Vehicle differences

[MoreMayhem]

So my family has a couple different cars that I drive regularly, an Accord and a Suburban. When I drive these cars and get back into the e30 I notice a difference of course, but I guess since I am used to all of them, the difference in driving experience seems normal.

Today I drove my company's newest vehicle all day for the first time: a Mercedes Sprinter van. When I got back in my e30, it suddenly felt like I was driving a new car that I had never been in. The feeling is hard to describe, but it was awesome & I didn't want to stop!

So It got me to thinking: what kinds of vehicles have other R3v'ers driven that once they got back into their e30s, it felt like a new driving experience?

[CHIF8008]

anything that was not my car. not trying to be rude but seriously, nothing drives like my car- completely different feeling

[woodisgood]

I used to work for a catering company and drove these big ass reefer trucks, like one step below needing a CDL size trucks. I know exactly what you are talking about.

[OniKyan]

Anything manufactured by GM. Awful company.

[Xat1cZ]

Anything manufactured by GM. Awful company.

[nomansland92]

I haven't been able to drive mine in months, been stuck driving the beater Subaru, I barely even remember how the e30 rides haha

[stamar]

I drive a nissan d21, a ford f150 and my e30.

The main difference is my e30 has some tight springs compared to these trucks, and the rear end is independant and not leaf springs. it would make a good truck except its too low.

[redsubdivisions]

An E30 is a driver's car, period. I get the same feeling despite my other car being an E46. both are great cars in their own respects, but the E30 does it for me. Classic european lines and it's a car that an average person forgets but a true BMW enthusiast will always remember. It's what shaped BMW's 3-series into what the car is today (and keep in mind, 40% of BMW's sales are the 3-series line).

[jasonbk]

I'd driven r56 cooper S for 3 years(whenever I go back to my family during the school break).
After I bought and drove my e30 last year, I went back and drove cooper s during the Christmas break...
and it felt really strange, electric steering wheel was too heavy, brake was too sensitive, slight delay when I press the gas pedal, etc.

After about a month I drove my e30 again, and it suddenly feel so loose..brake, steering and everything.
Overall I prefer e30's analogue feeling although I want to improve my steering feel..(it feels slightly loose and it gets worse above 70 mph)

[lambo]

I haven't driven anything besides an E30 for a long time now. I don't remember what a smooth ride feels like or what A/C is anymore...

But I ain't complaining.

[mikeedler]

I drive a new E61 525 Xdrive at work for a week at a time. for the first 2 days, i always think, damn, my cheap ass needs to buy a new car- after the 4th day, i get so bored of the zero feeling of it that I can't wait to get my car back.

[nando]

sometimes if I drive nothing but my wife's car for a week or two, and get back into mine, I'll stall it because the clutch is like 10x stiffer/more sensitive than hers. :p

the worst is definitely going from the E30, to a car with an auto trans. ugh. I'm either accidentally hitting the brake pedal with the full force of my left foot (automatic heel/toe downshift memory), or I'm litterally falling asleep or feeling sick/disoriented from the slushbox.

[Sauced]

For work I drive a mid 90s GMC 3500 box truck. The height difference along with the slushbox diesel combo is quite a drastic change. It makes me enjoy my E30 on the drive home each day.

This past week I drove a 2012 civic 5 speed up to NH for my uncle and was surprised by how much I disliked it. The engine is torqueless, all though the transmission shifted well I felt the gearing didn't suite it, and the bodyroll was horrendous. although it is a modern econobox so what else would you expect.

E30s with decent suspension and new bushings make for such enjoyable drivers cars. Ive driven plenty of "sports cars" and while I have enjoyed newer faster cars, The willing chassis just feels so right. When you push it through a corner it has just enough power to hold a little slide at the end :) and the feeling you get keeping up with newer faster cars through some twisties doesn't hurt either. The only other car ive driven like that is a miata but those are gay

[VinniE30]

I know this feeling. And I like it. It gives you have an new appreciation for your e30.
Compared to almost any newer car the e30 has a much more analogue/mechanical/raw feeling. Not to mention feeling smaller, lighter, and more nimble.
I like driving other cars once in a while for this reason.

Another thing that's interesting is driving other people's e30s. Even though we all have the same chassis, the difference between everyone's drivetrains and suspension mods can be very drastic so it's cool to feel the differences.

[Threehz]

Since DDing my E30 I have driven a (non E30's): 2009 Prius, 2004 Hyundai Elantra, 1999 Chevy Tahoe, 2010 Corolla, 2000 Isuzu Trooper, and I think that is it.

The worst to drive of those are the Prius and Corolla. Super-sensitive, no connection to the road, disgusting detached feeling that I can't honestly call driving.

Next is the Elantra, front-wheel drive has never been my thing, and it just feels cheap. It is a hell of a lot better then the Prius or Corolla though.

My old Trooper and my girl's Tahoe are completely different rides but I can enjoy driving both. It was weird driving the Tahoe for the first time in months after really only driving my E30. Felt like an out of control boat...

Nothing like driving the E30.