Iching for a E46...again..

Lexi · 04-11-2010, 10:47 AM

I always wanted an E46 330Ci (M-Sport) LCI

But the car is over 5 years old now... should I still buy it? Just to satisfy a lost dream when I bought the wrong car a few years ago (the C class).

The E46 is obviously now a lot cheaper.. but still...

would anyone of you here buy a car that you loved so much but missed the chance for one reason or another?

spdy330 · 04-11-2010, 10:52 AM

IMO if your deam was the E46 then just find a good low milage one. Just because it is older does not mean that it is a bad idea. If you don't buy it someone else will. Good luck fulfilling your dream!!!

alex2112 · 04-11-2010, 10:58 AM

E46 330ci's are still a viable choice IMO. There are still plenty of '05-'06 ZHP's out there with low mileage, and some within the warranty period. Heck, some are even CPO'd. They're great cars and I don't think you should shy away from getting one now if you really have always wanted one.

Verbiage · 04-11-2010, 11:19 AM

I agree with everything said so far, they are lovely cars. Only reason I don't have my E46 anymore was because its cylinders were beyond reasonable repair

would you still keep your E90?

CollinsE90 · 04-11-2010, 11:23 AM

get an 05-06 ZCP ///M3

/thread

Verbiage · 04-11-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

get an 05-06 ZCP ///M3

/thread

**Coverage/reliability.

Edit: Not to mention rarity to have those two factors together if you did find such a car.

CollinsE90 · 04-11-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian III

**Coverage/reliability.

and double the car he has, plus stock CSL 19's so no need for wheels

04-11-2010, 11:40 AM

The e46 still looks good for its age. But you might want to find out about the subframe cracking which is common on the e46.

Verbiage · 04-11-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

and double the car he has, plus stock CSL 19's so no need for wheels

He'd have to find it, too

not saying it isn't impossible, it just gets harder and harder to find more reliable E46 M3's. I would know because before I got this in January, an '06 M3 would have been my first choice. And I found only one; CPO'ed, but without a warranty

CollinsE90 · 04-11-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beemer3

The e46 still looks good for its age. But you might want to find out about the subframe cracking which is common on the e46.

http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...ffected-models

CollinsE90 · 04-11-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian III

He'd have to find it, too

not saying it isn't impossible, it just gets harder and harder to find more reliable E46 M3's.

the S54 is very strong and reliable, he has to be willing to fly to get one by finding a one owner/ best ones are forum freaks like us

Verbiage · 04-11-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

the S54 is very strong and reliable, he has to be willing to fly to get one by finding a one owner/ best ones are forum freaks like us

It is, you're right. Just finding the right one is key; much homework is needed. But like you said, he'd really have to do his research and maybe even hop on a plane if he finds one he wants bad enough.

Good luck, OP!

Zero.7 · 04-11-2010, 12:45 PM

I loved my e46 330ci ZHP. If I had more garage space, I might have kept her. They are pretty hard to find with low miles though.

Lexi · 04-12-2010, 12:51 AM

Thanks for the replies guys.

I am planning to get the e46 in addition to my current e90 (2010). I just liked the car a lot back then (after the semi-facelift with the LEDs and what not).

The problem with the old m3 is reliability... and the cost of repairs are much higher than non-M cars. Hence I will never buy an M3, I would lease one... but not buy one. (each to his own).

But anyway, I do have extra garage space right now, and I am really itching to find a good one. But thanks for the links and warning me about the potential problem with the vehicle, I will definitely look into that...

Any ideas how I can check whether this problem exists?

fdsasdasdf · 04-12-2010, 12:59 AM

I've got the same dilemma as you! I see the E46 facelift and I really like it, and then I see an E92 and I'm impressed with how awesome it is. But I want a BMW so badly and I can get a cheaper E46 if I really wanted to, but I resist cause I think of what I would really really enjoy in the future.

