Unofficialbmw.com Forum Index Unofficialbmw.com
The UnofficialBMW BB, answers for your BMW questions.
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

E36 to E46- how do you like it?
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Unofficialbmw.com Forum Index -> E46 - 3 Series Forum

Support Unofficialbmw.com :: Download Free Healthy Habits iPhone app!

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
dsonyay



Joined: 30 Jul 2002
Posts: 895
Location: Slidell. LA

PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 7:35 am    Post subject: E36 to E46- how do you like it? Reply with quote

I'm interested in hearing from any E36 owners who are now driving an E46.

How do you compare the build quality of the E46 to your previous E36? Do you notice that all the electrical systems are built better?

I'm in a 95 325is w/auto tranny and beginning to look for a 2000 or 2001 E46. This time with 5 spd and sport package.

I'm thinking the E46 is a better built car overall - a step up from the E36.

My mechanic thinks the E30's were built better than the E36, but the E46 is a better built car than the E36 after it came out.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
jamespaul



Joined: 12 Nov 2000
Posts: 30
Location: uk

PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 7:46 am    Post subject: E36 to E46- how do you like it? Reply with quote

Hi David,

Before owning my present 2003 330D sport, I owned 2 E36's, namely a 325i coupe and a 328i convertible.

There is no contest when it comes to build quality between the E36 and E46. My 330 feels so much more solid and touch wood it has been very reliable with many thousand trouble free miles to date.

Driving wise, the 330 tends towards under steer before progressive oversteer and I feel much more confident driving quickly around islands!

Guarantee you'll enjoy it!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
rld777
Guest





PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 8:03 am    Post subject: E36 to E46- how do you like it? Reply with quote

jamespaul,

What sort of real world mileage do you recieve with your 330D? I would love to own one of those over here!
Back to top
Tom Busby



Joined: 11 Feb 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas

PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:42 pm    Post subject: E36 to E46- how do you like it? Reply with quote

I have a '95 318i and just bought a 2001 325i. The e46 has a better suspension for both cornering and softness of the ride, and I think that it is a little lighter although it is bigger and much more elegant. The e46 is a lot more car for a lot more money. I bought mine from an independent dealer for $15,300 with 72,000 miles. It is a manual without the sport suspension or wheels. Compare that to the the 318i automatic I bought for my daughter for $6,100 with 116,000 miles about 6 months ago. The e36 is still a great car and is why I got interested in BMW's.
So, if you are looking for a 2000, look for a 328 as the 323 is down on power from the 325, which was new in 2001 I think. I test drove some 328 cars and they are very strong engines, but the 2001 cars seem to be better thought out in some details like the cooling fans (all electric), the 6 speakers in the front doors, the double VANOS on the 325 which gives two torque peaks (at 3000rpm and 6000rpm) and I think the moonroof is a little different too.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
jamespaul



Joined: 12 Nov 2000
Posts: 30
Location: uk

PostPosted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 1:24 pm    Post subject: E36 to E46- how do you like it? Reply with quote

I get around 34mpg on average, but achieve low 40's on the highway. I think the autobox takes away some of the economy but I adore the torque the engine puts out!!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Rose



Joined: 10 Mar 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Newcastle/Australia

PostPosted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 3:32 pm    Post subject: E36 to E46- how do you like it? Reply with quote

I own an E36 94 318i auto and also an E46 2003 318i auto no comparison the E46 absolutely rocks it has the get up and go which the E36 auto just does't have. A dream to drive heaps of power just a bit to much when I first drove it big surprise. My E46 318i gets 8lts per 100klms much the same as my E36 gets 7.6ltrs/100klms. I'm lazy that's why I have an auto but it is still fun to drive with the steptronic.


[ 03-19-2005: Message edited by: Rose ]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
GK3



Joined: 20 Jan 2006
Posts: 31
Location: Cape Coral, FL

PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't know much about the E36's but I will say that I believe my old E30 is a more solid built car than my newer E46. With that said, both cars seem to be built really solid, but I honestly do not foresee the E46 being as solid of a car as my E30 once it reaches the age of my E30..... In other words, I don't think the E46 will feel as solid in 15-20 years as my old E30 does today (87-325 & 99 - 323).
_________________
I don't feel tardy - Diamond Dave

87 325
99 323i
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
gigel



Joined: 12 Sep 2002
Posts: 1533
Location: Dallas/TX

PostPosted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The e46 is a much classier car than e36. My 2000 323 feels faster then my previous 2 328s. I think 325 has more power (it spins faster) but less torque. 328 and 330 are pretty quick... But aside from power, this one is smoother, auto shifts nicer, rides quieter etc.
As far as quality, my e36 were reliable, so I can't say this e46 is better. I have problems with the front control arm bushings (and maybe balljoints) on mine, but to me that is understandable, because I believe these things wear down. And I am planning a whole control arm swap, and that's not too expensive. The door panels had bubbling on the 328 e36, but those were 96 (and 97) cars, I can't tell if this one would not develop the same thing in 2-3 yrs...
Things these days are not built to last 20-30 yrs, so I doubt that an e46 in 30 yrs would be as functional as a 30 yrs old e30... But the e30 didn't come with ASC, auto AC, memory seats etc. A car with manual windows would have much more reliable windows than a car with pinch-controlled all way one touch up-down windows, right?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mif_slim



