e36 m3 or e30 tubo

[ceries]

I want to buy a car in the next 3-6 months and want some input before I start looking. I have a budget of 8-10k. With that, I want something somewhat reliable as I am a college student. I will be able to I can do most repairs myself with the help of DIY guides, so I wont have to pay for labor unless something goes terribly wrong. For power, I want something in the 260-300 hp range.

Anyway, I think a e30 turbo might be to much maintenance and be a money pit. Even though the e36 m3 will make less power, I think the m3 will be a better option for a DD. If anyone can give me some insight and steer me in the right direction that would be great. Appreciate it.

[BrownBeanE30]

E30 turbo would be better and u can still daily it

[Mr_Tripp]

E30 because in my opinion e36's are the worst looking.

[nrubenstein]

If its a daily driver, E36 M3.

If its a toy car that can be broken a lot (and don't delude yourself that a turbo car will not require a lot of maintenance), E30 turbo.

[Eurotrash727]

how about a s50/52 swapped e30 ?

[Vivek]

I'd take a swapped e30 over an e36 m3 any day based solely on looks.

[bubbajan21]

I'd take a swapped e30 over an e36 m3 any day based solely on looks.

Not to mention it'd be a quicker car.

[Vivek]

Well the e36 suspension geometry and such is better than an e30, so I'm fairly certain that the e36 may be a better driver's car.

[JinormusJ]

Well the e36 suspension geometry and such is better than an e30, so I'm fairly certain that the e36 may be a better driver's car.

e30 with e36 engine, 5-lug swap, and M3 brakes

PROBREM SAWVED

Pretty much taking everything that makes an e36 fantastic and putting it into an e30. Probably a more fiscally demanding alternative, but if you have the money and really want an e30; I'd pick a tastefully swapped e30 over e36 anyday

If your looking solely for driving point A to B, the e36 is a better soulless option. The engine is a tank, but that's only if you can get passed the sagging headliner, stuck sunroof, deteriorating door cards, fading paint, oozing pixels, squeaky dashboard, screaming window regulators, "falls-off-by-just-staring" rear diffuser, and non-functioning emergency blinkers

#AXEMEHOWIKNOW

Basically, if you want a fun tossable car with good comfort and can afford 2-3 days downtime when something happens, e30
If your looking for stonewall mechanical reliability; e36 m3, but just be prepared to have everything else break on you

Mind you; you'd have to be paying $7-8k for a well sorted e36 m3; while a well sorted e30 could run you only $4-5k, and $8-9k is swap territory for e30s

[Vivek]

I'm not an expert at all on this, but doesn't an e36 5 lug swap ruin the handling of an e30? I thought that e30 m3 was the way to go on an e30.

[Wh33lhop]

The 5 lug swap does not improve geometry and definitely does not give the E30 the more desirable Z-link rear. If you get a good, well maintained example of an E36 M3 it will be the more overall capable, more reliable car. An S5x E30 will be lighter, sure, but you will need to go through the headache of the swap and iron out the bugs yourself. Or you can buy someone else's s5x swapped car for more than an E36M and possibly have to sort out the surprise issues it has.

Looks are subjective. E30 will definitely be the more fun car if you set it up, but the E36M will be pretty good out of the box.

Now choose yourself. If you want less headache I would go with a clean, low mile E36M and keep it stock for as long as you can manage.

[dannyyisntt]

E36 is a better daily, e30 is more fun. Choose your poison.

[dougie30]

The more practical choise for you would be the e36, what everyone else inccluding me is going to tell you is the e30.

oh and e36 are ugly

[Deathtoll]

Let's see.

The e36 M3 is faster preswap (no kidding)
You will find e36 with airbags , power steering and air conditioning. The ride of the e36 m3 is still fairly stiff but it feels like a luxury barge compared to an e30.

Most people here prefer the looks of the e30 as this is an e30 board but the E36 looks fine in my eyes too.

I think both cars are great, I want to have one of each depending on my mood. You can buy a e36 M3 much cheaper than buying a e30 with an s50 swap ( I know i've been looking).

The guy I know who owned an e30 keeps telling me how silky and smooth my e36 m3 feels compared to his e30.

[Bimmerman325i]

So this is this week's E36 vs E30 thread?

Hokay.