E91 325i 0r E46 325i?
Discussion
I like both but prefer the looks/interior of the E46, but I like the fact the E91 doesn't rust(my E90 is over 11 years old and showing no signs yet) and it's sweet N52 engine.
Both good cars and I still have fond memories of driving a friends new at the time manual E46 325i touring, and it was the first time I'd driven a beemer(I was used to Fords) and it left me very impressed.
Both good cars and I still have fond memories of driving a friends new at the time manual E46 325i touring, and it was the first time I'd driven a beemer(I was used to Fords) and it left me very impressed.
I'm more familiar with coupes and I've always said that like for like with 325/330 engines I'd chose a E46 over E92 as it's more of a driver's car.
The reason to chose E92, for me, was the 335i which took performance to a whole new level or if the car was newer, thus having the new car advantages over E46 say late 2009 onwards that might persuade me.
However, I actually prefer the look of the touring in E91 guise, so that could sway me.
I briefly ran a 2002 E46 protected body work by it's 1 former owner, mint , no rust so it's possible.
As they're probably both rare, I think it would come down the individual cars though.
The reason to chose E92, for me, was the 335i which took performance to a whole new level or if the car was newer, thus having the new car advantages over E46 say late 2009 onwards that might persuade me.
However, I actually prefer the look of the touring in E91 guise, so that could sway me.
I briefly ran a 2002 E46 protected body work by it's 1 former owner, mint , no rust so it's possible.
As they're probably both rare, I think it would come down the individual cars though.
Are the water pumps that failure prone?
MattOz is the guy that is needed here! He's had both a 55 plate E91 330 Touring and a dirty diesel E46 touring.
Part of me is wanting to say go with the E91 ; just how often do the water pumps go?
But BMW did hit the sweet spot with the E46 I reckon. Rust is an problem. Short of keeping the arches clean there's not much you can do! I'd also check for RACP/subframe cracking ; my friend's 328i has previously ripped a mount out.
MattOz is the guy that is needed here! He's had both a 55 plate E91 330 Touring and a dirty diesel E46 touring.
Part of me is wanting to say go with the E91 ; just how often do the water pumps go?
But BMW did hit the sweet spot with the E46 I reckon. Rust is an problem. Short of keeping the arches clean there's not much you can do! I'd also check for RACP/subframe cracking ; my friend's 328i has previously ripped a mount out.
Plenty of problems both cars can throw up. But on reflection, the E90/91 is a more modern design and BMW seem to have done a much better job with the rust proofing. Our 325i E91 is 12 years old in a few months, and we've not had to touch the cooling system. Nor does it seem to have any crusty bits yet. In 8 years of ownership, we've had to replace one wheel bearing and the central locking antenna. Pretty much everything else has been regular service parts.
On the other hand, I've had a couple of E46 coupes, both of which were rusting quite nicely... If you want to keep your car nice, then compare the cost of having a couple of front wings painted and fitted, to the cost of a new electronic water pump
On the other hand, I've had a couple of E46 coupes, both of which were rusting quite nicely... If you want to keep your car nice, then compare the cost of having a couple of front wings painted and fitted, to the cost of a new electronic water pump
Thanks everyone! 
But I'm still not sure.
I've had an E46 325ti Sport Compact for 2 and a half years, but a 325i Touring would be so much more practical (my mother is 95 so better for wheelchairs, walking frames, etc.).
But I've also had a Z4 Coupe (E86) for 3 years as a toy! And the water pump died on my first.: (I use a great local BMW indy but an OEM pump was £500!
Which is why I am a bit undecided!
Seems to me an M54 may be cheaper to run, but an N52 may be better to drive - decisions, decisions.......!
But I'm still not sure.
I've had an E46 325ti Sport Compact for 2 and a half years, but a 325i Touring would be so much more practical (my mother is 95 so better for wheelchairs, walking frames, etc.).
But I've also had a Z4 Coupe (E86) for 3 years as a toy! And the water pump died on my first.: (I use a great local BMW indy but an OEM pump was £500!
Which is why I am a bit undecided!
Seems to me an M54 may be cheaper to run, but an N52 may be better to drive - decisions, decisions.......!
Depends on the car.
I have looked at a few early E91s recently with a mate and to be honest the suspension etc. on most of them was feeling tired.
The 330i E46 he looked at looked great, but you could tell it was a 15 year old car when you drove it, it made the E91s suddenly feel much fresher.
The first 330i touring he looked at was the best, it felt tight still, I said just buy it, but he wanted to view a few more, when he called back it had gone.
It was a 2 owner car, both lived in north Norfolk, so an easy life with very few speed bumps etc.
All the cars he looked at in cities were shagged to be blunt, well they certainly needed a good grand or so spending on suspension.
So I would say just buy the car that feels good.
I have looked at a few early E91s recently with a mate and to be honest the suspension etc. on most of them was feeling tired.
The 330i E46 he looked at looked great, but you could tell it was a 15 year old car when you drove it, it made the E91s suddenly feel much fresher.
The first 330i touring he looked at was the best, it felt tight still, I said just buy it, but he wanted to view a few more, when he called back it had gone.
It was a 2 owner car, both lived in north Norfolk, so an easy life with very few speed bumps etc.
All the cars he looked at in cities were shagged to be blunt, well they certainly needed a good grand or so spending on suspension.
