E46 or E92 ???
Discussion
Hello folks, I currently drive a 2001 E46 325ci manual and im in need of a change as the good ol' E46 is having age related problems 
How good is an E92 compared to an E46?
Is it worth getting another E46?
Petrol or Diesel for E92?
Im considering either an E46 330ci or an E92 preferably 325i or 330i
If anyones driven both, which one would you choose? What would you reccomend?
Thank you all in advance
How good is an E92 compared to an E46?
Is it worth getting another E46?
Petrol or Diesel for E92?
Im considering either an E46 330ci or an E92 preferably 325i or 330i
If anyones driven both, which one would you choose? What would you reccomend?
Thank you all in advance
I’ve had a manual E46 330ci, M3, 325i E91 in auto and still have a manual E90 330i.
I absolutely loved both E46s, the 330ci was my first BM so perhaps rose tinted glasses. It felt a little more special than either of the E9X cars, but was well speccd for the time. I think it was a better drive too, felt more connected and did not feel down on power compared to the E9X guises.
The youngest E46s are knocking on 15 years old now so do feel a little dated. Even a 2005 car will start to suffer the same issues before long so might be worth staying put and investing in some preventative maintenance with a car you know. You’ll probably also be hard pushed to get a low mileage 330ci for reasonable money nowadays that would be worth the cost to change.
E9X are not without their issues, the water pump will need to be replaced for example, bubbling on the arches is not uncommon, suspension gets tired, and there are electrical gremlins that lurk in I-drive systems, abs modules etc.
Buy an E46 M3 instead
I absolutely loved both E46s, the 330ci was my first BM so perhaps rose tinted glasses. It felt a little more special than either of the E9X cars, but was well speccd for the time. I think it was a better drive too, felt more connected and did not feel down on power compared to the E9X guises.
The youngest E46s are knocking on 15 years old now so do feel a little dated. Even a 2005 car will start to suffer the same issues before long so might be worth staying put and investing in some preventative maintenance with a car you know. You’ll probably also be hard pushed to get a low mileage 330ci for reasonable money nowadays that would be worth the cost to change.
E9X are not without their issues, the water pump will need to be replaced for example, bubbling on the arches is not uncommon, suspension gets tired, and there are electrical gremlins that lurk in I-drive systems, abs modules etc.
Buy an E46 M3 instead
Only driven the 330i coupe versions of both (a 2002 e46 and a 2011 e92).
I preferred the e46 over the e92 for the driving dynamics (handling, steering feel, etc.) and looks, but the e92 for the the more refined engine (but that could just be down to the 60,000 mile difference on the cars I've driven), can't say I even noticed the extra power of the later model though.
I liked the shape so much that I've since bought an e46 330D Sport Touring (over the e91) to take over daily duties from my Z4MC - but some of that decision was down to the price difference between similarly-leggy cars.
I preferred the e46 over the e92 for the driving dynamics (handling, steering feel, etc.) and looks, but the e92 for the the more refined engine (but that could just be down to the 60,000 mile difference on the cars I've driven), can't say I even noticed the extra power of the later model though.
I liked the shape so much that I've since bought an e46 330D Sport Touring (over the e91) to take over daily duties from my Z4MC - but some of that decision was down to the price difference between similarly-leggy cars.
I used to have an e46 330i sport touring and now got an e92 330d both manuals. I did love my e46 but love my e92 more. Both E’s are great cars but given the E9x cars are newer and are a lot easier to find in decent condition I’d say go for one of them, preferably an lci which had better idrive if that’s something you want.
Looks are subjective but I think both look great and have aged really well.
Both drive well but I think the E9x’s just edge it because of the better suspension and sharper steering.
As for engines, the m54 Sounds and goes well but a chipped m57 beats it hands down for performance and economy.
Looks are subjective but I think both look great and have aged really well.
Both drive well but I think the E9x’s just edge it because of the better suspension and sharper steering.
As for engines, the m54 Sounds and goes well but a chipped m57 beats it hands down for performance and economy.
helix402 said:
I’d rule the E92 325i out when you have the 330i. I love the E46 but most are worn out and rusty. I think they ride and handle better than the E92s.
Generally yes it's always best to get the best model you can. On e92 the 325 and 330 are a 3.0 , there are a few people who have the bmchiptune or P Torque map which gives the 325 around 260hp much the same as the 330. Hence if you see an immaculate well spec'd 325i don't rule it out immediately.
OP, I had same car as you back in 2014. It had just hit 123k miles.
I went for a 2009 E92 335i , my annual mileage and that I didn’t really have time for weekend blasts , made me consider it ; otherwise i would have gone for a E46 M3. Which I later replaced it for.
Both the E46 M3 and 335i cars felt the next level in performance ; the 330i iterations ,whilst faster than my 325 ,just weren’t the next level I was looking for ; they felt very samey to what I already had.
