e30 vs e36

[Digitalwave]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=46692

[windnsea00]

I've had one E30 (318is S50) and 3 E36's (2 being Ti's and a 325is). As with each new generation BMW 3-series it becomes more poised, stable and better at high speed running. With that you loose the fun of a louder/lighter/more tossable car. They both have their pluses and minuses IMO.

E36's generally are pretty boring to me except for their interior design (coupe/sedan) as the controls are very close to the driver and the 6 cylinders are great engines. I like the Ti because it's basically a more modern version of the E30 but still retains the light and quick feeling for backroads.

The E46>E36 anyday of the week IMO...our `02 325iT is a fantastic car.

[Lance Racing]

I own one of each (the wife drives the E36 as her DD). The E30 fits me like a glove. The E36, though better than a Camry, just doesn't have the greenhouse like the E30 does. Lots of people love E36s, but for me, the E30 is it. I never ask, honey... can we swap cars today, I wanna drive the E36.

[Kruzen]

My etas odometer stopped at 211K last year at Bfest. I imagine it has about the same since I dont drive it often due to my license, or lackthereof. Anybody that has seen/driven/been in or sround my car can tell you its in great shape. It doesnt burn oil, it accelerates very smoothly, etc. I/my family are the original owner and I think that helps a ton.


and YES Im going to whore my eta out once again....hahahah


Mariano

God I love that ETA

[325is_e30]

For a daily driver I prefered driving around the 94 325is to my 89 325is especially since my roads are horrible where I live. The ride is a lot better if thats what you are looking for, but the e30 is more fun to drive.

[CleanAzzE30z]

^really?

i sort of thought that with less mileage, it would have less problems.
i have a 325e with over 200,000 miles, and it has a slew of problems, including the odometer, which stopped at 213.

My etas odometer stopped at 211K last year at Bfest. I imagine it has about the same since I dont drive it often due to my license, or lackthereof. Anybody that has seen/driven/been in or sround my car can tell you its in great shape. It doesnt burn oil, it accelerates very smoothly, etc. I/my family are the original owner and I think that helps a ton.


and YES Im going to whore my eta out once again....hahahah


Mariano

[BigFurryWhale]

Personally, I might not go so far to say that e30's are more reliable (though I have little or no experience with e36).

That said, I think the e30 looks a hell of a lot cooler.

[Victell]

I got into the e30 because it was the best bang for the buck, and all I wanted to afford at the time. But now that I've done the suspension, z3 rack, wheels and sport seats I've really come to love the balance and driving charactaristics of the e30.

Even now that I'm making more money, I dont really want an e36. They are ok - faster, better high-speed stability - but I get my kicks at lower speeds anyway, under 120mph. The e36 doesnt have much character either and the dash is ugly.

At this point, i'd rather have an e30 m3 than an e36 or even an e46 m3, seriously.

Actually, the only other practical bmw i want is an X5. Impractical nod would have to go to the e39 m5.

[ivo316]

I have a friend that owns an M3, well I'm not quite sure if it's an e46, but it's a 1999, he has driven my E30 twice and he loves it.

P.S. he calls it "the go-kart" (regarding it's cornering)

[318isbmw]

I just think the e30 is much more fun to drive. You get a closer feeling to the road, as well as its a ton of fun in twisties and such. And also a lot simpler design.

[nando]

I've driven around my friend's 328ic quite a bit.. it's a nice cruiser, but overall? meh.

the only thing I really like about it is the looks I get from girls, and the heated seats.. but neither of those are really specific to the E36.

[MikeE30325i]

lol, i have a 325es with 300,000 miles on it. and it has a slew of problems. but not one of them has to do with the car driving.

E30's > Everything else

[mikejungle]

^really?

i sort of thought that with less mileage, it would have less problems.
i have a 325e with over 200,000 miles, and it has a slew of problems, including the odometer, which stopped at 213.

[Jscotty]

$2300 to $2500 is about your target price for a car that is driven daily and well cared for. If it has less than 200,000 miles on it you can be assured that it has had a history of problems. If it has over 300,000 miles you know that this car has been well maintained for it go that long.

[mikejungle]

how much lighter is the e30?

and so it's true that the e36's are not as reliable, eh?

what's a fair price for a 325i that's in good running condition and doesn't need work for a while?