Big Decision!!!! Life Changing

[evinn]

Hey guys,

Let me start off by saying that this is a great forum for e30 lovers. I have been a member of bf.c for a while and until I bought my first e30 (track car) just recently joined this forum…I think this is my first post here. But anyways right to the point.

I have an e36 93 325is. I love that car to death. I have minimal mods, like chip, 3.15lsd chip, welded sub frame, and some other little goodies. It’s a nice car, really nice. It’s got ok paint and 18 in. wheels. I enjoy it a lot, but lately I have been getting this itch to get a dd e30 and sell my e36.

I already have an e30 that is a track car. Gutted interior (no dash) etc. but I can’t stop thinking about getting one as a daily driver. I have always thought that the e30’s were lighter cars than the e36’s. I have heard mixed opinions about this subject, but I want something that I can just throw around. It feels like I have to baby my e36 all the time. Don’t get me wrong I care about my car, it’s just that I live in an area where the streets aren’t very kind to vehicles, especially lowered with 18’s.

I like the speed of the e36…im not really into big power considering that I already have a track car, but the extent of my modification with the e36 was m3 cams and chip and maybe a 3.2lsd upgrade. Could similar power be made in the e30 w/o the help of forced induction?

My big question is, do you guys think that I would be satisfied with an e30 if I did sell my e36? What are your opinions on both cars? The e30 that I bought was in bad shape when I got it so I don’t think that it would be a fair comparison now that theres a v8 in it. I would go drive a stock one, but it’s not like they sell these things at the stealership or anything so…just looking for some feedback. Thanks

-Evinn

[LINUS]

Go find a car lot with any used one & take it for a spin. Then if you like it, start looking for whatever E30 gets you all worked up in your special places.

[whiltebeitel]

E30's are most def. lighter than the e36. By at least 300 lbs.

[evinn]

yeah, ive been trying to do that, but as far as i know...there are only like 6 e30 that are being sold right now in the U.S. im not looking for an m3 or anything, just maybe a 325is or maybe a 318is manual. cant find either.

[nando]

if you just want a DD, but don't care about speed.. look for a 318is. 30mpg, extremely reliable, and cheap to maintain. Spend your mod money on making it look good and leave the speed for your track car. :)

[VAPORBLADE]

As far as a DD goes I would go with a 325is. I love mine, and would not go with anything smaller or with an "e" in the title again. After I get my 325is done it will be ready to be a DD, but it will not be DD. For that I will stick to newer rides. The main reason for that are the 4 seasons we have in Vermont.
I am going with an e30 M3 afterwards, but will be keeping the 325is. I am not sure I will buy one that is as much as a project, or not...still thinking.

If I were you, I would shop until you find just what you want...never settle.

[chucko]

I wouldn't confine my search to only 325is or 318is, there's really not much difference between the 2 door 325i and the 325is. Only lsd, spoiler, and sport seats stock...maybe a couple of other minor things. All of these things can be replaced easily.

[euroshark]

E30's are most def. lighter than the e36. By at least 300 lbs.

Not necessarily true, the plastic bumpered M20 powered E30s were damn near 3000lbs! The early E30s were light though!

[evinn]

thnaks for the info, i know that this is an e30 forum and everything but i really wanted to know if it would or could be worth it to get rid of the e36 for the e30.

[whiltebeitel]

Not necessarily true, the plastic bumpered M20 powered E30s were damn near 3000lbs! The early E30s were light though!

I demand scales! I had never heard this before.

[Jesse30]

The e30 that I bought was in bad shape when I got it so I don’t think that it would be a fair comparison now that theres a v8 in it.

pics?

[nando]

Not necessarily true, the plastic bumpered M20 powered E30s were damn near 3000lbs! The early E30s were light though!

~2800lbs for a 325i?

No E36 ever weighed that much (maybe the 318ti). also, earlier 325i cars were actually heavier, as they used more sound deadening crap (no trunk tar on 91's for example). and don't forget that 50lb doughnut under the spare tire...

[jflip2002]

Id keep the E36 for the DD. Id like to have a bad ass track E30, and a nice DD E36, rather than 2 E30s. Put some cash into making the E36 look real nice. Ive had a TI before, and sold it to get back into an E30. I miss the interior, and driving of the E36. But I do like my E30 still....

[smonkbmw]

put the e36 engine in your e30, part the rest, use parts money to finish e30. best of both worlds.

[Erick]

Not necessarily true, the plastic bumpered M20 powered E30s were damn near 3000lbs! The early E30s were light though!

The heaviest of e30s (mine) were originally 4dr automatics. They weighed 2800+. Still not heavy.... by today's standards at least. I dont think the lightest of e36s reached that mark.