The E46 is such a great great car (and looks pretty neat), and it's got a lot of history behind it. But the E92 has so much technology in it compared to the E46 and it feels more modern. I'm a gadgety guy so if I have the ability to control the car more or can have crazy cool little gizmos that enhance driving or do something neat, I want it.

But hey, if you have the option to get an E46 along side an E90, I'd say do it and make it a car that you can work on!

Php · 04-12-2010, 08:37 AM

That's a great idea, E46 BMWs are some of the best and most classic cars made! I'm actually thinking about grabbing another E46 in a year or two, might or might not keep my 335i...depends on if the HPFP gives me problems or not. In my opinion the ZHPs and the 05-06 M3s are the best cars to have for the E46 era.

Chriztofor · 04-12-2010, 08:58 AM

The only thing that bothers me about the e46 is the cooling system. Expansion tank defect (always exploding) and difficult to fill after fixing a leak or changing the coolant. The e90 takes care of this by moving the expansion tank away from the radiator and easy to fill and vent. Other than that, it is (was) a good car. The hood should be a classic (grills integrated with the hood). Good luck!

Alexander · 04-12-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cni2i

I loved my e46 330ci ZHP. If I had more garage space, I might have kept her. They are pretty hard to find with low miles though.

I had the same car until a drunk driver decided to ruin it. My favorite car of all time...

I'm regreting my E90 after going to 4Angie Fest and seeing the ridiculously awesome E46's that were there.

CollinsE90 · 04-12-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Php

That's a great idea, E46 BMWs are some of the best and most classic cars made! I'm actually thinking about grabbing another E46 in a year or two, might or might not keep my 335i...depends on if the HPFP gives me problems or not. In my opinion the ZHPs and the 05-06 M3s are the best cars to have for the E46 era.

thats what i said but only the 05-06 ZCP M3

BMWinNorthdakota · 04-12-2010, 09:28 AM

I can relate to this longing for an E46... Even after owning one for a few years.

I miss mine, alot... I dont love my e90 like I loved my E46

!

Verbiage · 04-12-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

thats what i said but only the 05-06 ZCP M3

+1.

Lexi · 04-12-2010, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWinNorthdakota

I can relate to this longing for an E46... Even after owning one for a few years.

I miss mine, alot... I dont love my e90 like I loved my E46

!

this is the problem...

I don't even know why this is the case. I decided on the e90 because it was new, and that supposedly by each generation of vehicles, we get closer and closer to the ultimate driving machine.

BUT, having said that, I still prefer the e46.

