[beppy]

Hi guys. i've been thinking about getting a used bmw, since my budget is around $20k CAD (i'm from toronto).

i have been deciding between.

1. e46 2004 330i M package manual.
2. e90 2006 325i manual sport package.

I like the e46 because it is more afforable for me now, has some nice feature i like, (sound system + steering, etc).

however, whats unknown to me are, the long term reliability. whats going to end up costing me more. and if not going to the new body style will make me regret in long run.

anyways i will value your feedback on this greatly.

[BMWinNorthdakota]

Originally Posted by beppy

Hi guys. i've been thinking about getting a used bmw, since my budget is around $20k CAD (i'm from toronto).

i have been deciding between.

1. e46 2004 330i M package manual.
2. e90 2006 325i manual sport package.

I like the e46 because it is more afforable for me now, has some nice feature i like, (sound system + steering, etc).

however, whats unknown to me are, the long term reliability. whats going to end up costing me more. and if not going to the new body style will make me regret in long run.

anyways i will value your feedback on this greatly.

With the e46 you can almost promise your self you will be paying a large amount of money on maintaining beings that they have "Scheduled" intervals at certain miles. They are not cheap

on the other hand the e90 does not have these intervals... But then again something could go wrong w/ the e90 casting just as much... Seems to me they did alot more preventing with the e46's

I think I personally would go with the e90 just because the e46 is sooo dated. Still looks great though...


Get what you like man, you will be disappointed if you don't.

[rjd598]

get the e46 zhp 330ci. you will get more for your buck with the e46 because even though the e90 325i is a body style upgrade you arent getting any performance upgrade. go with the e46 and you wont regret it. you can probably get a zhp for less than that by now anyway.

[demosthenes]

Drive them both, preferably back to back, and then decide.

[Craig@SupremePower]

drive em both 4 sure..

[PoorMan]

When buying used. Always try to get the newest car you can afford.

[freshnezzz]

drive both, but i'd for sure would want to avoid the e46 maintenance schedule it can be pricey.

[fdsasdasdf]

E46 and E90 essentially feel like the exact same car driving-wise, but the E90 just has a nicer interior and such IMO. If you get a steptronic E46, you'll absolutely notice the shifting lag. It's really odd - it takes a strange amount of time to recognize that you wanted it to shift. Stick with the manual that you're looking at

If you're one of the people who likes the little things BMW does like LED handle lights for the night time, a neater instrument cluster, that cool little needle that moves up to indicate your speed on cruise control, a more flush and uniform dashboard, etc. then the E90 may be for you. That's what really sets the E90 apart from the E46 - those little things they do.

[yoitsbry]

I was in the exact same situation and purchased the E90. Felt a little nicer to me, Plus exterior body is newer as well, the e46 is already outdated if not its getting there for sure.

[jimk]

The E90 is much safer in rear crash tests than the E46:

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_res...aints.aspx?bmw

[Alan l.]

I had both sedans and I would say go with the E90. You get the better interior and more leg room in the E90 is that matters to you. The steptronic in the E46 is very slow and because of that seems pointless to even use. Another big concern on the E46 platform is the rear subframe issue. There are a lot of guys over on E46fanatics who've had there rear subframe crack even on stock cars. Other common issues are the vanos systems going which is $$$$, cam shaft sensors, clutch chatters for the manuals.

[Saintor]

Get the newer car. It doesn't make sense to buy a 20K$ car almost 6 yrs old.

The E90 has less issue than the E46, even if the latter is a bit funnier.

[Scimitar335i]

e90 w/ CPO. Warranty. Taking an e46 with no warranty would be a gamble.

[e90fanatic]

how much do these e46 330 ZHP anyways?

[Porschefile]

The main difference IMO is appearance/features. I drove an '05 325i and '06 325i before my 335i and the drive is similar. I actually like the steering feel of the E46 better, it feels heavier for some reason.

[flip4335]

Originally Posted by beppy

Hi guys. i've been thinking about getting a used bmw, since my budget is around $20k CAD (i'm from toronto).

i have been deciding between.

1. e46 2004 330i M package manual.
2. e90 2006 325i manual sport package.

Newer technology always wins in the reliability contest, IMHO.

E90 has no HPFP issues prevalent within 335i TT models, so your decision is between known issues between two NA engines and overall quality of old vs. new.

You may get better stuff from the e46, but all things considered, engine reliability is better with a newer model. You could always upgrade stuff, but you can't upgrade models.

E90 still looks current....and stylish, too. GL with your decision!

[chazzz]

I used to own a 2005 330i (E46) for two years before I traded up for a 2007 335i.

E46 is more nimble than E90. But you get more room in E90. The E46's subframe design is poor, the rear subframe might get cracked and fall apart. It will be very expensive to repair the cracked subframe. There is a class action lawsuit against BMW. I got the legal papers from the lawyers, but I don't own an E46 anymore.

Get an E90 and you won't be sorry.

[Derek Zoolander]

Originally Posted by e90fanatic

how much do these e46 330 ZHP anyways?

Last I heard, they're still holding some value.

[beppy]

ya i think i'm going to go e90. sat in e46, just feels outdated inside.

now question is, go for 325i or do i dish out $5-6k more for a higher mileage 330i.

[beppy]

questions:

how are the engines difference between the 06 325i, 06 330i, and 07 328i?

i'm deciding between those 3 cars in mid to low $20k used. i'm leaning towards 325i because i can get lower mileage and more package with that budget.

for 330i i'll have to find a higher mileage card more basic.

also whats new in the 07 model 328i compared to 325i?

[BMW Jet]

definitely the E90
and the best of them a 330i

[cstavaru]

I think that you should get the e90 over e46 for the following reasons (in this order):

- Newer technology overall incorporated in the car (year 2000 tech. vs. year 2006 tech.)
- Higher resale value
- More reliable
- Better looking with just two mods: blacklines taillights and proper wheels (and euro headlights )
- Roomier and higher quality interior
- Better mileage

BUT the e46 330i is faster than e90 325i. If you could get an e90 330i it would be great.
A 328i would be even better, it is close to 330i but has higher resale value.