If you had the choice what would you buy?

[FredK]

Out of the provided choices, if I were to get a bone stock daily driver with zero plans of modifying the powertrain, I would get a 325i. The straight six is silky smooth, and has more than adequate power.

In my experience, the M20 gets around 26 mpg highway. The best I've done with an M42 is around 31 mpg highway. I do not drive enough for the fuel economy to be a factor, so I say, get the M20-powered car.

[tjts1]

Whats good about the M42?

Thanks :)

Many forged internals, tubular headed from the factory, excellent fuel economy, much lighter front end than the M20 means you will never need PS and changes direction very quickly, loves to rev and sounds great doing so, no timing belt, many cheap upgrades. Check out M42club.

[ck_taft325is]

When I was looking for a new DD replacement to my wife's '03 Alero I think I had exactly those options open to me and I went with the '91 318is. Couldn't be happier with the little M42 for nearly all daily driving "things". It's pleasant to drive. Not fast, but plenty quick. And I average 30mpg currently with my heavy highway driving.

[Need4Speed1299]

iX for snow.

[FredK]

I would also consider a 318is, deletion of the M42, installation of an S5x.

My vision of a great E30 daily driver would have

S52, bone stock dual mass flywheel
2.93 diff
E36 steering rack
Sound proofing
Stock E36 exhaust

I don't want to downshift to climb a steep hill.

[TDE30]

'89 325i/4, no doubt. You'll enjoy the versatility and it'd make a good DD, two door E30's seem to be a dime a dozen nowadays.

FDFMW.

[FredK]

'89 325i/4, no doubt. You'll enjoy the versatility and it'd make a good DD, two door E30's seem to be a dime a dozen nowadays.

FDFMW.

wat

[TDE30]

I know production numbers beg to differ, but it seems that the majority of enthusiast-owned E30's are two-doors. My opinion could be biased though, I just think the four-doors are a bit different.

[McGyver]

i would snag an ix so the cabrio wouldnt have to drive in the snow, but snow may not be a consideration for you.

[ALYKZANDYR]

None of those for me it would have to be 85-87 Vert. with a S'chrged 302 v8 and 6 speed manual swap.

[FredK]

^^^ I agree that most enthusiast-owned E30s are two-doors. The four doors were owned by milquetoast yuppies who let the timing belt snap and got the car towed to the boneyard in 1997.

[TDE30]

^^^ I agree that most enthusiast-owned E30s are two-doors. The four doors were owned by milquetoast yuppies who let the timing belt snap and got the car towed to the boneyard in 1997.

wat

[FredK]

That was a very skillful use of quotes.

The only benefit of a four door, as I've previously described, is the ability to lay down some street justice when you roll four deep. You don't want your homies tripping over the seatbelt with a balky retracting mechanism and smashing up his grills.

[TDE30]

Conversely, in a two-door, you have to go through the age-old "oh you wanna get in the car, hold on let me get out of the car so you can get into the car" routine. In a four-door, if you are rolling three, or even four, deep, it's a cinch and none of your crew has to exit the vehicle.

Plus, judging by atan88's previous rides, a well modified four-door always seems to look better (more sleeper/stealth) than a modified two-door. IMO.

[Hick]

Its a toss up between a 325i/4 with sport seats and a 318is

The 318is is a great little car, but lacks [a lot of] power. The 4 doors are nice, but the seating position bothers me; b pillar makes it feel claustrophobic.

Outside of the list... an 88.5+ 325is with all the goodies. full OBC's are fun to play with, cruse [which no 318is came with] enough power for DD use, the same looks of a 318is.

If i had to choose from the list 318is.... unless you buy it from me