e46 M3 or 645ci
Discussion
i do like power and performance. however most m3's have been ragged to f
k so as much as i'd like one i think i need to aim min 16k for a half decent one + the are rust buckets.
what are the ant corrosion guarantees on the 645?
i like comfy (getting old), space, speed, reliability and handling....
k so as much as i'd like one i think i need to aim min 16k for a half decent one + the are rust buckets.what are the ant corrosion guarantees on the 645?
i like comfy (getting old), space, speed, reliability and handling....
I can't 'prove' no, but check the handbook of any you view and it should be in there.
. said:
BMW is pleased to announce that all cars registered from 1 January 2004, will now be covered by a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty and a three-year paintwork warranty. This move represents a significant benefit for BMW owners as the previous level of cover was six years’ anti-corrosion and one year’s paintwork warranty.
Edited by Fox- on Friday 13th May 07:51
I'm sure I've answered the very same question a couple of times on here.
Owned both. Loved both. Different value propositions.
E46 M3
- roomier in rear than E63/4, but boot is smaller
- obviously more racy, focussed; more fidgety than a 6
- in full spec (NAV/TV/SMG/Heated Seats/Folding Mirrors etc) then as up-to-date as any car needs to be for those who appreciate the luxuries
- haven't seen much eveidence of rust concerns
- extremely well put together, but not in same league (E46 in general) as later E90 or others down the years, E60, E63/4 etc
- servicing is 'M' so attains a premium, even over a 6
- becoming common, so many dogs with fleas, which is a shame. For that reason I'd always chose a highly-specced, low mileage, SMG simply to ensure it's not had the misfortune to not have the care and servicing they so surely require.
E63/4 645ci
- the N62 engine is phenomenal and able for all purposes. Oodles of torque, but 9/10 compared to the flawless jewel that is the S54 in the M3. Both incredible, but you have to wring the M3 to get what you need. Rapier vs Broadsword.
- normally fully loaded, and the Steptronic is the main option. Manual very rare, and harder but not impossible to resell. But designed around Auto as you can understand. In fact one of the world's first 6-speed Auto 'boxes if I recall.
- rear CAN take adults but not for long. These are boring questions: it's about how big your driver/front passenger is and how much room they can afford to slide forward by for a short jaunt. The seats are more bucket-style in the rear which obviously is a packaging consideration.
- check for feel/comfort when trying a car fitted with Dynamic Drive and/or Active Steering. I liked them, but don't base thoughts on first drive; gauge longer-term living with them.
An E46 M3 cab is a preposterously nice car - if looked after. The bonnet dome has me every time.
An E64 645ci (convertible) is a stunningly refined cruiser and bruiser. The 'Bangle-rear' is less overt, and the rear buttresses are genuine architecture. But a polarising car design.
Owned both. Loved both. Different value propositions.
E46 M3
- roomier in rear than E63/4, but boot is smaller
- obviously more racy, focussed; more fidgety than a 6
- in full spec (NAV/TV/SMG/Heated Seats/Folding Mirrors etc) then as up-to-date as any car needs to be for those who appreciate the luxuries
- haven't seen much eveidence of rust concerns
- extremely well put together, but not in same league (E46 in general) as later E90 or others down the years, E60, E63/4 etc
- servicing is 'M' so attains a premium, even over a 6
- becoming common, so many dogs with fleas, which is a shame. For that reason I'd always chose a highly-specced, low mileage, SMG simply to ensure it's not had the misfortune to not have the care and servicing they so surely require.
E63/4 645ci
- the N62 engine is phenomenal and able for all purposes. Oodles of torque, but 9/10 compared to the flawless jewel that is the S54 in the M3. Both incredible, but you have to wring the M3 to get what you need. Rapier vs Broadsword.
- normally fully loaded, and the Steptronic is the main option. Manual very rare, and harder but not impossible to resell. But designed around Auto as you can understand. In fact one of the world's first 6-speed Auto 'boxes if I recall.
- rear CAN take adults but not for long. These are boring questions: it's about how big your driver/front passenger is and how much room they can afford to slide forward by for a short jaunt. The seats are more bucket-style in the rear which obviously is a packaging consideration.
