Now, is the e90 3 series any better than the e46?

[matthias73]

More to the point, is a 330i, with reasonable mileage and spec, goIng to be much better in e46 or e90 form?

Il elaborate on my reasons for asking later, but I'm curious on your opinions.

[martin mrt]

Having owned 2 E46s, an M3 and 330d and 4 E9xs M3 & 3x3.0ds I much prefer the E9x

The E46 is basically an updated E36, so quite old, and when you drive the two back to back you can tell

Many driving gods on here claim to find the E46 a "purer, more focused" drivers car, but if we are talking about the 330 I'm fairly certain that a focused driving tool is not top of the agenda, and I found the E9x to be every bit as good as the E46, when it comes to the M3 I would have an E9x over an E46 every time.

My biggest E46 gripe is their ability to rust, my m3 needed rust repaired under warranty at less than 4 years old, shocking IMO

[Wills2]

I think the e46 is a better looking car and prefer the interior, I'd say the e9x is more refined and modern in its feel plus a tad quicker with the 258hp engine?

It's been a while but I'd have to drive them back to back to decide, perhaps getting a mint facelifted 330i Msport and giving it a good spruce up.

[velocitas]

I think there's a huge difference and well worth it.

The biggest thing for me when driving both cars back to back was how the steering felt. Both cars had 18" alloys and around the same mileage (e46 was less) but the e90 had a much tighter feel and there wasn't half as much play in the steering.

From an ownership perspective the e90 was far more reliable too.