Extremely underwhelmed - Are e30's not for me?

[whitebulat22]

A chipped eta is a nice thing. I think the OP would do best looking for one of those. Unpopular opinion I know, but people are pricing 325i's like they're classics way more than other non-m e30s and eta's are barely priced above what the car should be worth imo.

With a Mark D chip mine starts a really satisfying surge just under 2000 rpm. It's a really weird idea to have a gas engine pretending to be a diesel and later Motronic is nicer with its diagnostics, so a super eta is probably the ideal find because you can just put an I head on without any more hassle and have the nice computer from the start.

If there are no confines of looking for a stock one, I would much rather M30 brawn or M50 brain for fun because the stock engines are not the memorable part of the car.

[dbmw2006]

I have owned two m42 cars for a little over two years. The first a 1991 318i 4 door. The very next day I bought a 1991 318is coupe.

Both of these cars felt like COMPLETELY different experiences. The 4 door felt like a clapped out piece of junk. But had a 4.10 lsd in it. So it felt a little more torquey than the coupe. A little more fun to drive because it was junky and I didn't care much.

The coupe on the other hand felt smooth. Shifted nice. Has a 3.73 medium case lsd and didn't quite feel as fast. But definitely felt like a way more smooth car.

I sold the 4 door. Still have the coupe. Recently bought an 89 325is. And this car feels completely different than both of the 318's.

In my experience, every e30 feels a bit different. Based on condition of motor, clutch, suspension, wheel/tire combo, and differential.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Regardless, as others have said, maybe the 318 isn't for you. I had an 1986 es, that had 170 ft lb of torque, plus a chip, plus I swapped out the 2.93 rear differential for a 3.73 differential. It was suuuuuper fun to drive, but topped out at 75ish. That had tons of torque and was really quick! But nothing like an 318.

good thing I didn't do the 3.73 swap on my eta

[BMWManiac]

As much as I love the e30, I am starting to get a little tired of it....will probably get more power out of it, but for me, its the lack of any kind of tech that I would like from a newer car. Maybe because both of my cars are "old" and I should probably have 1 x newer and keep 1 x old....so it would be the e36 M3 that would stay

[dubdub]

As others have said, torque is what you are missing. Americans tend to respond better to cars that have more torque and less HP... in Europe it is the opposite.

Regardless, as others have said, maybe the 318 isn't for you. I had an 1986 es, that had 170 ft lb of torque, plus a chip, plus I swapped out the 2.93 rear differential for a 3.73 differential. It was suuuuuper fun to drive, but topped out at 75ish. That had tons of torque and was really quick! But nothing like an 318.

[golde30]

Makes sense. Was wondering what kinda e90 fit that description...

[nando]

Steering wheel tilts and telescopes. I have an msport e90, steering wheel doesn't feel like a bus, and ratio isn't bad for city, maybe there is a big difference between my 05/11 build e90 msport and whatever model you have?

Also you say your seat is broken, I'm sure that doesn't add any driveability value...

Yeah, my E30. My E90 is a 330i zsp, so it's pretty tight. It's just huge compared to an E30. And faster. :p

[naplesE30]

I have a e90 non sport seats which fits me just fine at 6 4' 200lbs. However the 318is was the most comfortable seating car i have ever owned. It fit me flawlessly. Throw in a little lumbar support and i could havemade it my home. I also thought that the clutch in mine was perfect. I remember the first time i drove it i felt like i was in a clown car until i found the adjustment to lower the seat.

I think the e30 is def a car that grows on you over time. You really need to spend time behind the wheel to appreciate them. I went from a 350z to a 318is and it took a while to get used to it, but once you do its hard to walk away from them.

[brbahner]

it took a lot of upgrades and mods to make me love my e30. it was a pile when i got it now everything but the trans and dif have been changed serviced or rebuilt, and i love it more than anything iv'e ever driven. i think it takes time along with making the car your own. but if it isn't your cup of tea then don't get one, especially with price averages the way they are.

[Best_name_available]

Steering wheel tilts and telescopes. I have an msport e90, steering wheel doesn't feel like a bus, and ratio isn't bad for city, maybe there is a big difference between my 05/11 build e90 msport and whatever model you have?

Also you say your seat is broken, I'm sure that doesn't add any driveability value...

I think he was talking about his e30...

[golde30]

I have an E90 - I dunno, I don't find that big of a difference. other than my seats being broken, the steering wheel being the size of a bus, and a rack ratio like a 1970's buick, I'm comfortable in either one.

Steering wheel tilts and telescopes. I have an msport e90, steering wheel doesn't feel like a bus, and ratio isn't bad for city, maybe there is a big difference between my 05/11 build e90 msport and whatever model you have?

Also you say your seat is broken, I'm sure that doesn't add any driveability value...

[BLACKCHARM88]

Not to mention the M42 has that wonderful "timing... chain" and no climbing onto the cam

[Nesset]

If you want something that feels really high quality. Look at a 2002. Nice feeling dash and what not. Center console and seats being my only complaints.

[Jb325is]

I have had 3 e28's, all 535i's, and I kind of feel the opposite. The e28 feels like a slower, slightly lighter, but less comfortable e34 or a really heavy e30. That said, I drove a 318is expecting a lot and was sorely dissappointed. They are so torqueless and while they do rev, nothing really happens up there either. The m20 feels slightly better, but you really have to be beating on it for it to be fun IMO, the m30 or s50/2/4 swap is what makes the e30 appealing to me.

I'll agree on the driving position, I think the e30 wheel needs a spacer. My e34 m5 driving position was a lot better than the e30 and e39 m5 is worlds better than that.

[nando]

I have an E90 - I dunno, I don't find that big of a difference. other than my seats being broken, the steering wheel being the size of a bus, and a rack ratio like a 1970's buick, I'm comfortable in either one.