Discussion
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 ?
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 ?
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 .
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.
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 .
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
Probably some "sought" of work of art.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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 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?1st E46 - 10/10
2nd E30 - 9/10
3rd E36 - 1/10 horrible, horrible car. Do not buy one EVER!
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.
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.
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.
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.....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.
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