E30 question's

[crooked_nose]

Hello I am going to apologize in advance for maybe reposting an already covered thread but here I go anyway. I am looking for my first Bimmer as a track/DD I have long envy'd my friends E30 and after doing some research I have found e30's are priced the same if not more then its predecessor the e36. All though the e30 is much sexier it seems parts are also alittle more difficult to find here in the GTA aswell as aftermarket support the e36 seems to have more in my area and priced less. The e30 after doing my homework seems like it needs a little more preparation as a track platform anyway to the point my question is which is cheaper, more reliable easier to work on and more potential also less work DD/tracker

[Cabriolet]

e36
better car, more powerful engine, better suspension, soulless.

[crooked_nose]

Thank you

e36
better car, more powerful engine, better suspension, soulless.

Thank you for your fast and honest reply, I understand what you mean by soulless no character behind the car like the E30 it feels to mechanical were as the e30 feels almost like a living entity and Ive had maybe 30mins behind the wheel of an e30 every piece of the car feels asthough it as character behind it the way it steers the way the engine sounds... but I plan on putting my own spin on the soulless e36 hopefully giving it some life :)

[rcsoundn1]

I have never owned an e36, though i have driven them, and id agree, e36 for a track rat DD.

[Kevinl]

I like e36's i dont get the hate for them

A e30 is souless compared to a 2002 but is a way better car

[Benjamin_Button]

I like e36's i dont get the hate for them

A e30 is souless compared to a 2002 but is a way better car

Because the build quality is shit.

[naplesE30]

^ Is that really true? Other than crappy door cards and some other interior plastic is it a poorly built car? I mean the e30 has its faults as well, odometer, door locks, dashes, sunroof rust, license plate light rust, wheel bearings, etc. Not trying to be an asshats but all cars seem to have their quirks. In my experience the e36 has held up quite well.

E36 is a good track choice just for tire/ wheel size options alone. However, what are you looking to do at the track? Just have fun or trying to win? A fun car is not necessarily the fastest car. I loved autocross in my 318is more than in my 350z even though the z would destroy the e30. Both are easy to work on for the a competent wrencher. The e30 will take more effort to maintain (timing belt) but not a lot more. The e30 should hold its value if well cared for. Honestly imho the e36 may appreciate if its clean, as I think they have hit their floor, and as you said is going to be less to purchase in all likelihood.

[agent]

I have found e30's are priced the same if not more then its predecessor the e36.

The E30 was the predecessor to the E36.

[Liquidity]

Wait - people think the build quality of the E36 is worse than the E30? There's some serious fanboism going on here. At least the E36 fits its era. If you can replicate your door cards with cardboard and some vinyl from a fabric store, you canNOT talk about the door cards of the E36. The interior of the E30 is straight out of the 70's. American cars had better interiors in the 80's. And don't even get me started on the cracking dashes.

[crooked_nose]

The E30 was the predecessor to the E36.

Yes sorry worded it backward there and as for the goal for my car would just be for fun more then likely drift nothing competitive just for fun at event's and driven daily the rest of its life events are only held locally every few months so most of its life would be daily and some sideways fun with very light modification like lsd/welded diff poly bushings maybe a cam swap hydro handbrake coil's/springs maybe light camber plates and what not

[slammin.e28]

E36 M3.

Don't get a normal e36....totally not worth it.

[13bpower]

E36 M3.

Don't get a normal e36....totally not worth it.

nailed it

[Kevinl]

I had a 1997 328i sport and had no issues with the interior besides the leather wearing but what car doesn't

It is way easier to replace a door panel then a dash

[Stanley Rockafella]

E36 M3.

Don't get a normal e36....totally not worth it.

nice ones are very reasonably priced too. far better than e30 m3's

[crooked_nose]

Im looking for a cheaper platform to run m3 is still a little expensive 13-20k where I live where as a 325i is 2500-5k I would also imagine an 325i with a welded diff or lsd from an m3 would still slide this is why im leaning more toward an e36 just doing some more research as to price of parts and if it is a cheap platform to run seems like it is one of the few cars the drift tax hasn't hit yet