E46 Bodystyle standing the test of time

[BumpinAlpine]

How often do you guys get comments like "you car doesn't look like a 10 year old car at all, half that"?

[danewilson77]

All the time...

[mbeckel]

Almost everyone in here gets it a lot, it's really a testament to utmost of care is given by everyone to their cars.

[ZHP Dave]

I haven't gotten that with this car, but it really is a great body style. I think the E46 will still look great in 20-30 years. It's one of those classically good looking cars. I also think the same of the E39s

[gmurphy]

All the time...

+1
Someone thought my car was newer than an early e90 sedan. Still looks great after all these years.


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[TWong1200]

All the time...
Yep... Many were in shock when I first picked mine up last month. Couldn't believe that it is 10 years old.

[SoDelBMW]

Yep... Many were in shock when I first picked mine up last month. Couldn't believe that it is 10 years old.

Same the first day I drove it to school they thought I got a brand new Bimmer! I laughed and said brand new in 04.

[SoCalZman]

Yup. Definitely a timeless design. Also, its no small miracle what new headlight lenses will do for the look of the car ;)

[gmurphy]

Yup. Definitely a timeless design. Also, its no small miracle what new headlight lenses will do for the look of the car ;)

This X 1000. Clear and clean lenses work magic.


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[Oli77]

Yessir, a gorgeous car. Reminds me of this. (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?10213-Post-the-love-notes-you-get)

[alexandre]

A classic.

[cakM3]

Never get comments on either of my cars..... I just get mouth drop stares and finger pointing instead......

[mbeckel]

Never get comments on either of my cars..... I just get mouth drop stares and finger pointing instead......
That's always better in an awesome way. :roundel

[cakM3]

That's always better in an awesome way. :roundel

Half the time I'm not looking....I have friends who drive behind me telling me this afterwards. I did notice one guy driving an Altima today who slowed down and matched my speed just to grab my attention so he could give me a thumbs up before continuing on his drive. Pretty cool stuff :) Just goes to show just how awesome the E46 looks after more than 10 years on the road :thumbsup

[mbeckel]

Half the time I'm not looking....I have friends who drive behind me telling me this afterwards. I did notice one guy driving an Altima today who slowed down and matched my speed just to grab my attention so he could give me a thumbs up before continuing on his drive. Pretty cool stuff :) Just goes to show just how awesome the E46 looks after more than 10 years on the road :thumbsup
It's truly a testament to how the style has stood the test of time.

[Washburn]

At least 4-5 people have told me it's hard to believe the car is from 2005.

It really is timeless, just like the BMW 8-series, Lexus SC series (Toyota Soarer), and Jaguar XK coupes.
They look great even today.

[stephenkirsh]

I haven't gotten that with this car, but it really is a great body style. I think the E46 will still look great in 20-30 years. It's one of those classically good looking cars. I also think the same of the E39s

+1 on the e39

[Johal E32]

Yep, held up pretty well. Most do not think they are very old at all. My grandmother thought my friends E39 was a brand new BMW. lol, then she realized we had the exact same car next to it in the garage.

[derbo]

I think it held up a lot better than the E36... :P

[KevinC]

I think the Z4MC styling is aging very well too. People are shocked to hear it's a 7-year old car. Clearly the best of the designs out of the "flame surfacing" era.

[Fenrir]

I got a compliment about the car yesterday and they thought it was brand new. Made my day ^_^.

[az3579]

I never really noticed it but my friend who rides with me frequently is constantly getting a kick out of the stares I get when we're driving. I don't notice because I keep my eyes on the road but he tells me it happens all the time.

[cakM3]

I never really noticed it but my friend who rides with me frequently is constantly getting a kick out of the stares I get when we're driving. I don't notice because I keep my eyes on the road but he tells me it happens all the time.

