Need help — buying a newer bmw!! E36/E46

[tez180]

Ok,

Me and my lady want a new car,
(well more her than me as I have a motorbike)

We will only use the car for weekends or just for and if we need it... As I pushbike or walk to work and she does the same or uses her work's van.

So MPG isn't a issue, really. I want something BMW again as with the E30 it was solid and as I look after it reliable.

I am looking at a E36 328i such as this, http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1815402.htm

Or E46 such as this, http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1821503.htm

1. Is there a significant service / overall cost involded in a E46 over the E36? I understand the E36 328i is common? so are parts more ready available from specialist etc over say E46 parts?

2. What are the rough service and costs on the 328 engines? more than a 323/325 ? or is it all around the same.

3. And are there major common problems in either? Rear bushes on E46 and Nikosil on the E36?? is that correct?

Regards

James

[Blitz]

Just on the adverts.

Thats E36 is very nice, but I noticed the rear tyres are mismatched

That E46 has bulge on the NSF tyre and the front bumper is out of line meaning it could have had a very light impact.

[tez180]

Holy crapola Hawk eyes!

Well spotted.

Any more general info.

[tez180]

Morning Bump

[gatesy23]

I would personally avoid the e46 youve linked. The ealier models were all prone to the rear subframe mounts tearing off the chassis. BMW will only repair this if; A. It has a full BMW main dealer history. B It is less than 10 years old (which all the cars that where effected now are, as they resolved the issue mid 2000)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 8066992482#

Could end up costing hundreds if not thousands to fix because the whole boot floor has to be replaced if done properly.

[darkchild]

Having owned both E36s and E46s I'd say servicing/parts costs are very similar. However, an E46 will cost more if (when?) something goes wrong - clusters, control units etc need coding to the car. Parts availability is excellent for both.

E46s of that vintage can possibly have the infamous rear subframe/cracked boot floor issues. BMW used to repair them as goodwill but no idea if this is still the case. E46 coupes can also have asthmatic air-con with a mind of its own (hedgehog resistor being the usual culprit), broken door handles are common, rusty front wings. Make sure the cooling system is spot on on both - M52s don't like being cooked. E36s tend to be fairly bulletproof. Check for rust around the rear arches and the panel between the bootlid and bumper. E36s had a recall for the steering coupling iirc so make sure this has been done - if not BMW will do it for free.

IMO the E46 is the nicer car - it drives better, is a lovely design and has a far nicer dash. However, from personal experience I've found the E36 to be the more reliable of the two. Everything on the E46 is just disposable.

[sajad09]

Iv owned both the E36 328i sport and the E46 328ci in the past, i would recomend the E46 over the e36 anyday as it is a much more modern and refiend car i.e sound proofing and drivability, but as stated before get the car on the ramp and check the rear suspension as mine had the problem and it was a nightmare to get sorted!!, iv heard of cases were the rear axle just snaps off the chassis!

The e36 on the other hand is a nice car, but i would recomend the sport model over the SE, as you will get better suspension and slip diff, as well as sports intereior and other M tech goodies.... also the resale value of a sport is much better.. but overall both nice cars, it all comes down to personal prefrence really..

[mabz]

e36 any day of the week,have never been keen e46's even the m3's dont appeal to me.

[gatesy23]

e36 any day of the week,have never been keen e46's even the m3's dont appeal to me.

I cant wait to get rid of mine. Over the last moth ive had to replace 2 control arms, the boot lid handle, the oil level sensor and the rear brake pipes

Sound like a pensioner when i say this but the really dont make them like they used to.

The E39 was the last of the solid BMWs imho. Id have another one in a heartbeat and probably will when i sell this shed

[donnyboiler]

The suspension is more complicated on the E46, and it eats bushes and balljoints for breakfast.

I've had two E36 328is and a 325i. 328s are quicker and much better on fuel. All are great to run.

I wasn't going to go to an E46 because of the subframe and bush problems. Also the E46 328 is heavier and fractionally slower. The E36 is light and handles more communicatively. In my opinion you'd need a late 330i E46 with the suspension/steering changes to match it for fun. The E46s are smoother, quieter, more fluid and composed though. The dash is much, much nicer but the exterior doesn't look as tough, and neither does the paintwork imo (although E30s are painted much better than either)

Always get the biggest straight six you can in my opinion. Running costs are pretty much the same on all of them.

Check ABS sensors, suspension bushes, electrics, bore wear on Nikasil 328s/323s (pre March 1998). My current 328 is January 98, has Nikasil, and runs like a dream at 106k though - so nothing to get too hung up about.

[donnyboiler]

E36 SE has ASC, so LSD is not an issue I've found.

Also even a standard sprung E36 has much more grip and composure than any E30 I've owned. Love E30s though, don't get me wrong. But with this much grip, you don't need the sport suspension unless you like it that way. In my opinion.