Who has driven an E30 and an E36?

[Ultimo_Posto]

Hola!

I was an E30 owner 13 years ago (see photo) and I'm thinking of getting another one. Oddly enough I hadn't been planning on an E30 but I started looking for something light, cheap, manual and rear wheel drive for some casual autocross, and the E30 naturally came to the top of my list :mrgreen:

I'm also thinking of an E36 because there is so much price overlap, so I'd welcome any feedback from anyone who has driven both. Also, does anyone know the weight difference between an E30 325i and an E36 325i or a 328i? I've watched with dismay over the years as the 3 series got heavier and heavier, and I want to learn race driving in a light car.

Cheers!

[5Toes]

E36's have a sportier feel stock - the driving position

e30s are more raw

[jaywood]

My brother had an e36. It was ok. It's just meh looking IMO. E30's are where it's at.

[Kevinl]

the e36 weighs about 250-300 pounds more

I have owned both I give the edge to the e36 feels more sporty stock also better mpg and more comfortable

[Dj Buttchug]

ive owned 2 e36 cars. I dont really feel they are "sporty" feeling at all. A stock e36 328is for me was kind of a turd.

You can really do one a whole lot of good with some suspension mods.

I donno

Its always e30 for me when the choice comes up

[Balleristic31]

I've driven my dads e36 m3 at autox and the track on the street and my 318is in te same conditions and compared to the e30 the m3 seems to have very vague steering feel (comparable suspension setups on both cars), a more twitchy back end (might be because of the extra power), and horrible seats. The vadars don't hold you for crap during spirite driving.

Totally different driving style required

[BMWManiac]

I have both.....e30s are small and sporty, nimble; the e36 feels mildly larger, but also nimble in its own way....the e30 feels old, the e36 feels "modern" relatively speaking

[slammin.e28]

If you're going to have an e36, don't bother unless it's an M3.

E30s are cool in any form, no matter trim/engine level.

[ST1G]

If you're going to have an e36, don't bother unless it's an M3.

E30s are cool in any form, no matter trim/engine level.

This.

[Javier h]

E36

If you go the E36 route, get 98s or 99s.

Many productions bugs were worked out.

[Chachi]

ive had a few e30s, and currently have a 96 m3. most of what has been said i agree with. if you go e36, it has to be the m3. the us spec m3 got nowhere near what the euro did, so its still available pretty cheap. (cheapest m3 you can get nowadays)

i could easily DD my m3 if weather permitted and i lived somewhere southern. it's a great car... makes a great noise, handles great, has plenty of power compared to an e30.

but its just not an e30. thus why my m3 is for sale and im trying to get back into an e30 (while not being ripped off by the insane market)

[Hochspannung]

I have owned 2 e30's, 1 e36 and two e46's.

In terms of feeling like part of the car when driving. I'd choose the e30. No e36, except the M3 comes with an LSD, so you'd have to add that to have a really fun car. The chassis on the e36 feels sturdy and well built, but less 'tossable' compared to the e30. I also prefer the driving position in the e30 where the wheel is angled sort of like a bus.

Styling wise, the e30 is much better looking than the e36. It has aged so much better than the box style of the e36. I say go for the e30.. not much has more character and class than a well sorted e30. I also agree slammin.e28 and ST1G, unless its an e36 M3, don't bother.

[Cabriolet]

choices
A. e36 wont start
B. e30 will start but die on the way
C. get a honda/toyota and save the 20k in repair bills
spend that 20k on your wife, have her be less mad at you, happy marriage and die happy
if you choose A or B, plan on being poor but happy while driving

[roznic]

have both!!!
if you going e36 go m3 only... e30 is classic, always ongoing project ;-) but sure as hell fun

[e30lov]

I own both. They are both fun in their own ways. I have more fun in my m3 however.