I never notice this when I'm riding with you.....:scratchinghead but an E30 driver gave me a wave when I was on the Newport Bridge in my ZHP this morning on my way to work ;) Nice to see Wobz getting some love :thumbsup

[slater]

i had some negative attention on saturday in the ZHP... i got pulled over after being followed for 2-3 miles. the officer asked how fast i was going - i said 85km/h (which was true - it was an 80km/h zone, and i was following other cars going the same speed). he said, "i don't think so, you were going way faster than that - if i had my radar gun on you'd be getting a ticket now."

first off, i don't like being called a liar. secondly, my kids were in the car and i was definitely not doing anything crazy - but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth. i don't want to deal with this kind of crap - it was definitely negative attention. if i was driving my previous car (audi wagon) that probably would not have happened.

peter

[Fenrir]

i had some negative attention on saturday in the ZHP... i got pulled over after being followed for 2-3 miles. the officer asked how fast i was going - i said 85km/h (which was true - it was an 80km/h zone, and i was following other cars going the same speed). he said, "i don't think so, you were going way faster than that - if i had my radar gun on you'd be getting a ticket now."

first off, i don't like being called a liar. secondly, my kids were in the car and i was definitely not doing anything crazy - but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth. i don't want to deal with this kind of crap - it was definitely negative attention. if i was driving my previous car (audi wagon) that probably would not have happened.

peter

Ouch that sucks. Someone in black n white was having a bad saturday. We're kinda lucky that most of the cops and gear heads get along around here. Don't do anything outrageous and most of them tend to throw a thumbs up instead of throwing the wig wags.

[bshovers]

i had some negative attention on saturday in the ZHP... i got pulled over after being followed for 2-3 miles. the officer asked how fast i was going - i said 85km/h (which was true - it was an 80km/h zone, and i was following other cars going the same speed). he said, "i don't think so, you were going way faster than that - if i had my radar gun on you'd be getting a ticket now."

first off, i don't like being called a liar. secondly, my kids were in the car and i was definitely not doing anything crazy - but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth. i don't want to deal with this kind of crap - it was definitely negative attention. if i was driving my previous car (audi wagon) that probably would not have happened.

peter

I was told I was doing 60 in a 35. I asked to see the radar gun he said he couldn't show me because another officer got me with it. He sends me a ticket it in the mail. I'm gonna fight it and say he was speeding through his duty to show me the radar gun as well as speeding through the process and not writing me the ticket on the spot. Also I have a escort 8500 x50 and it didn't go off so I'm calling bs


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[zhpnsnv]

I went from a 2013 E82 to a 2002 E46, and people have complimented me on my "new" car. I say, "It's new to me, but it's a much older car." The response is "REALLY?!"

For whatever reason, the newer designs from BMW come out of the factory already being pedestrian and routine. While that's not really true of the E82 (nothing else like it on the road), there aren't enough of them to actually have any impact.

Sometimes pedestrian and routine looks great to me: F10 5er M-sport. Yes please.

[slater]

I was told I was doing 60 in a 35. I asked to see the radar gun he said he couldn't show me because another officer got me with it. He sends me a ticket it in the mail. I'm gonna fight it and say he was speeding through his duty to show me the radar gun as well as speeding through the process and not writing me the ticket on the spot. Also I have a escort 8500 x50 and it didn't go off so I'm calling bs


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you are allowed to request them to produce the printout from the radar gun in court... it will get thrown out if they can't produce it.

peter

[derbo]

I think the Z4MC styling is aging very well too. People are shocked to hear it's a 7-year old car. Clearly the best of the designs out of the "flame surfacing" era.

The Z4MC is on everyone's want list now that is a cheaper car but NO ONE wanted to buy them new. That being said, it is one of the rare M cars I like. I am specifically talking about the coupe, not the roadster.

[mLuMaN83]

Best car ever.

I gotta say though, the Supra is another timeless sex machine.

[Fenrir]

Best car ever.

I gotta say though, the Supra is another timeless sex machine.