So I would say just buy the car that feels good.
also depends on what you are using the car for, if you want just a nice family daily then I would say both would be fine.
But if its going to get a lot of abuse and beaten but etc maybe the e46 as you loose less money over depreciation over an e91.
Just a thought really, as both cars are great but depends on the purchasing price of both too, individual cars and spec, e46 is a car so well known now that nearly everything is documented, e91 also but the e46 being a little old just means things are a little easier to replace and cheaper if things go wrong plus less electronically controlled stuff etc.
But if its going to get a lot of abuse and beaten but etc maybe the e46 as you loose less money over depreciation over an e91.
Just a thought really, as both cars are great but depends on the purchasing price of both too, individual cars and spec, e46 is a car so well known now that nearly everything is documented, e91 also but the e46 being a little old just means things are a little easier to replace and cheaper if things go wrong plus less electronically controlled stuff etc.
MrGCC said:
also depends on what you are using the car for, if you want just a nice family daily then I would say both would be fine.
But if its going to get a lot of abuse and beaten but etc maybe the e46 as you loose less money over depreciation over an e91.
Just a thought really, as both cars are great but depends on the purchasing price of both too, individual cars and spec, e46 is a car so well known now that nearly everything is documented, e91 also but the e46 being a little old just means things are a little easier to replace and cheaper if things go wrong plus less electronically controlled stuff etc.
To be fair electronic complication is my main concern - £500 for an OEM water pump is kind of acceptable on my Z4C, but might be nearly 20% of the purchase price of an E91! But if its going to get a lot of abuse and beaten but etc maybe the e46 as you loose less money over depreciation over an e91.
Just a thought really, as both cars are great but depends on the purchasing price of both too, individual cars and spec, e46 is a car so well known now that nearly everything is documented, e91 also but the e46 being a little old just means things are a little easier to replace and cheaper if things go wrong plus less electronically controlled stuff etc.
Still sitting on the fence just now!
95% of E46's are bangers, rusty old s
t. Every time I work on one, I'm reminded how hateful they are now - rust, shagged window regs, more rust, cracked boot floors, fked radiators. Eeeuurgh. You might find a good one but every E46 I've seen of late has been a constant stream of niggles and PITA problems.
E91's are much better in general. The N52 is better on fuel and faster, no rusty arches etc. If the pump bothers you, just buy a new Pierburg unit from ECP and either carry out in the boot or fit it straight away. Another major issue (well, two) is can bearing cap wear leading to loss of oil pressure to the Vanos (EML on) and ABS block failure. Both are £££££.
t. Every time I work on one, I'm reminded how hateful they are now - rust, shagged window regs, more rust, cracked boot floors, fked radiators. Eeeuurgh. You might find a good one but every E46 I've seen of late has been a constant stream of niggles and PITA problems.E91's are much better in general. The N52 is better on fuel and faster, no rusty arches etc. If the pump bothers you, just buy a new Pierburg unit from ECP and either carry out in the boot or fit it straight away. Another major issue (well, two) is can bearing cap wear leading to loss of oil pressure to the Vanos (EML on) and ABS block failure. Both are £££££.
I've had an e91 325i for almost 8 years and over 76k miles. In that time it has needed 1 water pump. I don't know the full cost as I just paid the excess on extended BMW warranty.
I tried the equivalent e46 before buying this car, but thought it worth paying a fair bit more for the newer model at the time.
I tried the equivalent e46 before buying this car, but thought it worth paying a fair bit more for the newer model at the time.
helix402 said:
The E91 is likely to be cheaper to run. As I mentioned earlier, water pump is £248+approx £20 for antifreeze-if it fails. Ride will be better on an E46. (Maybe due to weight loss as metal falls off in brown lumps!)
The E91 isn't much more complicated electrically than the 46.
Ride will be better on an E46 because it doesn't have run-flats!The E91 isn't much more complicated electrically than the 46.
E91 is a bit more electronic than I would like - I know that as well as the water pump they have electric PAS, no dip-stick, no temperature gauge on E90 or E91 (but E92 and E93 do for some reason) and maybe other electrickery!
I got put off all this clever new electrical cr*p when I had a 123d for over 6 years and 80K miles - the only non-service items that failed were 2 rear number plate lights (you know, those super-duper new-fangled LED things that use no power and last forever), the battery and the starter motor - could those last 2 items possibly be anything to do with stop/start?
And because of that feature it has an "AGM" battery that costs over £250 to replace because the OBD has to be told it has a new one!? The N47 cam-chain horror stories were the nail in the coffin for that one! Looks like I'm talking myself into an E46 Touring - but as has been said that is IF I can find a good one!
Or maybe just stick with my 325ti Compact and live with a bit less practicality.
Many thanks for your input everyone. It's learning of other peoples' experiences and knowledge that make this forum such a good place to visit!
Mr Tidy said:
E91 is a bit more electronic than I would like - I know that as well as the water pump they have electric PAS, no dip-stick, no temperature gauge on E90 or E91 (but E92 and E93 do for some reason) and maybe other electrickery!
Our 2005 E91 has a traditional PAS setup, and a conventional (i.e. not AGM) battery - just to confuse things Did these things perhaps change in conjunction with the arrival of Efficient Dynamics?Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff