Drove an E46 today...

[AWDE30]

Big Deal

A 2001 325i four door, sliver paint, red leather, 5 speed, with 90k. Felt a little faster than my car, zero to sixty, it was stiffer, but overall not as grand as I thought it would be. The car just wasn't as much fun compared to a e30. I think i'll skip the 325i and stick to another 325iX.

[Ben Carufel]

Congrats.

[colombacho]

yea, since i bouth my two e30s (With in one month) the e46 just sits there watching the e30s have fun. Dont even mod it anymore:eeek:

[dvs909]

only a little faster?
my 328i is wayyyy faster than my e30, both are stock except for light suspension on the e30. the e46 handles better and gets better mpg.

the e30 has soul. lol
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CHRYSLER BR PLATFORM HISTORY

[matt]

I drove one today also.

[Jand3rson]

It's funny. I've driven 3 E46's, and all three of them were M3's.

[makaio]

I have an E46 M3 as well as my E30. Yeah the M3 is way faster, handles better, and has more creature comforts, but the E30 is more of a raw driving experience. They both hold a special place in my garage, and I would seriously probably part with the M3 before I part with the e30.

In fact, I have owned a lot of cars and other vehicles during my life, and the only one I ever regreted selling was my 87 325is. To this day I still wish I wouldn't have sold it. But at least it went to a good home in the mid-west.

[Bimmerista]

It's funny. I've driven 3 E46's, and all three of them were M3's.

I don't think that was funny at all

[Jand3rson]

I don't think that was funny at all

Oh darn. I'm crushed.

[James Crivellone]

I have an E46 M3 as well as my E30. Yeah the M3 is way faster, handles better, and has more creature comforts, but the E30 is more of a raw driving experience. They both hold a special place in my garage, and I would seriously probably part with the M3 before I part with the e30.

I agree 100%, as much fun as the M3 is, (fantastic highway cruiser) the E30 just puts a satanic grin on my face every time I drive it!

[Bimmerista]

Oh darn. I'm crushed.

We all get crushed now and again. Don't be so hard on yourself. :D

[rwh11385]

The E46 is like the E36 only bigger and blander. Nothing will compare to the feedback of the E30 and grunt of the engine in NVH sense like the M20. Sure, newer cars and engines handle better or are more comfortable or are faster, but the sense the E30 gives is fun and lively, and has a lot of feedback. Newer cars are disconnected.

But... the E90 has awesome steering and feedback and is a blast to drive (even an auto 325i or others). I've driven a lot of newer BMWs and can stand a ZHP 330 or Z4, and all modern M5s, although my heart will belong to a track E30 for a long time until I get an Elise.

[Julien]

biggest problem of the e46, IMHO is the heavy flywheel kills the engine's responsiveness..

[gearheadE30]

I drive them all the time and all of the base ones seem decent, but the interior quality isn't that good and they are very soft. I love the ZHP, though. Another strange thing about the e46 is that if you are ever trying to sift quickly, the tranny does from buttery-smooth to crunchy and gritty. All of the e46's I've driven, including the M3 (uber long shift throws :( ) were this way. Oh, and yes, I am perfectly capable of said fast shifting, so it isn't driver error.

[Julien]

I drive them all the time and all of the base ones seem decent, but the interior quality isn't that good and they are very soft. I love the ZHP, though. Another strange thing about the e46 is that if you are ever trying to sift quickly, the tranny does from buttery-smooth to crunchy and gritty. All of the e46's I've driven, including the M3 (uber long shift throws :( ) were this way. Oh, and yes, I am perfectly capable of said fast shifting, so it isn't driver error.

Most likely the clutch delay valve getting in the way of proper shifting (it was for me)


Julien