The Mk4 very much is timeless. I just regret the movie popularity and inflated prices associated with it. I think the R34 Skyline has aged well too. But.. I'm a Skyline fiend so I'm slightly biased for the 32/34 lol

[cakM3]

I love the R34 Skyline. Classic lines that, to me, never gets old. Love this car :thumbsup .... and that engine :drool

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/Library2/Nissan-Skyline-R34-HD-Wallpaper-for-Desktop_zpsd47162f4.jpg

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/p4pb4466835_zps64c63435.jpg

[Fenrir]

I love the R34 Skyline. Classic lines that, to me, never gets old. Love this car :thumbsup .... and that engine :drool

:thumbup

[cakM3]

:thumbup

Ben....I can see having this and the ///M together. That, to me, would be "my" ultimate garage ;) Keeping my ZHP as my daily driver still...:biggrin

[Fenrir]

Ben....I can see having this and the ///M together. That, to me, would be "my" ultimate garage ;) Keeping my ZHP as my daily driver still...:biggrin

Lol excellent choice of stable mates. I would love to have my ZHP next to another 3s, preferably a VR4, and an R32 or 34. Ditto the ZHP as my daily lol.

[az3579]

R32 please.


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[Johal E32]

+1 for R32 and R34 skylines, shoot I even love the R33.

[Fenrir]

..... The skykine virus has began to infect... phase 1 complete

[az3579]

..... The skykine virus has began to infect... phase 1 complete

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Bimmer loyalist. There's an EXTREMELY small amount if Japanese cars I'd consider, the R32 being one of them.

Otherwise, give me an S50B32.


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[OtterEffect]

I love the R34 Skyline. Classic lines that, to me, never gets old. Love this car :thumbsup .... and that engine :drool

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/Library2/Nissan-Skyline-R34-HD-Wallpaper-for-Desktop_zpsd47162f4.jpg

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/p4pb4466835_zps64c63435.jpg

+1 :drool such a pretty car

[cakM3]

If I went back to JDM this is the car I would be rolling in :thumbsup

[Fenrir]

Rofl I agree Cak, but before a gm comes along and bops me for derailing a thread I'd better get back on track lol. So aaaaaaanyways I got a compliment from a random person at a stoplight today who didn't believe the car was almost ten years old. Once again, made my day :)............



long live the skyline....:drevil

[cakM3]

I get mouth dropping stares from the sales men and customers every time I pull my ///M into the dealer to get more parts ;) The "look" reinforces that I don't need any other car :thumbsup

[derbo]

I get mouth dropping stares from the sales men and customers every time I pull my ///M into the dealer to get more parts ;) The "look" reinforces that I don't need any other car :thumbsup

I wonder what people will do when you pull up here. When I worked at the dealership, when a modified BMW came, we go "oh great. another one." LOL

[cakM3]

I wonder what people will do when you pull up here. When I worked at the dealership, when a modified BMW came, we go "oh great. another one." LOL

If I move out to Cali, I will be just another modded BMW owner....nothing to gawk about, I know that. But here in New England....modded BMW owners who have OEM CSL parts installed on their ///M's are rare. I'm enjoying the attention my ///M commands over here ;)

[az3579]

If I move out to Cali, I will be just another modded BMW owner....nothing to gawk about, I know that. But EVERYWHERE ELSE....modded BMW owners who have OEM CSL parts installed on their ///M's are rare. I'm enjoying the attention my ///M commands over here ;)

Fixed. :shifty


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[Fenrir]

lol

[KevinC]

The Z4MC is on everyone's want list now that is a cheaper car but NO ONE wanted to buy them new. That being said, it is one of the rare M cars I like. I am specifically talking about the coupe, not the roadster.

You're spot-on about nobody wanting them when new. I stalked my car for 4-5 months back in early '07 as it sat on the dealer's lot, unloved and unsold, month after month. I was working a deal for weeks, trying to get to a certain price point, while getting good trade value for my '06 E90 330i. Finally, on August 1, BMW added $5k of "trunk money" to try to move the '07's, as the '08's were already arriving or about to arrive. I finally struck a great deal in mid-August. The car had been on the lot since December '06. I put a ton of miles on it in the first 2 years as it was my DD for a while. I've since cut way back and sit at 54k today.

I'm also keen on the coupe but not at all on the roadster. Putting a roof on this car was pure magic. As a former 240Z/280Z driver a million years ago, it struck an instant cord and I had to have one. Now I'm struggling with the idea of selling it and acquiring an M235i. Must... resist...

