Choosing between BMW E46 and E60?
Discussion
Price wise the two are very similar in 3.0 diesel form, so it seems sensible to at least consider the 5 Series while looking at the E46. I'd have to upgrade it over time to Sport spec and at least as good suspension as an OEM Sport, if not better. But otherwise, how do they compare on a like for like basis? I know the 5 is a bit bigger, but does it lose anything in the driving/handling stakes?
Does it take to mods well? Is it well built?
Does it take to mods well? Is it well built?
I have an E46 328Ci and a 525d E60 LCI, both autos. Apart from looks, the E60 wipes the floor with my E46.
The E46 requires so much more attention to keep it on top form due to the suspension being too fragile for our roads, whilst the E60 showing 60,000 miles has never needed any parts or adjustment at all.
E46 gives 24mpg arond town and 36mpg on a good run whilst the E60 returns mid 40s up to 56mpg in the same conditions but the main difference is the diesel has so much torque that it leaves the revvy petrol for dead.
Comparing like for like the 5series is better built, rides better, is roomier quieter and feels classier. On the other hand on the right roads the 3series is lot more nimble feeling and still looks good despite first appearing in the mid 90's, the problem is E46 saloons are now approaching Banger status whilst E60s still look fresh.
Also manual 3series have a heavyish clutch and clunky gearchange, I have not seen a manual E60 diesel to compare but suspect they are the same if you can find one.
The E46 requires so much more attention to keep it on top form due to the suspension being too fragile for our roads, whilst the E60 showing 60,000 miles has never needed any parts or adjustment at all.
E46 gives 24mpg arond town and 36mpg on a good run whilst the E60 returns mid 40s up to 56mpg in the same conditions but the main difference is the diesel has so much torque that it leaves the revvy petrol for dead.
Comparing like for like the 5series is better built, rides better, is roomier quieter and feels classier. On the other hand on the right roads the 3series is lot more nimble feeling and still looks good despite first appearing in the mid 90's, the problem is E46 saloons are now approaching Banger status whilst E60s still look fresh.
Also manual 3series have a heavyish clutch and clunky gearchange, I have not seen a manual E60 diesel to compare but suspect they are the same if you can find one.
They are chalk and cheese really, E60 is SE on 17" NRF tyres, the ESC kicks in pretty early but handling is very predictable. E46 on 18" is pretty poor on anything but smooth roads, sadly all our local roads are terrible meaning it follows imperfections, crashes and lurches off bumps and needs a suspension overhaul every couple of years, alignment needs to be done twice a year at least.
The chassis components are nowhere near as tough as the E60 so if your roads are anything like mine and you can't do your own servicing I would say go with the E60 especially with the relatively heavy diesel 6 cyl up front.
In 45000 miles my E46 has had four front TCAs, RTABs, rear springs, discs all round and the subframe mountings repaired whilst the E60 with more miles covered, owned from new has needed nothing but tyres and is still on the original brake pads.
I still love my E46 with its howling petrol 6 cylinder and good looks but if I had a choice for the same outlay it would have to be the 5 series for me.
The chassis components are nowhere near as tough as the E60 so if your roads are anything like mine and you can't do your own servicing I would say go with the E60 especially with the relatively heavy diesel 6 cyl up front.
In 45000 miles my E46 has had four front TCAs, RTABs, rear springs, discs all round and the subframe mountings repaired whilst the E60 with more miles covered, owned from new has needed nothing but tyres and is still on the original brake pads.
I still love my E46 with its howling petrol 6 cylinder and good looks but if I had a choice for the same outlay it would have to be the 5 series for me.
Bit of an odd comparison.
For what it's worth, the e46 has the e60 licked in looks and interior. Never liked the shape of the dash in the e60 compared with the e46/39.
Suspension components aren't that expensive despite what some might like to say so it's not like it's a massive deal to change bushes etc.
For what it's worth, the e46 has the e60 licked in looks and interior. Never liked the shape of the dash in the e60 compared with the e46/39.
Suspension components aren't that expensive despite what some might like to say so it's not like it's a massive deal to change bushes etc.
The e60 is the more modern car - in effect one generation on from the e46. E46 feels old hat, and a little anodyne. Even in their day they were a little too honda like. The e60 M Sport Touring on the other hand still looks stunning. In any book on the best car designs of the last 100 years, you'll find the e60. And, no, you wont find the e46 however competent a car it was on its launch
EddieFelson said:
mike9009 said:
It all depends whether you by a car to look at or to drive?
It's looks are part of the overall package. You don't buy a house with an stunning exterior that looks like a bombs hit it.
The E46 is a good car but has plenty of issues that will require plenty of cash even if you are prepared to get your own hands dirty. It was essentially a development of the E36 and failed to fix all the issues.
I've never driven an E60 but I had an E39 and it felt like a much better car. I'm sure the E60 is even better.
I've never driven an E60 but I had an E39 and it felt like a much better car. I'm sure the E60 is even better.
I traded my E60 for an E46, mainly due to iDrive problems, but also because it didnt have enough power (mine was 2.2 520). I was a fan of the styling, which seems to have aged fairly well - mine was an early E60 on a 53 plate. It had more callouts than any other car for non starting though, iDrive packing up, windows opening while locked (nothing was ever stolen). I was never quite comfy in it either, I think having as many seating options as it did meant I was always fiddling with it and couldnt quite get a position where my legs and arms agreed that was a good way to sit. I wasnt uncomfortable, more thought I could be more comfy if the front of the seat went down, then the back came up, then the support in, then back out again. Forgot what I was supposed to be doing half the time
The 3 series in comparison was a much quicker, more agile car. It looked and felt better to drive on most roads. It had the M Tech kit on it, and the suspension was pretty firm for most backs. It was a lot slimmer though, so if you're portly in stature with a family then it might be a struggle to get all and everything in. The boot's not great in them. I really loved it, was a great car to own and drive. I p/x'd it as it was costing a bit on tyres and servicing (dealer obligatory) and there was always something in my mind about the auto gearbox needing some £££ once the warranty ran out.
The 3 series in comparison was a much quicker, more agile car. It looked and felt better to drive on most roads. It had the M Tech kit on it, and the suspension was pretty firm for most backs. It was a lot slimmer though, so if you're portly in stature with a family then it might be a struggle to get all and everything in. The boot's not great in them. I really loved it, was a great car to own and drive. I p/x'd it as it was costing a bit on tyres and servicing (dealer obligatory) and there was always something in my mind about the auto gearbox needing some £££ once the warranty ran out.
TroubledSoul said:
How do the two handle in comparison? I'd be putting sports suspension on the 5er.
Apparently there is a cheap mod based on Audi ride and handlingTake the shock absorbers off and drill a hole at the top and at the bottom.
Drain the oil out and replace it with wet cement
Quickly refit them to the car and get some fat people to sit in it for 24hours
Then bingo you have the full s-line experience
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