What to choose manual e or auto i coupe?

[e30RS]

Those pennies are now going towards clean "is" cars. A recent stock clean "is" sold for $29100 on ebay motors. That is close to m3 territory a few years ago. And the tranny swap has to be done by the buyer. I was quoted 5K by a highly respected shop in Vegas

[JIM1inWisconsin]

Hey Jim!
So I have an 'e' sedan (SETA) and I was wondering if I put work into it to make a stroker, would I have as much fun as an 'i' ?

My opinion is not a qualified one as I've never owned or drove a stoker. Seek out the opinion of those that have. From what I can tell those that have done this modification are very pleased.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Simply stated get the i engine or you will regret your choice. Why do you think BMW replaced the e with the i ? I've owned both for what that's worth.

I concur.
I've owned e30's (both manual m20's) back when they were much younger than they are now.

When I had the 325es, i always felt there was was something missing.
Once I got the 325is, any concerns I had before were addressed.

[james31ee]

Simply stated get the i engine or you will regret your choice. Why do you think BMW replaced the e with the i ? I've owned both for what that's worth.

Good advice, I like i engine too, so much fun

[NYCDelphin]

Simply stated get the i engine or you will regret your choice. Why do you think BMW replaced the e with the i ? I've owned both for what that's worth.

Hey Jim!
So I have an 'e' sedan (SETA) and I was wondering if I put work into it to make a stroker, would I have as much fun as an 'i' ?

[TobyB]

Neither.

Keep saving your pennies until you have enough for an e46 M3

this.

t
s54 or bust

[JIM1inWisconsin]

Simply stated get the i engine or you will regret your choice. Why do you think BMW replaced the e with the i ? I've owned both for what that's worth.

[e30RS]

Plus a few on the swap. The auto's seem to have cleaner examples with lower miles.

[nando]

Neither.

Keep saving your pennies until you have enough for an e30 M3

That's a lot of pennies. He's going to need a warehouse to store them in!

Plus, honestly E30 M3s are a bit overrated. I mean, they're cool, but it's not a car I'd actually want to drive all the time, so what's the point? A good 'driver' E30 is way more satisfying because you can drive it everywhere and not worry about it too much. And it's not like E30 M3s are fast...

[e30austin]

Buy the nicest one you can find for the money. You can always modify it to your liking. You cannot take away 30 years of abuse or neglect, though.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Neither.

Keep saving your pennies until you have enough for an e30 M3

[1984CJ7]

^This.
I recently picked up an "undesirable" 4 door auto because the body was straight, rust free, and the interior is super nice. I can always swap later.
Also was looking for an e28 with the M30 in it. Ended up picking up an 88 528e because the original paint was still looking clean and interior is immaculate.

I got a 4 door eta manual. It had the 4 doors and the "e" going against it, and it may have BMW's most hated engine.... but it is in pretty decent shape and is a good platform to start off. You will spend tons of time and money doing a tranny swap, ask yourself what you want more: The better performance of the "i" or a proper stick shift.

[E30Gus]

^This.
I recently picked up an "undesirable" 4 door auto because the body was straight, rust free, and the interior is super nice. I can always swap later.
Also was looking for an e28 with the M30 in it. Ended up picking up an 88 528e because the original paint was still looking clean and interior is immaculate.

[e30davie]

yep. Paint, body and interior condition are more important than engines and gearboxes you can swap in a weekend.

You can rebuild a whole engine for a few thousand. Cost you twice as much or more to respray a car.

[rturbo 930]

I'd pick whichever one is in better condition.