B3 or B10?

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:43 pm

Hi all

I was thinking about buying a B3 3.3, but I've noticed B10s seem to be similar prices, if not cheaper. So now I'm wondering which to go for.

Whichever I went for it would be a 2000/2001 car with Switchtronic gearbox. I'm assuming the B10 is heavier, so probably a bit slower and thirstier. Other than extra space, does the B10 have any advantages over the B3 which balance out those disadvantages? Ride? Noise? Handling?

Can anyone with experience of both shed any light on how different they are to drive, if indeed they are?

I'm coming from an E34 540i, by the way.

Post by **Charles** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:33 pm

Hi Andrew,

Welcome to the forum.

The only really significant difference is the size of car. The extra weight of the B10 is fairly insignificant in terms of performance and you could alwys look at the V8 versions too.

Reference 2000/2001 3.3 engines, there is a known problem with a batch of engines from this period - namely excessively high oil consumption - so discuss this with the seller.

Beyond that, normal buying practices should be observed - service history, condition, numbers of owners, town or motorway driving, reams of invoices - that sort of thing.

Good luck

C

sward · Post by **sward** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:57 pm

I have owned both E46 coupe and E39 saloons. The E39 is significantly more comfortable and slightly more refined than the E46. The E46 is smaller and a little more nimble. As Charles says, not much in it for performance between B3 and B10 3.3.

ALPB1033 · Post by **ALPB1033** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:33 am

If you get use to the size of B10, you can still throw the car around on your back road.

Tinker · Post by **Tinker** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:56 am

I've had both E46 (B3 3.3) and E39 (B10 V8 and D10) the E39 is by far the confiest of the two, and handles just as well if not better. From memory they weigh roughly the same, in V8 guise the steering is light, but I've never found it to be a problem, in fact I sort of prefer it to the "heavy" straight six steering (although it is much more precise).

Good luck in your search, and try a V8 before commiting to a 3.3