E36 328i Vs E46 330d!!
Discussion
Bit of an odd one:
I currently have an E36 328i touring, 169k on the clock and rocking on strong. See my 'garage' for more details...
My plan was basically to pound this car into the ground. It has no inherant value, drives incredibly well and does everything need in a car - long cruises, dog in the boot, fast enough not to be dull. My only niggles with it are it's slight thirst (30mpg) which I can live with as I do about 6-8k miles a year. I've had it a year, it's proved reliable and decent. Bit of rust, by no means a minter but no shed either.
However, a family owned E46 330d touring has just come up....
It's an X-plate car, 180k miles (stop sniggering at the back!) manual box, I have driven it, and it's been in the family about 7 years. Meticulously serviced and well cared for, nice spec, and it's even chipped for 'economy'. For about £1,600 (been offered this as a trade in).
The cash isn't a problem, I can insure both, it's simply a matter of 'will the 330d be all the car the E36 is, plus a bit of exonomy'.
I love the 328i engine, I love the 330d's effortless torque and stonk. To me, that diesel is like an industrial power plant...
So, I was planning on sticking the E36 on eBay, 99p no reserve, and expecting no more than £500 for it. That makes the changover cost to the newer, mildly leggier 330d about £1,000... Worth it???
Final point: The 330d's turbo failed last month. New replacement and throughly respectable work done, now runs fine, car back to normal. Does that change anyones opinion? At least that's out of the way!!
I currently have an E36 328i touring, 169k on the clock and rocking on strong. See my 'garage' for more details...
My plan was basically to pound this car into the ground. It has no inherant value, drives incredibly well and does everything need in a car - long cruises, dog in the boot, fast enough not to be dull. My only niggles with it are it's slight thirst (30mpg) which I can live with as I do about 6-8k miles a year. I've had it a year, it's proved reliable and decent. Bit of rust, by no means a minter but no shed either.
However, a family owned E46 330d touring has just come up....
It's an X-plate car, 180k miles (stop sniggering at the back!) manual box, I have driven it, and it's been in the family about 7 years. Meticulously serviced and well cared for, nice spec, and it's even chipped for 'economy'. For about £1,600 (been offered this as a trade in).
The cash isn't a problem, I can insure both, it's simply a matter of 'will the 330d be all the car the E36 is, plus a bit of exonomy'.
I love the 328i engine, I love the 330d's effortless torque and stonk. To me, that diesel is like an industrial power plant...
So, I was planning on sticking the E36 on eBay, 99p no reserve, and expecting no more than £500 for it. That makes the changover cost to the newer, mildly leggier 330d about £1,000... Worth it???
Final point: The 330d's turbo failed last month. New replacement and throughly respectable work done, now runs fine, car back to normal. Does that change anyones opinion? At least that's out of the way!!
I'd never do that "upgrade" based on savings from fuel economy at the low number of miles you do. The E46 is much more likely to land you with a bill that "wipes out" any the savings!
The "only" reason i'd pick the E46 is because it is a "nicer" car to drive every day imo
I say stick to the E36, or save up a bit more and get a better E46.
The "only" reason i'd pick the E46 is because it is a "nicer" car to drive every day imo
I say stick to the E36, or save up a bit more and get a better E46.
The 328 has a much nicer engine, and doesn't use THAT much more fuel, you'll be lucky to see 40mpg out the 330d. At your sort of mileage I doubt you'll ever really recoup the cost of changing. The E46 is a slightly nicer place to be, the E36 is a better drive. The old stager will quite happily show its younger brother a clean set of heels if you poke it with a big stick.
I would stick to be honest. The 328i's are fantastic cars, especially given how little they cost.
I would stick to be honest. The 328i's are fantastic cars, especially given how little they cost.
Is your 6-8k mileage mostly short runs?
If it is I would avoid the 330d, can take 8-10 miles to get up to temperature at this time of year. I wouldn't be without mine at 25k a year, I get 45mpg average but it's mostly long runs. Short trips of a few miles and you would do well getting 35mpg. New turbo is a bonus, they all die sooner or later.
The cabin is nice enough to spend time in, torque is suitably well delivered.
If it is I would avoid the 330d, can take 8-10 miles to get up to temperature at this time of year. I wouldn't be without mine at 25k a year, I get 45mpg average but it's mostly long runs. Short trips of a few miles and you would do well getting 35mpg. New turbo is a bonus, they all die sooner or later.
The cabin is nice enough to spend time in, torque is suitably well delivered.
As someone who swore blind I'd NEVER have an estate or an auto or a diesel I am totally smitten by my 330d auto Touring.
It sounds remarkably similar to yours (well you are going to buy it, aren't you?).
2000W, 175,000, Fsh, new turbo at 160,000 and an "economy" remap.
I bloody love its effortless wooshing(!) grunt and the fact that a bit of lowering and some M3 wheels make it look worth far more than its actual value.
My 328 is in an E30 Touring where it's perhaps a little more economical than your E36 what with it weighing about the same as a large donner and chips.
The E30 is becoming an Ebay special and is currently awaiting a lsd and the sport seats which are at the trimmers.
If I had to sell one of them, it's hard to accept that it would almost certainly be the E30.
Go and buy the E46, you'll love it.
It sounds remarkably similar to yours (well you are going to buy it, aren't you?).
2000W, 175,000, Fsh, new turbo at 160,000 and an "economy" remap.
I bloody love its effortless wooshing(!) grunt and the fact that a bit of lowering and some M3 wheels make it look worth far more than its actual value.
My 328 is in an E30 Touring where it's perhaps a little more economical than your E36 what with it weighing about the same as a large donner and chips.
The E30 is becoming an Ebay special and is currently awaiting a lsd and the sport seats which are at the trimmers.
If I had to sell one of them, it's hard to accept that it would almost certainly be the E30.
Go and buy the E46, you'll love it.
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