E46 M-Sport or E90 Executive

[Harangody]

I'm choosing between a late-model E46 or a newer E90.

I like the sports look of the E46. The E90's interior looks boring. These cars are in similar price brackets. However, with regards to driving dynamics and the overall package, what are your experiences when moving from one platform to the other? Thoughts?

Which generation is more of an ultimate driving machine?

[GTi]

I'd prefer the E46! IMHO, that is the last good looking car BMW was going to produce for over ten years. Basta yung E46, medyo bagu-bago pa, hindi mataas ang mileage and is of a relatively high variant, yun na talaga.

[myk384]

THE ULTIMATE USED CAR GUIDE: Used Car of the Week - BMW 3-Series (1999-2005)

BMW 3 Series E46 Used car review

[Harangody]

My neighbor has an '05 E46, 43,000 kms. Okay ba yung mileage?

[ronw123w124]

Looks wise, I prefer the E90 to the E46. But if given the chance to own another BMW 3 series I'd definitely go with the classic E30.

[Starex_Gold]

Kung 325i SMG yung E46 M-Sport, doon na ako

[GTi]

My neighbor has an '05 E46, 43,000 kms. Okay ba yung mileage?

Baba ng mileage ah! Anong engine?

[Harangody]

Baba ng mileage ah! Anong engine?

325i. Okay rin ba yung 318i?

[Harangody]

Last batch pala ng E46 yung '05?

Bebenta daw by May pag makuha na niya yung Camaro niya! Haha!

Do you guys prefer the E46's exterior over the E90?

[GTi]

Last batch pala ng E46 yung '05?

Bebenta daw by May pag makuha na niya yung Camaro niya! Haha!

Do you guys prefer the E46's exterior over the E90?

The E46 was produced till 2005 during which it was succeeded by the E90.

As for the looks, I was never a fan of Chris Bangle's work. The rear part of the E90 reminds me of the 1st gen Vios, which isn't a good thing. Though I would consider the E90 already among the better looking of Chris Bangle's designs, I find the E46's design simply timeless.

[Harangody]

Aside from the looks, what else does the E46 have over the E90?

[niky]

Better than them in terms of material quality and refinement... but as an overall package? If I'm getting it at the same price, I'd rather get a new-ish compact car over an old E46.

As for the looks, I was never a fan of Chris Bangle's work. The rear part of the E90 reminds me of the 1st gen Vios, which isn't a good thing. Though I would consider the E90 already among the better looking of Chris Bangle's designs, I find the E46's design simply timeless.

Chris Bangle oversaw the production of the E46.

If you'll note, some of the worst "Bangle-isms" occurred on Hooydonk designs... the 6-series being one of the worst. Now Hooydonk is head of BMW design... be afraid...

People directly responsible for certain BMW designs:
BMW Car Designers

Aside from the looks, what else does the E46 have over the E90?

Nothing. Less rear seat space. Less refined. Fuel eocnomy sucks with the automatics... and even with the manual, if you're getting a 318. Most "M-Sports" are merely badge-jobs that aren't really fast or particularly sporty.

[GTi]

Chris Bangle oversaw the production of the E46.

If you'll note, some of the worst "Bangle-isms" occurred on Hooydonk designs... the 6-series being one of the worst. Now Hooydonk is head of BMW design... be afraid...

People directly responsible for certain BMW designs:
BMW Car Designers



Nothing. Less rear seat space. Less refined. Fuel eocnomy sucks with the automatics... and even with the manual, if you're getting a 318. Most "M-Sports" are merely badge-jobs that aren't really fast or particularly sporty.

Yeah, what i meant was his design philosophy which was implemented in the E90, E60, E63 and E65. Personally, I see that BMW's newest designs are going in the right direction as seen in the latest 3 series, which looks appropriately aggressive, IMHO.

And then again, the M-Sport the TS is getting is a 2005 325i M Sport! Now that's one car befitting of the M-Sport badge.

[Harangody]

Guys ano mas okay?

- BMW 318i M-Sport + BMW Z3 (Z Plate)
- E90
- 325i M-Sport + Cheap Project E36

No problem sa parts and maintenance. May nakukuhanan kami na mas mura ng 60% or more compared sa stealership.

[renzo_d10]

Hm. Hard one. Pero I'm torn between the 1st and last choice.

2 is better than one, 2 bimmers pa.

Pero kung kelangan mamili, I might go with the 1st one. I never liked the E36, pero I prefer the 325i vs. the 318i obviously.

And having a 2 door sports coupe seems to be more fun than having a slowpoke 4 door sedan that doesn't look good at all.

[GTi]

Guys ano mas okay?

- BMW 318i M-Sport + BMW Z3 (Z Plate)
- E90
- 325i M-Sport + Cheap Project E36

No problem sa parts and maintenance. May nakukuhanan kami na mas mura ng 60% or more compared sa stealership.

I'd still get the 3rd choice. The Z3 just ain't practical especially since we live in the Philippines. The ragtop will almost always be up unless you go to the provinces, and if you do open it up, you'd be scrubbing every inch of the interior afterwards. Then there's the crashy ride and limited room.

But then the E36 doesn't look very good. Are you really very much into BMW's? What do you think if it's the 325i and a W124 instead?

[niky]

Z3 looks exotic, but it really isn't worth it. Puny 1.8 liter engine, ancient trailing arm rear suspension. For the same price, you could get a real sports car, like a 200SX. Given what's underneath the skin, buying the Z3 is like getting a 300-400k roadster then paying an extra 200-300k for the badge. Poor bargain.

Paradoxically, despite sharing the same ancient trailing-arm rear end, I like the E30... beautiful little car, especially if you get it the two door 325i with a stick.

[zeepey]

Guys ano mas okay?

- BMW 318i M-Sport + BMW Z3 (Z Plate)
- E90
- 325i M-Sport + Cheap Project E36

No problem sa parts and maintenance. May nakukuhanan kami na mas mura ng 60% or more compared sa stealership.

Z3 na Z-plate? the Z4 came out 2004. alam ko Z-plates were issued early 2004. i'm not sure, though.

i strongly suggest stick to one unit muna. regardless kung may extra budget ka pa. with cars like these nothing goes according to plan . E46 318i msport is the best all rounder compared sa E90 and E46msport 325i. fuel effecient, fun to drive on straights and twisties.

why not:

318i msport + gen.1 mazda miata . it's a better drive than the Z3 kung hindi lang din 6 cylinder. i don't buy that "looking good while moving slow" thing hehe.

[BE36]

e46 msport na 318i (2.0 /5speed) nasa 700k nalang. Mga '02 or '03. 325i konti lang difference sa price wag lang smg.

[Harangody]

Ano po ba difference ng pre-facelift sa post-facelift?