pre-facelift E46's look outdated

dan · 09-12-2006, 11:34 AM

I was just looking at this pic on the fest of someone's 2001 330i and I realized how outdated it now looks

looks a lot more like an e36 than an e90

ff · 09-12-2006, 12:20 PM

Agree. Even the post-facelift E46's with non-SP wheels looks pretty bland/dated. I still very much like the interior layout and materials, though.

Sharp11 · 09-12-2006, 12:24 PM

I disagree, I think the 99-01 models look like classic BMW's and are still the prettiest cars the company has ever made.

Ed

TD · 09-12-2006, 12:39 PM

If bonoboy were to use his archival skills to help me rather than just annoy me, I'm sure he could provide a link to me saying (way back when) that I thought, long-term, the E36 would age better than the E46 - that the E46 would look more dated in time than the E36.

He (and others) may still not agree with that sentiment. But, IMO, we're already to this point.

EDIT- Nevermind. Found it myself- http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43194 Interesting to see Jon's evolving view on E36s.

John V · 09-12-2006, 12:49 PM

I still love the looks of the E36 cars, especially with proper wheels and non-4x4 suspension. The E46 non-M cars have never looked great to me. The 99-01 cars do look especially dated now that bboy mentions it.

rumatt · 09-12-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TD

EDIT- Nevermind. Found it myself-

Ah, damn. I was waiting for bonoboy's inevitable reply which would contain nothing except a link to this post.

iateyourcheese · 09-12-2006, 01:39 PM

I think the e46 will age just fine. The e36 looks just OK right now, but it will begin to look better in the near future.

Besides, the e36 looks like a Buick.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...6&postcount=14

Oh, and the e39 looks fine as well, but the e46 looks more natural of the two. I would never turn down a 540i/6 if someone offered it to me, but it's not quite the e46. Before anyone calls me crazy, doesn't the nose of the e39 look a bit too pinched?

nate · 09-12-2006, 01:49 PM

No they don't.

Any E46 with a lift kit and cheap silver headlight trim will look like shit.

Theo · 09-12-2006, 01:50 PM

I think the facelifted coupe, esp in ZHP form still looks very fresh to me.

The lines with the M tech pieces added are classic.

But I never liked the 99 - 01 none sport 4 door anyway. It always looked bad to me.

TD · 09-12-2006, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBM3C

I think the facelifted coupe, esp in ZHP form still looks very fresh to me.

The lines with the M tech pieces added are classic.

But I never liked the 99 - 01 none sport 4 door anyway. It always looked bad to me.

The only E46 sedans I liked were the '01+ 330s with SP. The facelift headlight grew on me enough that I don't have a preference between them and the pre-'02s. I just don't like any of the non-sport front fascias - which were on all pre '01 sedans and all years of the 325, SP or not.

09-12-2006, 11:34 AM	#1
dan redefined Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 14,896	pre-facelift E46's look outdated I was just looking at this pic on the fest of someone's 2001 330i and I realized how outdated it now looks looks a lot more like an e36 than an e90

09-12-2006, 01:49 PM	#8
nate Oh, are they? Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: S4 Location: H-town Posts: 10,270	No they don't. Any E46 with a lift kit and cheap silver headlight trim will look like shit. __________________ "People keep saying I'm crazy as hell, but sooner or later they're going to realize I know what I'm talking about." - Charles Barkley

09-12-2006, 01:50 PM	#9
Theo Crazy Old Man Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M2C Stick Posts: 6,021	I think the facelifted coupe, esp in ZHP form still looks very fresh to me. The lines with the M tech pieces added are classic. But I never liked the 99 - 01 none sport 4 door anyway. It always looked bad to me. __________________ Searching

09-12-2006, 12:20 PM	#2
ff . Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 13,514	Agree. Even the post-facelift E46's with non-SP wheels looks pretty bland/dated. I still very much like the interior layout and materials, though.

09-12-2006, 12:24 PM	#3
Sharp11 Vicarious Twitterer Join Date: May 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 06 330 cic ZHP Location: CT Posts: 7,566	I disagree, I think the 99-01 models look like classic BMW's and are still the prettiest cars the company has ever made. Ed

09-12-2006, 12:39 PM	#4
TD Founder emeritus Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 21,007	If bonoboy were to use his archival skills to help me rather than just annoy me, I'm sure he could provide a link to me saying (way back when) that I thought, long-term, the E36 would age better than the E46 - that the E46 would look more dated in time than the E36. He (and others) may still not agree with that sentiment. But, IMO, we're already to this point. EDIT- Nevermind. Found it myself- http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43194 Interesting to see Jon's evolving view on E36s.

09-12-2006, 12:49 PM	#5
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	I still love the looks of the E36 cars, especially with proper wheels and non-4x4 suspension. The E46 non-M cars have never looked great to me. The 99-01 cars do look especially dated now that bboy mentions it.

09-12-2006, 01:39 PM	#7
iateyourcheese Nerd Join Date: Jan 2006 Carmudgeonly Ride: '87 M3, Subie FXT, Mazda CX-9 Location: Missouri loves company Posts: 884	I think the e46 will age just fine. The e36 looks just OK right now, but it will begin to look better in the near future. Besides, the e36 looks like a Buick. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...6&postcount=14 Oh, and the e39 looks fine as well, but the e46 looks more natural of the two. I would never turn down a 540i/6 if someone offered it to me, but it's not quite the e46. Before anyone calls me crazy, doesn't the nose of the e39 look a bit too pinched?