So I just bought a 96 BMW e36 328i about 2 months ago and I like it a lot but I want something newer and I don't want lose power and I've been leaning towards an e46 330i 2001 I just don't know which is better , I am 17 turning 18 next month I want a one I can keep for years to come oh and both are automatic
Drive the 330i and see which one you like better.
I would take the E46 330i. Newer, more powerful.
I have both. I love my E46 330i. The M54B30 is a much more powerful motor compared to the M52B28 is my E36. The E46 is also a more modern and refined version of the E36. Both of my cars are manual transmission, so I can't tell you how each compare with automatics.
Each car has its merits. Since you are young, I would stick with the E36. E46's are a little bit more complicated mechanically and more complicated electronically.
Whatever you end up doing, make sure you knock out all the maintenance on your car. The E36 will be a very reliable car. I've had mine for 13 years.
Last edited by shoman24v; 08-13-2017 at 09:39 AM.
| 2002 330i 5-SPD - 101k | 2000 528iT - 146k |
My E46 Maintenance Thread http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1124584
From a maintenance perspective, the E36 is likely going to be quite a bit less expensive to keep up, although the E46 is not stupid expensive. As mentioned, the E46 is newer and more refined. The E36 is going to be more raw, in terms of feel.
Of course, if straight line going fast is what you want, the the 330i is going to give you more of that, at a price.
I bought my son an '01 325i about six months ago. I paid $1700 for it and it NEEDED about another $1k worth of DIY work. The clear coat is screwed, but it's otherwise in decent shape. He loves it. When we bought the car, the first thing we did was change the oil and refresh the cooling system. He just hit over 5k miles on it, so we're getting ready to change the oil again and it hasn't lost a drop since the last oil change.
What is your definition of the word "better"?
The issue with the E36 is the electronix. BMW started shifting to greater reliance on electronix with the E36. That transistion created issues.
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