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Advice please! new track/dd: E30 vs. E36 vs. 944 n/a

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    Advice please! new track/dd: E30 vs. E36 vs. 944 n/a

    Hey everyone,

    It's been a long time since I've posted here, but I'm back for the pro's advice. I'm about a year and a half away from hitting 100k miles on my M235i, which replaced my '91 E30. Although the M235i has been a flawless daily driver and weekend track car, I have to admit that I miss tinkering and the disconnect from tech afforded by older cars. When the 100k mark approaches, I'm considering switching to either a new E30 project, E36 M3, or Porsche 944 n/a.

    Because many of you have had or currently own an E36 or 944, I was hoping to get your input on what you liked about them versus your E30. As hinted above, I'd like to try and hit the perfect balance between comfort and track-readiness, which I know can be done with each of these cars. What I am mostly concerned about is aftermarket support and ease of access to components. My E30 was an absolute joy to work on compared to my headache-induing M235i, and I've been told the e36 is equally simple. On the other hand, I've heard the n/a versions of the 944 are great to work on given their transaxle setup and lack of turbo plumbing.

    Leaning towards another E30, but let me know your opinions!
    1991 325i 4 dr Euro Spec, 5 Speed, 4.10 LSD, Slicktop

    #2
    The 944 is fun, but a little slow for my liking. The e36 is by far the fastest of the three, but consumables are pricey if you do a lot of events. I campaigned one for a couple years. The e30 is right in the middle. Cheap consumables and fast enough to get yourself in trouble.
    john@m20guru.com
    Links:
    Transaction feedback: Here, here and here. Thanks :D

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      #3
      The 944 is not good to work on without a lift, and still isn't fun on a hoist. Also, while it has a really cool look and a great cockpit layout that makes it feel like a race car it simply isn't as it's saddled with a real POS of an engine. It is at least somewhat fun to drive, and parts can still be had for both early and late models.

      Clearly the E36 is the better track car, but as FF stated, will be the more expensive to run compared to an E30. Personally, an M42 powered E30 makes a great track car as we have been able to absolutely pound on that engine during endurance racing. Couple that with double digit MPGs on track, low weight which equals low tire/brake wear and you have a very easy to live with track sort of car, albeit one that when stripped of every extra pound can only stick with an E36 with an M50 if you absolutely ride their bumper down the straights. The real downside of M42s these days is the cost of timing components, but if you find one that has been recently serviced, or upgraded to the later M42 style timing case you are in business.

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        #4
        I would go E36 to be honest if its a DD and a toy. Out of the 3 it will have the most creature comforts, the fastest and the most usable space. Consumables are not too bad on an E36, depending on which one you get. A nice 328is is perfect!

        I love the 944 but the NA ones were pretty slow.

        Love the E30 but coming of an M235 its going to feel really slow, really tin like as well. The E36 has a bit more bulk to it. I know you know this since you had an E30 already.

        I guess I would like to know what you value the most.
        Last edited by Staszek; 05-05-2020, 11:53 AM.
        Euro Delivery Thread///E30 Project Klaus///COTM August 2021

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          #5
          I've been dailying my 328is manual for nearly 5 years now and I really like it. It's all stock with nearly 200k miles, 50k done by me with no major hiccups. It's plenty powerful while averaging 28mpg. Doing all the typical maintenance has been easy but I haven't done any major jobs beyond replacing the cooling system, front CAs, rear TA bushings, and rear diff. It's been about 5 years since I was dailying an e30, and I've driven them all basically - eta, 325i, 318i m10, and 318is. They are slower but they are more fun. The e36 definitely feels like an upgrade in pretty much every way except for feeling heavier. The e30 is the first car I learned to work on with nobody to guide me, plus I was always fighting against michigan rust. I don't know how fair it would be of me to compare how easy they are to work on because I haven't done nearly as much with e36s.
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            #6
            I still think the E30 is the best looking car from BMW, except maybe the Z8. The E30 is so easy to work on and parts are cheap. You can throw a lot of money into making a monster E30 for track use if you want or just beat the heck out of the E30 and have the widest grin at the end of track day.

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              #7
              I have no advice. I haven't run into you in a while and just wanted to say "hi"! :-)

              Comment


                #8
                I think it depends on what kind of racing you are doing as well. As an Aussie there are no junkyard e30's anymore, so essentially any body parts you need or "that little clip/bolt" is basically impossible to find without buying it from a specialist or ordering new from BMW. The E36, on the other hand, is absolutely everywhere in our wrecking yards, so any body / suspension / brakes / interior bits you could need are a dime a dozen.

                Regarding performance parts, I think it depends on how far you're going down that path, you obviously have a few more engine swap options in the E36, if you're keeping things stock I would say parts prices between the E30 and the E36 are similar, in AUS you have FAR more options for the E36 in terms of suppliers.

                Saying that - I went with an E30, sometimes you just want a particular car!

