[E60525d]

Im looking to replace my E46 with an E90 in the near future. Has anyone had a E46 previous to there E90? If so, how do they compare in terms of ride, handling, build quality, etc?

Thanks

[Jamie_E92]

Hi, I've had 17 e46's (don't ask lol)

Mostly 330 petrol coupes but a few 325's and a few 318s.

Cooling systems are weak & lollipop bushes on the front but aside that pretty bullet proof. Arguably better built than the e90, doors feel more solid IMO.

Getting rare in good nick now with the newest ones being 9 years old.

I'd go for either a 330 petrol or 330 diesel, the 320/325 petrols are virtually the same to run as the 330 but without the performance.

Swirl flaps are an issue on all derv's except the 330 manual 184 bhp.

[old grey steve]

I owned a 330d E46 up until 2012(purchased it in early 2005)this was my first foray in to BMW ownership and I now work for an Indy where we see a few along with a grater number of E9x's, what grabs me straight away and was to a degree confirmed by getting to see so many is that from the inside the general material fit on the E46 feels better the dash material and door cards for instance feel more sturdier (though things like the trim finishers are a weak piping as they scratch/mark much like the E9x series cars)

To work on the E46 is going to be easier, not that for people like us the E9x causes concerns, certain things like for instance the owner changing the headunit are straightforward on the E46 whereas the E9x series isn't as straightforward as you may read elsewhere.

Biggest thing for me though is in the drive, the E46 still drives well but the E9x feels a more modern package even with RFT's I personally think they E9x's handle better they feel tighter sharper(all part of modern design-stiffer body etc.)there's more power with the latest E9x models and along with it come more in some cases complexity.

The E46 inside is the last if the BM's with the faithful dash that was contoured so that it swept around the driver, which I'd of liked to if been bought forward with the new designs, bit after a while you accept the modern face and move on I guess. Suspension wise E46's suffer the usual issues(front lower arms and control arm bushes(we call them eye bushes) and anti roll bar drop links)these seem to be a regular thing with these the E9x series is far more robust in the suspension department arms and bushes do go but not to the extent of the E46.

I think that like myself you'll feel that when driven the later cars feel sharper I now when I drive an E46 feel like it's an old car all round I felt the same when I had my E46 and drove an E36 but that's progress.

Personally if you get the right car you won't look bad but avoid the 318, 320 four pot petrol and if your seeking a diesel and only doing short mileage think again the 320d's and we see a fair few if they go wrong can be money chewers where as the 325d and 330d's can if they go wrong still cost but seem a bit more robust as for the petrol a nice 325 or 330i's gonna serve you well.

[BMWChap]

I had a 325i M Sport' wasn't impressed at all, I would definitely go for a 330D

[CoryP]

I've had an E46 and now have a 335i coupe. Differences to simply put is the handling in an E46 is more raw and E90's are a smoother ride but in an E46 I felt there was power missing in the inline 6 and the 335 delivers turbo 😜

[E60525d]

Originally Posted by Jamie_E92

Hi, I've had 17 e46's (don't ask lol)

Mostly 330 petrol coupes but a few 325's and a few 318s.

Cooling systems are weak & lollipop bushes on the front but aside that pretty bullet proof. Arguably better built than the e90, doors feel more solid IMO.

Getting rare in good nick now with the newest ones being 9 years old.

I'd go for either a 330 petrol or 330 diesel, the 320/325 petrols are virtually the same to run as the 330 but without the performance.

Swirl flaps are an issue on all derv's except the 330 manual 184 bhp.

Thanks, bit it sounds like your describing the E46 there. Im looking to go from a E46 to E90.

Originally Posted by old grey steve

I owned a 330d E46 up until 2012(purchased it in early 2005)this was my first foray in to BMW ownership and I now work for an Indy where we see a few along with a grater number of E9x's, what grabs me straight away and was to a degree confirmed by getting to see so many is that from the inside the general material fit on the E46 feels better the dash material and door cards for instance feel more sturdier (though things like the trim finishers are a weak piping as they scratch/mark much like the E9x series cars)

To work on the E46 is going to be easier, not that for people like us the E9x causes concerns, certain things like for instance the owner changing the headunit are straightforward on the E46 whereas the E9x series isn't as straightforward as you may read elsewhere.

Biggest thing for me though is in the drive, the E46 still drives well but the E9x feels a more modern package even with RFT's I personally think they E9x's handle better they feel tighter sharper(all part of modern design-stiffer body etc.)there's more power with the latest E9x models and along with it come more in some cases complexity.

