M3 E46 or E46

M3 E46 or E46

Author
Discussion

bababoom

Original Poster:

351 posts

117 months

Tuesday 16th May 2017
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Thinking of buying one of these as prices seem to be on the rise with both cars around the same price at the moment.
Ive had a E36 years ago but not a E46.

Witch do people think is going to rise the sharpness in price?
The E46 seems a lot more car for the money but the E36 is maybe a better car?

Thoughts ?

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
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E46 is the better car, less likely to be as rusty as newer and many other reasons. I don't have a clue which one will make/lose more money, I'd buy the one I wanted.

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
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But mostly to enjoy.
I did with my E46😸
Try one. If you like it you've already had the E36 experience.
Otherwise you'll hardly go wrong with E36.

HugoFastmann

279 posts

117 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
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I recently watched a Car Throttle video on YouTube that discussed the merits of every M3, from the E30 through to the latest incarnation. It's worth watching.

Spoiler: you'll end up wanting the E46...

SebringMan

1,773 posts

185 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
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For me it would be the E46 M3. There are some touches of the E36 that are nicer but an E46 IME tends to drive nicer, more than the on-paper stats would have you believe.

A year ago I was in this position. The higher values of the E36s put me off as did my previous ownership of an E36 as well as driving a couple of both. IMO the prices of good E46s have gone up so even that is not the big issue it could be.

The only downer against the E46 is that some spares prices are pricier like discs and tyres but then you don't get something for nothing.

It's not like it makes a difference but the E46 is more practical out of the two. It's amazing what a couple of extra inches can do. Ask a lady wink.

Put it this way. I liked my E36. I preferred my mate's E46 even though it was sheddier and shonkier than the former. I really like my E46 M3. Bar parts prices, scare stories and potentially a house purchase I don't really have a reason to sell it.

Edited by SebringMan on Wednesday 17th May 19:01


Edited by SebringMan on Wednesday 17th May 19:01

Ahbefive

11,657 posts

171 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
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Which

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
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SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

233 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
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Better cars for your budget if you want to make plenty of cash...

Cheib

23,110 posts

174 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
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I was lucky enough to own an E36 Evo and an E56 M3 from new (oh those were the days as a single lad)....E46 is a much better car IMHO.

bababoom

Original Poster:

351 posts

117 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
quotequote all
I expect the E46 would be better as its the later model, But which do you think is going to be the most sort after in the next few years.
My way of thinking is if you can afford a E30 M3 whats the best next thing?

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Thursday 18th May 2017
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Probably some "sought" of work of art. laugh

And if you can afford an E30 surely you just buy an E30?

But if you don't plan to drive it and/or can't afford an E30 then I can't see anyone losing money on a good E36.

Good E46s can only go one way now, but I think if buying one of those you have to be more diligent!

DennisCooper

1,340 posts

170 months

Thursday 18th May 2017
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Hi,

Some good advice and pointers above!

Go see a few examples of each to help you decide.

Also, what makes you think that asking & actual selling prices will 'automatically' rise in the future?! There's increasing chances that they won't and shock horror, might even reduce over the next 2-5, 5-10, 10-15 + years time!

Cheers, Dennis!

Dannbodge

2,160 posts

120 months

Friday 19th May 2017
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I think I'd go for the E46 but then I don't know.

I loved my E36 and the retro feel of everything but there is something about the E46 that's amazing.

Following the E36 market, it seems that prices have already bottomed out and are on the rise.

Either one will be a fantastic car and it all boils down to whether you want something older or something a bit more modern.

DJMC

3,431 posts

102 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2017
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Had E30 x 2; E36; E46 x 3.

1st E46 - 10/10
2nd E30 - 9/10
3rd E36 - 1/10 horrible, horrible car. Do not buy one EVER!

SebringMan

1,773 posts

185 months

Wednesday 24th May 2017
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DJMC said:
Had E30 x 2; E36; E46 x 3.

1st E46 - 10/10
2nd E30 - 9/10
3rd E36 - 1/10 horrible, horrible car. Do not buy one EVER!
Which E36 did you have?

To be fair my E46 M3 and a mate's E46 328i had 2k and 30k more on respectiviely which seems to be the PH barometer. I have to say the positioning goes as follows:

-E46 M3 ; it was always the top but since I did the RACP with the subframe bushes as well as the tyres from Falkens to Michies it really has moved the goalposts ; I loved taking it out for a drive yesterday, just because...
-E46 328i ; once my friend fitted some decent tyres it made all the difference. Even when it wanted to go sideways everywhere on 10 year old budgets it was an OK drive ; This car is the leggiest of the lot.
-E36 323i ; this was a disappointment. I could live with the engine being slower. But the chassis was never all that. Despite a new steering column as part of a recall it never felt that direct ; it was slow. Furthermore it never felt that stable. I went from all seasons Hankook tyres to what I bought it on (cheap BCTs and Accelleras on the rear on 17" Style 68s) and then to 15" Contis. They were the best combo I found but it still never felt 'right'. Out of all of them it is the "low miler".

What's worse is that the E36 was on Konis all round, new E30 lower arms with PowerFlex bushes, and PowerFlex Black RTABs. The E46s were on their original bits bar where mentioned. The E36 on paper should have kicked their arses into oblivion.

iSore

4,011 posts

143 months

Wednesday 24th May 2017
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The ever increasing values of the E36 M3 are puzzling. I drove these when they were new and they were quite alright - very quick for the day but the E46 was just a much nicer all rounder. It looks like an M3 should where the E36 just doesn't plus the interior is a vast step forwards.

A really good manual E46 M3 Coupe is the car to buy now. It's a better car, and values will overhaul those of the E36 in time. The only E36 M3 I'd consider is a saloon due to the rarity value.

Mr-B

3,765 posts

193 months

Wednesday 24th May 2017
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I have had one of each and for me it would be E46. Just a better all round car, it will be a bit newer too although that's pretty meaningless bearing in mind how old both are now. To me the E36 also looks more dated than the E46 which seems to have aged better.

Cheib

23,110 posts

174 months

Wednesday 24th May 2017
quotequote all
iSore said:
The ever increasing values of the E36 M3 are puzzling. I drove these when they were new and they were quite alright - very quick for the day but the E46 was just a much nicer all rounder. It looks like an M3 should where the E36 just doesn't plus the interior is a vast step forwards.

A really good manual E46 M3 Coupe is the car to buy now. It's a better car, and values will overhaul those of the E36 in time. The only E36 M3 I'd consider is a saloon due to the rarity value.
The body of the E36 is also the "least special" of all M3's....it had standard wheels arches and bonnet and a twin exhaust like the 328i. The E46 had the wider arches, bonnet hump and the quad exhaust which was a revelation back in 2001! That's why the bds broke into my garage and stole the bumpers, skirtss and wing mirrors off my E36 because they'd fit on a 320i. Luckily you couldn't do that with the E46.....

iSore

4,011 posts

143 months

Thursday 25th May 2017
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Phoenix yellow for extra collector points!

HugoFastmann

279 posts

117 months

Thursday 25th May 2017
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iSore said:
Phoenix yellow for extra collector points!
Or Laguna Seca Blue. smile