E46 V E90 330D?

[ady702]

Hi all,

looking at getting a derv after selling my 130i.
Been looking at A3 1.9 TDIs, MK5 Golfs but I think I need to stick with BMW and a straight 6.

Seen afew 330d's but going to be high milers for around £4-6k

Did the E90 have the same engine as the E46?
Would love a bigger 530d but not many sports in the price bracket.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Cheers

[Welshbeef]

E46 330d had the 184bhp then the 204bhp 3ltr
E90 330d had the 231bhp then the 245bhp 3ltr

The E90 is vastly superior in every way safety economy performance crumple zones higher lateral G better ergonomics bigger cabin very similar price.

[sixpistons]

The E46 is a great car if you get one in good nick, but they're getting on a bit now and nice ones are getting thin on the ground, and seem very expensive when you can get an E90 for similar money. As said before, E90 is a better bet. They're a decent steer and some of the issues that plague the E46 (namely rot and an appetite for suspension bushes) have been fixed with the newer model.

[cerb4.5lee]

Apart from the E46 being far better looking and having a more interesting interior the E90 is the better bet at that money I think and I personally rate the E90 330d very highly and I think its one of the best all round cars that you can buy.

[lewis328]

I thought my e46 was a great car, but have recently purchased an E90 330d and as Welshbeef says there is a massive jump in refinement, the E90 feels a lot newer, and well put together. I would drive both first. But if you can get a E90 I would recommend it.

[ady702]

Thanks guys, I've never been a huge E46 fan but think the E90 would be better.

[tomic]

E46's are nice but they are getting old and they weren't immune to rust.

I'd go for the newer car.

[lewis328]

OP out of interest, what spec was your 130? And how much did you get for it. The 5dr 130 was on my list as family transport, but there was never many for sale, I think they would have been too small for my needs, but really fancied a nice sport.

[ady702]

lewis328 said:

OP out of interest, what spec was your 130? And how much did you get for it. The 5dr 130 was on my list as family transport, but there was never many for sale, I think they would have been too small for my needs, but really fancied a nice sport.

130i Limitied Edition 9k
https://130ile.wordpress.com

There is afew 130i 5doors about ranging from 4k-10k, not sure on rear spaces, boot isn't exactly huge either.

Edited by ady702 on Wednesday 3rd September 17:51

[Court_S]

I'd go E90 as well.

I didn't really like the E90 when I first drove one...I had an E46 and was a massive fan boy. However, having owned an E90 for a year now, it is the better car.

Most E46's seem a bit tatty these days...I see a lot with rotten arches. I'd happily have a touring though instead of another company car if I could fund a good one that had been owned by an enthusiast. Big drawback to the E46's from experience is their appetite for suspension components (bushes, springs etc) the chocolate cooling system and the aforementioned rust.

My current E90 feels like a better built car but they do have their own issues (leaky fuel tank vent pipe, sticky door handles, HPFP on later cars etc). The interior is quite plain, but considering its age I don't think its a bad place to sit.

[graham22]

Weren't the early E46 330d a 2.9 motor anyway, don't think the change to 3.0 even occurred at the same time as the facelift?

Having had a E46 320D and now a E90 330D it's really unfair to compare the performances but as someone stated, at first glance the interior of the E90 looks a little uninspiring but all the features are there and are actually better in operation.

Mines a SE spec in Auto, having driven a manual I feel the biggest let down is the manual gearbox - very slow in operation with a heavy clutch. I've never been an auto fan but since owning this, I am now selling my 330D (it's in the classifieds) to buy a 335D which are auto only - my E90 has converted me.

The obvious bug bear of the E46 is rust, mine has a lot of surface rust underneath around the petrol tank/brake lines despite looking immaculate on top - it was a friends company car prior to me and we both took care of it.

Yes E46 is a prettier car but the E90 is quite an improvement, not to mention the increase in power.

[DuncsHDND]

I have a great 2004 E46 330D manual touring that I paid just over £6500 for, it has full BMW service history and not a spot of rust. I was searching a similar price bracket to you, I think you can get a really good well looked after E46 or seemed to be high mileage dog E90s in that price bracket.
I had to swap from an M3 to the diesel due to change of job, but the diesel is a great car. Good luck on your search.