To E36 or E46, that is the question... - BMW Forum

destrycale · 09-30-2006, 01:44 AM

So my M3ish 325is was totaled by an idiot truck driver. Do I find the nicest 1999 M3 I can or shell out some more dough for a ’01-’05 with higher miles so the price is low. (Normally the price wouldn’t be so concerning, but with recent fertility treatments the pockets ain’t so deep these days… yeah, yeah TMI!!!!

: )

Anyway, the E46 is a much more superior car in many ways, but is it worth the price difference? And, what years had the whole ‘oops the engine blew up’ thing going on? ’01 to ’03? Are those years okay if they’ve been fixed through the recall?

Thanks in advance!

Bethlehem Motors · 09-30-2006, 08:57 PM

From a mechanics perspective, the e36 is way better. They are a much better and stronger built car, but the E46 is just a little bit prettier and of course has a wider wheel base which is nice. If you are into after market mods though the E36 is definitely the way to go. My money situation sounds just about the same as you and I baught a 1995 m3 and I absolutley love it but that is just me. I work on A LOT of e36 and e46 so if you have any other questions feel free to ask.

destrycale · 09-30-2006, 10:17 PM

Thanks, that is a strong second for the E36 M3. I was talking to a mechanic at the Fife, WA BMWnorthwest dealership and he had similar comments/thoughts... of course when I talked to the salesmen they thought the E46 was DEFINATELY the way to go. Funny, being that they don't carry the E36s anymore.

My 325is was a 1994 and I had very little trouble with it up to 164k miles. The only thing I would have liked to change to the functional design was the steering wheel size, I always thought it was a little too big. But the 1999 has the smaller diameter, so right now that sounds like the right car...

I had one guy mention to me that it is 'easy' to get 305bhp out of a E36 M3. That must be with a chip replacement and what else?

Bethlehem Motors · 10-02-2006, 10:43 AM

Well first of all my 1995 m3 has a little bit of a sportier wheel and its stock so that might make you happy, and as far as the horsepower goes its gonna take a whole lot more than a chip to get it up to 305hp

destrycale · 10-06-2006, 01:14 AM

Yeah, I didn't ask the guy to elaborate on the 'ease' of getting 305hp, but going from 240 to 305 seemed like quite a job!