Is the e46 really starting to look dated? Judge yourself!

bearfoot · 12-15-2005, 11:12 AM

The pictures below show pictures that enable making a good comparison between the e46 and the e90. Judge yourself. I especially noticed the improved interior of the e90.

bearfoot · 12-15-2005, 11:15 AM

Oops, I made a mistake with the first two pictures:

LEDZEP · 12-15-2005, 11:21 AM

It will soon begin to look dated as more E90s take to the road. I see tons of E46's on the road and IMO it is still a damn nice looking car!

SCA · 12-15-2005, 11:22 AM

I think the E46 with ZHP (Performance Pkg.) still looks pretty good.

jmcphillips1 · 12-15-2005, 11:37 AM

e90 smokes the e46

obLu · 12-15-2005, 11:37 AM

Quote:

I think the E46 with ZHP (Performance Pkg.) still looks pretty good

Ditto, I still think the ZHP looks better than the e90, even with the m-sport bits.

eninetee · 12-16-2005, 01:15 AM

they both are great cars, the e46 is still as looks beautiful in my eyes.

however, i prefer the cockpit of the e46 as oppposed to the straight one of the e90.

Iceman69 · 12-16-2005, 03:45 AM

I think that if I didn't know, it would be diffcult to say which is the newer and whick the older, it would be even more diffcult, if you put a picture of the coupè (E46 or M3 E46) instead of the sedan.

In my opinion the new interior looks older, and ugly, then the previous.

erawamai · 12-16-2005, 04:14 PM

the e90 interior is a step back in shape.

Wolf359 · 12-16-2005, 06:31 PM

The M-Sport package really enhanced the look of the E46, but sadly it was not that common to see. The more basic E46, mostly in light colors where the black rubber on the doors really was obvious, did look a bit older.

That said, it was a great design that will still look good a decade after its introduction. You can't say that about many cars.

shimshimhada · 12-16-2005, 10:39 PM

Xens · 12-16-2005, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

Dammit I love both.

ksfrogman · 12-16-2005, 11:26 PM

The e46 is a classic beauty. The interior is more driver-centric and cozy.

The e90 is beautiful in a new and different way. The exterior side profile is amazingly similar to that of the e46. The interior appears more simple and spaceous, but tasteful and borrowed from the e60 design.

I predict that as the e90 evolves in the coming years, headlight design may change slightly along with the front and rear bumper covers, as M-sport and other aftermarket variants suggest.

**Jay-V** · 12-16-2005, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCA

I think the E46 with ZHP (Performance Pkg.) still looks pretty good.

I agree

One-Way · 12-17-2005, 02:36 AM

I looked at the first post for like 10 minutes, because of both cares being the '06 model. I was like, "Huhhh? The old ones don't look like that!" Took me 10 minutes to scroll down at your second post, lol.

SV Concepts III · 12-17-2005, 02:55 AM

I'm still hunkering down for that E90 M3, not 100% sold on the sedan just yet.

bearfoot · 12-17-2005, 03:08 AM

Nice to see that a lot of people are still positive about the e46. I like both cars. The car below shows a beautiful e46 coupe that IMO could make e90 owners a little bit 'jealous':

ZenDriver · 12-17-2005, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Ditto, I still think the ZHP looks better than the e90, even with the m-sport bits.

The E46 with the ZHP was the pinnical of the E46 chassis after over 5 years of the car being in the field, the competition's cards shown, and the design honed to perfection. On top of that, the E46 was a design with a lot of intrinsic connections to the E36.

The E90 is brand new and is the application of the new BMW design language to the 3 series. As a first attempt, it is damn good looking but the older model's best variant has some intrinsic advantages. The E90 will be stunning after the mid lifecycle refresh...

SpeedFreak! · 12-17-2005, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obLu

Ditto, I still think the ZHP looks better than the e90, even with the m-sport bits.

Hell yeah... and drives better. Hands down!

SpeedFreak! · 12-17-2005, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One-Way

I looked at the first post for like 10 minutes, because of both cares being the '06 model. I was like, "Huhhh? The old ones don't look like that!" Took me 10 minutes to scroll down at your second post, lol.

I didn't even notice until your post.

shimshimhada · 12-17-2005, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

The E46 with the ZHP was the pinnical of the E46 chassis after over 5 years of the car being in the field, the competition's cards shown, and the design honed to perfection. On top of that, the E46 was a design with a lot of intrinsic connections to the E36.

The E90 is brand new and is the application of the new BMW design language to the 3 series. As a first attempt, it is damn good looking but the older model's best variant has some intrinsic advantages. The E90 will be stunning after the mid lifecycle refresh...

Actually, the E90 went a step back in terms of some styling cues. The connected grill/bonnet of the E46 was new, yet the E90 (and the other newer models) went back to the cut grill/bonnet design. Also, they moved the side indicators back down, which is from the pre-facelift E46s.

