[Bimmerforlife]

Technical Data taken from my 1999 E46 full catalog

1999 E46 328i sedan
Unladen (auto) 3263 lbs
Weight Distrib F/R (auto) 51.2/48.8
Liter/Type 2.8/in-line 6
Nominal Output/rpm 193hp/5500
Max Torque/rpm 206/3500
Acceleration 0-60 mph (auto) 7.2
4-speed auto city/hwy 19/27
Drag coef .31

Comparing auto to auto trans

2009 E90 328i sedan
Unladen (auto) 3406 lbs
Weight Distrib F/R (auto) 51.1/48.9
Liter/Type 3.0/in-line 6
Nominal Output/rpm 230/6500
Max. torque lb-ft/rpm 200/2750
Acceleration 0-60 mph (auto) 6.9
6 sp steptronic 19/28
Drag coef .30

So on paper moving up to a 2009 328i the hp is up by 37 hp and the torque is down by 6, weight is up 143 lbs. With hp up on the 2009 but torque down on the 2009 does it all even out vs the 1999.
On normal driving conditions will the 2009 amount to be just about the same feel of a 1999 E46? Also assuming that each has the sport pkg.

[mikeokimster]

Max tq comes in 750 rpms earlier. I cannot speak for the rest. I never had a chance to drive a E46.

IDK if u want to consider the manual. I drove the following cars for at least 30 minutes each:
08 328i sedan non sport pkg auto
08 328i sedan sport pkg auto
08 328i coupe sport pkg stick(my car)
08 135i sport pkg auto
08 135i non sport pkg stick

Let me tell u that the Getrag auto on the 328i has lack of responsiveness compared to the ZF autos in the twin turbo engines. I would def pick a stick 328i over a auto 328i.

Thing about the gas mileage is that starting from 2008, EPA started to have more stringent tests thus resulting in many of the cars dropping in mileage.

[BMWI6]

dude its os crazy how little power the 328i engine gets now, in 1999 they were basically getting the same power since the engine is .2 liters bigger now and it has less torque. this shit makes me depressed. btw the e46 is a much better car IMO because it feels a lot more sporty. now the 335 is a different story. and lets not even talk about the sound of the engine, the e90 is even annoying at times because it doesnt growl it whisstles especilly at idle.

[demosthenes]

I've driven the 1999 328i, 2001 325i, 2001 330i, 2008 328i and 2008 335i, all manuals. So my comments apply to manuals.

The E46 328i feels quite different from the E90 because of the E46->E90 model change and different engines.

The E90 is bigger and quieter but it doesn't feel as edgy as the E46. I like the E90 better but some enthusiasts prefer the E46. I think the E90 was a great evolutionary step forward for the 3 series.

The N52KP engine in new 328's pulls better lower in the rev band, so it's better around town, but the E46 feels peakier, which makes climbing the revs more exciting even though the 328 redlines at 7K instead of 6.5K.

I recommend you go to a BMW dealer and drive them back to back. If you do, let us know what you think, ok?

Keep in mind that there are 2 versions of some 328 models - SULEV and ULEV. The SULEV version burns cleaner but it's not clear whether or not the ULEV versions runs better or is quicker. I have a ULEV version and it feels great to me, but SULEV owners have said the same thing.

[nicknaz]

OP, yes I think the E46 and E90 feel similar in straight line acceleration. The E36 328 will feel the same as well. The newer cars are marginally faster, but they have more sound deadening material, so you don't feel like you are going as fast.

FWIW I've driven E36 E46 and E90 versions of the 328

[DK_12]

I now drive an E90 335 but previously drove a E46 330Ci. For most part I think the E90 is superior in its engineering, but I do miss my E46. Like someone said earlier, there's a certain "growl" you get from the E46 engine, but the E90 is much more quiet and has more sound deadening. I don't know what you prefer but I like the noise from the engine (aren't we supposed to as enthusiasts?). The E90 is a lot more refined too. It's more quiet inside the cabin and the ride quality is a lot smoother. I like the driving experience better in my E90 (I had a 2001 with the lexus-like steering), but there are sure a lot of things I miss from the previous generations. Good luck

[Deda]

interesting post and point of wiev.

