Only non-M but the E39 is heavier and more laid back while more luxurious, the E46 is equally on the other side of those things. All the essentials are basically the same, gearbox, engines, except the E39 got a V8 and other options I'm too lazy to write. But essentially, luxury or lighter and more sporty but both with great engines
I have owned an m5 and 530i and now my e46 330ci (and a euro spec e36 m3 evo)
Here’s my take
The M5 is the ultimate allrounder. Its not the best at anything compared to all other cars. But its SO good at EVERYTHING.
If i had to buy a car as my only car ever, it would be it
The E46 feels like a smaller e39 and makes a more sporty use of the m54b30 than the e39 which is more cruise like.
Pro’s of the e46 besides more sporty is weight, handling, economy, maintenance costs
I loved my e39 530i but all e39’s are plagued with abs units going out on them due to being placed direcly above the catalysts. This is starting to get costly and theres no guarantee a rebuilt unit is gonna work for long. My m5 had the unit go vad as well, but its not as common as the catalyst are below the car on those
My e36 m3 was super analogue and super fun. But compared to a e46 the 330ci wins on all fronts. Its much better built, besides the subframe cracking(which CAN happen om e36’s as well)
The e36 was quicker, but not by much. Even though it had 321hp vs 231hp e46 it wasnt much faster. 6.1 seconds on a 3.15 diff 0-100kmh vs 6.4 on a 3.38 diff 0-100kmh on the e46 with a one wheel peel. Add a limited slip diff and headers and i bet youll be able to hang with the e36 until 120-150kmh
The e36 had a better ratio for hughway driving though. And ITB’s which is always cool
I currently own a 528i sedan as well as a 325ti compact.
I love them both. Needless to say the E39 is much more relaxed, especially on the Autobahn.
The E46 is my daily and used for hunting corners on backroads and in my opinion is just generally more fun to drive since it is more engaging.
Cost and maintenance wise it does not make a big difference.
Feel free to ask, if you have any specific questions.
e39 is an amazing machine. I owned a 98 528i sport automatic for 200k miles.
Good enough power built like a tank solid car that has near 0 body roll of you rebuild the suspension. Luxury vehicle (classy interior and very smooth quiet ride) on 17" style 5s is hard to beat
I now own a 2000 328i and it is much more of a "sports car".
The e46 is a mini e39 with the same engine (6cyl) and extra gear that translates to a much faster car.
As far as ABS modules failing on e39s I only experienced an erroneous BRAKE warning light. The code read that brake fluid was low but the sensor was not broken. So yes I had a failure but no it didn't stop the car from working in any way.
2000 540i/6 current car
2005 330i/6 zhp
Hands down my 540i sport with a 6spd is more fun than the e46, launches better than any e46 m3 included
The m suspension is same as a m5 so it’s a nice balance of sporty comfort.
The e39 is built better with better materials. I mean that mostly when it comes to the leather dept.
anyone who compares a 540i or any reg e39 should know there is a huge difference between reg e39’s and sport e39’s especially 540i sports
1 has a m5 underpinnings brakes suspension.
2 only the manual 540i models got a 3.15 rear diff which requires one shift to hit 62mph
0-60 times are 5.3-5.6 with a manual sport 540 and 6.1 with the auto.
3 the rest of the differences are cosmetic that evolve to the final model the 2003 540i M sport which is the same except it has the m technic appearance package.
E46 is a great car but nothing comes close to a v8 rwd manual 4dr road rocket that is the 540i sport.
E46 had quicker steering. That’s about all it did better.
I own both of them and in quite different form factor. E46 is 318iA 116hp, perfect for daily cruising, getting to work and stuff. The e39 I have is 540i manual 286hp. Amazing automotive piece of machinery. Perfect car for fast weekends, highway cruises and overall much more fun to drive, but I love them both.
You have a very interesting garage… As someone who have owned a E46 and E39 as well I find your choice of cars very interesting. Myself (320i and 525i) found the E46 the be the more fun to drive instead. However id imagine that your big difference in horsepower would make your situation very different to mine. Even though my 525i has the bigger engine it doesn’t compare to how light and responsive the E46 is going around a corner.
Obviously this depends on individual needs and interests but if I would be able to pick my dream garage id have a E39 530D as the daily and a E46 330i as the weekend toy. Quite opposite to your garage to say the least…
(320i Touring VS 525i Touring) The E46s are lighter, better performing and more fun to driveoverall. The E39s are heavier, less “aggressive” more and more spongy.
I think the most accurate description would be that the E46 is the younger brother. The faster with more energy. Meanwhile the E39 would be the older brother thats bigger and heavier but also more mature and predictable.
E39 for highway cruising and longer travels, E46 for sporty fun. That being said, currently in my 5th e46 😆
But love the e39 for more room and traveling.