Joined: 28 Sep 2004
Posts: 967
Location: sacramento

PostPosted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Im a e36 driver and still am... I test drove the e46.. I like them.. very nice cars! I thought about buying one.. but I look at it from all angles and i guess I didnt really like them, they just didnt look at sporty as I would of wanted them to. The only one I like is the white 330i or the M3(in any color)....other then that their great cars! my e30 325is 89 is mroe solid then my e36..but I havent own'd a e46 to say that its as solid.. since I havent taken the e46 to the max limit like I have with my other two. Very Happy

Oh and also, I know feel can be differnt but I know for fact that my 328iS is much faster then the 323 cause I was able to beat a 330i e46. Very Happy
_________________
IIVII II IF
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
SSearch



Joined: 15 Apr 2003
Posts: 591
Location: Vermont, USA

PostPosted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I made the jump from a 1994 325is to a 2002 330XI. Performance wise 330 is much less abrupt then the 325 - but then the 330 is a sleeper. It goes like stink and the all wheel drive makes it feel like you're breaking the laws of physics in corners (previous experience was with Talon TSI and Audi 90 Q). The Vanos gives it the 3500 rpm boost, and the change in stance makes it a much smoother car.
_________________
02 330XI
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ken Roseman



Joined: 24 Dec 2001
Posts: 46
Location: winnipeg manitoba canada

PostPosted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Just sold my 1992 321is which I have owned since new,and have had a 2004 330i for the past 2 years as well. The e36 cars are more fun to drive but have Rust Issues,Replaced Front fenders and was about to put one the third trunklid as they rust at the bottom seam. The E46 has a 12yr rust warranty in canada. Both cars are well washed and over maintained.Other e36 issues: Lower ball joints O2 sensors,idler pulleys,radiator,condensor,water pump,thermostate etc. E36 parts keep my dealer smiling. E46 better interior,better build quality but not as much fun to drive.
Waiting for 335 turbo coupe to drive Possible next car.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
zander



Joined: 19 Oct 2004
Posts: 13
Location: Atlanta

PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have 1997 318i manual and I just test drove 2000 323 iT auto and I am totally puzzled about performance. I do understand that I got used to manual and test drove an automatic but 323iT has 6 cans and my old 318 has just 4 so I expected them to perform the same. Absolutely not my experience! When in full auto 323iT drives like a Honda. When I put it into semi-automatic and start shifting gears myself it drives like a BMW.

While driving I noticed that unless I gun it fully automatic mode never ever goes over 3000 rpm and the most bizzare thing was to find the car in 5th gear at about 40mph when shifting from fully automatic to semi-automatic, then I had to downshift one and then again it was driving like a BMW.

Is this normal for 323 automatic, or something is wrong with the tranny?

I kinda like the car though and would have bought it if not for this bizzare automatic behavior. So is this normal for fully automatic mode to never go over 3000 rpm and shift gears too early?

I still could buy the car tomorrow morning if somebody would care to comment.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
gigel



Joined: 12 Sep 2002
Posts: 1533
Location: Dallas/TX

PostPosted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 6:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you put the car in D and floor it from a stand still, it will shift near the redline. This auto works like every other auto, it will shift sooner if you barely press on the gas, and rev it more when you press more.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Timo



Joined: 07 May 2001
Posts: 96
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

PostPosted: Fri May 18, 2007 4:02 am    Post subject: E36 - 46 - the gap is not that huge Reply with quote

We own a 91 E30 318i, a 96 E36 3i8i and a 02 E46 318i Touring. The leap in ride quality, NVH proofing and so on between the E30 and 36 is dramatic. That said I love driving the E30 but sadly, its about to be sold. Its a simple robust car. It has all the bells and whistles for a car of its generation, bar the sun roof, and they all work. No rust, or major repairs, just normal wear and tear. The E46 feels like the E36 only more divorced from the environment. Its quieter, the suspension soaks up bumps better even with 50 profile tyres the ride is ebtter than the E36 on 60's. The E46 chassis is even less tail happy than the E36 and ther's no comparison with the E30. This spoils the car if you enjoy tail out antics, as I do. I'm not disappointed in the E46, its like the E36 with more of the same added, if that makes sense...
_________________
Steel Gray 02 318i Touring 86 000 km
Samoa Blue 1996 318i 196000km Diamond Black 1991 318i 315000km
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
zander



Joined: 19 Oct 2004
Posts: 13
Location: Atlanta

PostPosted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought E46 couple months by now (not the one I mentioned earlier, but the one with manual) and I drive both almost dayly. E46 is a totally different car as far as the driving is concerned. I say it is twice the car for twice the money.

The clutch is a lot softer on E46 (and I mean A LOT) so I have difficulties adjusting when I switch between cars... Is the clutch on my E36 set "too hard" and on E46 set "too soft", or this is what others are experiencing? Mechanic say this is how they are - "you could press the clutch with a finger on those E46"
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Unofficialbmw.com Forum Index -> E46 - 3 Series Forum All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group