If you had the choice what would you buy?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

'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]

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.

[Need4Speed1299]

iX for snow.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Court M3]

318is. Good gas mileage for daily use.

I'd only get an ix if I was somewhere like Illinois or the east where it snows a lot and then only use it for winter use. Still don't understand why people that live in Florida need 4 wheel drive?

[atan88]

Sorry for the stupid questions but...

depending on condition of all, but iX is simply better investment.

Why is that?

The 318iS. All of my experience with E30's has been with the I6 M20. I really want an M42 car, and then I want the DASC kit.

The 318is. I have a 4 door M42 now but the E30 is pretty useless for carrying back seat passenger and the sunroof leaks. A 2 door no sunroof M42 would be ideal.

Whats good about the M42?

Thanks :)

[James Crivellone]

89I 4 Door.. The M42 should be sent to pasture like the E.T. Atari game :-p

[Danny]

and then I want the DASC kit.

:facepalm.