What was the E30's Rival...?

[Lance Racing]

Were these co-designed by Lotus?
Seems like I remember an 80's hatch - that while I despised the maker, it looked great - and someone had indicated that Lotus helped design its exterior..

The suspension was "designed" by Lotus was the deal on this car.

[call me jack]

thanks! i would put their price in close relation to a c4 corvette... later years at least.
early years are too far off in prices to compare but an early e30 would probably compete similarly to a 350 camaro or a 302 mustang. (personally being a domestic person i would take an e30 over nearly any 80's car though)

Funny you mention that. i have records for my car from back in the day when it only had 10 miles on. A guy traded his '85 z28 for my brand new '87 bmw 325(e)

[Massive Lee]

The Mercedez 190? Nah... It can't be...
I'm relatively familiar to the Euro world but I can't think of a worthy Rival...
Examples:
Subaru STI VS Mitsubishi EVO
Toyota Celica VS Eclipse VS Integra
Datsun 510 VS BMW 2002

The BMW e30 was the Ultimate Yuppie_Mobile in the 1980s. No competition.

[AbeSonic]

the commentary on that video was PAINFUL to listen to.. since when is an M3 SUPERCHARGED?? I hate it when shit like this is on, because99% of the time its FAKED and totally FULL OF SHIT.


Back on track though, E30 vs Merc 190

Yeah the commentary was painful.
I wonder if that car is/was on R3v... lmao

[call me jack]

Really price-point and market-segment wise, at least in the US, I'd say the E30 was pretty much stacked up against:

Mercedes 190e
Maseratti Bi-Turbo
Alpha Romeo Milano
Porsche 924
Volkswagen Golf/Jetta (higher-range ones at least, ie GTi/GLI)
Nissan 280ZX

...pretty much all mid-priced, sporty, but still luxury minded imports. You gotta figure that any of these were not marketed to the same folks interested in 'vettes 'stangs and cameros. Having pretty much grown-up in an '80s import shop I can say the clientel was different than the average American. You were either an import guy or a domestic-only driver.

i can't believe you were the first person to say the milano/75; what the first car that came to mind when i thought of a that is any thing close to an e30, in terms of power, weight and handling.

[mikeedler]

just look at the old DTM videos.

the old 5.0 stangs
Ford Cosworth Sierra
Opel Kadett GSI-- the U.S. version was the Pontiac LeMans ca. 1989
Merc 190
the Golf II GTI- was over here the enemy of the e30s

[2slowe30]

e28s

[e30trooper]

off topic but why did a vert cost more than a m3?

1991 M3 $35,900

1992 318iC $28,870
1992 325iC $36,320

[5Toes]

FIAT 125!!! Double lights, similar dimensions, RWD. "Slightly" cheaper though... They start to re-apear on Polish roads as collectioners' items.

Italian ver:




Polish ver:

Produced until like 1972... hmm before the first E30 was ever built... so not this

[5Toes]

Ford Sierra...

"The redline is an exhilarating 6200 RPM"

[freeride53]

volvo 240 turbo, peugeot 505 turbo/405 mi-16, 190 range, audi 80?, acura integra, crx, vw jetta.
on motorweek, the peugeot 405 mi16 & vw jettas were in the same class

[5Toes]

505 turbo... my buddy has one. 1985 I believe. 200,000 miles, still ticking strong. Fun car with the LSD and 5 speed.

The guy also has a citroen 2CV6, 505 wagon, Alfa MKII Alfetta, and a bitchin Saab 95 wagon (the originate with a V4)

[ill4noreason]

[RainierHooker]

off topic but why did a vert cost more than a m3?

1991 M3 $35,900

1992 318iC $28,870
1992 325iC $36,320

Well, there was no 1992 M3, so they could charge whatever they wanted for a vert!

[mamzak]

Really price-point and market-segment wise, at least in the US, I'd say the E30 was pretty much stacked up against:

Mercedes 190e
Maseratti Bi-Turbo
Alpha Romeo Milano
Porsche 924
Volkswagen Golf/Jetta (higher-range ones at least, ie GTi/GLI)
Nissan 280ZX

...pretty much all mid-priced, sporty, but still luxury minded imports. You gotta figure that any of these were not marketed to the same folks interested in 'vettes 'stangs and cameros. Having pretty much grown-up in an '80s import shop I can say the clientel was different than the average American. You were either an import guy or a domestic-only driver.

Finally, a correct answer.