e46 M3 vs 993
03-16-2013, 06:48 PM
#16
Racer
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi
I have a E46 325CI as a daily drive and it is great for the purpose, but it is great to jump into the 993.
I can not believe it, the difference between the two cars, the 993 is much better, the 325 makes me appreciate the 993
I have a E46 325CI as a daily drive and it is great for the purpose, but it is great to jump into the 993.
I can not believe it, the difference between the two cars, the 993 is much better, the 325 makes me appreciate the 993
03-16-2013, 07:32 PM
#17
Racer
after 15 years of BMW ownership (320i E30, 320i E36*2, 330 ci E46, 330i E90) i could finally bought my childhood dream, a 993 cabrio. This car was way much better than the E90, that it becomes my DD car. So i finished my BMW liasion and moved to Porsche. For over 4 years my DD car is a 993 (different models) and happy with my decission.
If you look at the costs: by financial aspects it's simply doesn't make any sense to own a E46 330 or M3 as a DD beside a 993 week-end car. Just use and enjoy your 993 every day and the money you save on the BMW (tax, insurance, maintenance, financing costs, etc) spend on your 993. Of course if yo need space (kids, etc) or social acceptance, one of the best choise is a BMW 3series.
it's only my 5cent
If you look at the costs: by financial aspects it's simply doesn't make any sense to own a E46 330 or M3 as a DD beside a 993 week-end car. Just use and enjoy your 993 every day and the money you save on the BMW (tax, insurance, maintenance, financing costs, etc) spend on your 993. Of course if yo need space (kids, etc) or social acceptance, one of the best choise is a BMW 3series.
it's only my 5cent
03-16-2013, 08:11 PM
#18
Not very impressed with the clutch delay mechanism on the 6spd E46, as well I never found the overall transmission very smooth in general usage, only when your pushing the car or driving fairly spirited.
Seriously for DD the 6spd requires work to drive it smooth, pia in traffic. Like others have mentioned, the car seems high maintenance, almost like its not built to drive hard without something needing to be repaired. For early models, def watch out for the rear subframe issues, fairly common problem dating back to the E36s.
I will say the engine sounds great in the higher rpm ranges, the 3.2 just screams. Usable DD torque in the 993 3.6 is much better.
I'd go with 3 series or C class sedan for DD.
Seriously for DD the 6spd requires work to drive it smooth, pia in traffic. Like others have mentioned, the car seems high maintenance, almost like its not built to drive hard without something needing to be repaired. For early models, def watch out for the rear subframe issues, fairly common problem dating back to the E36s.
I will say the engine sounds great in the higher rpm ranges, the 3.2 just screams. Usable DD torque in the 993 3.6 is much better.
I'd go with 3 series or C class sedan for DD.
03-16-2013, 09:18 PM
#19
Rennlist Member
If ever there was a BMW enthusiast, it would be me...from 1974 (and at least 25 BMW's)...until the e46M3 SMG cured me. It was a 2002 and, after 2 con rod bearing recalls and the threat of coil packs going bad, I bailed out. As others have said, it's fast but heavy and it has no "soul". I put on Fikse wheels with PS2's and an Eisenmann exhaust but still couldn't seem to bond with the car. The only good thing about it was that it caused me to come to my senses, return to Porsche and buy a 993.
03-17-2013, 12:44 AM
#20
Instructor
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For the same or less money for the condition check out an E39M5 (2000-03).
Much more comfortable especially on long trips, more powerful and only marginally less sporting than an E46, plus extra doors if you need to chauffer colleagues, clients or friends.
They also have a stellar reputation for mechanical reliability the E46M can't match.
Christian
'95 Carrera
Much more comfortable especially on long trips, more powerful and only marginally less sporting than an E46, plus extra doors if you need to chauffer colleagues, clients or friends.
They also have a stellar reputation for mechanical reliability the E46M can't match.
Christian
'95 Carrera
03-17-2013, 03:46 AM
#24
Instructor
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They have few common issues (SAI problems, MAFs, VANOS seals) but nothing likely to leave one stranded at the side of the road and all reasonable DIYs.
As to being a terrible car, horses for courses but I rather enjoyed the 25k miles I put on mine.
Christian
'95 Carrera
As to being a terrible car, horses for courses but I rather enjoyed the 25k miles I put on mine.
Christian
'95 Carrera
03-17-2013, 07:46 AM
#25
Rennlist Member
e39 M5 a very capable car IMHO. Have owned one 6 years. Handles like an e46 M3 but has more torque, great V8 engine and a bit more space inside. Like Chrsitian says if well maintained they are no more expensive to own and run than a e46 M3. Defintely worth putting in the mix as a fun, capable, practical and iconic manual DD...
03-17-2013, 10:56 AM
#26
Race Director
e39 M5 a very capable car IMHO. Have owned one 6 years. Handles like an e46 M3 but has more torque, great V8 engine and a bit more space inside. Like Chrsitian says if well maintained they are no more expensive to own and run than a e46 M3. Defintely worth putting in the mix as a fun, capable, practical and iconic manual DD...
The interior is nice, but the hvac and instrument clusters are supremely dated.
I think its a great looking car inside and out, but I sold mine within a year or so because I found absolutely zero enjoyment driving it.
03-17-2013, 11:06 AM
#27
03-17-2013, 11:40 AM
#28
Rennlist Member
ok, no it does not handle like an e46 M3. The e39 understeers like a pig. The engine is smooth but completely uninspiring. The hydraulic clutch has no feel and makes it hard to drive smoothly. Throttle response is meh.
The interior is nice, but the hvac and instrument clusters are supremely dated.
I think its a great looking car inside and out, but I sold mine within a year or so because I found absolutely zero enjoyment driving it.
The interior is nice, but the hvac and instrument clusters are supremely dated.
I think its a great looking car inside and out, but I sold mine within a year or so because I found absolutely zero enjoyment driving it.
03-17-2013, 11:54 AM
#29
Three Wheelin'
Zirrah
Quote:
Originally Posted by x50type
stace
Good choice... "I recently bought a '09 335i - 6 sp coupe as a DD. works well for that, comfy and smooth but still quick enough."
According to KBB E46 M3 is nearly $19,000 more than the perfectly adequate DD the 335i.
Hence my earlier comment.
What year M3 are you looking at and what 335i? I can go pickup a perfect E46 M3 for 20-25k. That's a stretch for a 335i unless the miles are high.
I was looking at 2013 prices on KBB.
Quote:
Originally Posted by x50type
stace
Good choice... "I recently bought a '09 335i - 6 sp coupe as a DD. works well for that, comfy and smooth but still quick enough."
According to KBB E46 M3 is nearly $19,000 more than the perfectly adequate DD the 335i.
Hence my earlier comment.
What year M3 are you looking at and what 335i? I can go pickup a perfect E46 M3 for 20-25k. That's a stretch for a 335i unless the miles are high.
I was looking at 2013 prices on KBB.
03-17-2013, 12:03 PM
#30
Race Director
to me the car is just a big blah compromise.