E46 is pretty much same size as E82

ChiBimmer · 10-05-2015, 09:52 AM

People say the E82 is too small. I drove an E46 this weekend. Just about the same size in the front or back seats. That's all. Rant over.

135TX · 10-05-2015, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiBimmer

People say the E82 is too small. I drove an E46 this weekend. Just about the same size in the front or back seats. That's all. Rant over.

I was originally shopping for e46 m3 but couldnt find one in good shape to test drive, however i did find a 135i and was surprised at the similarities, then after reading more technical specs they are very close exterior & interior size and power specs... then I transitioned to looking for a 135...

IEDEI · 10-05-2015, 10:34 AM

i don't think the E82 is too small at all. It's our family car and works great!!

i think people are used to cars that are just waaaaaaay too big these days. Gluttony.

ChiBimmer · 10-05-2015, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IEDEI

i don't think the E82 is too small at all. It's our family car and works great!!

i think people are used to cars that are just waaaaaaay too big these days. Gluttony.

Exactly. I take my three girls all the time. I do Costco runs and buy mass quantities of toilet paper and other products for said girls.

cmark8 · 10-05-2015, 11:04 AM

I have an E46 M3 and an E82 135i at home, and all I can say is that they're almost the same size, they might have similar power stock but the power delivery is completely different in both cars. The E46 is the Garage Queen with 15k miles and the 135i is the work horse with 71k miles.

850tgul · 10-05-2015, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmark8

I have an E46 M3 and an E82 135i at home, and all I can say is that they're almost the same size, they might have similar power stock but the power delivery is completely different in both cars. The E46 is the Garage Queen with 15k miles and the 135i is the work horse with 71k miles.

+1, had an E46 M3 for many years. Similar on paper but completely different in the real world. 135 is a better DD since it, you know, has torque. Hell, my 128 is more squirty around town than my M3 was. Past 6,000 rpms though, different story.

lowbudgethero · 10-05-2015, 01:17 PM

people who complain never had to pile into the back of a 90s civic coupe with 3 other people in high school

the 135i takes the old 3 series in term of size imo, the new 3 series is more like the old 5 series and so on

mr.fabulous · 10-05-2015, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowbudgethero

the 135i takes the old 3 series in term of size imo, the new 3 series is more like the old 5 series and so on

I've never understood why car makers always seem to feel subsequent generations of the same nameplate have to keep getting larger and larger. I ran across an E28 recently (I owned one in the early 90s) and was quite surprised at how small it seemed.

My E36 coupe was bigger than my E82. Longer wheelbase, more room in the back, much bigger trunk, etc. I always believed the E36 was similar in dimensions to the E46?

I wouldn't want to be a daily rear occupant in my car... getting in isn't too horrible, comfort is acceptable once you're there... but getting out is another thing altogether.

Esteban · 10-05-2015, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

I've never understood why car makers always seem to feel subsequent generations of the same nameplate have to keep getting larger and larger.

I think they do that so that they can squeeze in a smaller, newer model to expand their line-up while making the existing models larger. Like the Honda Fit under the Civic or the 1 or 2 series under the 3 series, etc.

swagon · 10-05-2015, 01:59 PM

Yes. I like how it's small-ish.

The E90 3 Series has the appropriate size, though. They've made the F30 bigger for no real reason.

Esteban · 10-05-2015, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagon

The E90 3 Series has the appropriate size, though. They've made the F30 bigger for no real reason.

The E90 is too big for me. 108 inch wheelbase vs 104 inch wheelbase of the E82. Smaller is better... in this case.

Tuxedo · 10-05-2015, 02:21 PM

In the e82 knowledge dept. I may have weakness but I think the B pillar forward to my e88 is the same. The comfort difference of 2 adults in my e88 vs e46 is mainly on the passenger side and 2in narrow center console. The front seats are exactly the same as e46 and e90 cept the headrest pivot. If the top is down it is easy to get in and out of the rear seat but with the top up nobody over the age of 10 enjoys it.

The odd thing is how small but functional the trunk is in the e88 compared to e46. Costco previously mentioned I 2nd wholly. If 2 golfers go top down with 2Golf bags & 2 carry-on(up to 25in) bags on a road trip everything fits in the trunk. This would have been difficult in my e46 sedan!

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...72&postcount=1

swagon · 10-05-2015, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

The E90 is too big for me. 108 inch wheelbase vs 104 inch wheelbase of the E82. Smaller is better... in this case.

I guess for a couple without kids, why not. Or IEDEI, but we know IEDEI is a crazy person.

6 years in an E91 and still loving it. The perfect BMW couple if you ask me.

ChiBimmer · 10-05-2015, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

I've never understood why car makers always seem to feel subsequent generations of the same nameplate have to keep getting larger and larger.

I think they do that so that they can squeeze in a smaller, newer model to expand their line-up while making the existing models larger. Like the Honda Fit under the Civic or the 1 or 2 series under the 3 series, etc.

It's a good question. I wonder if people trading in for new expect more luxury as the get older. Having said that I know there plenty of guys in this board 20 years older than I who are way more hard core than I am.

Esteban · 10-05-2015, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagon

6 years in an E91 and still loving it. The perfect BMW couple if you ask me.

E91... the ultimate hot hatchback!

MightyMouseTech · 10-05-2015, 03:22 PM

This is why I am shopping an E46 for the winter.

