best bmw? e30 or e36 - Page 2 - Drifting forum

Silverfang · 27-04-2008, 21:35

E30 is cheap as chips and lighter than the E36, but the E36 has more parts avaliable to tune it.

It's down to personal preference, since the E30 is such a doddle to work on compared to the E36 conterpart (I've worked on both, the E30 is easier 90% of the time) And there's guides onto how to install the E36 M50 2.5 engine into the E30 on E30Zone.

Worth keeping in mind you can pick up a good E30 for peanuts if you don't get a 2.5 and look for a 2.5 engine later on. They're usually no more than £200 or so (£350 i think tops for a engine and box) which you can bolt in in a day if you're handy with spanners.

Suspension wise , get good springs AND SHOCKS! I had springs on mine only and the handling was utterly appalling with the stock shocks (think bouncy castle with sump kissing tarmac antics

) I'd at least look for springs and shocks from a sport or touring that's being broken as these tend to be Bilstein shocks with the bigger sleeves allowing for upgrades to stiffer shocks at a later stage.

Biggest issue with the E30s is rust (Not uncommon for spots, though have seen big holes in a few) And shot bushes. The subframe bushes are the worse to go and well worth upgrading to poly if you can do so.

Steering wise E36 rack is the way to go, though Z3 1.9 is better, they're rarer than rocking horse poo to find! , You'd need an solid guido for the steering rack made to a certain design (I'm making one up on a CAD package i use at uni

) plus parts of the E36 column and a new hose to build the complete setup.

To be said though, the E30 chassis does slide well

though I'm gonna put mine to the test on the 14th May at DWYB, hoping my sport setup with polybushes and a 3.91 LSD works well , but the engine may decide to call it quits since it's smoking a bit..

MJG · 27-04-2008, 22:48

Buy my column spacers for your e36 rack, none of that solid bush shit.

sammysideways · 27-04-2008, 23:04

kinda related i suppose out of intrest whats the factory weight of e30 and e36? also what does a e36 touring weight? someone told me about 1800 kg?

**Paz** · 27-04-2008, 23:21

More like 1300kg sammy?

sammysideways · 27-04-2008, 23:29

thats what i was thinking, just a lardy saloon.

goose · 27-04-2008, 23:44

my stock M3 sideways!

excuse the ft bumper had a mis hap with a barrier the night before!

best fun ever and it doesent feel delicate like other cars ive driven/owned so fingers crossed i have no major problems with it!

retrodan · 28-04-2008, 12:05

e36 it is i feel, pretty sure it will be 4door aswell!! as will be keeping interior in this one!!

Andy.w · 28-04-2008, 12:56

ive had both and have to say i loved to E30 to bits but the E36 has that edge to it IMO. cheaper than an E30 now-a-days, 2.5 has more grunt, i think more mods for them.

Easier to get parts for........

I picked up my E36 2.5 coupe, 100k, service history, full black leather, 17", lowered, mot + tax for £1000.......

steerfromtherear · 28-04-2008, 16:18

Ive had 4 of each. I personally prefer the e36 325i over all of them (not including the 3.0 m3 but Im guessing your not talking big bucks) as it generally ticks all the boxes all of the time.
It is tough, reliable, quick, cheap to run (considering its size and performance anyway) yet can look modern and expensive if that please you. It skids well and my m50 was very reliable and very responsive.

I dont get why people say e30s are better, they arent worse but they are dated, rattly and they all smell funny lol.

astraboy · 28-04-2008, 16:43

Another vote for an E36 i'm afraid. I'll also echo the sentiments above, it doesnt feel fragile when you're abusing it.
I also wholeheartedly reccomend the 3L M3 engine and Evo box combination. Tranformed the car.

astraboy.

neil a walker · 28-04-2008, 17:10

Agree on the e36 being better all round, Had a 320 saloon, then a 328 coupe Always wished i went for the 325 instead of the 328 as never really trusted the ali m52 as much as the iron m50 in the 320. 328 a bit more torque but pretty dead on its arse above 5 grand. e36 325 for the win. (just bought one for £200,and got a lsd!) result will be breaking in september if anyone wants bits?

Andy.w · 28-04-2008, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil a walker

Agree on the e36 being better all round, Had a 320 saloon, then a 328 coupe Always wished i went for the 325 instead of the 328 as never really trusted the ali m52 as much as the iron m50 in the 320. 328 a bit more torque but pretty dead on its arse above 5 grand. e36 325 for the win. (just bought one for £200,and got a lsd!) result will be breaking in september if anyone wants bits?

how much for your lsd dude

neil a walker · 28-04-2008, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy.w

how much for your lsd dude

already sold that im afraid mate. had lots of people ripping my arm off for it as their rare as rocking horse

badboyM3 · 28-04-2008, 21:00

I have an M / E-36 to drift and I will be alright,E-30 are hard of body

I love my e-36 but M//3

greetings

green-giant · 28-04-2008, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by astraboy

Another vote for an E36 i'm afraid. I'll also echo the sentiments above, it doesnt feel fragile when you're abusing it.
I also wholeheartedly reccomend the 3L M3 engine and Evo box combination. Tranformed the car.

astraboy.

Just curious. why the 3l M3 engine and EVO g/box combo and not a 3.2L M3 EVO engine with EVO G/box????

neil a walker · 28-04-2008, 21:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by green-giant

Just curious. why the 3l M3 engine and EVO g/box combo and not a 3.2L M3 EVO engine with EVO G/box????

the vanos on evo is a little bit fragile if previous owners havent changed the small filter in it, and evo gearbox is 6 speed so better ratio's. the 3.0 m3 engine is a beauty and can take a hell of a lot of sh*

t

Andy.w · 28-04-2008, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil a walker

already sold that im afraid mate. had lots of people ripping my arm off for it as their rare as rocking horse

NO WORRIES

Stavros · 28-04-2008, 23:09

Personal preferance I reckon as they both good cars, but a car you got real love for is the best, frick technical ability when they both decent.

Personally id LOVE a real nice light E30 with a big meaty torquey engine in it. A 3.5 or at least 24v 2.5, must be a lot of fun

Daddy_D · 29-04-2008, 11:21

vwf drift power - Video - E30
YouTube - BMW drift - E36

Both BMW are good cars and my vote goes for E36!

Cyruz · 29-04-2008, 18:31

I driven both, daily driver wise the e36 is a lot more refined, it's smoother and easier to drive etc, I've driven countless e30's and all seem a lot more effort to drive on the roads regardless of modifications etc.

Drifting however is a different thing, I've not skidded an e36 so can't comment but I loved skidding my e30 and one that's stiff with an e36 rack is an awesome weapon.

Just my 2p

27-04-2008, 21:35	#21 (permalink)
Silverfang No longer K1 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UH's workshop / Milton Keynes Posts: 831	E30 is cheap as chips and lighter than the E36, but the E36 has more parts avaliable to tune it. It's down to personal preference, since the E30 is such a doddle to work on compared to the E36 conterpart (I've worked on both, the E30 is easier 90% of the time) And there's guides onto how to install the E36 M50 2.5 engine into the E30 on E30Zone. Worth keeping in mind you can pick up a good E30 for peanuts if you don't get a 2.5 and look for a 2.5 engine later on. They're usually no more than £200 or so (£350 i think tops for a engine and box) which you can bolt in in a day if you're handy with spanners. Suspension wise , get good springs AND SHOCKS! I had springs on mine only and the handling was utterly appalling with the stock shocks (think bouncy castle with sump kissing tarmac antics ) I'd at least look for springs and shocks from a sport or touring that's being broken as these tend to be Bilstein shocks with the bigger sleeves allowing for upgrades to stiffer shocks at a later stage. Biggest issue with the E30s is rust (Not uncommon for spots, though have seen big holes in a few) And shot bushes. The subframe bushes are the worse to go and well worth upgrading to poly if you can do so. Steering wise E36 rack is the way to go, though Z3 1.9 is better, they're rarer than rocking horse poo to find! , You'd need an solid guido for the steering rack made to a certain design (I'm making one up on a CAD package i use at uni ) plus parts of the E36 column and a new hose to build the complete setup. To be said though, the E30 chassis does slide well though I'm gonna put mine to the test on the 14th May at DWYB, hoping my sport setup with polybushes and a 3.91 LSD works well , but the engine may decide to call it quits since it's smoking a bit.. Last edited by Silverfang : 27-04-2008 at 21:48.

