BMW 3.0 diesel coupe - Which One ?

[cologne2792]

I'm very fond of the E46 330cd with 6 speed manual 'box and have been after one for a long time. Having just sold my Capri after 20 years of ownership funds now allow me to buy one and on the basis that it's obviously going to be at least 12 years old I'm going to be maintaining it myself.

The question given the age I'm buying in at is, should I settle for a decent, well cared for, high mileage example or spend relatively little more and get an 06 / 07 E92 instead.

Is the E92 in 3.0 d manual form that much better than its predecessor to make it a more sensible buy ?

I've driven both the E46 and E90 in 320d spec and very much liked both of them.

[Fox-]

Neither.

As they get old BMW diesels are more trouble than they are worth. Get a petrol one instead, it'll suit that manual gearbox better too as a diesel with a manual box is a frustrating thing.

[vsonix]

More trouble how? I've only ever had one (e46 330d), 53 plate, bought circa 2010, only just retired it last year, it had 200k on it when we got it and we put over 50k on it in that time. It had already had swirl flap delete when we got it. That engine was rock solid and in all the time we had it needed nothing other than some glow plugs. The car wasn't perfect and suffered from a few known E46 issues but they were things like tired window regulator mechanisms, xenon ballasts going bad etc - the engine itself seemed pretty solid.

[Prinny]

I’d say the e9x don’t appear to rust as much/at all, compared to the e46, but there’s more electrical complexity in the newer car of course.

I like both, but in my opinion, the 3l diesel really suits an auto-box, not manual.

Ignoring the legendary 335d that the auto option throws up, an e46 will have no dpf (as a positive), but an e90 will have better ultimate tuning potential. Depends what you want. e46 coupé looks aged compared to an e92 (msport kit), but an e46 saloon looks better than an e90 - IMO of course...

I’d buy the first good one of either (there’s a lot of tired, abused ones out there) that came up, and enjoy it, not agonise over whether you got the ‘best’ one!

[Smuler]

I stepped up from a E46 to E92 and in my case what persuaded me was the sheer grunt of the 335i which I found next level performance and was a bigger plus than the following issues. In my case I got a 2009, 5 year old at the time and so yes, the plus of a newer car was there.

I'd hesitated thought cos E46 is :-

A better size.
It's close but I preferred looks
Has better driving position
More steering feel/feedback
The back windows open, in a tilt
Has spare tyre

[cologne2792]

I don't whether it's turning 49 or something else but I look at the performance of a lot of the modern stuff and realise I'm just never going to use it to it's full potential.

An E46 330cd manual is quoted at 6.9 seconds to 60 and 150 mph - I know the E92 231 and 245 ps are quicker and the 245 uses less fuel but I look at the E46 and think that's probably enough. It's a second quicker to 60 than my 2.8i Capri, 20 mph faster and potentially uses half the fuel.

They're all impressive and have comparable performance to the XK8's I looked at plus there's a manual option which I prefer - although the E92 335d is a cracker !

I like the 330ci too but I've spent many years driving fairly simple, torquey, low revving rear wheel drive stuff and I'm very happy to continue to do so.

[jas xjr]

is the 6 series worth a look ?

[cologne2792]

jas xjr said:

is the 6 series worth a look ?

A family member has one, a 630i.

I do like them but there's no manual diesel option as far as I'm aware.

Edited by cologne2792 on Thursday 18th January 20:55