E36 vs E46 BMW

[A930Rocket]

I'm thinking of giving our son my 1991 BMW 318is while I get a E36 or early E46 for a DD.

I've found a pretty comprehensive list of issues to look out for or might need attention, but wanted to get the PPOT thoughts on the E36 and the E46.

I like them both, but probably prefer the E36 coupe or sedan over a vert.

Thoughts...

[dewolf]

E46 hands down. More modern looking inside and out and some of the quality issues were resolved. I recently bought an E46 M3 and so far I am very impressed. I know it's a complety different animal but has a nicer interior than an E36.
I am looking at this for my son too:

1999 BMW 318is SPORT E36 Coupe Private Cars For Sale in VIC - carsales.com.au

[chapo]

E46 hands down. I bought a 99 328i used and flog it 170 miles a day. Its got 202k on it and keeps chugging along. All BMW cooling systems suck, slap some hoses, t stat, expansion tank, and radiator in it when you get it ( less than $500 if DIY) and keep cruising.

[Instrument 41]

Just bought my 17 yr old a 98 318i. 5 sp, air, cosmetically in good shape. Needed front tires, we are actually doing an entire brake job this weekend, next weekend front struts and rear shocks. Paid $2500 with another $1000 in parts. he's learning and I'm enjoying spending time with him.

[kanadary]

i have an e36 vert. good idea not to get the vert atleast not the e36, plastic window. the e46 atleast has a glass one. the e36 with the obd 1 is easy to work on. no issues but agree with replacing the plastic cooling parts.. time bomb if you don't.

[A930Rocket]

Cooling and gas related parts were the first things I replaced on my 91 318is. Lots of old dried up parts. We plan on doing the same with whatever we get.

Are the 2000-2003 models good to get?

What about transmissions? I say manual, but the wife wants an auto so she can drive it occasionally. Any car I get will have 100-150k miles most likely.

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

What about transmissions? I say manual, but the wife wants an auto so she can drive it occasionally. Any car I get will have 100-150k miles most likely.

I think these are 'fill for 'life' transmissions. It's BS as you know. Just a fluid and filter change and it'll be good.

[Jrboulder]

E46 all the way.

Had an E36. Never again.

[ninelevenick]

I've had my e36 M3 for five years as my daily driver. It's solid all the way around. That being said, with the exception of the e36 M3, I would not consider an e36 over an e46.

[Rick Lee]

I had an '03 330i and loved it. If it's an auto, the tranny flush is not a simple or cheap job and everyone knows the lifetime fluid is total BS. I'd search for a manual one that's had regular, documented fluid changes.

[willtel]

I've got 165k on my wagon and it still runs great and everything works. Much to my surprise the car is very easy to work. BMW must have made a fortune servicing these things. E36s are also great cars but I think the E46 interior holds up much better.


325iT by willtel, on Flickr

[Rick V]

E36 all the way. Just my opinion. I have spent many many hours working on and driving both, I have never owned an E46 and have no desire to but I would own another E36.

[Rot 911]

In my opinion the E46 was the last of the DIY BMW's. That said, any E46 with more than 100K miles needs the cooling system rebuilt. Will run you around $800 and most of a Saturday to do. Window regulators go out with an annoying frequency, but a fairly cheap and easy fix. If you get an automatic, try to find a car where the transmission fluid was changed out every 30K miles. The E46 automatic seems to have a very short lifespan after 100K miles if the fluid has not been changed on a regular basis. Yes many do last much longer than that, but many don't.

[matthew-s]

Originally Posted by willtel

E36s are also great cars but I think the E46 interior holds up much better.

I own an e46 and I am happy with it. I have not owned an E36, but I concur with the above. Poke your head inside an e36 and e46 and you will come to the same conclusion.

I also contributed to a thread on the BMW side of this board (yes there is one!) where folks were listing out there "asks" for documented DIY's. That will also give you an idea for what people work on in these cars.

I agree that the e46 is DIY friendly, and the car has enough of a following that you can find info on how to do just about anything you'll need to do.

That said, there are some hack-mechanic DIY's out there, who document shortcuts. Ignore those of course

[911dean]

I'm very happy with my e46 wagon. It's really fun to drive with the manual trans and sport package. I did spend 3 years finding the right one though.

[A930Rocket]

^^^ A wagon I could go for!

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've had two E36s, after the first one I said "never again" but I was lured back. So this time for good - "never again".

Both were nice driving cars, but the interior is an embarrassment. Cheap materials and poorly assembled, they creak and rattle like an old Chevy. That is, when parts don't just break and fall off. Having looked at multiple higher mileage E46s I would say that they hold up much better.

[Jrboulder]

I've had two E36s, after the first one I said "never again" but I was lured back. So this time for good - "never again".



Both were nice driving cars, but the interior is an embarrassment. Cheap materials and poorly assembled, they creak and rattle like an old Chevy. That is, when parts don't just break and fall off. Having looked at multiple higher mileage E46s I would say that they hold up much better.

I thought the same thing about how they were just totally cheap alltogether. Coming from 80's Porsches you just expect things like stainless exhaust and nice interior materials. There were just a bunch of "what were that thinking??" things all over the car like putting vinyl on a concave surface. The E46's seem nicer but it will be interesting to see how they hold up down the road with even more computer junk and plastic stuff.

People were always telling me German cars were only designed to make it through the warranty period and when I owned Porsches I had no clue where they were coming from. Within the first week of E36 ownership I knew exactly what they were talking about.

[mikeesik]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I'm thinking of giving our son my 1991 BMW 318is while I get a E36 or early E46 for a DD.

I've found a pretty comprehensive list of issues to look out for or might need attention, but wanted to get the PPOT thoughts on the E36 and the E46.

I like them both, but probably prefer the E36 coupe or sedan over a vert.

Thoughts...

That's really GREAT of you.
I hope he deserves it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Jrboulder

I thought the same thing about how they were just totally cheap alltogether. Coming from 80's Porsches you just expect things like stainless exhaust and nice interior materials. There were just a bunch of "what were that thinking??" things all over the car like putting vinyl on a concave surface. The E46's seem nicer but it will be interesting to see how they hold up down the road with even more computer junk and plastic stuff.

People were always telling me German cars were only designed to make it through the warranty period and when I owned Porsches I had no clue where they were coming from. Within the first week of E36 ownership I knew exactly what they were talking about.

I think the E36 was the first BMW really designed to a price point. As such, they were just learning how to cost cut and not every good at it. Having an E34 and then an E36, the E36 was significantly cheaper in materials and assembly. In my opinion (as well as many others) the E30 and E34 were the last of the well built classic BMWs. The rest are just mass produced cars, even though they do drive well.