BMW 1-Series Forum (F20) 135i - 1Addicts.com > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > Classic BMW (Pre-2005 Models) > e39 528i versus e46 330i
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-18-2023, 08:23 AM   #1
CamasM3e93
Friends don't let friends ESS
CamasM3e93's Avatar
No_Country
3118
Rep
848
Posts

Drives: '11 Lemans Blue 6mt Harrop e90
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Camas, WA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
e39 528i versus e46 330i

I’m planning to add an older manual trans bmw to the fleet, in part to provide some mileage relief on my e90 m3 but also to experience some of those peak bmw years. Right now I’m thinking another sedan but I’ve been toying with a z3/z4 roadster.

Locally I’ve got a clean title, black on black 2000 528i with M package and 167k miles and a couple maintenance items known, available from a dealer nearby. They want $3800 for the car. I’ve driven another e39 before and wasn’t crazy about recirculating ball steering feel but that model line has a lot going for it and I’m inclined to take a second look.

On the other side of the metro area is a 2003 clean title e46 330i sedan with premium package. Car has 95k miles . It’s had an extensive list of preventative maintenance and some upgrades to wheels, suspension and reinforcement of strut mounts . It’s gray on gray leather which I’m not crazy about but I happen to have a Fox red leather kit I could get myself into trouble with. Seems like an easy decision for the e46 but they want a few grand over book value, around 8k.

Which way would you go? The more expensive, well sorted e46 or the cheaper maintenance project 528i? (I do most of my own work)
Attached Images
       
Appreciate 0
      01-18-2023, 08:36 AM   #2
Our03z4
Captain
1637
Rep
676
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe,
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

I would go for the 2003. Maybe get them down on the price a bit. The other car is going to be shot, you'll pass what you spend on the other. The paint alone looks like garbage, ever price a new one of those, yikes! On the 2003 when they say well taken care of I believe it, this will save you heartache and money by going that route. Easy engine and car to work on as well.
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-18-2023, 09:04 AM   #3
Chihuahua
Brigadier General
Chihuahua's Avatar
4011
Rep
3,171
Posts

Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ATL

iTrader: (0)

That's a pretty significant price delta. I've never been a huge fan of the E39, but in this case that'd be the one I go for.
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-18-2023, 11:09 AM   #4
Almuliman
Lieutenant
United_States
415
Rep
530
Posts

Drives: 2013 LMB 6MT 128i
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Outside Seattle

iTrader: (0)

Much as I like the E39 and like a project, the lower mileage and extensive maintenance on the E46 may make up for the price difference. If you can negotiate the E46 down, no contest for me: E46. But that's me (and, apparently, Our03z4). If the E39 was in a more compelling color combo or paint was in better shape ...
Appreciate 0
      01-18-2023, 11:12 AM   #5
ppointer
Major
United_States
733
Rep
1,081
Posts

Drives: '01 Z3M, '12 335is, '22 540i
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: FLL

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2012 BMW 335i  [5.25]
2012 BMW 335is  [5.00]
2008 Infiniti QX56  [0.00]
1967 Chevrolet Corv ...  [10.00]
2001 M Roadster  [10.00]
2022 BMW 540i  [0.75]
2009 528i  [9.50]
I would take the e46 between these two.

On a different note, I had thought the M5 e39 had recirculating ball steering, while the non-M5 e39's had R&P? Anyone else know?
Appreciate 0
      01-18-2023, 01:34 PM   #6
Chihuahua
Brigadier General
Chihuahua's Avatar
4011
Rep
3,171
Posts

Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ATL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ppointer View Post
I would take the e46 between these two.

On a different note, I had thought the M5 e39 had recirculating ball steering, while the non-M5 e39's had R&P? Anyone else know?
All of the V8s have recirculating ball steering, I can't recall if the six cylinder cars do too. It's been a while since I've been that up and close on an E39.
Appreciate 1
ppointer732.50
      01-18-2023, 04:00 PM   #7
ppointer
Major
United_States
733
Rep
1,081
Posts

Drives: '01 Z3M, '12 335is, '22 540i
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: FLL

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2012 BMW 335i  [5.25]
2012 BMW 335is  [5.00]
2008 Infiniti QX56  [0.00]
1967 Chevrolet Corv ...  [10.00]
2001 M Roadster  [10.00]
2022 BMW 540i  [0.75]
2009 528i  [9.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chihuahua View Post
All of the V8s have recirculating ball steering, I can't recall if the six cylinder cars do too. It's been a while since I've been that up and close on an E39.
Ah, thank you for that!!
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-18-2023, 04:27 PM   #8
KevinC
your average JAMF
KevinC's Avatar
United_States
3076
Rep
4,082
Posts

Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Cochise County, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Well-sorted E46.

I SO hated the E39 M5’s crappy steering rack that I found myself constantly reaching for my ZHP keys when I had both. Wound up dumping the M5 after a year. Such a great car with one very bad flaw.
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-18-2023, 11:09 PM   #9
rbryantaz
Lieutenant
United_States
358
Rep
527
Posts

Drives: 2007 E70 4.8i, 2008 E90 335i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Phoenix, AZ area

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2008 BMW 335i  [7.67]
2007 BMW X5 4.8i  [10.00]
I would go with the E46 in general but the price seems high to me on that one. It seems more like the price of an e90.... I highly recommend against the E46 325i. I had his and her e46s for a while and both the wife and I disliked the 325. The 330i with the higher trim and bigger engine was just a much better car.

The M54 3.0 should also be better than the M52TU with more power and a lighter car.

The E46 will probably need a vanos rebuild. I did that on my 2001 330i because it had a serious power lag due to bad seals not engaging the vanos on the low end.