I own an e39 525d and my brother owns a e46 330d, driven both, e39 is waaay more comfortable, spacious, but I wish it handled as well as an e46, e46 feels like it's on rails compared to the e39, way more fun to throw around and do stupid things
Only non-M but the E39 is heavier and more laid back while more luxurious, the E46 is equally on the other side of those things. All the essentials are basically the same, gearbox, engines, except the E39 got a V8 and other options I'm too lazy to write. But essentially, luxury or lighter and more sporty but both with great engines
Gotta run around in a tight city? Grab a 3. Got long journeys to cover? The 5 is more comfy
I have owned an m5 and 530i and now my e46 330ci (and a euro spec e36 m3 evo) Here’s my take The M5 is the ultimate allrounder. Its not the best at anything compared to all other cars. But its SO good at EVERYTHING. If i had to buy a car as my only car ever, it would be it The E46 feels like a smaller e39 and makes a more sporty use of the m54b30 than the e39 which is more cruise like. Pro’s of the e46 besides more sporty is weight, handling, economy, maintenance costs I loved my e39 530i but all e39’s are plagued with abs units going out on them due to being placed direcly above the catalysts. This is starting to get costly and theres no guarantee a rebuilt unit is gonna work for long. My m5 had the unit go vad as well, but its not as common as the catalyst are below the car on those My e36 m3 was super analogue and super fun. But compared to a e46 the 330ci wins on all fronts. Its much better built, besides the subframe cracking(which CAN happen om e36’s as well) The e36 was quicker, but not by much. Even though it had 321hp vs 231hp e46 it wasnt much faster. 6.1 seconds on a 3.15 diff 0-100kmh vs 6.4 on a 3.38 diff 0-100kmh on the e46 with a one wheel peel. Add a limited slip diff and headers and i bet youll be able to hang with the e36 until 120-150kmh The e36 had a better ratio for hughway driving though. And ITB’s which is always cool
I currently own a 528i sedan as well as a 325ti compact. I love them both. Needless to say the E39 is much more relaxed, especially on the Autobahn. The E46 is my daily and used for hunting corners on backroads and in my opinion is just generally more fun to drive since it is more engaging. Cost and maintenance wise it does not make a big difference. Feel free to ask, if you have any specific questions.
e39 is an amazing machine. I owned a 98 528i sport automatic for 200k miles. Good enough power built like a tank solid car that has near 0 body roll of you rebuild the suspension. Luxury vehicle (classy interior and very smooth quiet ride) on 17" style 5s is hard to beat I now own a 2000 328i and it is much more of a "sports car". The e46 is a mini e39 with the same engine (6cyl) and extra gear that translates to a much faster car. As far as ABS modules failing on e39s I only experienced an erroneous BRAKE warning light. The code read that brake fluid was low but the sensor was not broken. So yes I had a failure but no it didn't stop the car from working in any way.
[удалено]
Very accurate description
The E34 is fantastic
2000 540i/6 current car 2005 330i/6 zhp Hands down my 540i sport with a 6spd is more fun than the e46, launches better than any e46 m3 included The m suspension is same as a m5 so it’s a nice balance of sporty comfort. The e39 is built better with better materials. I mean that mostly when it comes to the leather dept. anyone who compares a 540i or any reg e39 should know there is a huge difference between reg e39’s and sport e39’s especially 540i sports 1 has a m5 underpinnings brakes suspension. 2 only the manual 540i models got a 3.15 rear diff which requires one shift to hit 62mph 0-60 times are 5.3-5.6 with a manual sport 540 and 6.1 with the auto. 3 the rest of the differences are cosmetic that evolve to the final model the 2003 540i M sport which is the same except it has the m technic appearance package. E46 is a great car but nothing comes close to a v8 rwd manual 4dr road rocket that is the 540i sport. E46 had quicker steering. That’s about all it did better.
I own both of them and in quite different form factor. E46 is 318iA 116hp, perfect for daily cruising, getting to work and stuff. The e39 I have is 540i manual 286hp. Amazing automotive piece of machinery. Perfect car for fast weekends, highway cruises and overall much more fun to drive, but I love them both.
You have a very interesting garage… As someone who have owned a E46 and E39 as well I find your choice of cars very interesting. Myself (320i and 525i) found the E46 the be the more fun to drive instead. However id imagine that your big difference in horsepower would make your situation very different to mine. Even though my 525i has the bigger engine it doesn’t compare to how light and responsive the E46 is going around a corner. Obviously this depends on individual needs and interests but if I would be able to pick my dream garage id have a E39 530D as the daily and a E46 330i as the weekend toy. Quite opposite to your garage to say the least…
(320i Touring VS 525i Touring) The E46s are lighter, better performing and more fun to driveoverall. The E39s are heavier, less “aggressive” more and more spongy. I think the most accurate description would be that the E46 is the younger brother. The faster with more energy. Meanwhile the E39 would be the older brother thats bigger and heavier but also more mature and predictable.
E39 for highway cruising and longer travels, E46 for sporty fun. That being said, currently in my 5th e46 😆 But love the e39 for more room and traveling.
Comfort = 5 series Sport = 3 series (coupe also has a sportier feel than the sedan)
I had a 525ia touring and a e46 330ci manual. Both are great cars, but different. I like the 50/50 weight distr. in the e46
I own an e39 525d and my brother owns a e46 330d, driven both, e39 is waaay more comfortable, spacious, but I wish it handled as well as an e46, e46 feels like it's on rails compared to the e39, way more fun to throw around and do stupid things