When BMW produced the E36 they were just getting focused on making the 3-series about luxury. This is because its mostly devoid of the complex system’s mentioned above. With that said, the E36 is dirt cheap to repair. BMW’s can be very complex and as such the technicians who work on them get paid a lot to understand how BMW’s work. Understand that you get what you pay for. Is a BMW way nicer to drive than a Honda? Yes. Is a BMW more expensive to fix than a Honda? Yes. This is where many people fear ever owning a BMW or any german car for that matter. Thats insane! E36 vs E46: Maintenance Cost Some area’s in the US, E46’s can rise as high as $10k for a decent condition model. Those prices were an average of many different listings in the Phoenix, Arizona region. This is of course very dependent on where you live. Prices for a nice E36 range from $3-5k, and prices for a nice E46 range from $5-7k. While prices for E30’s have gone up huge amounts, the prices for E36’s and E46’s have gone down a ton.
But, the E46 feels nicer and more modern over all. They both use really nice leather and pretty nice materials. Things like power windows, power locks, and power seats are pretty standard on the E46. The E46 is for the most part a lot like the E36 on the inside. It had a more advanced suspension system and was designed to be a true entry level executive car.Į36’s came with power everything, leather interior, and a pretty quite and smooth ride. The E36 was already a massive leap from the E30 when it came to luxury features and overall comfort of the car. So when comparing the luxury features of the E36 vs E46 take into account the major age difference.
Now, this shouldn’t surprise you to much, but as cars get more advanced they also get much more luxurious. But, with all the new luxury tech of the E46 chassis, the reliable isn’t as good as the E36. The E46 shares many components with the E36, and as such, shares many of the reliable traits. Also Read: RB26 vs 2JZ: Which One is Actually Better? That said, the E36 is a fairly reliable vehicle, but not nearly as strong as the E30 before it. Once BMW started changing directions with the 3-series and making it more luxurious, it has lost some of its superb reliability. However, the “compact” model was missing from the lineup. Just like the E36 before it, the E46 was available as a coupe, sedan, convertible, and a wagon. BMW used quite a few light weight materials and techniques to keep the weight of the E46 down. Not only was it more luxurious, faster, and safer.
BMW has always been good at out-doing themselves, and they did with the E46. Just like the E36, the E46 had some fairly big shoes to fill in. Making the E36 M3 attainable to the average Joe. The E36 was available in a coupe, sedan, convertible, and a wagon model.īMW also produced the “compact” model which never sold well in the US but sold amazingly elsewhere.Īfter the insane success of the E30 M3, BMW upped production a huge amount. Of course, BMW delivered and made the E36 the most luxurious and comfortable 3-series yet. Let’s dive in and compare E36 vs E46 and find out which one is actually better E36Īfter the insane success of the E30, the E36 had some big shoes to fill in. So, you’re stuck with the E30, E36, and E46.Maybe the E30 is a little to old for you, so you’re interested in E36’s and E46. But maybe a newer 3-series is out of your price range. That’s great! They’re awesome little cars if you take care of them.