E46 330i 04 E90 330i (N52)

[GreenArrow]

..just wondering (not having driven the E90) whether it is considered a decent step up from the E46 330i....I've always loved the E46 330i, nearly bought one a few years ago and even now lowish mileage 2003/4 cars appeal greatly. However the E90 330i is now fairly affordable and I do remember the great reviews this rare car got when new. However, none of the UK mags ever performance tested one as they were into the 330d by then. So, would you go E46 or E90, given the choice? I am talking about the earlier N52 engine 330i)

[helix402]

E90, a much more modern vehicle and less likely to need lots of the cooling system replaced & have rusty arches. I do like the E46, I drive one, but they are at an age when they need a little tlc.

[BrownBottle]

The E90 is probably a better car in every technical aspect but the exterior and interior styling just leave me cold, I've tried but I just can't feel any love for them.

However that's just a personal thing.

[Smuler]

GreenArrow said:

..just wondering (not having driven the E90) whether it is considered a decent step up from the E46 330i....I've always loved the E46 330i, nearly bought one a few years ago and even now lowish mileage 2003/4 cars appeal greatly. However the E90 330i is now fairly affordable and I do remember the great reviews this rare car got when new. However, none of the UK mags ever performance tested one as they were into the 330d by then. So, would you go E46 or E90, given the choice? I am talking about the earlier N52 engine 330i)

Only E90 series I would chose over E46 330i would be a 335i, I have the E92 335i Coupe and came from a E46. The immense performance of 335i plus how the car handles are sufficient positives to compensate for the loss of some of the raw connection with the road which the E46 provides more of.

Comparing a 330ci (e46) to a 330i (E9X), I would chose the E46 as I'd put the greater connection with the road as more important than the better handling and as for the performance the advantage of the E90 in this case, is not going be as great.

Might be of use?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/3-series/f...


https://youtu.be/U6VIqlyiwek

[GreenArrow]

Smuler said:

GreenArrow said:

..just wondering (not having driven the E90) whether it is considered a decent step up from the E46 330i....I've always loved the E46 330i, nearly bought one a few years ago and even now lowish mileage 2003/4 cars appeal greatly. However the E90 330i is now fairly affordable and I do remember the great reviews this rare car got when new. However, none of the UK mags ever performance tested one as they were into the 330d by then. So, would you go E46 or E90, given the choice? I am talking about the earlier N52 engine 330i)

Only E90 series I would chose over E46 330i would be a 335i, I have the E92 335i Coupe and came from a E46. The immense performance of 335i plus how the car handles are sufficient positives to compensate for the loss of some of the raw connection with the road which the E46 provides more of.

Ahh, the 335i. Yes indeed I would love one of those! However, they seem to cost £2-3K more than a 330i and isn't that engine known for problems? As far as I know the N52 engine 330i is a fairly sturdy and problem free unit....

Comparing a 330ci (e46) to a 330i (E9X), I would chose the E46 as I'd put the greater connection with the road as more important than the better handling and as for the performance the advantage of the E90 in this case, is not going be as great.

Might be of use?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/3-series/f...


https://youtu.be/U6VIqlyiwek

[Smuler]

Approaching 70k I've had no problems with mine; wood touched at this point 2-3k is a fair difference, but otherwise I wouldn't be swayed away and toward N52 which has a very good reputation, although even better is the reputation of M54 in E46; that would be my choice of the 330s.

[GreenArrow]

Smuler said:

Approaching 70k I've had no problems with mine; wood touched at this point 2-3k is a fair difference, but otherwise I wouldn't be swayed away and toward N52 which has a very good reputation, although even better is the reputation of M54 in E46; that would be my choice of the 330s.

hmm, worth bearing in mind. The 335i is a lovely thing. A guy at our rowing club has a coupe and when it burbled past yesterday I thought it sounded great. I'd need £8-9£K to buy a decent one though and its more than I would want to spend -probably.

However I agree with you re the E46 330i, for me the E46 has a classic BMW look, that I just don't see in the E90 so much. I think BMW tend to nail the styling every other generation. Personal opinion obviously, but I feel that the E30, E46 and current F30 or whatever it is called are sharper styled than the E36 and E90. I am sure others will disagree vehemently! The E46 330i is holding onto its value keenly too. £3-£4K for a below 100K mileage 11-12 year old car is pretty good going I think.

[Smuler]

Couple of other advantages of E46 which held me back from moving on:-

You have a spare (s/saver) so no issues when dumping R/flats, although they have limited value anyway, in event of a puncture.
I also think it's the perfect sized car, for example parking/tight streets, and size/weight adds to the driving connection as mentioned.
You can keep the power on (cigarette lighter) when engine off, 'permanently' which I found great for my dash cam and caught neighbours out who bumped car

But then, there was the engine in 335i and how the car handles the power and that became too seductive, albeit only when I found the perfect look; in my case it had to be pre LCI coupe in black, black leather, piano black trim.

[cerb4.5lee]

I love my E90 330i(N52) for its engine and its really smooth and sweet revving and makes a nice noise at the top end but agree it is terribly bland both inside and out and I just respect it as something nice to use to get from A to B.

If I was you I think I would try to get hold of a really tidy E46 330i because the interior and looks are far better and I think the engine in that actually sounds more purposeful certainly low down than the N52, if you can live with the E90`s blandness though I would plump for the 335i.

The 335i offers far better performance yet similar economy to the 330i so in some ways it makes the 330i a little redundant and if I had my time again I would go 335i for certain.

[abarber]

A manual E90 330i with the M Sports suspension and seats is a great drive, don't under estimate them. I was looking to buy a 335i after coming from a 911, but like many, found the NA to be a much more involving and better sounding drive.

Actually great on track too, with some different brake pads. I took mine on a Lotus on Track day at Silverstone GP and it was just brilliant. A bit like a big MX5 on track, very adjustable on the throttle and also on the brakes.

Here's a launch review, the comments on track are spot on really. http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/3-series/f...

The mag block N52 engine is a masterpiece. Quite happy to return 35mpg on a moderate cruise, or easily hit it's speed limiter in Germany.

Pre-LCI E90s with the hydraulic steering drive the best. They are so competent as to sometimes feel a little dull after a while, depending on your expectations.

You do have to work them quite hard though. If you like torque or want an auto, get the 335i everytime. Likewise, if you want to tune it, a N54 is the way to go.

Edited by abarber on Wednesday 27th May 13:21