My e30 is more exhilarating than my z3

[graveshaker]

I'm having a hard time understanding why my 4cylinder e30 is more fun to drive than my 2.8 Z3. I have completely redone both car's suspension from sub frame bushings to strut mounts and everything in between. Both cars handles very well but it's something about the e30. The z3 has amazing power but I'm not as confident driving it aggressively as I drive the e30. Now that the weather is starting to break, I find myself behind the wheel of the e30 more than the z3. Maybe when the weather is warm enough to go topless the Z will be favored






Best home brew sub frame bushing tool ever! Removes bushings while still on car.


Removes bushing smooth as silk with no residue with the aid of a heat gun.

[nando]

that's kind of odd seeing how the suspension is basically the same. what's a Z3 weigh?

[graveshaker]

that's kind of odd seeing how the suspension is basically the same. what's a Z3 weigh?

Not sure about the weight. The rear of the Z do share the e30 suspension and shares the front suspension of the e36. This combined with the tight steering rack and powerful engine I felt this combo would out shine the e30. The e30 feels way more connected to the road than the Z. My only concern with the e30 is the steering rack. If I had the Z steering rack in the e30 I probably would never drive the Z. Please don't get me wrong, the Z is very satisfying but it seems like some of the sole is not there. The planted to the road feeling when driving an e30 is sort of lost with the Z. This is my first convertible but to my understanding roadsters are different from regular convertibles. Meaning the car was originally engineered to be a convertible vs trying to strengthen a coupe to compensate the lack of a roof. (I hope I explained that right)

[gr8skyr]

I'm wondering if it isn't the inherent torsional ridgidity that a coupe will always have over a roadster. Even though it was engineered as a 2 seater topless, there must be some advantage a fixed roof vehicle would have in that department. I've driven a few convertibles, not a z3, an haven't been wowed by their feel of the road like I have in my e30.

[CHIF8008]

e30 looks better too.

nothing wrong with being a fan of a e30 :) haha

[evandael]

it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car... dangerously?

[PJH]

A friend of mine started with an E30 318is:



He then bought a Z3 2.8 Coupe:



And after that an E30 M3:





He owned the 318is for 2 years, the Z3 for approx 6 months and the M3 2 years and counting.

He bought the Z3 because he always like the shape and wanted more power than the 318is could offer. So he sold the 318is and bought the Z3.

After about 2 months he started to miss the 318is, he hated the laziness of the Z's engine (318is revs much faster) and didn't like the way it felt on the road because of the weight and stuff. So the Z was gone fairly quickly.

After that came another E30, again with a fast revving light engine. I don't think he'll sell this one soon :D

I too like his M3 more when it comes to driving, but did enjoy the sound of the Z3 the most.

That said, I think the Z will warm up to you more when the top goes down, because sound is 50% of the experience when driving top down :-)

I wish you the best of luck with ownership of both, and never sell the E30 :-)

[nando]

Not sure about the weight. The rear of the Z do share the e30 suspension and shares the front suspension of the e36. This combined with the tight steering rack and powerful engine I felt this combo would out shine the e30. The e30 feels way more connected to the road than the Z. My only concern with the e30 is the steering rack. If I had the Z steering rack in the e30 I probably would never drive the Z. Please don't get me wrong, the Z is very satisfying but it seems like some of the sole is not there. The planted to the road feeling when driving an e30 is sort of lost with the Z. This is my first convertible but to my understanding roadsters are different from regular convertibles. Meaning the car was originally engineered to be a convertible vs trying to strengthen a coupe to compensate the lack of a roof. (I hope I explained that right)

the E36 front suspension is not drastically different from the E30 - faster rack, 5 lug, but otherwise it's basically the same thing.

the 318is is probably significantly lighter which is where most of the "feel" is lost.

[graveshaker]

I'm wondering if it isn't the inherent torsional ridgidity that a coupe will always have over a roadster. Even though it was engineered as a 2 seater topless, there must be some advantage a fixed roof vehicle would have in that department. I've driven a few convertibles, not a z3, an haven't been wowed by their feel of the road like I have in my e30.

I believe this to be true. I've installed IE engineering sub frame and trailing arm bushings on the z with hopes of stiffening up the chassis. This was done after H&R race springs and Koni's were installed. The rear sub frame sheet metal has also been repaired and re-enforced. All this helped the z plenty in many ways but not like the change in handling feel when this was done to the e30. I'm not disappointed in the z but I do know that the z will never replace the e30. I will always own an e30. I'm sure driving with the top down will bring new life to driving the z.

[Kershaw]

because you're crazy.

dont get me wrong, i love my e30. but my rx8 is far and away more fun to drive than my e30.