I've heard E30 models are the best BMW ever built.

[Paper Tiger]

Well? Is it true?
If so, what makes it true?
How is it better than the E46?
I have a friend who drives one and he never said so himself, openly, however, I've heard this fact from him.
I'm not trying to prove him wrong by getting the facts, I'm just curious.
Plus, he's a very humble and honest guy, he'd never bullshit about something like this.

 

[mrferg]

It's better because that's the model I own. Then again I'm quite partial to the E30.

 

[nadroj]

the e30s are the best

thats not just b/c i own one

 

[Ryan Stewart]

The E30 M3 is the most victorious touring car ever, literally. It has like 153 wins and 8 championships, the majority coming as the non-Evo 2.3 liter.

The new E46s are in some respects beter cars, just not for driving.

 

[Rukus]

they are a bullet proof car. althought i DO need a new rear end, but thats from neglect of the previous owner who didn't change or check the oil that was leaking sneakinly out of the side output bearings in in the differential

 

[xLibelle]

hehe, thats all youll get out of us E30 owners.

 

[underDAWG]

I think it is the best looking one thus far

 

[mrferg]

I think it is the best looking one thus far

Personally I think the only other BMW that can compare with the E30 in that department is the E34, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Ryan Stewart]

The E31 and the E38 look pimp. Better than an E30.

 

[mrferg]

I'm not really into that 'pimp' look, I'd call a white Escalade with 24" chrome rims pimp, whereas an E31 and E38 are just plain SWEET.

 

[Ryan Stewart]

no. an Escalade with 24" chrome rims is gay, as gay as a rhinestone Studebaker.

 

[mrferg]

no. an Escalade with 24" chrome rims is gay, as gay as a rhinestone Studebaker.

Yea, I guess you're right.

 

[OreoGaborio]

i love the original 5er... sexy... but i dun love the e30's for it's handling, quickness, simplicity (easy to work on) rwd & durability

 

[Auslander RML]

I have had my little 318i for almost a year now, and the previous owner obviously didn't appreciate it, because of the condition it was in But in the time I have had it, I fixed some of his mistakes ( 160,000 miles and he NEVER changed a timing chain!) and it is pretty dependable for me,but then again, I previously drove a 92 Ford Taurus that liked to have a new alternator every 8-10 months...

 

[Bimmubishi]

I've never heard this "fact" this is an interesting post. Self congratulatory at best.

 

[Paper Tiger]

I've never heard this "fact" this is an interesting post. Self congratulatory at best.

I don't own a E30 and I never have.
I have a 2004 M3 on order, that's the only BMW I've owned or about to own.

 

[Bimmubishi]

E30 vs E46

I own an E30, I've owned 3.- love em... and you're much better off with the E46!!!! Congrats! I can't think of too many reasons that the E30 is better. I like it because it's simple and easy to work on but it's not as sophisticated as the E46 in any way. A matter of preference possibly. I assumed incorrectly that the purpose of the thread was to admire our e30s as somehow better than all other cars and I was wrong.

 

[junglestylz]

As far as the styling goes the E36 is the only 3 series that I think would give an E30 a run for its money. I also love all the fives except for the new line. Out of all of them I would have to say that the E36 and the E39 are my favorite styles.

 

[Bimmubishi]

I just like cars I can work on. The E46 is very complicated and heavy but also very comfortable and refined. The E30 M3 is my fav in the looks dept by far.

 

[adamsonem]

Based on performance, mostly no: the E36 and E46 beat the car there. The E30 is noticeably lighter and a little more nimble, but it just doesn't have the power to "perform" as the later models. Based on engine life, the E30 has the longest lasting engine ever made by BMW, as far as I have learned. E30s have been known to last without a rebuild for over 200-300 THOUSAND miles! Minor repairs which every car has (timing, catalytic problems - old, etc.) are part of the E30, but yes, in my opinion, the E30 is the "best" Bimmer ever made reliability-wise. The M3 is just plain sweet, the only M3 to have such a drastic body difference from the 3 of the same time (the new ones have minor differences visually - wheels, body kit, etc). E30s are definitely an awesome first Bimmer, but after a while, I would think to "upgrade" (for lack of a better word) to a newer 3, or a 5.