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by NORBY View Post
                  I think it depends on what kind of racing you are doing as well. As an Aussie there are no junkyard e30's anymore, so essentially any body parts you need or "that little clip/bolt" is basically impossible to find without buying it from a specialist or ordering new from BMW. The E36, on the other hand, is absolutely everywhere in our wrecking yards, so any body / suspension / brakes / interior bits you could need are a dime a dozen.

                  Regarding performance parts, I think it depends on how far you're going down that path, you obviously have a few more engine swap options in the E36, if you're keeping things stock I would say parts prices between the E30 and the E36 are similar, in AUS you have FAR more options for the E36 in terms of suppliers.

                  Saying that - I went with an E30, sometimes you just want a particular car!
                  E36's are nearly gone here at the wreckers here now too. In fact here we are lucky to see any BMW's from the 90's aside from the 6+ series. Always a handful of e46's, x3/5's are really common.
                  john@m20guru.com
                  Links:
                  Transaction feedback: Here, here and here. Thanks :D

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                    #10
                    You can't adjust camber or toe in the rear on a e30 stock, I'd say the e36 is the better choice because of this. I'm looking for a e36 myself but finding a 325is, 323is, or 328is is proving rather difficult with a 5 speed. Most e36's available seem to be 4 door sedans..


                    1992 M tech 2 Convertible - S50 Swap
                    1992 e34 Touring- S50 Swap
                    1992 325i-S50 Swap (SOLD)

                    1995 e36 M3 Mugello Red - S50 (SOLD)
                    1991 325i Convertible Laguna Green (SOLD)
                    1987 325i (SOLD);1992 M tech 2 Convertible (SOLD)
                    1988 325i Convertible Alpine White (SOLD)
                    1991
                    Brilliantrot Convertible 80k Miles (SOLD)
                    1992 325i Convertible Schwarz (SOLD)
                    1992 318i Convertible Project-Finished (SOLD)

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                      #11
                      Originally posted by KIRIEIW View Post
                      You can't adjust camber or toe in the rear on a e30 stock, I'd say the e36 is the better choice because of this. I'm looking for a e36 myself but finding a 325is, 323is, or 328is is proving rather difficult with a 5 speed. Most e36's available seem to be 4 door sedans..
                      You can remedy the Camber and Toe adjustment pretty easy. I did :)

                      That being said I still think the E36 is a better choice.

                      BTW we never asked, what's the budget?
                      Euro Delivery Thread///E30 Project Klaus///COTM August 2021

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                        #12
                        E46, if you want cheap junkyard parts.

                        A decent example of a 330ci around here isn't too pricey (5-6k) and then redo all the cooling plastics and it'll be durable for 5 years.

                        t

                        Not sure what he's going to drive after the E46 ages out.
                        now, sometimes I just mess with people. It's more entertaining that way. george graves

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                          #13
                          Originally posted by TobyB View Post
                          E46, if you want cheap junkyard parts.

                          A decent example of a 330ci around here isn't too pricey (5-6k) and then redo all the cooling plastics and it'll be durable for 5 years.

                          t

                          Not sure what he's going to drive after the E46 ages out.
                          Its funny the E46 was my thought too but that wasnt on the list. If I were him for a daily man getting a nice ZHP would be perfect. Those cars were awesome, perfect balance of fun and utility in a comfortable package before they started to get toooooo heavy.

                          The E46 is about 3200 lbs, an E30 is 25-2700 so yes heavier but the suspension has a much better set up so it handles very well and its a whole lot more car for a daily. I owned one of the ZHP its one of my favorite cars.
                          Euro Delivery Thread///E30 Project Klaus///COTM August 2021

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                            #14
                            I got myself an e46 last year, I’m surprised its not on this list too. I have done a fair amount of work to it to freshen it up and I daily it now. The “auto” air conditioning/climate and the nice factory radio have been really nice to have, when I drive the e30 I miss those two things. (My a/c works in the 30, just takes more effort to get the cab right)

                            I bought the car for $2500 and have another couple thousand in parts/suspension, the thing is pretty nice to drive around.
                            My son has the 1987 325e, 2 door, 5speed
                            I daily the 1989 325i, 4 door, 5speed

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                              #15
                              Ive own all three cars on your list. E30 is going to be the cheapest to keep running on the track. Like others have said consumables are extremely cheap. I dont own a na 944 but rather a 951 and it is a blast but like has been said you do not really want to work on one without a lift. Parts are more expensive compared to the bmw's but there is still a pretty decent aftermarket. Im actually purchasing a lift because i refuse to work on it like I have been on my e30/36. The e36 is the best all rounder if the car is also going to be used for daily duties. If you are getting one of these as just a track toy I dont think you can beat the e30 for overall fun experience and cost to run. If its going to see daily duties then i would look into the e46's too
                              Originally posted by blunttech
                              Levent guzzles vanilla hazelnut creamer like its my semen
                              :shock:

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