Need opinions!!! e36 m3 OR e30 w/m3 engine (s52 w/obdi)

[e30serg]

Hey guys!! I need some opinions from people that have had both and e36's and e30's. Here's the deal. I'm tossing around the idea of putting an s52 in my car. OR. Buying a late 90's m3.

How does the build quality compare between the two cars?? I want more power, hence the s52 OBDI but maybe having something more modern will do too? I really dig the e30 body style, the e36 is growing on me too. The thing is the e36 m3's look more common place, whereas an e30 with s52 power would be one hell of a sleeper..

What do you all think?

[B3M2W5]

I would say it would depend on what you want it for, The s52'd E30 is going to screem like a bat out hell but the e36 body stile as more out right girp around a corner due to it being wider, i too like the E30 body and with it being lighter i think you should go with the S52 E30 that would just be cool theres not many but there growing in popularity. Especialy if you go OBD1 with the S52.

[NZM50SWAP]

e30

e30 S52 for the win.

Lighter, cheaper, easier to work on
dude a s52 in a e30 will boost a e36 m3 anyday by heaps.
Shit I pretty much run dead even with euro 3ltr e36 m3 down here in NZ and I've only got non vanos 2.5 m50 with intake, etractors, cam and ecu reprogrammed

[B3M2W5]

Ture but with bolth having suspension done the E36 will hold out in a corner fast due to width but the E30 will be lighter and more powerfull, in a sence that it has the same engine but less weight there for makeing it go faster
Less Weight = Go Faster
But More TIRE = more grip= fast in corner

[triggrhaapi]

To be honest, I prefer the E30 for absolute fun and the E36 for stylish fun.

[CarsSuck]

Ture but with bolth having suspension done the E36 will hold out in a corner fast due to width but the E30 will be lighter and more powerfull, in a sence that it has the same engine but less weight there for makeing it go faster
Less Weight = Go Faster
But More TIRE = more grip= fast in corner

This is half truth. The e36 has a completely redesigned rear suspension (z-axle). It is a multilink design that offers superior characteristics at the expense of weight, but nothing else. The e30 rear suspension is comparably archaic.

[B3M2W5]

Hey the 137,000 in your sig what milage dose that sand for, is that total on the car or on a swap or any thing???