- check for feel/comfort when trying a car fitted with Dynamic Drive and/or Active Steering. I liked them, but don't base thoughts on first drive; gauge longer-term living with them.
An E46 M3 cab is a preposterously nice car - if looked after. The bonnet dome has me every time.
An E64 645ci (convertible) is a stunningly refined cruiser and bruiser. The 'Bangle-rear' is less overt, and the rear buttresses are genuine architecture. But a polarising car design.
I take it you are both E46 owners - and nothing wrong with that, a high-water mark for the marque - but it's just:
- a personal observation
- and fairly relative
The E46 is a great car/design. I use Hertz in the US and Avis in Europe, and for the UK I always have a group K car. For most of last year it was a toss up between a Mercedes C180 and a gunmental grey E90 320d M-Sport (the range has been revised for 2011/2). Probably all round, the finest compact saloon money can buy. The current E90 is - I'd wager - a car that will be as solidly dependable as the cars that Mercedes were building in the late 80's and 90's. So just weighing up a view across E46/E60/E38/E53/E63 ownership and a lot of usage with E90's and E87's.
Going back to the OP's question, for 14k.....I'd go M3. It's about the right level to start pitching for well kept examples, whereas, you're looking at the bottom end of 04/54-plate 6's.
- a personal observation
- and fairly relative
The E46 is a great car/design. I use Hertz in the US and Avis in Europe, and for the UK I always have a group K car. For most of last year it was a toss up between a Mercedes C180 and a gunmental grey E90 320d M-Sport (the range has been revised for 2011/2). Probably all round, the finest compact saloon money can buy. The current E90 is - I'd wager - a car that will be as solidly dependable as the cars that Mercedes were building in the late 80's and 90's. So just weighing up a view across E46/E60/E38/E53/E63 ownership and a lot of usage with E90's and E87's.
Going back to the OP's question, for 14k.....I'd go M3. It's about the right level to start pitching for well kept examples, whereas, you're looking at the bottom end of 04/54-plate 6's.
tigerkoi said:
I take it you are both E46 owners - and nothing wrong with that, a high-water mark for the marque - but it's just:
- a personal observation
- and fairly relative
The E46 is a great car/design. I use Hertz in the US and Avis in Europe, and for the UK I always have a group K car. For most of last year it was a toss up between a Mercedes C180 and a gunmental grey E90 320d M-Sport (the range has been revised for 2011/2). Probably all round, the finest compact saloon money can buy. The current E90 is - I'd wager - a car that will be as solidly dependable as the cars that Mercedes were building in the late 80's and 90's. So just weighing up a view across E46/E60/E38/E53/E63 ownership and a lot of usage with E90's and E87's.
Going back to the OP's question, for 14k.....I'd go M3. It's about the right level to start pitching for well kept examples, whereas, you're looking at the bottom end of 04/54-plate 6's.
It doesn't bother me, you're just the first person on forums to have said it that I've seen/read.- a personal observation
- and fairly relative
The E46 is a great car/design. I use Hertz in the US and Avis in Europe, and for the UK I always have a group K car. For most of last year it was a toss up between a Mercedes C180 and a gunmental grey E90 320d M-Sport (the range has been revised for 2011/2). Probably all round, the finest compact saloon money can buy. The current E90 is - I'd wager - a car that will be as solidly dependable as the cars that Mercedes were building in the late 80's and 90's. So just weighing up a view across E46/E60/E38/E53/E63 ownership and a lot of usage with E90's and E87's.
Going back to the OP's question, for 14k.....I'd go M3. It's about the right level to start pitching for well kept examples, whereas, you're looking at the bottom end of 04/54-plate 6's.
gaz1234 said:
well i drove the 6. rear seats a waste of time. i drive cool, surprisingly handles well, v8 sounds nice, endless torque and power, however the sheer size of it made it feel somehow no quicker than the 330 (well not much more)...
just dont know what to buy...
Would you consider having it chipped? I know Evolve have shown some very decent power gains on the 645/650. Might make your decision even harder though!just dont know what to buy...
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