E36 vs. E46 major differences?

[Nate D]

I am an overnight fan of the BMW 3 series. I just spent a weekend tracking my friend's '99 328i 4 door sport at Mid-Ohio and have to start my search. I would like to know the primary differences in the E36 vs. E46 cars. I would like a nice daily driver that I could track at future driver education events and need to know what major differences I should consider. My primary concerns are suspension, brakes, driveline, traction control right now. Please help me out as I am new to these cars. They are a lot different than the Mustangs I have owned.

-Nate

 

[selavia]

I would say that the difference is huge, and it's also subjective. You're going to find people who will say the e36 is 1000x times better than the e46, vice versa, and even some who will bring up the e30 as being the pinnacle (Which I think it is).

Basic differences:

Engine - e46 (got re-updated engines in 2001 (Am I off by a year someone?) They went from e36 having a 1.8L(318), 2.3L(323), 2.5L(325), 2.8L(328), 3.0L (M3).

Aesthetics: the e46s have (IMO) nicer leather, better layout more modern lines, nicer exhaust tones, better seat comfort.

I believe the e46 will have better traction control than an e36, but I'm not 100% sure.

I have notice that it seems that most people tend to have less massive problems with e36 than with the e46.

Suspension wise, I have driven a 2004 Mach I in the rain, around a bend, and on a bumpy road. So I think even a toyota camry would feel like a large improvement. I'm not really sure what your asking about suspension, but I hope that answers it.

That's all I can think of right now, however, I will make a suggestion.

BY your comments and your interests, I think a e46 M3 would be your car of choice. You can definitely track that car and have alot of fun. BUt I do not have first hand experience with an M3, so take what I say very lightly.

Good Luck, and welcome to the board!

Sean

 

[blondboinsd]

The E46 Changes

-Larger, Wider
-Brighter Headlamps
-BMW Head Protection (worth the money)
-More Options
-More Standards
-Newly Optional Xenons etc

The E36 is nice but the E46 is much more of a complete package in my opinion http://aolsvc.edmunds.com/reviews/g...wesome to show the two things good luck! Ryan

 

[MReedBMWM3]

I purchased my 95 M3 from a one owner. He told me after driving the car for several years he would go in and test newer cars and none of them could handle as well as the 95 m3. After nine years of owning the M he went out and purchased a 2003 M3. He told me that his new M3 was faster than the 95 but that the 95 handled better and in his opinion "the 95 M3 is one of the best handling cars in the world"
One of the reasons I like my M3 is because it fits me well. I am a thin guy, the newer M3's seats look like they were designed for larger people.

I guess the last thing to consider is that you are going to be tracking the car. This opens a new can of worms. Good luck, if money isn't an issue purchase the one you are most attracted to.

 

[Nate D]

Thanks for the feedback. Was the 95 M3 offered in a 4 door? Have to be able to carry around the kids.

 

[fritchy]

I am not sure, since the e46 cars I have driven are newer than the e36 (naturally). Being newer they tend to be in better condition. Ride comfort appears to be better. One thing is that the e46 seems to be a little higher off the ground. It also seems to be lighter. I don't track my car, nor push it to the edge so am not sure which really handles better, but my e36 compared to the e46s I drove seems to squat more and be heavier to the ground which I would think would improve its ability to stay grounded when screaming around a turn. Like I said I haven't experimented on this theory, so I don't know. I am sure the e46 will at least handle as good as an e36.

For me it was as simple as aesthetics. I just like the way the e36 looks. It looks sleeker and more sporty.

 

[tom busby]

I had a '98 LS-1 Camaro and then got a 2001 325i in January. I'm an "overnight fan" too. I have a '95 318i that I bought for my daughter about 1 1/2 years ago. Although it only had 100 hp I loved the way it handled, so I decided to get a 325.

The e36 models, except for the 328 model, are very short down on hp, and any e46 will have a lot more power -- like 70 more hp!.

The e36 is more of a classic look though. Less busy. Much cheaper to buy.

The Bentley manual for the e36 is good, like a Helms manual for GM's, whereas the Bentley manual for the e46 is a little better than a Haynes manual but not much.

The e46 is much smoother in the suspension.

Both are about the same to repair if you do our own work, or if you send it to a shop for big dollars.

The auto trans are weak and much slower in either model so get a manual.

 

[BoneThug]

I had a '98 LS-1 Camaro and then got a 2001 325i in January. I'm an "overnight fan" too. I have a '95 318i that I bought for my daughter about 1 1/2 years ago. Although it only had 100 hp I loved the way it handled, so I decided to get a 325.

The e36 models, except for the 328 model, are very short down on hp, and any e46 will have a lot more power -- like 70 more hp!.

The e36 is more of a classic look though. Less busy. Much cheaper to buy.

The Bentley manual for the e36 is good, like a Helms manual for GM's, whereas the Bentley manual for the e46 is a little better than a Haynes manual but not much.

The e46 is much smoother in the suspension.

Both are about the same to repair if you do our own work, or if you send it to a shop for big dollars.

The auto trans are weak and much slower in either model so get a manual.

1st the 318 has 140hp
2nd the 325 only at 6 less hourse power then the 328

 

[Big Daddy]

Thanks for the feedback. Was the 95 M3 offered in a 4 door? Have to be able to carry around the kids.

No only the 97 and 98 M3's were offered in a 4-dr version.

 

[B M W]

The e46 is heavier and doesnt handle as well as e46's. Comparably a e36 328 would beat a e46 328. Theres no doubt htat with the same engine that teh e36 is faster and MIGHT handle better. The e46 is a smoother ride for those who dont really engage in "spirited driving." The e46 looks much mroe modern but I love e36's slightly classic style which seems much sharper and a bit cooler TO ME.

By the way, I recently found out that a e46 325 has more rwhp than a e46 328, but only by a few horsepower. I am not sure about torque.

 

[Jacko]

My opinion is also that the E36 has much nicer lines, the E46 might be a better car as far as options and suspension goes but I believe this was done to satisfy a certain group of drivers. The E46 has rounder lines and looks a lot like some other imports.

 

[sm32589g]

selavia the 323 has a 2.5L engine in it myn has the double vanos also which i think is only in the 99's possibly the 98s not sure on that