If they are , however , the limit of your budget , I’d say 330i E92 is quickest and it’s a more modern car.
If your budget is more elastic , E9x 335i or even better E9x M3. The E46 M3 is getting old and prices of the kind you want to avoid financial ruin are inflated by rarity.
I went for a 2009 E92 335i , my annual mileage and that I didn’t really have time for weekend blasts , made me consider it ; otherwise i would have gone for a E46 M3. Which I later replaced it for.
Both the E46 M3 and 335i cars felt the next level in performance ; the 330i iterations ,whilst faster than my 325 ,just weren’t the next level I was looking for ; they felt very samey to what I already had.
If they are , however , the limit of your budget , I’d say 330i E92 is quickest and it’s a more modern car.
If your budget is more elastic , E9x 335i or even better E9x M3. The E46 M3 is getting old and prices of the kind you want to avoid financial ruin are inflated by rarity.
Experience of both - got an E46 330Ci and the wife's E91 330i.
E9X feels the much more polished/complete product imo. Prefer the E9X interior, even something small like the steering wheel controls with the track +/- on the right side (and the CC on a stalk) is better than the E46 set up.
E9X feels more refined and a sharper handler.
Although the N52 is a leaky bugger it feels more powerful and urgent vs the older M54 engine. E9X quicker than the E46.
E9X feels the much more polished/complete product imo. Prefer the E9X interior, even something small like the steering wheel controls with the track +/- on the right side (and the CC on a stalk) is better than the E46 set up.
E9X feels more refined and a sharper handler.
Although the N52 is a leaky bugger it feels more powerful and urgent vs the older M54 engine. E9X quicker than the E46.
I had an E46 325ti Compact for 3+ years and loved it, but like your Coupe it was starting to suffer from age related issues.
So I replaced it with an E91 325i, which to be honest felt slightly disappointing so I only kept it a year.
Then replaced it with an E90 330i which is much better.
The ride and handling was much better in the E46, but then the E9*s come on run-flat tyres so that might expalin why!
However the E9*s do feel more refined and better put together, plus the engines are a bit more powerful.
If you buy an early E9* it has the N52 engine which is what both mine had. It's a great engine and likes to rev, but the manual ones are pretty high-geared so if you are in a hurry you need to rev them! You can't map the 325i to 330i power as it is only a 2.5 litre, not a 3 litre.
The later ones with the N53 engine had a 3 litre in both 325i and 330i, but although the road tax is a band or two cheaper they have their own issues with fuel injectors, high pressure fuel pumps and coked up inlet manifolds which is why I deliberately only looked for ones with the N52.
If I could have found a good 3 litre E46 I probably would have bought it, but that is the problem! Still I'm more than happy with my E90.
So I replaced it with an E91 325i, which to be honest felt slightly disappointing so I only kept it a year.
Then replaced it with an E90 330i which is much better.
The ride and handling was much better in the E46, but then the E9*s come on run-flat tyres so that might expalin why!
However the E9*s do feel more refined and better put together, plus the engines are a bit more powerful.
If you buy an early E9* it has the N52 engine which is what both mine had. It's a great engine and likes to rev, but the manual ones are pretty high-geared so if you are in a hurry you need to rev them! You can't map the 325i to 330i power as it is only a 2.5 litre, not a 3 litre.
The later ones with the N53 engine had a 3 litre in both 325i and 330i, but although the road tax is a band or two cheaper they have their own issues with fuel injectors, high pressure fuel pumps and coked up inlet manifolds which is why I deliberately only looked for ones with the N52.
If I could have found a good 3 litre E46 I probably would have bought it, but that is the problem! Still I'm more than happy with my E90.
I'm in a similar predicament at the moment, but I'm currently driving a 2004 330d which I've had for nearly seven years and 100,000 miles and it will hit 180k during the next couple of weeks. I'm considering a jump to an E9x series car, but I want to stick with the M57 engine, so to get the newest car possible I have to look at 325ds because the 330d changed to the N57 engine in late 2008. I know the 335d is still an M57 engine until the end of E9x production, but as much as I'd love one I get money-pit vibes from the 335d at the sort of mileage I'd be buying in to. There is a late 2009 E92 325d that I have my eye on at the moment, but my real issue with the 325d is whether I'd really notice the small step down in power and torque from the E46 because I'm not keen on remapping an older car.
I've genuinely only had one small show stopping issue with the E46 and I blame myself for that because I was playing roulette with the battery and it wouldn't start the car one cold morning when I was about to go to work. Contrary to what the internet experts told me before I bought the E46 my experience of owning a BMW with over 100k on it has been fine because 90% of what has needed fixing has been done by me on the driveway with fairly basic tools. The car was a bit rough when I bought it, but it has been a trooper really. Unfortunately the factory installed delayed weight reduction on the rear wheel arches (never mind what is lurking elsewhere) is starting to get to me along with the general itch to get something new. The naughty part of me tells me to get an E9x to take over daily duties and take the E46 off the road so that I can fully sort the suspension and rust and then 'enjoy' it again, but I just don't have the money for it and fundamentally it will still be an old rep-mobile which isn't worth anything afterwards.
