getting loose and beginning to rust. After a nice new low-mileage 130i, this will be a disappointment.
The E9X has a nice (although mildly dated now) cabin, superb engine, coupled to the DCT 'box, it's hard to imagine what would be a nicer, smoother, enjoyable, exciting drivetrain without spending a lot more money. The E90 saloon version is the one I'd prefer, simply as I think it looks meaner and more "down to business" than a coupe. The rear doors will give you the practicality you require, and now that the new one is out, £22k should get you a nice Lci one which has a better i-drive interface and better ECU software in general. The only drawback is they are quite thirsty, but so are all performance cars.
However you won't get an lci saloon dct for 22k.......but may get a nice coupe.......brilliant cars......I've had 3 .....nuff said!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the E46 M3 is a one of a kind car. It ticks so many boxes and IMO is better than all of the newer stuff on the market that's supposed to fulfil a similar role. It has all the things that are required on a day to day basis to make commutes easy such as xenon lights, cruise control and decent air conditioning, but it doesn't do the later E9*'s annoying trick of not letting you use cruise with the DSC deactivated.
I also find the newer 3 series too big on B-roads. The 1 series feels tiny by comparison and enables you to place the car on the road better. The E46 M3 is somewhere in-between the 1er and the E9*, size wise.
As has already been said, the E46 M3 is much more involving to drive than the 1 series. It really gets under your skin.
I also find the newer 3 series too big on B-roads. The 1 series feels tiny by comparison and enables you to place the car on the road better. The E46 M3 is somewhere in-between the 1er and the E9*, size wise.
As has already been said, the E46 M3 is much more involving to drive than the 1 series. It really gets under your skin.
Rahul uk said:
Previously owned a 130i and E60 M5. Currently have an E46 M3 and M135i. The standout car for me is the E46 M3. It isn't the fastest of the bunch but there is something right about it which has meant I have completed 2yrs of ownership. That is a very rare thing for me. There are still very good examples knocking around and if you find a car that is well looked after and garaged the rust issues are a less of a concern. My E46 M3 is a manual and whilst the 1st to 2nd can be a little clunky when cold, it sorts itself out nicely after about 10 mins. On a warm sunny day there are no issues. This is a characteristic of the E46. Love the metallic rasp, love the handling and the looks...will always look great in my eyes. I use mine for weekends mainly and it is 02 model with 53k miles on the clock. I have spent approx £3k on the mechanicals because I just wanted everything right under my ownership (reset point). The M135i is a fine car but for me doesn't feel as special. Drove the E90 when looking to purchase the E46 and preferred the feel of the E46...it is not about power for me...but the feel you get behind the wheel. For £10k you will get a fine example of an E46 and not lose a lot of money if you look after it. Only way to know is to drive the cars.
Sadly I am going to have let my E46 go, with two small kids there is a need for a larger car...Range Rover incoming. Who knows, I might change my mind and just keep it when the time comes. The only car I have owned where the thought of selling it keeps me up at night.
ThisSadly I am going to have let my E46 go, with two small kids there is a need for a larger car...Range Rover incoming. Who knows, I might change my mind and just keep it when the time comes. The only car I have owned where the thought of selling it keeps me up at night.
bennyboysvuk said:
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the E46 M3 is a one of a kind car. It ticks so many boxes and IMO is better than all of the newer stuff on the market that's supposed to fulfil a similar role. It has all the things that are required on a day to day basis to make commutes easy such as xenon lights, cruise control and decent air conditioning, but it doesn't do the later E9*'s annoying trick of not letting you use cruise with the DSC deactivated.
I also find the newer 3 series too big on B-roads. The 1 series feels tiny by comparison and enables you to place the car on the road better. The E46 M3 is somewhere in-between the 1er and the E9*, size wise.
As has already been said, the E46 M3 is much more involving to drive than the 1 series. It really gets under your skin.
Agreed, and something that rarely gets mentioned when comparing the two. An E46 is just at the limit in terms of size for where these things really excel IMO, the B-roadI also find the newer 3 series too big on B-roads. The 1 series feels tiny by comparison and enables you to place the car on the road better. The E46 M3 is somewhere in-between the 1er and the E9*, size wise.
As has already been said, the E46 M3 is much more involving to drive than the 1 series. It really gets under your skin.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff