e36s vs e30s

[th3blue]

I find my E30 more fun to drive, but I'm glad that I have my E36 for a daily driver.

I've noticed that nobody brought up lap times at various track for E30s vs. E36s... It's my impression that E36s with their superior suspension configuration and better motors will always win.

The E36, it's a better car, but not as fun.

[b*saint]

Update: CEL back on. Still running......I honestly hate that fucking car.

Im thinking of swapping in an m52. I stopped over m-technik's place and he says you can find them fairly inexpensive now.

[Emre]

I've owned both. I've got my current '91 E30 318is (with an M20 swap done many years ago) and used to have a '99 E36 323is. Both cars were bought brand new from the dealer. I think it's a fair comparison since both cars were the "entry level" models in their respective ranges. There's no point in comparing a $2000 E30 325i with 200K miles on the clock to a $15,000 E36 M3 with 75K miles on the clock: you need to compare like with like.

As others have said, the E30 is a lot simpler and more fun to drive. Overall, the level of quality feels better. I can't comment on how well the E36 ages since I got rid of mine within a year. It was a nice and smooth daily driver. Compared to the E30, it was faster and more stable at high speeds. But it was very boring to drive. I went back to my E30 (glad I didn't sell it!) and never looked back.

Since then, I've owned other cars (including a nicely tuned Lancer Evolution VIII purchased new in 2003). There's something about the E30 that just keeps me interested.

Having driven multiple examples of the E30 M3 and E36 M3, I would say the exact same thing holds for the "top-of-the-line" models in each range.

[KenC]

The E36 is the ugliest BMW that has ever been produced... well next to the E21 that is.

If you can get a NICE e30, go for it. Don't buy one that needs a ton of work. I've spent three years on mine, and it's damn near perfect now (i.e. everything has been replaced haha).

[idanity]

I will preface with I love my E30, but for a daily driver I think I would rather have an E36. . Something about having a great AC and comfortable seats and and all the other things that make the E36 numb and boring in comparison to an E30. It is also easier to find an E36 in good condition than an E30 that is gaining cult status and getting harder and harder to find.
.

are you saying an e36 has better AC.

B/C i can show you a pic of my e30 running r12, and bringing the interior temperature to 26 effing degrees in July.

well, not to bash, just saying, r-12 kicks ass
and

afaik, the e30 is a stouter car all over.

as in, the 1st bmw to be created out of auto-cad was the e36, while it saved time, it also made a "thin" car, that fell apart (GOOGLE search e36 subframe death)

but also, drive the cars, and define 'better', b/c its relevent.
maybe you want a cheaper car.
personally, i drove a bad-ass 2001 540 6speed that ownd and pwnd all. but sloppy on turns

my lil e30 can hold its own with some big boys up to about 30mph (in reality), but with a s52 swap, i could own and pwn all too.(and be very happy with handling and strength of the car).

you can always sell whatever you get, never give up till you smile when you drive.

i just got home from installing new seats, and i couldn't stop smiling.

[Tbolt]

e30s are the greatest creation of man

thats fact

[shiboujin]

e30>E46>E90>E36>E21

I've owned an E36 for a while and sold it. Didn't do much for me. I like my E46 better. But I love my E30.

[rav320uk]

My mates have E36's and E46's, E36 is a 328i and the E46 a 330ci.
?But , no driver appeal, E36 interior is shit, engine needs to be above 4k rpm to get anything out of it.
E46 is sooooooo boring, too much computerised crap on board.
An My M30 E30 can stay with thm no problems, and always brings a smile to my face.

[mikeedler]

Update: CEL back on. Still running......I honestly hate that fucking car.

you've got a gasket that is leaking somewhere-- the chain cover perhaps??? that or the hose going frome the VC to the intake along with that valve- see that crap almost daily here.

I personally prefer to drive my crappy rattle trap e30 vert than anything non M that is newer e46 is an even duller car to drive than an e36 comfortable i guess but not fun.

[bimmer_E30]

E30>e36

[jeff_b]

Update: CEL back on. Still running......I honestly hate that fucking car.

[jeff_b]

Its that fucking M44. What did you do to rid it "seeking?"

From my research, the M44 seeking issue can only truly be resolved with a head rebuild. I guess the original machine work on the valve seats, guides, and such is garbage. I believe my original CEL Code was referring to manual override of fuel bank 1 or some shit like that. After I replaced all of the aforementioned fuel/air hardware I was ready to put a bullet in its head. Then I remembered my old crusty mechanic told me months ago about Techron and how that shit works magic. Luckily, with the low miles on my wife's boat anchor of a motor, a bottle of Techron on about three gallons of fuel straightened that prick right the fuck out. I guess after running for weeks with decaying components on manual fuel mapping, the injectors were pretty carboned up. I cleared the CEL code and haven't seen it since. Now the annoying flutter that we felt while driving is gone, so the car is way better to drive. Now it's just the audible poot poot I hear at the tailpipe. I'll take my oily M20 any day over that pos.

[E30Kaiser]

all the bums in richmond want to talk to me about my "nice old bimmer", and then ask for some change.

.....They do the same here in Winston-Salem. They saw my helmet in the car and asked if I raced, and what my favorite track was and all this then they were like, "By the way, you go some Ports or a couple bucks I can borrow?" Bums know how to work an audience around here I guess.

[McGyver]

all the bums in richmond want to talk to me about my "nice old bimmer", and then ask for some change.

[e30fish]

To me the E30 is the nasty little slut everyone wants to fuck and nobody wants to talk about, where the E36 is the pretty girl that is lousy in bed, but you still want to hit and tell everyone. Just remember after you marry the pretty girl you will be thinking about the dirty little slut that we call the E30.

I had to read this to my wife. she laughed her ass off. this forum kills

on a side note, i sold my e36 318i just to buy my e30 318is. character, looks, nimble. ive had this car since easter and have not looked back