What's wrong with us? haha

04-11-2010, 10:47 AM	#1
Lexi Private First Class 4 Rep 158 Posts Drives: E90 328i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada, Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	Iching for a E46...again.. I always wanted an E46 330Ci (M-Sport) LCI But the car is over 5 years old now... should I still buy it? Just to satisfy a lost dream when I bought the wrong car a few years ago (the C class). The E46 is obviously now a lot cheaper.. but still... would anyone of you here buy a car that you loved so much but missed the chance for one reason or another?
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04-11-2010, 10:52 AM	#2
spdy330 Major General 530 Rep 6,149 Posts Drives: 05 Tundra, 15 FIT, 17 CRV Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA iTrader: (163)	IMO if your deam was the E46 then just find a good low milage one. Just because it is older does not mean that it is a bad idea. If you don't buy it someone else will. Good luck fulfilling your dream!!! __________________ If you will be purchasing ANY AT&T services online or in store could you mention that you were referred by me? My Employee Referral ID is eo4489. This would be a great help and it costs you nothing, thank you!
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04-11-2010, 10:58 AM	#3
alex2112 Lieutenant 26 Rep 444 Posts Drives: 2016 X1 M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: MA iTrader: (4)	E46 330ci's are still a viable choice IMO. There are still plenty of '05-'06 ZHP's out there with low mileage, and some within the warranty period. Heck, some are even CPO'd. They're great cars and I don't think you should shy away from getting one now if you really have always wanted one.
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04-11-2010, 11:19 AM	#4
Verbiage Dismembered Member 3613 Rep 9,213 Posts Drives: F80 ZCP 6MT, R55 Clubman S 6MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: DMV iTrader: (6)	I agree with everything said so far, they are lovely cars. Only reason I don't have my E46 anymore was because its cylinders were beyond reasonable repair would you still keep your E90? __________________ My delivery experience and beach photoshoot here.
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04-11-2010, 11:23 AM	#5
CollinsE90 Where my bitches 749 Rep 1,924 Posts Drives: Cadillac coupe deville Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: street corner checking profits iTrader: (0)	get an 05-06 ZCP ///M3 /thread __________________
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04-11-2010, 11:40 AM	#8
beemer3 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	The e46 still looks good for its age. But you might want to find out about the subframe cracking which is common on the e46.
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04-11-2010, 12:45 PM	#13
Zero.7 Colonel 97 Rep 2,415 Posts Drives: F30 340i AW M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SOCAL iTrader: (6)	I loved my e46 330ci ZHP. If I had more garage space, I might have kept her. They are pretty hard to find with low miles though. __________________ '16 f30 AW 340i M-sport 8-speed Auto BMW ///M Performance Power and Sound Kit with Carbon Tips / Gloss Black Performance grilles
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04-12-2010, 12:51 AM	#14
Lexi Private First Class 4 Rep 158 Posts Drives: E90 328i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada, Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies guys. I am planning to get the e46 in addition to my current e90 (2010). I just liked the car a lot back then (after the semi-facelift with the LEDs and what not). The problem with the old m3 is reliability... and the cost of repairs are much higher than non-M cars. Hence I will never buy an M3, I would lease one... but not buy one. (each to his own). But anyway, I do have extra garage space right now, and I am really itching to find a good one. But thanks for the links and warning me about the potential problem with the vehicle, I will definitely look into that... Any ideas how I can check whether this problem exists?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-12-2010, 12:59 AM	#15
fdsasdasdf Captain 125 Rep 778 Posts Drives: 330Ci ZHP 6sp Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	I've got the same dilemma as you! I see the E46 facelift and I really like it, and then I see an E92 and I'm impressed with how awesome it is. But I want a BMW so badly and I can get a cheaper E46 if I really wanted to, but I resist cause I think of what I would really really enjoy in the future. The E46 is such a great great car (and looks pretty neat), and it's got a lot of history behind it. But the E92 has so much technology in it compared to the E46 and it feels more modern. I'm a gadgety guy so if I have the ability to control the car more or can have crazy cool little gizmos that enhance driving or do something neat, I want it. But hey, if you have the option to get an E46 along side an E90, I'd say do it and make it a car that you can work on!
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04-12-2010, 08:37 AM	#16
Php Captain 13 Rep 631 Posts Drives: CaymanS, used to be e92 335 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	That's a great idea, E46 BMWs are some of the best and most classic cars made! I'm actually thinking about grabbing another E46 in a year or two, might or might not keep my 335i...depends on if the HPFP gives me problems or not. In my opinion the ZHPs and the 05-06 M3s are the best cars to have for the E46 era.
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04-12-2010, 08:58 AM	#17
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	The only thing that bothers me about the e46 is the cooling system. Expansion tank defect (always exploding) and difficult to fill after fixing a leak or changing the coolant. The e90 takes care of this by moving the expansion tank away from the radiator and easy to fill and vent. Other than that, it is (was) a good car. The hood should be a classic (grills integrated with the hood). Good luck!
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04-12-2010, 09:28 AM	#20
BMWinNorthdakota Banned 246 Rep 1,106 Posts Drives: 2007 bmw 335i e90 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Fargo ND iTrader: (0)	I can relate to this longing for an E46... Even after owning one for a few years. I miss mine, alot... I dont love my e90 like I loved my E46 !
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