Ever sell your E30 for an E46 M3? Are you happy?

[ColdAccord]

I like a bit of pep, so if it were a stock m20 e30 that is something I would look to either upgrade from, or upgrade the powerplant and brakes.

Personally, i went euro s50b30 e30 -> e36m3/4/5 -> e39m5.

The e36 was great. More luxurious, not as quick but certainly more refined. I'd certainly wonder if it weren't faster around a track with the updated rear suspension, though the e36 did have more power and lighter weight. It didn't really feel fast enough, but then again what really does once you get used to it. The car was stock power wise besides a dme reflash.

The m5 was a blast. Big, raw, linear power. Also a big package, weighed in at a hefty 4,000 lbs. Even more luxurious, though a lot of it was things I don't need. The gas mileage was awful (13mpg average, 21 if I babied it but even then it soon sunk down to 17-19). Though the euro s50 car only got 17 average, 23 hwy.

I sold the m5 because it was too large, and too bad on fuel. It wasn't a daily for me, and I figured if I just wanted a sunday cruiser I'd get something more nimble.

My love affair with e30's has kept them in my eye the whole time. I've had a ton, some were quite memorable. My dream is to find an e30m3 with a blown-up s14 for ~$12k and do a 2.5 build.

If I can't swing that, I will have a hard time deciding whether to swap another e30 chassis with an s5x motor, or just buy an e46m3. The e36 is appealing to me again, as it gets older the vintage appeal increases. I'm an old-car guy at heart I guess. Though a swapped e30 does look better, and feels more fun to drive. Then again an e46 is sort of getting some vintage to it, and both e36 and e46 m3's need much less work than swapping an e30.

Basically, I am also in the same conundrum ha!

[plmichal]

I have owned five E30's prior to owning two E46 M3's. Thankfully I was able to keep my 1990 325is when I purchased my 6 speed 2004 M3 with 140,000 miles. I sold that M3 to my friend when I stumbled across a crazy deal on a 2003 M3 SMG with 34,000 miles.

I loved E46 M3's since they came out but was never able to afford one till last year. When I bought the first and subsequently the second E46 M3, I totally neglected my 1990 325is in my parents back yard for MONTHS. I drove the E46 M3 and loved every second of it. It was properly quick, the engine is a dream, the ride if firm but comfortable, the looks are timeless, ect ect ect. It was the first time I had owned a "new"-ish car and it was great. Well, the SMG car was rear ended a couple months ago and I was forced to polish up the 1990 325is and drive it.

I forgot how great the E30 is! I'm loving driving it every day now. It's such a great cruiser and the look and feel is so 80's, it's awesome. On top of that I am enjoying the cheaper insurance, the cheaper prices on parts, and noticing I'm not at the gas pump as much as I was with the E46 M3. Those S54's just are dying to be revved to 8,000 rpm. I did it everyday!

Simply put, both cars are great in their own ways. Don't knock it till you try it. True story, I would've never bought an SMG car because of all the problems you hear with them. But because it was a deal I couldn't pass up, I bought it and learned to really love the SMG just as much as the 6 speed manual M3 I previously owned. I don't know about any of you, but I can tell that both cars share a distant but similar character about them. The difference for me is the E30 is a great cruiser and the E46 M3 is a proper sports car. Never had any regrets owning and driving either car. And as with all automobiles, try to purchase a car that has been well maintained. That will allow you to enjoy it with far less headaches.

Hopefully that all makes sense. Either way, you can't go wrong!

[kingston]

I strongly considered doing exactly this until late last year. I test drove a couple of E46 M3s, one bone stock and one with intake, exhaust and software. I absolutely loved the M3...but I didn't pull the trigger. For me it came down to money, though and your situation may be different. I was going to pay an extra $1K= per year for the insurance on the car, tires were way more expensive (as is EVERY M part on that car), etc. The other factor was that honestly the car wasn't very fun unless you were pushing it. And that gets you to go-directly-to-jail speeds pretty quickly. My E30s are fun at lower velocity! I don't know if the car has the 'soul' of an E30, but it is a darn fine car in it's own right. I WILL own one someday.

[agent]

Honestly, how is that any different than with an E30 M3? At least in the case of the E46 he can still get parts for the motor.

It's not, but unless I missed something an E30 M3 wasn't part of the conversation...?

[nomansland92]

the e46 m3 is a car I will own at some point in my life, but that's one of the few newer bmw's I would buy. I used to dd a 2003 330xi for the last year and had to sell it because I couldn't stant the constant stupid little problems every week. Either way I don't think I could sell the e30 for one but have both and now were taking

[gtdragon980]

Daily drive an E46 (M or non-M; whatever fits your bill) and keep the E30 for fun/weekends. I did that and it makes me appreciate both cars. Granted my E30 is boosted and much quicker than the E46, it certainly doesn't have the creature comforts as the E46. I say have both if that is financially feasible, otherwise just daily the E30 until you're able to have both cars. Lol Just my two cents.

This x1000. They are both great at doing what they do. E30 for fun and E46 for comfort. Best of both worlds!

[redsubdivisions]

Daily drive an E46 (M or non-M; whatever fits your bill) and keep the E30 for fun/weekends. I did that and it makes me appreciate both cars. Granted my E30 is boosted and much quicker than the E46, it certainly doesn't have the creature comforts as the E46. I say have both if that is financially feasible, otherwise just daily the E30 until you're able to have both cars. Lol Just my two cents.

[Charlie]

As with any M car, you'll want to keep a few thousand in the reserves for when they break. Preventive maintenance alone is high,

Honestly, how is that any different than with an E30 M3? At least in the case of the E46 he can still get parts for the motor.

[agent]

No soul? That's a big reach even for r3vlimited.

Okay, how about "No E46 M3 I've ever been in had a soul."

Better? ;)

[Axxe]

They're great machines, but E46 M3s have no soul. As with any M car, you'll want to keep a few thousand in the reserves for when they break. Preventive maintenance alone is high, not to mention well documented issues with the VANOS, (cracking) subframes and cylinder sleeves.

No soul? That's a big reach even for r3vlimited.

OP: It depends on what you want. I went E30 --> E36m3 --> E46m3 and like them all for their various differences. The E46 is comfortable, quick and a great DD if you can afford the maintenance and fuel bill. E30's are fun in a different way while E36's are the cheapest track rat you can buy right now with E30's rising in price.

That said, I have all 3 right now :)

[agent]

They're great machines, but E46 M3s have no soul. As with any M car, you'll want to keep a few thousand in the reserves for when they break. Preventive maintenance alone is high, not to mention well documented issues with the VANOS, (cracking) subframes and cylinder sleeves.

[blizake500]

My girlfriend owns and e46 m3 and I drive it all the time. The e46 m3 is a hell of a car. The lines on the body are so sexy and perfect. The engine is beautiful. The whole car is great. But I still smile every time I get in my e30. But you would be very happy with either car.

[R3Z3N]

Almost weekly I contemplate an E46 M3 or E39 M5 as I do DD my E30, but have never gone so far as to list my car for sale. I do however get notes almost monthly on my car asking to sell....

[flyboyx]

i do look at e46 m3's on occasion. sometimes i even consider buying one. does that count?

[Stanley Rockafella]

when I was offering my e30 for sale a while back, I had a few interested ppl with newer e46's (m3's included) asking if I wanted to trade. Obviously with a bit of cash on my end, but overall, I knew I wouldn't be happy with a never BMW.

IMHO If you are only using the e30 for a project/fun car, keep it. If you want it as a dd that you also want to be "comfier" with more recent technology, I'd suggest getting a newer car (BMW included).