b3s to b3s
b3s to b3s
just looking ahead and wondering what the next one might be if its not a 911. has anyone moved from an e46 to an e9x and how was it?
ive never really like the post e46/39 era cars from a tactility perspective and im also not a turbo fan
notwithstanding the above, i am still curious so would love to hear from those that have made a similar move
i must add that despite 4 years or so in my ownership im still a very big fan of the e46 and at 77k miles it still has a long way to go!
ive never really like the post e46/39 era cars from a tactility perspective and im also not a turbo fan
notwithstanding the above, i am still curious so would love to hear from those that have made a similar move
i must add that despite 4 years or so in my ownership im still a very big fan of the e46 and at 77k miles it still has a long way to go!
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S
I have driven the 9x bi turbo and own a B3S
I am not a fan of them, too modern looking for me, but I would advise driving one for yourself. The pull of the turbo is really good fun, along with other computer gadgetry that lets you just let the wheels turn faster than they should for a brief moment. For me also, in the few miles I did on twisty unknown roads, it feels like it holds the road so much better than the E46, which is really, 20 year old technology now.
Worth a go, but for me I would stick with the E46. Or if both are an option, do that. I am not sure anyone can have too many Alpinas....
I am not a fan of them, too modern looking for me, but I would advise driving one for yourself. The pull of the turbo is really good fun, along with other computer gadgetry that lets you just let the wheels turn faster than they should for a brief moment. For me also, in the few miles I did on twisty unknown roads, it feels like it holds the road so much better than the E46, which is really, 20 year old technology now.
Worth a go, but for me I would stick with the E46. Or if both are an option, do that. I am not sure anyone can have too many Alpinas....
E46 B3S Saloon
E46 330Ci
Golf VR6 loved for 7 years and then went bang at 7K rpm, sadly missed
So many other cars, faves below
Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
Triumph dolomite 1850 (With Sprint wheels of course!)
Fiat 131 Supermiafiori
Mercedes 250CE Pillar less coupe (my first car!!)
E46 330Ci
Golf VR6 loved for 7 years and then went bang at 7K rpm, sadly missed
So many other cars, faves below
Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
Triumph dolomite 1850 (With Sprint wheels of course!)
Fiat 131 Supermiafiori
Mercedes 250CE Pillar less coupe (my first car!!)
I used to own a B3X BiTurbo Coupe and a Roadster S - so although the E46 doesn't appear in that selection there is some relevance.
In terms of engine appeal the Roadster S wins hands down - it sounded epic and gave the car a far more aggressive feel than the BiTurbo unit in the B3. The best way of describing that engine was muscular - rounded and powerful - in a sort of James Bond manner.
The engines, although not dominating the character, are key parts of each car's overall driving dynamics. Although the Roadster could be driven on low down torque it was far better being wrung out. The B3 can be driven quickly lower down the rev-range, it is more forgiving on the chosen gear (especially out of hairpins) and means you can make very rapid progress with less aural notification.
Both engines are superb bits of engineering - despite the 3.4s known faults - but the BiTurbo unit is probably the better daily driver and already package. If you use the car daily and want a great Q-car appeal the BiTurbo wins; if you are using the car irregularly and want something more iconic, then the high-reving 3.4 is going to be more appealing.
The E9x chassis will run rings round the E46 chassis though!
In terms of engine appeal the Roadster S wins hands down - it sounded epic and gave the car a far more aggressive feel than the BiTurbo unit in the B3. The best way of describing that engine was muscular - rounded and powerful - in a sort of James Bond manner.
The engines, although not dominating the character, are key parts of each car's overall driving dynamics. Although the Roadster could be driven on low down torque it was far better being wrung out. The B3 can be driven quickly lower down the rev-range, it is more forgiving on the chosen gear (especially out of hairpins) and means you can make very rapid progress with less aural notification.
Both engines are superb bits of engineering - despite the 3.4s known faults - but the BiTurbo unit is probably the better daily driver and already package. If you use the car daily and want a great Q-car appeal the BiTurbo wins; if you are using the car irregularly and want something more iconic, then the high-reving 3.4 is going to be more appealing.
The E9x chassis will run rings round the E46 chassis though!
2010 Aero 8 Supersport | 2008 Alpina B5s | 2004 BMW X3 3.0D | 1996 BMW M3 Evo (non road-legal)
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I had a B3 3.3 several years ago and sold it (big mistake). A couple of years ago I just missed it too much and went out and bought an E46 B3s Coupe. The difference between these two was pretty marginal in my opinion but there is definitely a bit more guts in the 's' version.
Last year I was in a position to sell the wife's car and move her into the B3s while I went out and bought a E92 B3 Bi Turbo, therefore still run both these cars. The difference between the two is massive. The biturbo is a lot faster, handles a lot better, is much more refined and clearly feels a much newer car. However, the general look is just not an E46 and although the in car drive is a bit louder, the exhaust note of the E46 wins every time.
