2002 vs. e30

[blackbullz28]

I probably should have mentioned i live in florida so yeah ac=must, and we don't have any inspections or smog to worry about.

[2002maniac]

The E30 is a better car in every way, but the 2002's are just so special to drive. The driving experience of a 2002 with fresh suspension is just unbeatable.

The E30 will be faster, corner better, brake better, and get better gas mileage to boot but a good 2002 just makes me happy :)

[mamzak]

I'd say the average cost for a half decent, not complete pile of shit E30 is around $3k?
What would you guys say the going averate cost is for a 2002?

[fiftytakedowns]

I got both :D love them both :D

[JRKOUPE]

o2.....e30

Just to chime in.......some good posters here...

I have both...72 and a 90..the 90 is a track mainly car.

They are very very different.


The 02 can be a DD but it could be a bit ol skool for that. ventilation is not great.........ac etc is not great........


... unless you put time and $$$ into it. e30 is waaay more modern....efi vs carbs etc.

e30 is much quieter.......


If you had 2 or more cars....then the 02 rocks. It has alot of charisma and personality......and set up they are a blast..like maniac stated. I just love em.......

But if you find a nice e 30 for under 3500...update springs and shocks....its just more of a car.....and less of a vintage plaything

I had a DD 02 for 10 yrs in 79-89....but I was also in my 20s.......

there of course will be folks that say my 02 is a great DD.......and it COULD be........but most 20 yo cars are easier to live daily with than 35 yo cars.....

you need to know what you want....
and the bmw202faq forum is THE forum.

[JRKOUPE]

I'd say the average cost for a half decent, not complete pile of shit E30 is around $3k?
What would you guys say the going averate cost is for a 2002?

a good solid driver?...3k and up for an honest solid car not needing $1500 yesterday

[Gadea]

IMO, the 2002 deserves to be restored and/or collected, not driven. But the E30....you just can´t have one and not drive it.

[JRKOUPE]

IMO, the 2002 deserves to be restored and/or collected, not driven. But the E30....you just can´t have one and not drive it.

maybe a ferrari 250 gto..or swb...or even a 2.7RS...but not drive a well restored 02?....but why?.....its not like they are that rare...or expensive. I loove driving both.....but they are so different


just get a hot hot girlfriend and put her in a closet and dont ever touch her!


I respect your opinion but just dont agree......

[87-325ic]

start with e30, if you arent spending enough money on it, go 2002.

[pureaudio]

Of course E30 is a better car all around if your looking at features but driving an E30 will never compare to driving a 2002 in my opinion. For me, if I could have 1 car for weekend jaunts it would be a 2002. As a DD, I don't use either and wouldn't want to.

[pbr87]

How much does a half decent 2002 (no mods or anything, just stock) go for? Would it be worth my while to buy this 2002 I saw for $1500 and curb it?

I'm not exactly an authority on this. I do have a close friend who restores them for a living, though. As I understand it, because they are so much older, there is usually much more rust-restoration work to be done, and because they are so much rarer, OEM parts can be much more difficult to source and more expensive than for an e30. Still, if you want an 2002--definitely go for it. They're classic little metal lunchboxes on wheels, and I like 'em alot.

[Turf1600]

I've had 9 2002s - some of which I would trade my e30 for any day. They are very special to drive. Don't make the mistake of trying to mod one though - they are best in their original form.

[JRKOUPE]

I've had 9 2002s - some of which I would trade my e30 for any day. They are very special to drive. Don't make the mistake of trying to mod one though - they are best in their original form.

they are wonderful in orig form!....but BEST?.....hmmmm that is open to debate. Alot of 02s, and other car's for that matter, are modded w/o much thought, and very good cars are usually ruined.

[Jean]

m10s are such slugs w/o boost. If I had an 02 it would automatically get a turbo since you can buy a pre-smog car, OR engine swap.

[blunttech]

drive an e30 until you can afford to have both. especially in florida. I have modern a/c with an s14 compressor in my 02 and its not anywhere near what a well set up e30 is like as far as cooling. Just too much glass. and I did everything I could to do it the right way
a nice 02 gets 20x the attention a nice e30 does though.