Of The 3 Series which has been
- Thread starter Beemer Dreamer
- Start date
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Hey gang just want your feedback. Of all the 3 Series produced between 1998 to 2004, which do you feel was the best? Great styling, least amout of hiccups, Sedans, Coupes, engine size,etc..![[driving]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_driving.gif "Driving [driving]"){kind=icon}
Umm, you mean E46 cars by that date (99-04) and the last year of the E36 (98), or did you mean 99-04 E46's?
They look the same basically with some differences in the lights (facelift vs pre-facelift, and the rear light designs). Other than that, not much changed.. Engine update in 2001 from 323/328 to 325/330, slightly more compression (hp gain) from the 323 to 325, and a bit more from the 2.8l to the 3.0l in the 328 and 330 respectively.
Course that's not even mentioning the M3, king of the 3 series.
The best? Hmm.. I like the M Coupe (unique M hatchback, only made for 3 years) and the M3 (cabrio!). Then any BMW cabrio, I don't care what engine..![[:)]](/images/smilies/smile.png "Smile [:)]")
After that, any sedan (BMW sedans just look so good..). Coupe last (sorry I'm old), looks great, but I have my preferences!
As for hiccups? There were some issues with 2001's having touchy steering issues, and the latest steptronic problems in mid-late 2003. I'm not aware of any others, but plenty of folks share their fortunes (and misfortunes) here with their cars.
They look the same basically with some differences in the lights (facelift vs pre-facelift, and the rear light designs). Other than that, not much changed.. Engine update in 2001 from 323/328 to 325/330, slightly more compression (hp gain) from the 323 to 325, and a bit more from the 2.8l to the 3.0l in the 328 and 330 respectively.
Course that's not even mentioning the M3, king of the 3 series.
The best? Hmm.. I like the M Coupe (unique M hatchback, only made for 3 years) and the M3 (cabrio!). Then any BMW cabrio, I don't care what engine..
After that, any sedan (BMW sedans just look so good..). Coupe last (sorry I'm old), looks great, but I have my preferences!As for hiccups? There were some issues with 2001's having touchy steering issues, and the latest steptronic problems in mid-late 2003. I'm not aware of any others, but plenty of folks share their fortunes (and misfortunes) here with their cars.
Section 8 - great answer - I'll second it...always loved those little M coups - great (agressive) look - great car (though not a 3 series per se...)...and of course the M drop top and all 3 series drops all look super sharp. Not to knock the 3 series sedan - 'cause I do think they are very nice looking - but has anyone noticed the uncanny resembalance - I mean down to the exact lines - and especially the rear/trunk - of the Honda civic to the 3? Take a close look/comparo sometime..you'll be shocked...(yeah OK - not at all the same car I know)...buuuuut....I assume that the resembalance is not accidental...
...Oh and I'll also put in a vote for the ZHP! (Convertable is to die for - almost nicer looking then an M3 drop top...almost...and normally I think the coups look sharper - better lines, a little more aggressive looking with the lower/wider front...but I think the ZHP sedan somehow looks so very sweet....![[cheers]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_cheers.gif "Cheers [cheers]")
...Oh and I'll also put in a vote for the ZHP! (Convertable is to die for - almost nicer looking then an M3 drop top...almost...and normally I think the coups look sharper - better lines, a little more aggressive looking with the lower/wider front...but I think the ZHP sedan somehow looks so very sweet....