e30 vs e36 Fun Factor?

[Sam]

Here is my '93 325i after an airplane taxied into it last weekend. The strike in the middle of the hood went through the intake manifold. I think it's going to be a total which is fine with me - after driving Alfa's for years I've found the e36 to be a disappointment - good power but no feel for the road and very little steering feedback so it's not much fun to drive hard. So what to get next? I've heard the e30's are lighter (how much?) and hopefully more of a sports car. How does the e30 handle compared to the e36? Which is the best year? I'll trade smooth and quiet for fun anyday!

http://www.longroad.com/BMW-Chop1SM.jpg

 

[mikev]

put it like this my E30 has 190Hp. around the same as the E36 325i, however performance wise i am only just a little slower than the 330ic. handling wise i can throw my car into a roundabout at 30 Mph belt the power and the back will step right out. it happens much more slowly than the E36 and is alot more controlable IMO. i can stick a powerslide on at an angle of like 70degrees and be traveling at anywhere between 10 and 40Mph and the car still feels safe and controlble. Even my dad is impressed by the handling and enjoys it more than his car for the fun factor. (he has an E34 M5!)

 

[equate]

my e30 is quite possibily the most fun car ive ever driven. All my friends want to jump in and drive, I have to beat them off with a stick

 

[ODDferkOUT]

Most e30's much of a looker, but the feel you get driving it is second-to-none. Then again this is coming from a former Mazda owner.

 

[E30 Kid]

Man that sucks, glad to see that you're alright.

As for the E30, they are GREAT cars. Very fun to drive, they have a bunch of power for when you need it (and even when you don't), very comfortable, and they are sporty.

 

[South Africa E30 driver]

You could get the best of both worlds, the E30 is the best BMW ever made. but with new technology they have made better engines. So I would go an engine transplant for more power, but the best handling is on the E30. I saw a 325is here at a car show with a 735i engine in it, and we even had a 333i which came out here with 733i, now this is a fast car, as fast as an E36 M3, now with the technology in a 3lt E36 M3 it makes it faster so in this instance technology always wins..... did I go off topic??

 

[Ryan Stewart]

The E30 definately has more road feel but the E36 is a better car. If its feel you want go with the E30, the E36 responds to suspension mods more effectively but is a bit heavy and light in the steering. The one bad thing about the E30 is its short and light, so its bouncy.

mikev, what have you done to your E30 to get it to 190? Do you have a 2.8l stroker?

 

[1989 325is]

The e30 weighes around 2850lbs which is probably about 300-400 pounds lighter than your car. Its has great handling and surprising power. Gas mileage is great at 25/33 mpg. I have a 89 325is and its by far the best car I have ever owned. If you get a e30, dont get the 325 or 325e. They have a little bit more torque, but only 121hp compared to the 325i/is' 167hp.

 

[equate]

Why did you dig up such an old post lol

 

[epj3]

Why did you dig up such an old post lol

Becuase it's been slower than a riced civic around here recently.