I loved my E38... Will I like an E46 330i?

[buzzer]

I loved my Severn series, best car I ever owned....I don't do anywhere near the mileage I used to since retiring so I don't need a big car...

Will I like a 330i?

[Original Poster]

Oh yes!

[Fox-]

No, you won't. You'll miss the big car feel. The 3 Series not built like a 7 Series and does not feel like a 7 Series to drive either.

[Frances The Mute]

It depends what you want from a car.

The E46 will feel cramped and poorly built in comparison. It will be more engaging and more agile to drive, though.

In my experience, the E38 is a very tough act to follow.

[MarkwG]

I alternate between an e36 & an e39 - I find one feels small/big for a couple of moments when I've just got out of the other, but they both feel just fine again very quickly. If you're thinking purely from the drivers perspective I doubt you'll be at all bothered after the first couple of miles.(If you spend a lot of time travelling in the back of the e38, that might not be the case, though...)

[Jobbo]

Fox- said:

No, you won't. You'll miss the big car feel. The 3 Series not built like a 7 Series and does not feel like a 7 Series to drive either.

It does at least drive like a BMW, just a smaller more chuckable one. I'm a big fan of the E46, and went for one for a change because I'd already had an E39 for quite a while. Plenty of things about the E46 feel similar, some things are obviously more modern (exterior door handles, provision of a 12v power socket in the boot) too so it doesn't feel a retrograde step.

[Fox-]

I cannot imagine going from an E39 to an E46. I'm having enough trouble going from E39 to E92!

[Patrick Bateman]

I'd imagine a 3 series will be significantly better to 'go for a drive' in.

[daveco]

The E46 330 is an absolute hoot to drive. One of the greatest engines ever created. It is quick and sporty too and can also waft you along in relative comfort when required. If the latter matters more than the former than DO NOT GO FOR THE SPORT KIT.

I've had two E46's with the sport kit and they really aren't suited to our pot holed roads.

[Jobbo]

Fox- said:

I cannot imagine going from an E39 to an E46. I'm having enough trouble going from E39 to E92!

I went via an E61 and then an E46 Alpina B3S which didn't work. Didn't want another E39 simply because I don't tend to buy the same car twice. I'm not sure why you're so negative about the E46 though; it came after the E39 so all of the stuff BMW learned was shrunk to fit. It's a little bit less refined and lighter, so it's more sporty to drive but it's all shades of the same thing.

As for wafting along - my E46 Sport is comfier than my E61 was (that was an SE but on Sport suspension and 18"s).

[gf15]

Like it, I reckon you will love it.

7+ happy years with E38's 735 / 740, they were superb. But SWMBO'd 330i sport vert is great fun to drive, very pointy, lovely engine (feels sluggish low down compared to the V8's) but flies along nicely with revs.
Different, but good fun! Go for it!

[buzzer]

thanks guys, I am hoping to try one over the next few days...