91 E30 318is or E36 325/328is??

[Mark D.]

I have been looking for a nice clean E36 for awhile now. 1994 - 1995 325is, 1996 - 1998 328is. 5 speed is a must. $13-14k maximum. Guess what? Nice ones with low mileage and 5 speed are hard to find. I am thinking since I miss my 91 318is so much i should go that route and budget a few thou for repairs and such. I have owned 3 E30's so far and never even driven an E36. What do you guys think?
Maybe Vitamin J or Frustrated Munky are selling theirs soon.......... hehehe! Vitamin J-your car looks excellent. Haven't seen any pics of FM's.
You think I would be disappointed with the E36 compared to my old chipped E30 M42? We all know how much fun the 318is is and how good the handling is. Your comments would be appreciated. Summer is coming and I want to be on the road in the next month or so.

[Dean]

I've got an E30 M3 and an E36 328is.

The E36 is a 1996 with 235,000km on it and it has been a very reliable and durable car. I can get in it and drive to pretty much anywhere without even checking the oil level. The handling is very stable, and the chassis responds very well to almost excessive trail braking. It doesn't respond as well to trailing throttle, as the back end is very stable.

The E30 M3 is pretty much stripped. It has a driver's seat and a shift knob as the interior. Now that I have gone through most of the car and replaced the worn bits, it is also a very reliable and durable car. It is an absolute blast to drive, and as soon as I get the radio figured out I'll probably drive it far more often than the E36. The handling is very tail happy, but that might have something to do with the bent rear subframe or worn bushings, or the near bald Kumho Crap-Ho tires. It responds to trail braking by stepping out sideways, but it responds beautifully to throttle inputs. It is a far more exciting car to drive.

If I had to replace the E36, I would get an E30 325i or E30 318is. I prefer the more simple car with the more exciting chassis and involved nature. The E36 is far more refined, but that comes at the expense of a little masking of the driving experience.


Dean

[Mark D.]

Originally Posted by Dean I've got an E30 M3 and an E36 328is. The E36 is a 1996 with 235,000km on it and it has been a very reliable and durable car. I can get in it and drive to pretty much anywhere without even checking the oil level. The handling is very stable, and the chassis responds very well to almost excessive trail braking. It doesn't respond as well to trailing throttle, as the back end is very stable. The E30 M3 is pretty much stripped. It has a driver's seat and a shift knob as the interior. Now that I have gone through most of the car and replaced the worn bits, it is also a very reliable and durable car. It is an absolute blast to drive, and as soon as I get the radio figured out I'll probably drive it far more often than the E36. The handling is very tail happy, but that might have something to do with the bent rear subframe or worn bushings, or the near bald Kumho Crap-Ho tires. It responds to trail braking by stepping out sideways, but it responds beautifully to throttle inputs. It is a far more exciting car to drive. If I had to replace the E36, I would get an E30 325i or E30 318is. I prefer the more simple car with the more exciting chassis and involved nature. The E36 is far more refined, but that comes at the expense of a little masking of the driving experience. Dean

Dean, your words hit the nail on the head. The E30 might be a more simple car but for me I think I prefer the 318is chassis and how good the driving experience is. On the other hand having both cars is the solution. Thanks for your input.

[Branan]

Originally Posted by Mark D. Dean, your words hit the nail on the head. The E30 might be a more simple car but for me I think I prefer the 318is chassis and how good the driving experience is. On the other hand having both cars is the solution. Thanks for your input.

I had the choice between buying a new car...325, 330... or getting the older e30 and fixing it up.

I chose the older car....I now have a car I can drive the crap out of and if it breaks GREAT! just means I get to fix it up with better components. Also, on the Raodfly pages they talk about e36's with disdain, less mechanically sounds, harder to work on, lower ride/handling quality.

In fact I recon I'll save enough money in the next year or so to do the s50 conversion, maybe. Then I'll basically have an M car, that's a sleeper, that I can work on myself, for around 20K, all paid for.

In the meantime I'm investing the difference in the $

[porschegt1]

I am a fan of the E36, Looks better and there are more mods available for the m50. I am going to be upgrading this summer. I love the E30's but I want more more I tell you .

[MikesJo]

The e36s look very generic imo. I like the e36 convertible though, lol.

[go4carter]

At one time I liked the e36s... but know I'm not so sure it is a design thay will stand the test of time. I still like the looks of the Ti... too bad it didn't come with a bigger engine.

[VtwinVince]

Go for an M42, I haven't found many cars that can handle as well in the technical stuff as a well sorted 318is, except maybe the M3. I have been thinking seriously about getting an E36 M3 to replace my car, but when push came to shove, I just like driving the E30 way too much to give it up. And ditto to what Dean said about the muted nature of the E36, although it is a very sorted car.

[VitaminJ]

Originally Posted by Mark D. I have been looking for a nice clean E36 for awhile now. Maybe Vitamin J or Frustrated Munky are selling theirs soon.......... hehehe! Vitamin J-your car looks excellent. Haven't seen any pics of FM's.

Haha, wow thanks for the input... I appreciate the compliments!!
I just added some H&R and Bilstein Sports! The ride is AMAZING...

Unfortunatly I dont think I'll be selling the M42, at least for a year or two... unless it doesnt have any problems and still keeps my heart beating, which it probably will... keep my heart beating that is...
And then I'd love to drop an S50 in there

However, I do have my eyes on the new E90... But alas, they are alot more expensive...

I've never driven an E36, so I can't give you any personal experiences, however, I have heard and read, that they are a little less personal in the turns, and the addition of more electronics can get in the way...

The 328 was in my sights for a while, I hope you can find a car that you'll enjoy...!

P.S. are you THE Mark D? The one who makes the chips? If so thank you for making my BMW experience that much better...

[Mark D.]

Originally Posted by VitaminJ P.S. are you THE Mark D? The one who makes the chips? If so thank you for making my BMW experience that much better...

No not me, when I made my avatar I did not realize there was a guy named Mark D. that made chips!!

[porschegt1]

soil overs will fix the e36's handling problem, especially if you but the M#'s rear brace in. Bav auto sells it for a meare $450.00 USD. Nicer looking car, great handling and an engine that you can modfy to 240 Bhp with only a couple grand why not do it with a e36.

As I said I should be getting one this summer.

what are you doing with the eta porsche?