I did test drive a 330d with the N57 engine in May last year (didn't go for it in the end) and as far as daily driving goes I think I would be fine with the change because I won't be doing track-days or anything else above the norm in it. The interior felt good to me (anything does if you've had a Peugeot 306 I guess) and it drove well.
Obviously this doesn't help you from an engine perspective, but those are the long winded musings from someone in a similar position.
I've genuinely only had one small show stopping issue with the E46 and I blame myself for that because I was playing roulette with the battery and it wouldn't start the car one cold morning when I was about to go to work. Contrary to what the internet experts told me before I bought the E46 my experience of owning a BMW with over 100k on it has been fine because 90% of what has needed fixing has been done by me on the driveway with fairly basic tools. The car was a bit rough when I bought it, but it has been a trooper really. Unfortunately the factory installed delayed weight reduction on the rear wheel arches (never mind what is lurking elsewhere) is starting to get to me along with the general itch to get something new. The naughty part of me tells me to get an E9x to take over daily duties and take the E46 off the road so that I can fully sort the suspension and rust and then 'enjoy' it again, but I just don't have the money for it and fundamentally it will still be an old rep-mobile which isn't worth anything afterwards.
I did test drive a 330d with the N57 engine in May last year (didn't go for it in the end) and as far as daily driving goes I think I would be fine with the change because I won't be doing track-days or anything else above the norm in it. The interior felt good to me (anything does if you've had a Peugeot 306 I guess) and it drove well.
Obviously this doesn't help you from an engine perspective, but those are the long winded musings from someone in a similar position.
The E92's do not rust. Mechanicals are easy to fix, rust will never fully go away. I loved my E46 330ci but it was crusty, and it would have been £2-£3k to fix it properly, with the nagging worry it would have come back within a few years.
I think a good E46 is a car to be garaged and cherished, taken out on high days and pampered. The E92 is a competent and more realistic daily. My E46 though, it was better screwed together than my E39's.
I think a good E46 is a car to be garaged and cherished, taken out on high days and pampered. The E92 is a competent and more realistic daily. My E46 though, it was better screwed together than my E39's.
Op I had a E46 330ci for ten years.
I kept it so long because I couldn’t stomach the replacement.
In the end I bought an E60 550.
The five series is a far superior car imo. Handles and rides much better that the three series, and my E46 had dampers, springs and various bushes replaced in the final two years of ownership.
The V8 which doesn’t cost that much more to run was the icing on the cake.
I am also of the opinion the E60 is the only good looking BMW made since the E46.
I’ll probably be selling it next year as my commute has changed for the worse, it’s replacement won’t be a BMW sadly.
I kept it so long because I couldn’t stomach the replacement.
In the end I bought an E60 550.
The five series is a far superior car imo. Handles and rides much better that the three series, and my E46 had dampers, springs and various bushes replaced in the final two years of ownership.
The V8 which doesn’t cost that much more to run was the icing on the cake.
I am also of the opinion the E60 is the only good looking BMW made since the E46.
I’ll probably be selling it next year as my commute has changed for the worse, it’s replacement won’t be a BMW sadly.
I've had a E90 330d(for 6 years/over 150k miles) and a E90 330i(for 4 years/20k miles), plus I've had a E92 M3(for 10 months/10k miles). So I am a fan of E9x series, I've also driven a E46 325i and a E46 M3.
I prefer the looks/interior of the E46, but I do like how grown up the E90 feels in comparison. The E92 M3 I had felt like a 5 series to drive for me, so I'd say that the E46 is a more fun car to drive overall.
The E9x is a great all round car and I do recommend them for sure. Strangely I thought that the 330d was the best of the lot, and that surprises me because I class myself as a petrolhead(not a dieselhead!).
I prefer the looks/interior of the E46, but I do like how grown up the E90 feels in comparison. The E92 M3 I had felt like a 5 series to drive for me, so I'd say that the E46 is a more fun car to drive overall.
The E9x is a great all round car and I do recommend them for sure. Strangely I thought that the 330d was the best of the lot, and that surprises me because I class myself as a petrolhead(not a dieselhead!).
After 3 years in a 330d I faced the same decision, and went for the 3rd way in a 1 Series Coupé. Find it far better to drive than the old E46 (less tramlining, less body roll, much more fun on a B-road) and much more reliable than the E46 before it.
Try and find a 125i and get the 130i remap put on, it's incredibly similar to an E46 330ci, but with an extra 40bhp or so. Less soft touch plastics, but seems far more solid underneath.
Try and find a 125i and get the 130i remap put on, it's incredibly similar to an E46 330ci, but with an extra 40bhp or so. Less soft touch plastics, but seems far more solid underneath.
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