Build project: e36 compact vs e46 compact?

[gdourado]

Hello,
How are you?

I am a big fan of the 3 series compact models.But I am wondering what would be the better handling, most mod friendly and better build base?

From what I can tell, the e36 is a mixture, with basically the front end of the e36 and the rear end of the e30.This makes it easy to swap an e36 engine like the m52b28 but then I would assume it would be harder to set up the braking and suspension, as it would have to be a mix and match between front E36 suspension, anti roll bar, brakes and the rear transmissions, trailing arms, diff and brakes from either an e30 or Z3.
The e46 compact seems to be all e46 and from what I can tell, everything from say an e46 330i should bolt straight up.
Is this accurate?Also, is the e36 much lighter? How about the handling?As for performance, reliability and mod potential, is the M54B30 much better than the M52B28?

If you were to pick either one for a build, which would you go for and why?

Thanks
Cheers!

[helix402]

E46. Better suspension and you can put the 3.0d in for lots of power and torque. The torque is the key. An M52 B28 would be fun but a lot slower than an M57 E46.

The M57 has much more tuning potential than both the M52 and M54 and doesn’t burn and leak oil like the M54. I’ve owned an E36 M52 328i, E46 328i M52tu with M54 inlet manifold and two E46 330ds.

Edited by helix402 on Monday 23 December 20:41

Edited by helix402 on Monday 23 December 20:52

[JoeyD]

I have an M52 swapped E36 compact and it drives great. The handling is really neutral on the limit and it's actually quite friendly to drive, despite what the rest of the internet would have you believe. My M52 has an M50 inlet manifold, S50 exhaust manifolds, an M20 lightweight flywheel and a Z3 torsen LSD and it feels pretty strong. I would take a wild guess around 220/230hp. The good thing about the E30 rear end is that re-bushing it is easy and quite cheap compared to a full fat E36. You can even get adjustable alignment inserts which I'm yet to try. Rear brakes can be upgraded to Z4 calipers using readily available adaptors. The only custom thing you need is a back-box.

However, if I were to start from scratch, I'd pick an E46 and this is for pretty much one reason alone: Rust. Try finding an E36 compact that isn't rotten! Not an easy task and certainly not for sensible money.
That being said, I've never driven an E46 in anger to compare... can't imagine it would be any worse to drive though!

[330ti]

If you start with a good e46 325ti you already have a great handling 190 hp car. If you then add a 330 engine you’ve got yourself a great fun road / track car for very little effort. I’ve got a fully sorted e36 328 compact and e46 330ti and love them both but thinking of selling and getting m140i .
The 330d idea would be great for a road car but not sure about on track, what do you intend to use the car for ?

[Krikkit]

As a car to enjoy rather than put miles on, why would you put a diesel engine in where the M54 used to be? If you want to mod an E46 compact then put m3 bushes etc into it to sharpen the handling.

[helix402]

Krikkit said:

As a car to enjoy rather than put miles on, why would you put a diesel engine in where the M54 used to be? If you want to mod an E46 compact then put m3 bushes etc into it to sharpen the handling.

I fully understand why people like the M54 and why some prefer petrol to diesel, however here’s why I prefer the M57 to the M54:

Uses less fuel, even when modified
Has more torque
Easily modified for more power and more torque
More reliable cooling system
No oil pump nut problems
Less prone to oil leaks
Does not burn oil due to piston ring design
You soon won’t be able to drive in central Bristol (have you tried it, this honestly is a bonus!)

Re removing an M54 for an M57 it would make more sense to use a 320td.

Happy Christmas.

[Weekendrebuild]

E46 compact then do what I did an put an s54 in there with bc coilovers replace all bushes an rest of m3 running gear , just m5 front callipers to go . / allso transplant the whole front end to remove them headlights

[CaptainMorgan]

Depends what you want from the car I guess but I think I'd go down the E46 route for the reasons mentioned above. More about, cheaper, plenty of parts about for them for the foreseeable future.

I've got a 325ti for track use, it goes well, has been reliable and is a riot when pushing on. Nice and balanced, a little more poke would be nice so eventually I might drop the 3.0 in but for now it does the job.

[dhutch]

CaptainMorgan said:

Depends what you want from the car I guess.

I was going to say, what the project brief, in terms of what you want to do and or avoid, and it terms of what you want to use the car for at the end.

I loved my E36 compact (Nreg 316) and now have an E46 330ci, both used as my daily and the E36 also for autosolos.

The E36 was a lot more fun I mean ways just felt a nicer drive, I didn't have much rust but there was some just behind the passenger side front wheel, but it was also not a new car. E46 feels a lot bigger and heaver, not driven a compact however.

[s m]

323ti vs 325ti

[Mr Tidy]

I've never driven an E36 Compact, but I did have an E46 325ti Sport for over 3 years and loved it (so much better than the 320td SE I bought for business use many years ago).

Plus the E46 Compact can be fitted with all the M3 bits - including the engine if you want a real weapon!

[s m]

[Weekendrebuild]

Mr Tidy said:

I've never driven an E36 Compact, but I did have an E46 325ti Sport for over 3 years and loved it (so much better than the 320td SE I bought for business use many years ago).

Plus the E46 Compact can be fitted with all the M3 bits - including the engine if you want a real weapon!

True but it’s expensive job an front end swaps a pig

[BFleming]

The E36 Compact is an old car now, and feels it. I had one, 22 years ago; the dealer also had a 323ti in stock at the time, and I remember the car I bought was a humble 316i Compact at 6 months old for 30,000 DM, and the 2 year old 323ti was 50,000 DM. You can still pick one up in Germany, but most are rusty.
An E46 325ti is a decent drive - I found my friend's one as quick as the E46 328i (M52TUB28), but both were well & truly whipped by the 330i (M54B30). Put the M54B30 engine in there and you have a bulletproof track car. Personally though, I'd buy the 330i and run it for a bit before committing to the engine - some have an oil consumption problem, some don't, and you won't find out until you run it.

[PaulGT3]

M54B30 swapped 325ti is recommended

I am missing the sound generator though from the stock 325ti intake system!

[s m]

BFleming said:

The E36 Compact is an old car now, and feels it. I had one, 22 years ago; the dealer also had a 323ti in stock at the time, and I remember the car I bought was a humble 316i Compact at 6 months old for 30,000 DM, and the 2 year old 323ti was 50,000 DM. You can still pick one up in Germany, but most are rusty.
An E46 325ti is a decent drive - I found my friend's one as quick as the E46 328i (M52TUB28), but both were well & truly whipped by the 330i (M54B30). Put the M54B30 engine in there and you have a bulletproof track car. Personally though, I'd buy the 330i and run it for a bit before committing to the engine - some have an oil consumption problem, some don't, and you won't find out until you run it.

Mine is a standard ( apart from BMW Performance airbox ) 6-speed ti and at all 2 figure speeds there is absolutely nothing in it compared to my old 6-sp 330i ( relative still owns it )
Depends on individual cars of course but the gearing and weight does help the 2.5 a bit

[Weekendrebuild]

.

Just drop an s54 in there job done , minus diff brakes suspension etc etc