AE86 vs. E30

[freeride53]

So i wanted to get a discussion going to compare/contrast these two chassis.
My friend has one, I've driven both thoroughly, and feel like they're really similar.
While my m42 might be faster than his stock 84' sr5 hachi, that car is fucking LIGHT.


Now discuss.

Conner, AE86 by sina.pour, on Flickr


Daring Maneuvers by sina.pour, on Flickr

[RUFFLZ]

I want wan rry bad.
ryke rry rry bad

[mr.vang]

go test drive a gts and see how you like it, or better yet a 20v.

[OniKyan]

E30 = AE86 with torque.

The size difference is literally a couple of cm's and the weight difference between Series 1 E30's is less than 100KG.

[mikeedler]

that pictured AEwhatever the fuk is really ugly though.
never driven in one, and I don't even think they have em over here in Germany, but they can look nice.

[OniKyan]

that pictured AEwhatever the fuk is really ugly though.
never driven in one, and I don't even think they have em over here in Germany, but they can look nice.

Yeah, that's USDM spec. Ugly ass bumpers. Also, Trueno headlights are considerably worse looking than Levin.

Pretty sure they do have them in Germany though. European AE86 forum - http://www.aeu86.org/

[acolella76]

I personally don't like the look of them, but like other people said they are eerily similar to an E30 so they can't be all that bad!

[Sagaris]

solid rear axle, no thx

[SpeicherBimmer]

Funny, a friend and I were just comparing these two last night. I've been in both and I like the E30s MUCH better. the 86 has it's merits, but to live with one everyday the E30 gets my vote hands down. The 86 just feels like a tin can and is a gutless wonder. Having said that, I wouldn't mind having one as a toy for the Ring with a 20v swap...

[Holland]

An 86 is MUCH lighter than an E30. It's weight is comparable to a 2002. The stock 4ag in J spec is 130hp. This car is very different from an E30 and was one of the reasons I was going to shy away from a 4cylinder E30. Knowing that my E30 could never be as light.

[OniKyan]

My owner's manual says the manual, 2 door E30 323i with a full tank of gas weighs in at 1090kg.

AE86 GTS with the 4age weigh in at 998kg.


As I said, less than 100kg. Especially once you start stripping the E30. I've easily lost 80kg from mine and always looking for more stuff to delete.

[Holland]

My owner's manual says the manual, 2 door E30 323i with a full tank of gas weighs in at 1090kg.

AE86 GTS with the 4age weigh in at 998kg.


As I said, less than 100kg. Especially once you start stripping the E30. I've easily lost 80kg from mine and always looking for more stuff to delete.

Unless your models over there are considerably more stripped than I can't believe that. Approximate weight for a pre 86 eta is close to 2600lbs. My 85 318 US spec is rated at about 2500 lbs. an 86 gts sits right under 2000lbs.

[YosemiteSam]

I have loved the AE86 since I was a kid. I started loving it when I played Need for Speed, and now I wish I had the funds to pick one up and have as a drift/track car. Also, flip up headlights > normal headlights.

[kalib0y]

Have an 1985 GTS with a JDM hi-COmp, motor swap. Sounds great and loved getting lapped on the road course....Looks great but Fail.

The chassis is no where near as robust as the e30 IMO

[TurboJake]

I prefer the S12 over an AE86. Weighs less than an E30, more than an AE86, and is E30 chassis stiffness with the AE86 suspension setup and 4 link solid axle. (not panhard)

Perfect middle ground. That's my dori slut.