[Saintor]

Two big differences.

1. You'll wonder where the E46 engine noise is gone... the N52 in the E90 is too muted - the 335i is much better in that regard.
2. You'll be delighted to see how much better athlete the E90 is.

[demosthenes]

Originally Posted by Saintor

Two big differences.

1. You'll wonder where the E46 engine noise is gone... the N52 in the E90 is too muted - the 335i is much better in that regard.
2. You'll be delighted to see how much better athlete the E90 is.

For me, the N52 sounds just right. It's quiet at low rpms while cruising, but it gets meaty when you rev it.

[Saintor]

Originally Posted by demosthenes

For me, the N52 sounds just right. It's quiet at low rpms while cruising, but it gets meaty when you rev it.

If you OWNED an E46, maybe you'd have a different insight.

Something is missing. It is not for nothing that so many E90 owners tried the muffler delete option. Look for 'muffler delete E90' on youtube.

[vgame64]

Originally Posted by mikeokimster

Max tq comes in 750 rpms earlier. I cannot speak for the rest. I never had a chance to drive a E46.

IDK if u want to consider the manual. I drove the following cars for at least 30 minutes each:
08 328i sedan non sport pkg auto
08 328i sedan sport pkg auto
08 328i coupe sport pkg stick(my car)
08 135i sport pkg auto
08 135i non sport pkg stick

Let me tell u that the Getrag auto on the 328i has lack of responsiveness compared to the ZF autos in the twin turbo engines. I would def pick a stick 328i over a auto 328i.

Thing about the gas mileage is that starting from 2008, EPA started to have more stringent tests thus resulting in many of the cars dropping in mileage.

I believe it is a GM automatic transmission and perhaps a Getrag manual.

[demosthenes]

Originally Posted by Saintor

If you OWNED an E46, maybe you'd have a different insight.

I don't think so. Both my brothers have E46's and I've driven them extensively.

We don't all want the same thing. Some of us like a more pronounced exhaust note and some of us like it subtle. I like the dual personality of my E90. It's a nice cruiser when I want it to be and it rises to the occasion when I want to DRIVE. The only thing that gets annoying is the rough ride on rough roads with ZSP and run-flats. It's worth it to me because I love the great handling, but it's not acceptable for "normal" people.

[Saintor]

Now it is sad to say, but the N52 noise is no really different from the offering from Lexus, Infiniti and Acura; it was more distinctive before.

[Staszek]

I have had both (well not a 328) but I still own an E46.

The E46 is lighter but it doesnt necessarly handle better, it just feels more flingable, but at the limit the E90 is better planted.

The E90 is definitely more quiet, which I dont mind at all, although I agree that I like my exhaust note better on the E46. The E90 sounds smoother though.

As for speed, you are only looking at 0-60 which for an auto isnt much different, but the E90 328 manual is much quicker.

Lastly the extra hp isnt going to help much off the line, but the E90 is quicker in the quarter, and on the highway in top gear you will feel the difference over the E46 328.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Saintor

Something is missing. It is not for nothing that so many E90 owners tried the muffler delete option. Look for 'muffler delete E90' on youtube.

Different strokes for different folks...

I personally think a noise making mod with no power gain is a big fail.....

[MontegoblueE92]

Originally Posted by Nick Nazareno

Different strokes for different folks...

I personally think a noise making mod with no power gain is a big fail.....

True. But dropping ~30 lbs off the rear end is like a 6 hp gain.

[ejazbmw]

i love the E46 i actually a a hard time picking between the new E90 or a used E46....performance wise i don't know why but i like the E46 more i can't explain why though , if i were you I'd test drive them back to back..

[Staszek]

Originally Posted by MontegoblueE92

True. But dropping ~30 lbs off the rear end is like a 6 hp gain.

Your being a little optimistic there usually its 10lb per 1 hp which would be a 3 hp gain.

Also the back pressure you would lose from removing the exhaust would counteract the gain on the tq side which you would lose a few.