The oil separators often fail on the M54 so it is best to change them. I would remove the intake and change all vac lines while doing it. There is one oil sep line that is really a PITA with the intake on IIRC. Note these have injectors in the intake so it is more work to remove the intake than on a direct injected e90....

Control arm bushings fail quickly on the E46. I would just get the meyle HDs with their bushings. I put powerflex bushings on my E46s and just hated them. They start sweaking after a short time and I never found a lube that helped it...

I would also put in the upgraded disa fix. German auto solutions made the first and the price wasn't bad. It seems there are copycat cheap versions now.

Overall the E46 is easier to work on in many ways but the cars are just getting a bit old now.

Last edited by rbryantaz; 01-20-2023 at 10:22 AM..
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-19-2023, 09:05 AM   #10
sgsdownhill
New Member
sgsdownhill's Avatar
20
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: F10 M5
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Nevada

iTrader: (0)

Neighbor recently sold his zhp in similar condition for $8500 in Northern Nevada. E46 prices are wild right now.

If you can hold out to drive a Z3, you will not be disappointed.
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-20-2023, 07:14 AM   #11
pbonsalb
Lieutenant General
5179
Rep
10,555
Posts

Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: New England

iTrader: (4)

Z3/Z4 roadster with 3.0L M54 or N52 and 6 speed manual. If you must have another sedan even though you already have one, a 2003 E39 530i 6 speed manual.
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-20-2023, 12:24 PM   #12
IcewaterPete
Major
IcewaterPete's Avatar
United_States
2023
Rep
1,466
Posts

Drives: 2020 F33 M Sport, 2021 M2C 6MT
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

Patience is the key here. I’d hold out for a Z3 with a 3.0. Miles tend to be lower and not as abused as other models from what I’ve seen. But, of the two you shared I go with negotiating a lower price on the E46. Have fun making the purchase!
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-20-2023, 09:09 PM   #13
BMWCCA1
BMW Owner Since 1971
2236
Rep
1,393
Posts

Drives: 1964 700 Sport Cabriolet
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Central Virginia

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2013 BMW 128i  [10.00]
Six-cylinder E39s all had rack-and-pinion steering.
BTW, that one has leather, not leatherette, and the shift knob appears to be on backwards!!
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-21-2023, 07:10 AM   #14
tincob
New Member
6
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: Mazda Miata NC Club
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: CT

iTrader: (0)

I have started looking at 128i’s as a potential spring time buy but if I found that e46 nearby in that condition, I would seriously consider it as an alternative. Even though it may be overpriced, if it’s been well maintained, it would be worth the premium for me. Less hassle to deal with during the initial honeymoon phase.
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-21-2023, 12:32 PM   #15
Kowalski2011
Private
Kowalski2011's Avatar
United_States
1172
Rep
97
Posts

Drives: 11 135i-11E93-M3-01 Z3-91 M5
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Midwest

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
1991 BMW M5  [9.38]
2011 BMW 135i  [7.00]
2001 BMW Z3 3.0i  [8.50]
2011 BMW M3  [0.00]
Since your looking at both, the cost difference must not be a factor. As for the car hands down I'd go with the e46. Mileage and maintenance. I'm partial to the e46 though having owned 4 different models in the past, my 330i ZHP was my first, wish I had kept it. I still have my '01 Z3 3.0 roadster - it's a keeper, but if I were looking for that additional car to be a DD, between the Z3 and the e46 again here I would choose the e46.
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-26-2023, 09:45 AM   #16
Obioban
Emperor
Obioban's Avatar
1611
Rep
2,753
Posts

Drives: M3, M3, M5, M5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Chester, PA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW M5  [0.00]
2017 BMW i3  [0.00]
2005 BMW M3 Coupe  [0.00]
2001 BMW M5  [0.00]
6 cylinder e39s are rack and pinion. V8 e39s had the crappy steering, though if you're coming from a modern EPS BMW (instead of a R&P BMW), even the V8 e39 steering feels pretty great.

IMO the e39 530i, with manual trans, is the best overall car BMW ever made... and maybe the best car ever made.

Sporty enough to be fun. Comfortable and practical enough to drive 4 people across the country. Simple enough to be easy to work on. Efficient enough to not be annoying. Full size spare. Good steering feel. Good chassis feel. Good engine sound and dynamics. Reliable. Has a dip stick and drain plugs on the diff and trans. Clear, simple gauges. Barely (~125 lbs, keeping other specs the same) heavier than an e46, but with a significantly stiffer chassis. Physical controls. Everything not driving related automated, everything driving related not automated.

It's just good at everything, and at that perfect point in car tech where it's not annoying yet.
__________________

2005 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Wagon, 2001 M5 Sedan, 2008 M5 6MT Sedan, 2012 128i M sport
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-26-2023, 09:59 AM   #17
pbonsalb
Lieutenant General
5179
Rep
10,555
Posts

Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: New England

iTrader: (4)

And it feels a lot more substantial and better made than an E36 or E46.
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
      01-26-2023, 10:44 AM   #18
Obioban
Emperor
Obioban's Avatar
1611
Rep
2,753
Posts

Drives: M3, M3, M5, M5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Chester, PA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW M5  [0.00]
2017 BMW i3  [0.00]
2005 BMW M3 Coupe  [0.00]
2001 BMW M5  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
And it feels a lot more substantial and better made than an E36 or E46.
Substantial yes.

Better made, no-- e46 and e36 feel pretty identical inside, unless you're talking about the full leather M5 (alcantara headliner/pillars, leather dash).

I do think both e46 and e39 have the best feeling interior quality of all BMW generations.
__________________

2005 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Wagon, 2001 M5 Sedan, 2008 M5 6MT Sedan, 2012 128i M sport
Appreciate 1
CamasM3e933117.50
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:58 PM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST