Thinking of a E36 of E46 BMW

[Eric Coffey]

Been DD'ing an E46 330ci for years. Keep telling myself I'm going to sell/upgrade, but it just keeps on ticking and is still fun to drive. Over 114k miles now, and the only things I've had to address are the clutch @ 80k (let the dealer handle that one, but it was still only $800+/-) and a few typical E46 issues: water pump, coolant tank, fuel pump, & a cam sensor. The worst job was probably the fuel pump. Rick Lee and I banged it out in no time though (as mentioned they are very DIY friendly). My window regulators are starting to go as well, but I've got the replacements ready to go. The coupes are probably harder on the regulators, as they have frameless doors which drop a 1/2 inch every time you open them (and raise back when closed).

Stick with the E46 (over the E36) if you can swing it, and personally, I'd only consider those with the sport, premium, & xenon light packages. Although the cold weather package might be nice for NY winters (includes heated seats).

[kimlangley7]

I am currently driving/in control of my sons E36/M3 / 1999 > as he was a bit irresponsible with it. I really like it... seriously thinking of changing my DD to an M3 .

I do need to get my 911 back in action though ..been sitting way to long

[Jagshund]

Originally Posted by sketchers356

Since you arent steering me away from much, do you think I should get an E36 328 or the M3? I was thinking of the xi because we live in Buffalo, NY-although I have a Subaru Impreza for when the streets get slick.

The e36's traction control is impressive and has saved me from scratching the paint two times (black ice in clear conditions) without doubt. After realizing its potential, I wanted to see what its limits were . . . tried my best to put myself off the side of a mountain (okay, really large hill) leading to a ski resort in West Virginia but the car was smarter than I was.

[Tim Hancock]

My older E36 does not have traction control, but my wifes E46 330 does and I have a set of matching factory mounted with snow tires for winter. My wife's last car was an AWD Audi, so she was a bit concerned about going back to a RWD BMW..... After two NW Ohio winters driving the 330, she is fine with it.

[LakeCleElum]

I had my wife talked into a 330XI....We went to a dealer to drive one, it was on a test ride, so the dealer insisted we drive the 500 series while waiting......

What a mistake, when the 330 was back, I sit in it and put the seat all the way back. See sees the front seat almost touching the back seat and walks. Said no room in the back seat for her grandkids?

Dealer laughs and sez: Benz makes an AWD.......Now she's looking at Lexus AWD............

How can I talk her into the 330? Do those of you that have them have opinions on the back seat?

[Carrerax]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

I had my wife talked into a 330XI....We went to a dealer to drive one, it was on a test ride, so the dealer insisted we drive the 500 series while waiting......

What a mistake, when the 330 was back, I sit in it and put the seat all the way back. See sees the front seat almost touching the back seat and walks. Said no room in the back seat for her grandkids?

Dealer laughs and sez: Benz makes an AWD.......Now she's looking at Lexus AWD............

How can I talk her into the 330? Do those of you that have them have opinions on the back seat?

My DD is a 2001 E46 330i sedan. 2 kid seats in the back and plent of room. Im 5' 10". Great car! Sport, premium, Xenon and with snow tires it is awesome. I agree that it is very user friendly. This is also my 20th BMW. Many e36's (mostly M3 with one full racecar) and 2 other e46's. I may be a bit biased though. My opinion, the E36's are great but they are starting to get too old for me. Plus the interiors suck IMHO. I like the E46 much better.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

I had my wife talked into a 330XI....We went to a dealer to drive one, it was on a test ride, so the dealer insisted we drive the 500 series while waiting......

What a mistake, when the 330 was back, I sit in it and put the seat all the way back. See sees the front seat almost touching the back seat and walks. Said no room in the back seat for her grandkids?

Dealer laughs and sez: Benz makes an AWD.......Now she's looking at Lexus AWD............

How can I talk her into the 330? Do those of you that have them have opinions on the back seat?

I can't see how the back seats could be viewed in a negative light unless your kids are 6' tall and have to ride long distances daily in the car. My college age daughters have ridden in the back of ours on several family trips of 100+ miles and never mentioned any discomfort back there.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Dueller

For $8K you should be able to pick up a pretty pristine E36 M3 with under 100k.

Got any links... All of 'em I find are much higher.... A red 5spd please... Dads looking for a fairly fun DD for mom....

[VincentVega]

I had one for a while, great car.



Not easy to find a e36 w/o a ton of miles in good shape anymore, they are getting old. Strictly from a performance perspective a e46 330 is very similar, if not a little better.

My current e36 is great, just crossed 200k, but is getting a little worn out. Shifter, headliner, door handle, seat... nothing major but the little things are starting to add up. I'd look at a e46.

[LakeCleElum]

Thanks for the Back Seat feedback. I'm gonna drag her back to look again.

What the difference between the E36 and E46? Is there a certain year the change was made?

Thanks for your patience........

[Tim Hancock]

'92 (which is what my 325i pictured above is) was the first year for the E36 body style although I believe the convertibles and maybe even the M series were a year or two later before they switched to E36 bodies.

I am pretty sure '99 was the first year for the 4 door E46 coupes with the convertibles and maybe the M's switching a year later.

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by Dueller

For $8K you should be able to pick up a pretty pristine E36 M3 with under 100k. I wouldn't hesitate.
Probably not going to get a decent E46 in that price range.

hmm, most worn out M3s with 175,000 + miles go for around $7-8K ish. Pristine M3s with less than 100K miles usually go for @ $ 15- 13K.

you can find e46s all day long for $8k...

p.s., I have 2 e36 Ms and love them both...

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

hmm, most worn out M3s with 175,000 + miles go for around $7-8K ish. Pristine M3s with less than 100K miles usually go for @ $ 15- 13K.

you can find e46s all day long for $8k...

p.s., I have 2 e36 Ms and love them both...

I did a quick check on ebay and may be a bit off...lot folks asking above $10K.

Buy it now for $7900...109K miles



BIN $9750 w 66K miles (if you can stand the technoviolet factory paint)

[rattlsnak]

yeah, there are deals out there, but it also depends on how they are equipped.. My two Ms are completely different. One has Harmon Karmon 10 way stereo, heated power Vader seats, traction control, center arm rest, etc, and the other one has none of those things!

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Dueller

BIN $9750 w 66K miles (if you can stand the technoviolet factory paint)

Mom doesn't seem to think the technoviolet is a problem....

[Jagshund]

You guys need to get them really, really shiny so you blind any cops trying ta take ya down. Like this:

[porsche4life]

I'm calling photoshop on that!

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Mom doesn't seem to think the technoviolet is a problem....

Its the auburgine of BMW's

[porsche4life]

Dad likes that car... Except that its in NJ....

[porsche4life]

Ok guys... Tell me what to look out for on a 108k miles e36 M3?
What forums to check out?

And whats a clean Estoril Blue '97 M3 5spd coupe worth? 108k miles, looks like new inside and out. Has newer wheels and an "upgraded suspension" according to the listing. I spy camber plates in the pictures....