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27-04-2008, 22:48	#22 (permalink)
MJG Most wanted Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Derby, England Posts: 9,655	Buy my column spacers for your e36 rack, none of that solid bush shit.

27-04-2008, 23:04	#23 (permalink)
sammysideways dorifto kingu! Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 7,086	kinda related i suppose out of intrest whats the factory weight of e30 and e36? also what does a e36 touring weight? someone told me about 1800 kg?

27-04-2008, 23:21	#24 (permalink)
Paz -NIGHTSPIRIT FAMILY- Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Stoke-On-Trent Posts: 5,387	More like 1300kg sammy?

27-04-2008, 23:29	#25 (permalink)
sammysideways dorifto kingu! Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 7,086	thats what i was thinking, just a lardy saloon.

27-04-2008, 23:44	#26 (permalink)
goose gripper Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 27	my stock M3 sideways! excuse the ft bumper had a mis hap with a barrier the night before! best fun ever and it doesent feel delicate like other cars ive driven/owned so fingers crossed i have no major problems with it!

28-04-2008, 12:05	#27 (permalink)
retrodan cant skid Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: sittingbourne,kent Posts: 2,612	e36 it is i feel, pretty sure it will be 4door aswell!! as will be keeping interior in this one!!

28-04-2008, 12:56	#28 (permalink)
Andy.w PROJECT E36 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Slough, Berkshire Posts: 474	ive had both and have to say i loved to E30 to bits but the E36 has that edge to it IMO. cheaper than an E30 now-a-days, 2.5 has more grunt, i think more mods for them. Easier to get parts for........ I picked up my E36 2.5 coupe, 100k, service history, full black leather, 17", lowered, mot + tax for £1000.......

28-04-2008, 16:18	#29 (permalink)
steerfromtherear dorifto kingu! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,117	Ive had 4 of each. I personally prefer the e36 325i over all of them (not including the 3.0 m3 but Im guessing your not talking big bucks) as it generally ticks all the boxes all of the time. It is tough, reliable, quick, cheap to run (considering its size and performance anyway) yet can look modern and expensive if that please you. It skids well and my m50 was very reliable and very responsive. I dont get why people say e30s are better, they arent worse but they are dated, rattly and they all smell funny lol.

28-04-2008, 16:43	#30 (permalink)
astraboy Yer, fookin' Volvoooo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sideways Posts: 885	Another vote for an E36 i'm afraid. I'll also echo the sentiments above, it doesnt feel fragile when you're abusing it. I also wholeheartedly reccomend the 3L M3 engine and Evo box combination. Tranformed the car. astraboy.

28-04-2008, 17:10	#31 (permalink)
neil a walker spl dori master Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the shire Posts: 343	Agree on the e36 being better all round, Had a 320 saloon, then a 328 coupe Always wished i went for the 325 instead of the 328 as never really trusted the ali m52 as much as the iron m50 in the 320. 328 a bit more torque but pretty dead on its arse above 5 grand. e36 325 for the win. (just bought one for £200,and got a lsd!) result will be breaking in september if anyone wants bits?

28-04-2008, 21:00	#34 (permalink)
badboyM3 gripper Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: girona(spain) Posts: 11	I have an M / E-36 to drift and I will be alright,E-30 are hard of body I love my e-36 but M//3 greetings

28-04-2008, 23:09	#38 (permalink)
Stavros DEYTUKURJURBS Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Posts: 8,824	Personal preferance I reckon as they both good cars, but a car you got real love for is the best, frick technical ability when they both decent. Personally id LOVE a real nice light E30 with a big meaty torquey engine in it. A 3.5 or at least 24v 2.5, must be a lot of fun

29-04-2008, 11:21	#39 (permalink)
Daddy_D D1 street king Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 805	vwf drift power - Video - E30 YouTube - BMW drift - E36 Both BMW are good cars and my vote goes for E36!

29-04-2008, 18:31	#40 (permalink)
Cyruz Dirty e30 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bournemouth/Plymouth Posts: 1,228	I driven both, daily driver wise the e36 is a lot more refined, it's smoother and easier to drive etc, I've driven countless e30's and all seem a lot more effort to drive on the roads regardless of modifications etc. Drifting however is a different thing, I've not skidded an e36 so can't comment but I loved skidding my e30 and one that's stiff with an e36 rack is an awesome weapon. Just my 2p