best bmw? e30 or e36 - Drifting forum

retrodan · 27-04-2008, 13:50

im after a cheapish daily drive/skidder for some fun and games, i have been interested in bmw's for a while now, juts the style thesound of the straight 6 and they look lik e they handle nice aswell!!

what i want to know is what is the better choice, i want 2.5 min engine size, i like the e30 325's or the e36 325/328 in 2/4door!!
o and best place to look for one and what kinda price to pay
what is the better choice, for skidding, modding and like general running including insurance!!

cheer for any advice

**Paz** · 27-04-2008, 13:53

For me, E30's are cooler/look better but E36's make more sense, cheaper, more reliable etc.... E36 325's go pretty well man!

Mason@SWC · 27-04-2008, 13:53

E30 is by far the better car, cheaper too...only advantage i would give the E36 is it's better on fuel.

turbo-tastic · 27-04-2008, 13:54

I'd say E36 for daily skidding.

More reliable, 24v engines and you can now get E36 325's cheaper than their E30 equivilents

**Paz** · 27-04-2008, 13:54

These days, a good E30 325 costs way more than an E36..

Jimthejunior · 27-04-2008, 13:57

Yep can't go wrong with an 2.5 e36. Majority of 325 e30's cost more then the 325 e36 equivalent as tt said. A lad on td got a 325 4dr for about £450 with a years test last year. There are more upgrades available for the e36 but there is still plenty about for the e30.

retrodan · 27-04-2008, 13:58

mint!! i blame mark/paz/will/mjg for my new bmw obsession!!

was at lyddon hill track day yesterday and tere where couple e36's screaming round, sounded so nice and handled really well!!

**Paz** · 27-04-2008, 13:58

I love it

retrodan · 27-04-2008, 14:01

what kinda money do e36 325's and up cost insurance wise, im 24, no pionts and 2yrs ncb!!

ofcourse i will search myself, but wont pay stupid money, cant warrent expensive insurance!!

green-giant · 27-04-2008, 14:08

......
ive just read the search bit

Dunx · 27-04-2008, 14:52

Insurance costs - its worth noting you can insure the e30s as a classic car with some companys which means cheapness

E36s seem to be cheaper than good e30s - and 325 saloons can get picked up for around 450 with tax and ticket if your not in a rush to get one.

I couldnt decide between the 2 myself - I love my e30 now it has brakes

- but I do miss my e36 but never tried to skid it then so cant compare them in that aspect.

E30s engine is sooo easy to work on though. And the main thing I dont like about mine is the steering (can solve with an e36 or z3 rack) and the trailing arm rear suspension (although it seems more robust than the E36 Z axle)

MJG · 27-04-2008, 14:59

e36 325i ftw. Good luck and have fun.

20vWill · 27-04-2008, 16:12

Out the box an E30 325 is a better bet than an E36, just because it's lighter really. You need the E36 rack though.

E36 are ultimately better if you want to do stuff to it and make it fast though.

Get either though.

turbo-tastic · 27-04-2008, 18:33

Well since my last post, I've bought this

It feels much better to drive than either of the E30's I've owned which inc a 318iS (apparently iconic

I thought it was moderatly average) and way more comfortable.

Karan · 27-04-2008, 18:34

e30+welder+bucket+e36 rack..... all u need

cossiecrew · 27-04-2008, 18:40

ive had both in 2.5 and theres not much in it to be fair both skid well

MJG · 27-04-2008, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karan

e30+welder+bucket+e36 rack..... all u need

The man speaketh the truth, however, don't bother paying much more for an e30 than an e36 as they are both pretty similar.

griffo20022 · 27-04-2008, 19:14

Exactly the same thing i'm after if the volvo goes, i'm really liking the idea of a bit of pimp skidding and the E36's look like the choice to do it for me. The insurance is suprisingly cheap for me. Haven't done a quote on an E30 but i'm not gonna bother unless the Volvo sells. I think i'd definately prefer a 4door

Papercutout · 27-04-2008, 19:26

Could you not search for something like an e28 535 instead? I mean, how much fun?

As for the things to do to an E30 - cut the springs, stock height is too wallowy.

oli · 27-04-2008, 19:50

e36 325i

e30s more likely to have more rust.

e36's feel like the go better and are much more economical (to my old e30 touring) fuel and insurance.

I love my e36

27-04-2008, 13:50	#1 (permalink)
retrodan cant skid Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: sittingbourne,kent Posts: 2,892	best bmw? e30 or e36 im after a cheapish daily drive/skidder for some fun and games, i have been interested in bmw's for a while now, juts the style thesound of the straight 6 and they look lik e they handle nice aswell!! what i want to know is what is the better choice, i want 2.5 min engine size, i like the e30 325's or the e36 325/328 in 2/4door!! o and best place to look for one and what kinda price to pay what is the better choice, for skidding, modding and like general running including insurance!! cheer for any advice

27-04-2008, 19:50	#20 (permalink)
oli -nightspirit- Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: swindon Posts: 4,767	e36 325i e30s more likely to have more rust. e36's feel like the go better and are much more economical (to my old e30 touring) fuel and insurance. I love my e36 Last edited by oli : 27-04-2008 at 20:02.