The E46 inside is the last if the BM's with the faithful dash that was contoured so that it swept around the driver, which I'd of liked to if been bought forward with the new designs, bit after a while you accept the modern face and move on I guess. Suspension wise E46's suffer the usual issues(front lower arms and control arm bushes(we call them eye bushes) and anti roll bar drop links)these seem to be a regular thing with these the E9x series is far more robust in the suspension department arms and bushes do go but not to the extent of the E46.

I think that like myself you'll feel that when driven the later cars feel sharper I now when I drive an E46 feel like it's an old car all round I felt the same when I had my E46 and drove an E36 but that's progress.

Personally if you get the right car you won't look bad but avoid the 318, 320 four pot petrol and if your seeking a diesel and only doing short mileage think again the 320d's and we see a fair few if they go wrong can be money chewers where as the 325d and 330d's can if they go wrong still cost but seem a bit more robust as for the petrol a nice 325 or 330i's gonna serve you well.

Fantastic reply, just what i was looking for.

I do over 20,000 miles a year so it will be 318/320 diesel for me. I was looking at another E46 but even the young ones are nearly 10 years old now.

Also I have a E46 325i and felt going to a E46 320d would be too much of a downgrade in terms of refinement.

Im was hoping the E90 diesel will be much refined and it sounds like it is.

[Jamie_E92]

Oh balls I didn't read it properly sorry! I think you'll be just fine with a 320d as I say I've had many a petrol 6 cyl e46 with 231bhp & don't feel like I'm missing out on performance, just sound!!

[AlwynMike]

It sounds like you've never driven an E9x

E90 & E46 are like chalk and cheese in the ride department, the E90 is so much better, even with RFT's on. Get an LCi and it will be better still on RFT's.

E90 will be quieter as there will be less crash and bang from the suspension on our rough roads although similar on most motorways.

From your sig - do you have an E60?
The E60 Sport is harsher than the (LCi) E90 Sport, although the E60 SE is on a par with the E90, although the E90 will go round corners tidier than an E60 I had a 530d).

Couldn't comment directly on performance - I had 330d E46 Touring's in manual an Auto, and now I've got an E91 335d, so yes, the performance is better

There are issues with the 2 litre diesels, as there are with the petrols, but the drive will be so much better with the 2 litre diesel, so just choose carefully, do the maintenance and enjoy!

Mike

[Statler]

I came to the E92 320d from an e46 320d Touring. The e46 is more solid build quality but the e92 drives better.

Check any 320d E9x with a main dealer to make sure that it's not affected by the timing chain breaking issue, they should be able to confirm by engine number. That's a biggie if the chain breaks, but you'll know that...

[E90325iM-SPORT]

Replace your e46 with e46 m3 ! That is the one to buy. I had e46 318i 2.0 (timing chain issues) 320cd (swirl flaps issues) and 330ci (cooling system issues) plus all above had crap wishbones. I think e90drives better (If not on rft) than non m e46.

[john-vfr]

E46 touring replaced with E91 touring. Both 2.0d's. E91 far better and quicker!

[M4rius]

Had e46 M3, replaced with e92 325i

[G82Dude]

Had 330Ci, and two M3s in E46 guise and most recently 330i (N53) E92. All been great with no issues at all. New DI engine just doesn't sound as good as old Ci!

E92 more refined.

[oliver51090]

I had an e46 before the e92. Miss it all the time. Probably cause i didnt pay much so ragged it. Also was my first car, i found the steering better in the e46 dont like the part electric. But ive gotten used to it now and its not so bad actually pretty sharp and direct. I found the manuals in the e9x arent as good as the e46 and the ones i drove felt clunky. The e92 has no rattles and imo is better built with better materials. More solid. In terms of a day to day drive and comfort luxury and features the e9x is better hands down. But as someone mentioned the e46 is more raw. I recall one time i took a turn (only had a 316ti) in the wet and the back end completely stepped out. This would never happen with the e9x it is dummy proof. Only a fool can make it spin out lol. Both are great but if i had the choice of both cars in the same condition i would definitely go e9x

[Statler]

Originally Posted by Statler

I came to the E92 320d from an e46 320d Touring. The e46 is more solid build quality but the e92 drives better.

Check any 320d E9x with a main dealer to make sure that it's not affected by the timing chain breaking issue, they should be able to confirm by engine number. That's a biggie if the chain breaks, but you'll know that...

Quoting myself... but Clutch.
Make sure any manual 320d you look at has had a replacement clutch, you'll find a fair few topics on here about it.
This should have been done within the warranty period
Look for 'clutch judder'

S

[E60525d]

Thanks everyone for the comments. Im going to look at a E90 320d on the weekend.