ChiBimmer · 10-05-2015, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

This is why I am shopping an E46 for the winter.

Winter beater. Understandable you want to preserve the One.

MightyMouseTech · 10-05-2015, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiBimmer

Winter beater. Understandable you want to preserve the One.

Damn right. Seeing the new crop of cars coming out, I want to be able to enjoy the 1er forever!

They are pretty much the same size.

Esteban · 10-05-2015, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Damn right. Seeing the new crop of cars coming out, I want to be able to enjoy the 1er forever!

Like that idea!

RoundelM3 · 10-06-2015, 08:47 AM

^Yep - having owned two previoius E46 cars, the E88 we have now will be staying with us for as long as we can hold on to it. They're not making them like this one any more.

Tuxedo · 10-07-2015, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundel335

^Yep - having owned two previoius E46 cars, the E88 we have now will be staying with us for as long as we can hold on to it. They're not making them like this one any more.

My intention is to own the e88 thru 2022, if the software holds strong maybe forever but in my mind seems ambitious.

tock172 · 10-07-2015, 07:46 PM

I previously owned 2 E46 Sedans and an E36 M3. The size is comparable between all of them, which I love. I also owned 2 E28s and a B6 S4, both of which were just a tad too big for my taste.

It sucks that the 3 series has ballooned in weight and dimensions.

I feel incredibly lucky to have one of the best BMWs out there with my 135i. Newest engine technology in one of BMW's oldest (at the time) and smallest platforms. It doesn't get much better!

10-05-2015, 09:52 AM	#1
ChiBimmer Second Lieutenant 68 Rep 230 Posts Drives: 2010 135i 6MT Sold Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	E46 is pretty much same size as E82 People say the E82 is too small. I drove an E46 this weekend. Just about the same size in the front or back seats. That's all. Rant over.
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10-05-2015, 10:34 AM	#3
IEDEI Banned 1130 Rep 4,686 Posts Drives: L'Orange Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Brooklyn, NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 1M [8.40]	i don't think the E82 is too small at all. It's our family car and works great!! i think people are used to cars that are just waaaaaaay too big these days. Gluttony.
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10-05-2015, 11:04 AM	#5
cmark8 M52, M62TU, S50US, S54, S65 75 Rep 569 Posts Drives: E90 M3 6MT, E36 Touring MT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: +5511 iTrader: (11)	I have an E46 M3 and an E82 135i at home, and all I can say is that they're almost the same size, they might have similar power stock but the power delivery is completely different in both cars. The E46 is the Garage Queen with 15k miles and the 135i is the work horse with 71k miles. __________________ 1995 E36 M3 USA / 2002 E46 M3 SMG / 2008 E90 M3 6MT 1996 E36 328i Touring 5MT / 1998 E36 323Ti M Sport 5MT 2002 E39 540i Protection
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10-05-2015, 01:17 PM	#7
lowbudgethero Captain 125 Rep 750 Posts Drives: '98 Z3M (gone), '09 135i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: 908 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [8.50]	people who complain never had to pile into the back of a 90s civic coupe with 3 other people in high school the 135i takes the old 3 series in term of size imo, the new 3 series is more like the old 5 series and so on
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10-05-2015, 01:59 PM	#10
swagon Major General 13521 Rep 8,165 Posts Drives: F80 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: . iTrader: (0)	Yes. I like how it's small-ish. The E90 3 Series has the appropriate size, though. They've made the F30 bigger for no real reason. __________________
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10-05-2015, 02:21 PM	#12
Tuxedo Bowties r cool ▶:◀ 1409 Rep 796 Posts Drives: 09' 128i MT e88, 24'G05 X5 50e Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 128i e88 [0.00]	In the e82 knowledge dept. I may have weakness but I think the B pillar forward to my e88 is the same. The comfort difference of 2 adults in my e88 vs e46 is mainly on the passenger side and 2in narrow center console. The front seats are exactly the same as e46 and e90 cept the headrest pivot. If the top is down it is easy to get in and out of the rear seat but with the top up nobody over the age of 10 enjoys it. The odd thing is how small but functional the trunk is in the e88 compared to e46. Costco previously mentioned I 2nd wholly. If 2 golfers go top down with 2Golf bags & 2 carry-on(up to 25in) bags on a road trip everything fits in the trunk. This would have been difficult in my e46 sedan! http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...72&postcount=1
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10-05-2015, 03:22 PM	#16
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	This is why I am shopping an E46 for the winter.
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10-06-2015, 08:47 AM	#20
RoundelM3 Major General 1837 Rep 6,990 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	^Yep - having owned two previoius E46 cars, the E88 we have now will be staying with us for as long as we can hold on to it. They're not making them like this one any more. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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10-07-2015, 07:46 PM	#22
tock172 Beachtown Bill Collector 582 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW 135i [0.00] 1999 Lexus LS400 [0.00] 1985 BMW 325e [0.00]	I previously owned 2 E46 Sedans and an E36 M3. The size is comparable between all of them, which I love. I also owned 2 E28s and a B6 S4, both of which were just a tad too big for my taste. It sucks that the 3 series has ballooned in weight and dimensions. I feel incredibly lucky to have one of the best BMWs out there with my 135i. Newest engine technology in one of BMW's oldest (at the time) and smallest platforms. It doesn't get much better! __________________ 2012 BMW 135i Space Grey Metallic M-Sport DCT Dinan S2
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