Goodbye VW, Hello Bimmer

[ParsedOut]

It's official, my daily driver VW is sold and now i'm in the hunt for a nice BMW. I've owned 2 90 Jetta's and 2 98 Jetta's, the 90's are much more fun to drive but have a much more rugged feel compared to the 98's. I bought the 98 as a comfy daily driver and i'm keeping one of my 90's as a project car. My wife and I are moving up to the PNW in the next few months and i'll need a new daily driver. People who have owned bimmer's in the past have told me i don't want to drive an E30 daily and recommended an E36. I'm tired of driving a big fat slow reacting sedan and i think i'm ready to go back to something with a little more character (ie. E30). I imagine most of you are biased towards the E30, but give me your opinions on these cars as daily drivers. Keep in mind i'll have $8k to invest in my new ride, so i'm thinking that'll make for a high mileage semi-well maintained E36 or a very clean E30 325is with plenty of $$$ to go towards mods.

the car going away tomorrow...


the car i'm keeping as a project... (running quite well on megasquirt BTW ;) )

[golde30]

ummm...i think u answered your own question...lol. if u want the luxury feel, go for the e36, if you want a drivers car, get the e30. my vote will go to the e30 if your price range is $8K...you could get a hell of an e30 for that kinda dough. now if ure price range was more like $18K, i would say 4door e36 m3...hehe.

[EtaSport]

Wow man, thats one heck of a nice mk3. I like the black one too.

That said, I drive my e30 daily and have for the past 2 years. Its a fun car to drive, small and easy to get around, and definetly a rewarding experience everytime I drive. I have driven my sister's 318ti and it doesnt really compare with the e30. Hers is cushy, bigger, and more refined. Its perfect for crowded city driving, but boring in the country or open areas (okay, stock suspension and auto). But the e36 just seems like there is a lot more car.

I have driven my car in busy cities, and suburban areas, lots of highway miles as well. Never gets old.

[Jordan]

I had a 96 Jetta GLX VR6 once. It died. I have my e30 now. I much prefer it.

[Digitalwave]

I'd rather have an E36 for daily driving personally. High mileage and ratted out E36s can be expensive to upkeep, but parts for E36s are cheaper so if you get one in really good shape I'd say it'd be more reliable than an E30.

[Il Duce]

^^^ yes, but my e30s (4 of them to date) have been extremely good to me, as long as i am good to them...


i like the black car, and good luck w/ whatever you decide to buy.


most of all, have fun w/ RWD

[nkell09]

Best of luck in your search... Good work on the mk3, I spy some euro bumps/trim, long fogs, ecodes?

[ColdAccord]

there shouldn't be reliability issues with an e30, just do the normal maintenance. 8k will be able to get you a very nicely maintained e30, and a bunch of money for mods. the 89-91 325i's and is's are preferred, as they have better bumpers, and the i's have a 2.5 that puts out ~170hp ~170 tq as opposed to the 435e -the 2.7; which is ~130hp 170tq

i would definatley prefer an e30 over an e36, m3 is the only e36 i'd really be interested in buying, and thats expensive, and not a good thing to put through a winter.

e36 doesn't have the same feel. e30s are tiny and nimble.

[Jand3rson]

I had a 96 Jetta GLX VR6 once. It died. I have my e30 now. I much prefer it.

It didn't die, you killed it driving home from my house, trying to create a new category in the X-Games! :D

I can see it now... The Long Distance Inverted Jetta Toss.

I remember when you called me, right after the accident. You sounded like you had just run a marathon on speed.

[DEV0 E30]

Mesa!

Best of luck with your E30 search. Your VW was freaking hot, and I don't say that much about them.

[Jordan]

I remember when you called me, right after the accident. You sounded like you had just run a marathon on speed.

Thats because I was high as a kite.

[Il Duce]

Thats because I was high as a kite.

the almighty smokes reefer?

:)

[Jordan]

the almighty smokes reefer?

:)

Alot of adreneline.

[RobertK]

Alot of adreneline.

Too many +Sparks-?

[Beej '86 325es]

I'd rather have an E36 for daily driving personally. High mileage and ratted out E36s can be expensive to upkeep, but parts for E36s are cheaper so if you get one in really good shape I'd say it'd be more reliable than an E30.

I agree. My mom needs a new car, so I test drove a MINT '97 328is this weekend for her. Only 30k miles!