I'm thinking of buying a 2003 or 2004 year model E46 330Ci convertible.

But.....

I'm a little worried that 3-series seem to have 6 year model cycles and the E-46 was released in 1999 meaning a replacement is likely in 2005/2006.

Therefore, buying a 2004 model is going to be a lame idea if the plan is to keep it 4 years and want to sell is as a currently available model.

It makes more sense to wait 2 years, save the extra cash for a while and then buy the M3 :-)

Anyone heard anything on the E-46 replacement date ?

Lee

2004 has a redesigned front fascia along with other little redesigns. Looks alot better to me, considering I see them all. I would get the 330 performance sedan if I were in the position to buy one. 42k, carbon fiber interior trim, foam covered steering wheel and a cloth center to the seats with leather on the sides. Very sweet looking to me. Sounds f'n awesome too.

I pulled this of a German auto review site.....

"European sources now expect the next-generation 3-Series in late 2005 for model-year '06. U.S. sales should begin soon afterwards. The redesign brings an all-new platform and a visible size increase, with overall length reportedly stretched to some 177 inches. Height, width and wheelbase go up too, so cabins should be usefully roomier. We'd expect today's 6-cyl lineup to carry over with improved engines and new 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions. But we're also likely to see the first 3-Series V8s, probably with a 3.6-liter engine. The next high-performance M3s definitely get a V8, with horsepower rumored at up to 400."

I think I saw what was supposed to be a picture of the new 3 series in Roundel a month or so ago. Didn't really look like a 3er, more like the new 5, but thats what the caption said. I think it owuld be odd if BMW came out with the new 3 for at least 2 or 3 more years from now. The E46 still seems relatively new to me. Of course, they have just remade every other vehicle in their line in just a year or two - Z4, 7, 5, new 6. So i suppose a new 3 can't be too far off. My $0.02, get the E46 cause the new Bangle 3er is gonna suck.

im with him, but lets try to not start a bangle attack again, could get ugly. . .

also i would not say that every 6 years the 3er changes, in the past it has been more 7 and 8 years. . .

Speaking of Bangle, have you seen the new 6 yet? Very nice, have to say very impressed. Also I have seen the new X3, also impressive.

I'm reserving judgement on the 6 till I see it in person. I didn't like the Z4 at all in pictures, but in person it was pretty cool. Not amazing, still not better than an M roadster, but certainly better in person. But my intial impressions of the 6 are hesistant. I can't stand this new trend of upside down headlights. And the hole body has a sort of Porshe line in profile. And not a very rakish stance. But we'll see...
X3, boring at worst, miniature copy of the X5 at best.

Ok, I am done telling people about new cars that I know of and have seen first hand. Not worth listening to people bitch about it, "Its not like the older cars" whatever. End of subject for me.