I'm with you on the evolving design through its production run though; I'm sure the "final" E90 design will be ausgezeichnet!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedFreak!

Hell yeah... and drives better. Hands down!

Agreed

I just came back from a two hour drive from 3am to 5am. It owns.

BMW0 · 12-17-2005, 10:52 AM

You can see how the windows tend to be more street rod small on the E90 versus the e46 are big enough to let you relax your arm on the ledge with comfort. Both cars are remarkably cool and tasteful in every angle. If they were chocolate, I'd eat um both like the fat kid from "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory."

12-15-2005, 11:12 AM	#1
bearfoot First Lieutenant 36 Rep 305 Posts Drives: e46 320i +soon: e90 325i M Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Is the e46 really starting to look dated? Judge yourself! The pictures below show pictures that enable making a good comparison between the e46 and the e90. Judge yourself. I especially noticed the improved interior of the e90. Attached Images
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12-15-2005, 11:15 AM	#2
bearfoot First Lieutenant 36 Rep 305 Posts Drives: e46 320i +soon: e90 325i M Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Oops, I made a mistake with the first two pictures: Attached Images
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12-15-2005, 11:21 AM	#3
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	It will soon begin to look dated as more E90s take to the road. I see tons of E46's on the road and IMO it is still a damn nice looking car! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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12-15-2005, 11:22 AM	#4
SCA Brigadier General 565 Rep 3,742 Posts Drives: Multiple BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 🇺🇸 iTrader: (0)	I think the E46 with ZHP (Performance Pkg.) still looks pretty good.
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12-15-2005, 11:37 AM	#5
jmcphillips1 Captain 60 Rep 667 Posts Drives: 2012 128 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW 128i Coupe [0.00]	e90 smokes the e46
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12-16-2005, 01:15 AM	#7
eninetee New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: e46 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: mys iTrader: (0)	they both are great cars, the e46 is still as looks beautiful in my eyes. however, i prefer the cockpit of the e46 as oppposed to the straight one of the e90.
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12-16-2005, 03:45 AM	#8
Iceman69 New Member 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: BMW 330cd Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Italy iTrader: (0)	I think that if I didn't know, it would be diffcult to say which is the newer and whick the older, it would be even more diffcult, if you put a picture of the coupè (E46 or M3 E46) instead of the sedan. In my opinion the new interior looks older, and ugly, then the previous.
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12-16-2005, 04:14 PM	#9
erawamai First Lieutenant 162 Rep 305 Posts Drives: BMW 330i G21 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	the e90 interior is a step back in shape.
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12-16-2005, 06:31 PM	#10
Wolf359 Captain 12 Rep 942 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	The M-Sport package really enhanced the look of the E46, but sadly it was not that common to see. The more basic E46, mostly in light colors where the black rubber on the doors really was obvious, did look a bit older. That said, it was a great design that will still look good a decade after its introduction. You can't say that about many cars.
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12-16-2005, 10:39 PM	#11
shimshimhada Brigadier General 442 Rep 4,838 Posts Drives: Portal Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portal iTrader: (2)
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12-16-2005, 11:26 PM	#13
ksfrogman Major General 576 Rep 6,750 Posts Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	The e46 is a classic beauty. The interior is more driver-centric and cozy. The e90 is beautiful in a new and different way. The exterior side profile is amazingly similar to that of the e46. The interior appears more simple and spaceous, but tasteful and borrowed from the e60 design. I predict that as the e90 evolves in the coming years, headlight design may change slightly along with the front and rear bumper covers, as M-sport and other aftermarket variants suggest. __________________
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12-17-2005, 02:36 AM	#15
One-Way Private First Class 27 Rep 154 Posts Drives: Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Glendale, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	I looked at the first post for like 10 minutes, because of both cares being the '06 model. I was like, "Huhhh? The old ones don't look like that!" Took me 10 minutes to scroll down at your second post, lol.
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12-17-2005, 02:55 AM	#16
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	I'm still hunkering down for that E90 M3, not 100% sold on the sedan just yet.
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12-17-2005, 03:08 AM	#17
bearfoot First Lieutenant 36 Rep 305 Posts Drives: e46 320i +soon: e90 325i M Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Nice to see that a lot of people are still positive about the e46. I like both cars. The car below shows a beautiful e46 coupe that IMO could make e90 owners a little bit 'jealous': Attached Images
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12-17-2005, 10:52 AM	#22
BMW0 Colonel 237 Rep 2,059 Posts Drives: AW E90 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	You can see how the windows tend to be more street rod small on the E90 versus the e46 are big enough to let you relax your arm on the ledge with comfort. Both cars are remarkably cool and tasteful in every angle. If they were chocolate, I'd eat um both like the fat kid from "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory." __________________ 330i 6MT l 255 HP @ 5900 rpm 214 lb-ft Torque @ 3500 rpm l Alpine White l Beige l Aluminum l ZSP l 494 l PDC "Freude am Fahren" = "Joy to Drive"
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