[KevinC]

R32 please.

http://www.kcphotodump.net/Cars/VW-Golf-R32/i-ZXpDFmB/0/X2/DSCN2571-X2.jpg

O wait.. you meant THAT R32. I thought you meant .:R32. Never mind!

[Fenrir]

http://www.kcphotodump.net/Cars/VW-Golf-R32/i-ZXpDFmB/0/X2/DSCN2571-X2.jpg

O wait.. you meant THAT R32. I thought you meant .:R32. Never mind!

Kevin is this yours?

[Don Adolfo]

I think the Z4MC styling is aging very well too. People are shocked to hear it's a 7-year old car. Clearly the best of the designs out of the "flame surfacing" era.

I always liked it; still do, but really never liked the Z4 Roadster much. My 2002 M on the other hand I feel also has a timeless quality. I love it, but its coupe equivalent never really did anything for me.

[Don Adolfo]

I don't recall getting any comments on my ZHP, but I don't care. As long as I like it (and you like it), I don't care what others think.

[mLuMaN83]

Gotta love a clean R33...

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/323/3/2/nissan_skyline_r33_gt_r_by_danyi03-d4gn3z3.jpg

The 90s had some of the best sports cars ever made... especially from Japan. I had a 1993 Nissan NX2000 that I did an SR20DET swap on. Thing would kill my 330. What a beastly fun little car but boy, what a POS lol. Had that my late sophomore year of high school in 2001.

[Fenrir]

Must..resist... more...skyline comments.... awwww screw it. I'll always the lines on ANY of the old skylines.... Cept for the R30/ R31. Those years were....rough... On body lines.

[OtterEffect]

Now I'm struggling with the idea of selling it and acquiring an M235i. Must... resist...

Give in... Give in! :biggrin That car is amazing.. And seems very reasonably priced considering what you're getting IMHO.


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[KevinC]

Kevin is this (.:R32)yours?

It was, from new in '04, till I sold it for an E90 330i in early '06. My second-to-last VW. I held onto my beloved Scirocco till '08.

[Fenrir]

It was, from new in '04, till I sold it for an E90 330i in early '06. My second-to-last VW. I held onto my beloved Scirocco till '08.

That is awesome. I bet she was a blast :)

[NoVAphotog]

If I went back to JDM this is the car I would be rolling in :thumbsup

Back to JDM?? What did you have/drive?

[cakM3]

Back to JDM?? What did you have/drive?

I started out driving JDMs Daniel My first three cars were Mazda RX-7s. My very first car being a 1978 GS model.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/28/se7u2yvy.jpg

Then a 1980 GS model
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/28/e8ygy2yh.jpg

And finally an 1984 GSL-SE model
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/28/u4uqehen.jpg

Of the three I really loved my GSL-SE. Man was that car fun to drive but that exhaust had three catalytic converters and was expensive to replace...


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[NoVAphotog]

Very cool Charlie! A little throwback for this Thursday morning..

[Fenrir]

Charlie those are sweet. I love RX7's. I'll get back into JDM one day lol.

[Au1994]

I get a lot of comments, nods, smiles and waves when I am in the ZHP. From the ladies I like to think its my stunning good looks but I'm pretty sure its the car.

The E46 is timeless I think and is THE design many think of and appreciate when the 3 Series is mentioned.

Its kinda neat to sit in my garage with an adult beverage or 6 and look at the differences and similarities between the F30 and E46.

[Avetiso]

Oddly enough, the r33 was my favorite.

[Fenrir]

Oddly enough, the r33 was my favorite.

People tend to either love or hate the R33. I like the lines on it.

[az3579]

People tend to either love or hate the R33. I like the lines on it.

I'm right in between... I don't love or hate... I "like". :p

[Fenrir]

Haha

Sent from a blue police box.

[ZHP Dave]

I'm driving my little rice burner right now. Inspection is out this month so I'm taking care of it. The guy doing the inspection absolutely loves the car.

[stephenkirsh]

Its kinda neat to sit in my garage with an adult beverage or 6 and look at the differences and similarities between the F30 and E46.

