Tough decision, need your input. - United Bimmer Community

**moonlightdrive** · 01-21-2009, 01:30 PM

Hey guys,
Been lurking a while and finally decided to make my first post ( I will also be posting this in the E36 forum just to balance out the opinions

).

Long story short: I purchased a mint E36 328iS in August and began to happily and tastefully mod it to my liking - just to be completely screwed over by a drunk driver on the freeway in December. I ended up sliding across 5 lanes and rolling twice on a crowded freeway and somehow I walked away with nothing more than a bruise from the seat belt. As cliche as it sounds, thank God for German engineering right?

So arrives my crisis. My check for the car will arrive within the next few days - and so the search begins. Currently I've narrowed down my wish list of sorts to a few options, and I would like your input or any advice you have to offer.

I'm torn between an E36 M3 or an E46 330ci ZHP (I'd consider the 330i ZHP if the cards were right though).

Whatever I choose will be manual - there's no way I'd get an automatic.

Cheers.

**AStarps** · 01-21-2009, 04:14 PM

I say M3, faster and looks better IMO

**scooter** · 01-21-2009, 05:10 PM

e46 hands down and especially a 330, just as fast as an e36 m3 but newer, more modern and the interior is much nicer, the e46 is a great car.

motorwerks · 01-26-2009, 08:45 PM

I prefer the e36 because they feel more connected to the road.
You have to decide whether you want a little more luxury like what's provided by the E46, or the driving experience provided by the E36.

**moonlightdrive** · 01-26-2009, 10:55 PM

Luxury isn't THAT big of a concern - I don't need nav or tilting side mirrors - but I'm not one to turn it away either...

I'm concerned about finding an E36 M3 with the same reliability that a newer E46 will have. Every car has its problems, granted, but how deep down they go is a different monster altogether.

As for looks? You know it comes post face-lift for the E46 right? Well opinions just that for a reason

I haven't driven an E46, is the feel that much more disconnected than the E36?

**tree36** · 02-02-2009, 09:40 AM

go 335 there faster and the same luxury. and beautiful. ha i wish i had money. i would probably say m3 especially if you already had an e36. you'll really be able to tell how much better M3s are the 328s.

**moonlightdrive** · 02-02-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tree36

go 335 there faster and the same luxury. and beautiful. ha i wish i had money. i would probably say m3 especially if you already had an e36. you'll really be able to tell how much better M3s are the 328s.

Haha yeah I mean I'd love to get an E92 but that isn't in the foreseeable future..

I'm pretty set on the ZHP as of now - it just comes down to finding one >.<

**tree36** · 02-25-2009, 09:39 AM

post some pics when you get one

**Radix325i** · 02-25-2009, 11:41 AM

Any way, in my personal opinion, E36 M3, you got more participation in driving, you can feel better the road.
and over all, it is a CULT CAR.
a 330 E46 IS JUST A E46