I drive the biturbo as my daily drive but when we do a car swap for a few days here and there, the E46 puts a big smile on my face. I just miss the power of the biturbo when in the E46. It really is a lot quicker in my opinion and the gear change, significantly quicker. As a daily drive - hardly anything in it on fuel consumption really. That all depends on how right footed you are I think. Somewhere between 25 and 30 mpg for me in both unless I'm having some fun or on a long motorway trip.
If you can, get a biturbo or at least drive one for a few days but I would never recommend selling the E46. I did it once and won't do it again.
Pete
Last year I was in a position to sell the wife's car and move her into the B3s while I went out and bought a E92 B3 Bi Turbo, therefore still run both these cars. The difference between the two is massive. The biturbo is a lot faster, handles a lot better, is much more refined and clearly feels a much newer car. However, the general look is just not an E46 and although the in car drive is a bit louder, the exhaust note of the E46 wins every time.
I drive the biturbo as my daily drive but when we do a car swap for a few days here and there, the E46 puts a big smile on my face. I just miss the power of the biturbo when in the E46. It really is a lot quicker in my opinion and the gear change, significantly quicker. As a daily drive - hardly anything in it on fuel consumption really. That all depends on how right footed you are I think. Somewhere between 25 and 30 mpg for me in both unless I'm having some fun or on a long motorway trip.
If you can, get a biturbo or at least drive one for a few days but I would never recommend selling the E46. I did it once and won't do it again.
Pete
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2008 BMW Alpina B3 Biturbo Coupe no.137
2003 BMW Alpina B3s Coupe no.16
2014 BMW 525d M-Sport
2010 BMW 320d M-Sport
2000 BMW Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon no. 213
1995 BMW 328i Coupe
1989 Ford Escort XR3i lux
2008 BMW Alpina B3 Biturbo Coupe no.137
2003 BMW Alpina B3s Coupe no.16
2014 BMW 525d M-Sport
2010 BMW 320d M-Sport
2000 BMW Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon no. 213
1995 BMW 328i Coupe
1989 Ford Escort XR3i lux
Everyone is saying the same thing!!
Now the question is, is your drive big enough for another Alpina!!
Now the question is, is your drive big enough for another Alpina!!
E46 B3S Saloon
E46 330Ci
Golf VR6 loved for 7 years and then went bang at 7K rpm, sadly missed
So many other cars, faves below
Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
Triumph dolomite 1850 (With Sprint wheels of course!)
Fiat 131 Supermiafiori
Mercedes 250CE Pillar less coupe (my first car!!)
E46 330Ci
Golf VR6 loved for 7 years and then went bang at 7K rpm, sadly missed
So many other cars, faves below
Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia
Triumph dolomite 1850 (With Sprint wheels of course!)
Fiat 131 Supermiafiori
Mercedes 250CE Pillar less coupe (my first car!!)
well thats cleared that up then and thanks for all the input..
so whilst the drive is big enough i barely get time to drive the car and its doing sub 5k a year and the ducati is getting even less love
now putting sensible hat on... even if i sold the e46 i would need to pony up what i get in sale proceeds to fund the e9x biturbo s and from the sounds of it its not going to give me double the enjoyment so it gets me to back where i started from...
i think i will def seek out a drive in one but in the meantime continue to enjoy the e46
so whilst the drive is big enough i barely get time to drive the car and its doing sub 5k a year and the ducati is getting even less love
now putting sensible hat on... even if i sold the e46 i would need to pony up what i get in sale proceeds to fund the e9x biturbo s and from the sounds of it its not going to give me double the enjoyment so it gets me to back where i started from...
i think i will def seek out a drive in one but in the meantime continue to enjoy the e46
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S
I can only compare handling between the E46, E91 and F31
The handling of the 3 are all very different. The E46 wins over the E91 in terms of overall car balance but the uprated anti-roll bars on the E91 make it feel more planted to the road.
The F31 feels like a heavy beast, until you really start to throw it around the lanes (like on a spirited drive from the Alpina meet) - then it really comes alive, helped mostly by the simply outstanding acceleration.
So for me, the E46 wins between the it and the E9x in handling terms. The F3x though wins overall.
The handling of the 3 are all very different. The E46 wins over the E91 in terms of overall car balance but the uprated anti-roll bars on the E91 make it feel more planted to the road.
The F31 feels like a heavy beast, until you really start to throw it around the lanes (like on a spirited drive from the Alpina meet) - then it really comes alive, helped mostly by the simply outstanding acceleration.
So for me, the E46 wins between the it and the E9x in handling terms. The F3x though wins overall.
Nothing to see here.... move along in an orderly fashion please!
E91 D3 Bi-turbo Touring #004 - (sold)
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #032
F31 D3 Bi-turbo Touring #172
Mk1 Focus RS #516
Mk3 Focus RS Heritage #8 of only 50
and a 1987 Sierra RS Cosworth (currently being restored)
E91 D3 Bi-turbo Touring #004 - (sold)
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #032
F31 D3 Bi-turbo Touring #172
Mk1 Focus RS #516
Mk3 Focus RS Heritage #8 of only 50
and a 1987 Sierra RS Cosworth (currently being restored)