3 Seriws - E46 or E90?

[Davey S2]

Looking at spending £10K - £12K at the end of the summer on a 3 series as an everyday car.

Its for a work commute so want economy rather than power.

I have seen a few E46 318i sports with the M options on which I like the look of or would I be better off getting a later E90 albeit with a smaller spec?

Not really that spec mad with my cars so would be happy with leather, air con and a cd player.

Any thoughts or experiences (or alternative suggestions)?

[Jobbo]

£10-12k? Don't pay that much for any E46 - you'll lose half of it immediately!

[E21_Ross]

Jobbo said:

£10-12k? Don't pay that much for any E46 - you'll lose half of it immediately!

agreed, unless it's an M3. for 10-12k you'll get an immaculate E46 330ci with change to spare. it's what i'd go for. the E46 is a fine car and much better looking IMO.

[pattyg]

E21_Ross said:

agreed, unless it's an M3. for 10-12k you'll get an immaculate E46 330ci with change to spare. it's what i'd go for. the E46 is a fine car and much better looking IMO.

Hardly the economic choice though. Go for a decent E90 320d.

[E21_Ross]

pattyg said:

E21_Ross said:

agreed, unless it's an M3. for 10-12k you'll get an immaculate E46 330ci with change to spare. it's what i'd go for. the E46 is a fine car and much better looking IMO.

Hardly the economic choice though. Go for a decent E90 320d.

well, it'll probably cost a few grand less on outright purchase and depreciate less so thats a good £3-4k on fuel you get to spend whilst driving a car with a silky straight 6 petrol instead of a diesel

if OP isn't worried about purchasing costs and purely fuel economy, a new 318d would be the choice. if overall cost over a few years is taken into account, a nice E46 would be where my money would go to be honest.

[PJ S]

Doesn't anyone bother reading beyond the first page nowadays before starting a thread?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[anonymous-user]

PJ S said:

Doesn't anyone bother reading beyond the first page nowadays before starting a thread?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

There's at least one thread a week asking advice on buying an e46. Gets a bit tedious

[Davey S2]

PJ S said:

Doesn't anyone bother reading beyond the first page nowadays before starting a thread?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Not really what I asked though was it.

[Slurms]

See if you can stretch to the Alpina D3 (circa 13k) brilliant commuter car..

[PJ S]

Davey S2 said:

PJ S said:

Doesn't anyone bother reading beyond the first page nowadays before starting a thread?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Not really what I asked though was it.

Not specifically since the linked thread was about a Coupé, but the budgeted amount involved, most certainly.
You do realise in about 9-12 months time, the new F 3 Series will be along, meaning E46s and E90s will take a major dive.
The economy doesn't look like it'll suddenly reverse the falling trend of decent sized petrol engined models, so you'd have to be very brave/daft (maybe both in equal measure) to put that sort if money into a 3er.

Prices remain fairly firm in the E60 camp, but a lot are very basic (poverty) spec regarding the AC and seats.
Still, if ultimate specs isn't important, then I'd look more at the 5er for your budget (or a good bit less), possibly with ed (efficient dynamics) - especially if it's likely to be kept 3-4 years.

[bennyboydurham]

Had two E46s - great cars and probably more durable than the E90 but they're descending into Barryboymobile territory now. The only E46 I'd drop money on would be a mint end of the line coupe, which hung around beyond the launch of the E90 until the first E92s came along.

The E90 is an excellent car but my uncle has had no end of trouble with his 320d - electrics, ABS, turbo went pop - and that was a pretty low miles AUC.

[LeightonBuzzard]

Save up for a E93

[Fox-]

PJ S said:

You do realise in about 9-12 months time, the new F 3 Series will be along, meaning E46s and E90s will take a major dive.

I also think the value of 6-12 year old cars priced at under £10k will 'take a dive' following the introduction of a new model for £30,000. Because all the people buying 6 year old E46's will obviously decide to buy an F30 instead.