E46 to E30... downgrade or upgrade?

[mRodiek]

I want an e46, I just love how they kind of went back to their roots on the e46.

I couldnt agree more.

[nando]

IMO, E46's don't age well. Same for basically any "bubble" style car that came out in the late '90s.

[HarryPotter]

IMO, E46's don't age well. Same for basically any "bubble" style car that came out in the late '90s.

This is definitely true, I have more than a couple friends who own mark 4 jettas/gti's and they are all falling to pieces.

[QUKBMER]

To many mechanical/electrical problems with the e46's,not to say that e30's dont either. I just cant stand driving in a car that looks like other cars on the road and oh look there's one.....oh look there's another and another and another(e46's).

[nando]

I don't just mean mechanically, I mean appearance wise. They looked cool and smooth and rounded at the time, but now they just look like a giant metal blob from 10 years ago. I see E46s all the time, I can't remember the last time one excited me.. even when they were new!

It just doesn't have the classic looks other BMWs have. It will look extremely dated in another 10 years.

[QUKBMER]

Sorry it's a upgrade.

[craiggroves91]

UPGRADE!

because I say so

[I*Do*Werke]

IMO, E46's don't age well. Same for basically any "bubble" style car that came out in the late '90s.

I have the exact opposite opinion. I think the e46s will be just like the e30s in 10 years or so. Now, E30s are very popular because of their classic lines and body style. I feel that e46s will be the same way as it was the first "rounded" body style 3 series. Of course this only applies to modded cars. I dont really enjoy the styling of stock BMWs

To many mechanical/electrical problems with the e46's,not to say that e30's dont either. I just cant stand driving in a car that looks like other cars on the road and oh look there's one.....oh look there's another and another and another(e46's).

E46s are actually quite reliable. I never had any problems with the car. Just as with any BMW, you gotta keep up with maintenance. And like I said above, the modded e46s really stand out. I see at least 4 e46s a day, but they are all stock and boring.

I don't just mean mechanically, I mean appearance wise. They looked cool and smooth and rounded at the time, but now they just look like a giant metal blob from 10 years ago. I see E46s all the time, I can't remember the last time one excited me.. even when they were new!

It just doesn't have the classic looks other BMWs have. It will look extremely dated in another 10 years.

I think your opinion will change in 10 years when every car will have crazy futuristic styling. The metal blob styling will be considered a classic when every car is shaped like the new acuras or benzs. Just as the e30 is considered classic now because of the boxy design

[nando]

sorry, no. Too many images of the bubble Taurus, Geo's, Toyotas and tons of other totally-awful bubble designs. The only part BMW missed was that awful teal blue color.

plus, there is no way they will hold up as well. Basically they are reliable, but like most new cars they are meant to be thrown away, not kept around forever. Can you imagine an E46 in 2025 with 250,000 miles on it? It could happen, but it's going to be a total garbage pile. Most of them will go to the junkyard as soon as something electrical breaks.

The E36 could eventually be a classic, but the E46... skip. like an E21.

[steel330i]

I bought my E46 330i in 2006, I then bought a E30 318i in 2010...my wife drives the E46 because it's a safe and for the most part reliable car...but also because I was bored to hell with it, now I focus 100% on my E30, even with the M42 motor, it's a 5 speed and with a suspension overhaul I believe that it will surpass almost every E46 where I live in the "fun factor" and that's what its all about, not hp, not lap times, not mpg...just whether or not you can have fun with your car and whether or not you are happy with it... get both and DD one and mod the other or sell the E46, that's it those are the options...shit or get off the pot susie! j/k OP, GL!

-Travis

[KIRIEIW]

My old e46 with style 5 wheels and ST Coilovers, sold

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kirieiw/7586845916/lightbox/

And my new e30 i did a eta to i swap with :D

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kirieiw/9476316692/lightbox/

Overall i would say its an upgrade in my book because its a coupe, lighter and sooo much easier to diagnose and fix even though a e46 has obd 2

[broke30]

sideways grade?

its a matter if preference, i swapped my e36 to e30. same shit

Uhhh no. Not the same

I had 6 e30's and now am in a 330 ZHP, couldn't be happier

/grown up talk

Max

[audiquattrot]

not sure how to grade this.

I have both an E46 M3 & E30, and if i had to chose one to sell today....w/o hesitation the E46 would be sold.

[nomansland92]

I have a e46 330xi a my 325ix and I love them both but If had to sell one with out a guess it sell the e46. The e46 is a little nicer for a dd but it's just nothing special and there everywhere.

[blck325is]

Upgrade, e30 IS God's Chariot.