E30 vs E46. Help?

[totheredline]

I know there's been threads like this before but I want more input (so don't flame me for "not searching"). Currently I own a 2003 E46 325xi 5 speed that I bought 2 years ago for $4,000. Yeah, it had A LOT of problems. The previous owner had beaten the shit out of it. I've replaced the entire cooling system, rebuilt the suspension, European catless tune, CV axels, headers, M54b30cams, manual trans swap ect ect ect... In total I've probably dropped 3k in it.

I've always been a car freak but mostly older American Muscle cars because that's what I've grown up around. My E46 is responsible for getting me into BMWs and its also my first car. Ever since I really got interested in BMWs I've had a thing for E30s because of the driving experience (I drove my buddies 88 hennerot red 325is with poly bushings and a Schrick 288 cam. It was a revelation) and now I'm at the point where I'm hell bent on getting one.


SOOO, now that you know my life story :P has anyone made the switch from E46 to E30 or vise versa? I'm young and I don't really care about amenities but what's it like to live with a 20+ year old car? Ease of maintenance (Its gotta be easier than my AWD E46) and part cost? and the big question. should I keep my E46 or trade for an E30?

I should have no problem getting AT LEAST $4,500 for my E46. I can get a pretty nice E30 325i or 318is for that much.

[Fusion]

Welcome to the world of featherweight nimble driving machines.
I say only keep the e46 if you plan on doing some long-term work on the e30 so you have a daily.
The car is easy to work on, parts are cheap, apart from some aftermarket stuff.
If you like 4wd you could look around for a 325ix.

[Emre]

...what's it like to live with a 20+ year old car? Ease of maintenance (Its gotta be easier than my AWD E46) and part cost?

A 25-year-old E30 will be more reliable than a 10-year-old E46 xi. No joke.

[CabbE30]

CoughsamethreadtitleCough

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=201535

[enigmaticdream]

I use to own an e46 m3. Sold it a few months back and am dead set on e30s. Zero regrets so far. E30s are way more fun

[lolcantturn]

I use to own an e46 m3. Sold it a few months back and am dead set on e30s. Zero regrets so far. E30s are way more fun

This. I've driven many a E46 M3's. Don't get me wrong, they're amazing cars. Quick and the handling is phenomenal, and don't even get me started on the brakes. Will handle better than just about any E30, stiffer chassis, more comfortable, more features, etc.

But it's no E30. The E46 M3 is virtually a perfect car all around you can say, but it's just not fun.

[StereoInstaller1]

Having daily'd an E30 for over 100,000 miles and having maybe 500 miles driving E46...well, the E46, as said above is better in every way.

I would still prefer an E30.

Luke

[Cephas]

Apples and oranges. A buddy of mine with an e90 328xi drove in my e30 and said that his car felt way too civilized vs. The e30. The e30, according to.him is just more raw and visceral. It FEELS like you're driving, in other words.

You make the call...e90 isn't e46, sure, but you get the point.

[totheredline]

Apples and oranges. A buddy of mine with an e90 328xi drove in my e30 and said that his car felt way too civilized vs. The e30. The e30, according to.him is just more raw and visceral. It FEELS like you're driving, in other words.

You make the call...e90 isn't e46, sure, but you get the point.

That's exactly how I felt with my friends car. Like the car magazines say "the F30 doesn't give you much steering feedback" , that's how I felt about my car afterwards (his car had the stock 4.1 rack). and don't get me wrong, its AWD and an E46 but its still a BMW, its fun to drive. The E30 is a go-cart and although I haven't spent a whole ton of time in his car, the sport seats are comfortable and the AC ice cold.

Im going to get up in the morning and check some used car dealerships and craigslist ads to see what I can find. Really looking for a 318is.

[jink0619]

I own an e92 335i, all bolt ons, its fast! can easily walk an e92m3 but im not inlove with it, not raw like an e30, its too smooth, too luxury doesnt feel like a sports car to me. The e30 makes me feel alive when i drive it and i do everyday. I say get an e30! you wont regret.

[MT325is]

the maitenance on the m20s is kinda of a pain since they 20+ years old.
It is by far no way near as much as the e46, but there is stuff that needs to be prelaced because of age more then electronic failure

[brandonwish]

The e30 is just as good as all the hype makes it out to be. This coming from owner of e30, e36 and e46. You won't regret it

[slammin.e28]

Having daily'd an E30 for over 100,000 miles and having maybe 500 miles driving E46...well, the E46, as said above is better in every way.

I would still prefer an E30.

Luke

I concur wholeheartedly. Love my e46, but it's no e30. I really miss driving an e30.

I would argue that the e46 is the best late model BMW hands down. They reached their peak, and we're on the down hill now. Too many nanny systems and dumb bullshit in e9x cars.

[totheredline]

Found this beauty. just needs sport seats and new wheels.

http://roanoke.craigslist.org/cto/3826530300.html

[slammin.e28]

I am selling my 1990 bmw 325i with a 165000 miles on it.. It is a 5sp red with black interior, it has a sunroof 17" asa wheels that are almost new,sunroof, cc, pw, pb, and a brand new cd player. I purchased the car from the second ower and he bought it in 1993 with 33000 miles on it. It had a new clutch put in at 150000 and also new timming belt at the same time. Car is very nice inside and out. Can go anywhere in this car has been well tooking care of it hole life. IF INTERESTED CALL. (540)397-9711

Quoted for teh LULZ.