Lol or 6

[johnrando]

If I move out to Cali, I will be just another modded BMW owner....nothing to gawk about, I know that. But here in New England....modded BMW owners who have OEM CSL parts installed on their ///M's are rare. I'm enjoying the attention my ///M commands over here ;)
So true. I'll get the occasional props for my car but there are so many modded BMWs as well as Maserati's and Ferrari's, etc., you don't really stand out.

[3ZHP]

I received a surprising comment from one of the guys I work with last month.

I came a cross this all guy show in town. It was a cross the street from ware we were having dinner. We finished dinner and walked over to the show leaving my ZHP in the restaurants back parking lot. At the show there were a bunch of lowered pickups, bikes, classics, off road 4x4s, a live band, beer food and guy stuff vendors. We stayed To check things out and left.

When I was talking to the guy in my cluster about it, he replied: you should have brought your car over, it would have been the cleanest one there. :)


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[Imola.ZHP]

I'm with everybody else here; all of the time.

Especially when she's clean.


--Marcus

[94jedi]

Yep even moreso when it's really clean. In fact, my colleagues at work give me crap about it. They say stuff like "well you must get paid more than the rest of us since you drive a shiny new Beemer...". My car will be 12 soon! Lol!

[Karl Lazlo]

Funny, I was reminded of this thread last night. Went to a home of a former coworker of my g/f for his house warming and birthday party. Early in the evening, he asked who owned the 3 series... I thought I blocked someone in, so I grabbed my keys. At that point, he lamented that he missed his 3er, as he sold it to make room for family cars (two young kids). Mind you, he could buy and sell many cars, fitting a few good ones in the garage of his 1.7 mill dollar home.

Exactly what ZHP Dave stated below... Both the host and I concluded that the E46 will age very gracefully.


it really is a great body style. I think the E46 will still look great in 20-30 years. It's one of those classically good looking cars.

I think the only car in the BMW lineup that has or will age better than the E46 is the E24 M635CSi.

Here is my 330ci on the third most expensive driveway I have parked on:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr216/Karl_Lazlo/Public/20140830_161937_zpskp4czab6.jpg (http://s485.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Lazlo/media/Public/20140830_161937_zpskp4czab6.jpg.html)

[Fronnzy]

^^^

That is one beautiful car!

[mLuMaN83]

^^^^^

I almost bought a car exactly like that. Same same same. Turns out, it was junk after driving to look at it. Hop this isn't the same car...:shift

[Karl Lazlo]

^^^^^

I almost bought a car exactly like that. Same same same. Turns out, it was junk after driving to look at it. Hop this isn't the same car...:shift

I am going to bet no. I am the second owner, picking it up 8 years ago. Of the 207k miles on the clock, I am responsible for 183k of them.

[mLuMaN83]

Nope.:thumbup

That thing was a nightmare. Pictures are deceiving.

[az3579]

Funny, I was reminded of this thread last night. Went to a home of a former coworker of my g/f for his house warming and birthday party. Early in the evening, he asked who owned the 3 series... I thought I blocked someone in, so I grabbed my keys. At that point, he lamented that he missed his 3er, as he sold it to make room for family cars (two young kids). Mind you, he could buy and sell many cars, fitting a few good ones in the garage of his 1.7 mill dollar home.

Exactly what ZHP Dave stated below... Both the host and I concluded that the E46 will age very gracefully.



I think the only car in the BMW lineup that has or will age better than the E46 is the E24 M635CSi.

Here is my 330ci on the third most expensive driveway I have parked on:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr216/Karl_Lazlo/Public/20140830_161937_zpskp4czab6.jpg (http://s485.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Lazlo/media/Public/20140830_161937_zpskp4czab6.jpg.html)


You finally cleaned your wheels. :biggrin

[Karl Lazlo]

You finally cleaned your wheels. :biggrin

I tried as much as I can. They really need to be removed and professionally refinished. If only I could find some replacement wheels...

[az3579]

I tried as much as I can. They really need to be removed and professionally refinished. If only I could find some replacement wheels...

Hint hint.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?13944-FS-(5)-Style-71-Wheels-E46-fitment