E90 325i or e46 330i

[willmagrath]

After driving a diesel for 3 years, I'm in need of some rwd, straight 6 fun. But do I spend a bit more on a high mileage e90 or stick with a cheaper, lower mileage e46 330i. Power is about the same between them, but the 325i seems a bit revvier? Anyone with experience of both or either would be great! Thanks

[-crookedtail-]

I looked at E46 330i's earlier in the year, although I eventually bought something totally different, because as great as they once were the majority are fairly tired now and rusty

The E90 doesn't seem to be affected by this and seems a good car. I don't know much about the 325i but if you could stretch to an E90 330i you'll have a great, great car.

[Patrick Bateman]

As above, I can echo the rust comments.

[willmagrath]

Hmm interesting point about the rust!! I've seen 1 that was unaffected but I've seen others that have rusty sills!

[Patrick Bateman]

Front wings would be the most common. I managed to have every arch, both sills and in between the rear bumper and boot rusting.

It's a damn shame as they really are a lovely looking car, much more so than the e90.

[willmagrath]

Oh wow that's impressive! I think budget may push me to an e46, and if it starts to rust, I'll chop it in quick haha

[atco]

if its a late e46 its covered by BMW corrosion warranty (12 years post 2004), had both rear arches sorted and front wing changed in Jan FOC

[survivalist]

Had an E90 325i for 7 years and 100k miles and an e46 for 25k miles before that. The E90 was a better overall car and the 325i (N52, 2006/07 engine) was a peach. Only downside was that it was an auto, but I'd have another e90 325/30i in a shot if I wanted/needed that size car again.

[phil_cardiff]

I have an E91 325i on an 06 plate. I find that it's a great compromise between being fun to drive and practical/comfortable day to day. It feels a little lkke my old mx-5 in terms of handling but unlike the Mazda is great kn the motorway and has a usable boot!

I don't know what diesel you were driving but I have noticed that I sometimes miss the torque of my old Saab 9-5 aero. At least the BMW sounds great when accelerating, though it could be louder!

In short I thoroughly recommend an E90/91, I don't think you'd regret buying one.

[andy43]

I have an early E91 330i and an E46 Alpina - the older car is rawer, not as relaxing on motorways but is more fun and predictable on slower bendier roads - but that may be down to the estate vs Alpina part of it.
The E90 N52 engine is a fantastic thing, really is. Sounds lovely, revs very well.
The E90 iDrive is quite clever but the rest of the nannying bong-bonging electronic crap is just that - crap. You need a computer to tell it you've changed the brake pads - crap. No dipstick either - don't like that AT ALL.
E46 has warning lights - much more sensible.
E46 feels better built. Stuff like the dash isn't as high quality plastic as the newer car, but overall it's just simpler, doesn't feel cheap like some areas of the E90.

High miles on an E90 may involve fixing stuff - my indie swears by the E46 as being bulletproof - easy to fix, cheap parts etc. The E90 can be trickier - more electronics, ally/steel interfaces in the suspension meaning seized bolts etc etc, tighter packaging/access on everything, everything's covered in plastic under the bonnet, plus without having computers/a large forehead/a bucket of spare plastic trim clips you are very limited as to what you can DIY.

On balance, if you can find a non-rusty low miles E46 Sport with cloth/alcantara, for the same money as a tired E90, I'd go with the E46 - just to contradict everyone else

Edited by andy43 on Sunday 23 November 22:19

[McSam]

I've had an E46 328i for two and a half years now, done 20k of its 154k miles. It's not rusty, it has a tiny under-paint bubble under one arch but other than that it's fine, and this is a 1999 car so any 330i stands a better chance. I only paid £1750 for a very well-looked after example, and have seen similar-quality 330s knocking around for under £3k.

It's a nice car to work on, hasn't yet let me down and is a very nice space to spend time. All the same, I find myself looking at E90 330s, being sorely tempted by 265bhp! Make of that what you will