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27-04-2008, 13:53	#2 (permalink)
Paz -NIGHTSPIRIT FAMILY- Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Stoke-On-Trent Posts: 5,513	For me, E30's are cooler/look better but E36's make more sense, cheaper, more reliable etc.... E36 325's go pretty well man!

27-04-2008, 13:53	#3 (permalink)
Mason@SWC -NightWalkers- Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cardiff, UK Posts: 818	E30 is by far the better car, cheaper too...only advantage i would give the E36 is it's better on fuel.

27-04-2008, 13:54	#4 (permalink)
turbo-tastic 4 finger fail Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: looking for my C-Spanners Posts: 3,667	I'd say E36 for daily skidding. More reliable, 24v engines and you can now get E36 325's cheaper than their E30 equivilents

27-04-2008, 13:54	#5 (permalink)
Paz -NIGHTSPIRIT FAMILY- Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Stoke-On-Trent Posts: 5,513	These days, a good E30 325 costs way more than an E36..

27-04-2008, 13:57	#6 (permalink)
Jimthejunior Represent Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,656	Yep can't go wrong with an 2.5 e36. Majority of 325 e30's cost more then the 325 e36 equivalent as tt said. A lad on td got a 325 4dr for about £450 with a years test last year. There are more upgrades available for the e36 but there is still plenty about for the e30.

27-04-2008, 13:58	#7 (permalink)
retrodan cant skid Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: sittingbourne,kent Posts: 2,892	mint!! i blame mark/paz/will/mjg for my new bmw obsession!! was at lyddon hill track day yesterday and tere where couple e36's screaming round, sounded so nice and handled really well!!

27-04-2008, 13:58	#8 (permalink)
Paz -NIGHTSPIRIT FAMILY- Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Stoke-On-Trent Posts: 5,513	I love it

27-04-2008, 14:01	#9 (permalink)
retrodan cant skid Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: sittingbourne,kent Posts: 2,892	what kinda money do e36 325's and up cost insurance wise, im 24, no pionts and 2yrs ncb!! ofcourse i will search myself, but wont pay stupid money, cant warrent expensive insurance!!

27-04-2008, 14:08	#10 (permalink)
green-giant tail slider Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brighton(not the gay bit!) Posts: 95	...... ive just read the search bit

27-04-2008, 14:52	#11 (permalink)
Dunx dorifto kingu! Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 521	Insurance costs - its worth noting you can insure the e30s as a classic car with some companys which means cheapness E36s seem to be cheaper than good e30s - and 325 saloons can get picked up for around 450 with tax and ticket if your not in a rush to get one. I couldnt decide between the 2 myself - I love my e30 now it has brakes - but I do miss my e36 but never tried to skid it then so cant compare them in that aspect. E30s engine is sooo easy to work on though. And the main thing I dont like about mine is the steering (can solve with an e36 or z3 rack) and the trailing arm rear suspension (although it seems more robust than the E36 Z axle)

27-04-2008, 14:59	#12 (permalink)
MJG e30 of Death Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Derby, England Posts: 10,701	e36 325i ftw. Good luck and have fun.

27-04-2008, 16:12	#13 (permalink)
20vWill ...... Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Doon Sooth Posts: 3,422	Out the box an E30 325 is a better bet than an E36, just because it's lighter really. You need the E36 rack though. E36 are ultimately better if you want to do stuff to it and make it fast though. Get either though.

27-04-2008, 18:33	#14 (permalink)
turbo-tastic 4 finger fail Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: looking for my C-Spanners Posts: 3,667	Well since my last post, I've bought this It feels much better to drive than either of the E30's I've owned which inc a 318iS (apparently iconic I thought it was moderatly average) and way more comfortable.

27-04-2008, 18:34	#15 (permalink)
Karan dorifto kingu! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 883	e30+welder+bucket+e36 rack..... all u need

27-04-2008, 18:40	#16 (permalink)
cossiecrew spl dori master Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 334	ive had both in 2.5 and theres not much in it to be fair both skid well

27-04-2008, 19:14	#18 (permalink)
griffo20022 BMW Driver... Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 1,102	Exactly the same thing i'm after if the volvo goes, i'm really liking the idea of a bit of pimp skidding and the E36's look like the choice to do it for me. The insurance is suprisingly cheap for me. Haven't done a quote on an E30 but i'm not gonna bother unless the Volvo sells. I think i'd definately prefer a 4door

27-04-2008, 19:26	#19 (permalink)
Papercutout dorifto kingu! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nr. Oxford Posts: 849	Could you not search for something like an e28 535 instead? I mean, how much fun? As for the things to do to an E30 - cut the springs, stock height is too wallowy.