Stick or twist?

[velocerosso]

Currently have a Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon 1.8 Twin Spark. Have no complaints: I've owned two Alfas since 2007, great drive and bags of fun.

However, I've always liked the idea of owning a BMW E30, probably a bigger engine version.

Question is A) What are the pros and cons of owning a BMW B) Which size of engine is generally the best for performance and economy?

Ah, almost forgot: It'll probably be a 'Touring' version. Need to accommodate the family.

Cheers, VR

[magpie]

you want a a 328i m52 converted touring one that's been done properly will keep you happy with a decent mpg return .

[bosers]

Agreed! Mines been a bloody delight this last year, it's full to the brim with tools this eve as moving sites. Gives me 20 mpg all day long! I do drive like a Berk mind

[capri_rob]

I loved my 156 sportwagon was a cracking drive.

Mechanically an E30 is MUCH easier to work on than a 156 - whoever designed the 156 airbox and positioned it where it is wants a rusty nail driving into his skull

However an E30 will also be more rusty than your 156

If youre looking for a compromise between performance and economy you probably want an M42 converted touring which has the 1.8 16v engine from the 318iS.

The downside of running an E30 as a daily really is just that they are now very old cars. I love mine and cant see me ever selling it but thats partly because i enjoy it when i use it because its feels old but fast, fun and makes a great noise, but i have a modern car with all the creature comforts and decent economy to get me to work and back every day.

[bosers]

There is no substitute for the e30, I've never had a better car. I've always had bangers, Audi's , v dubs but for driver feel there's none better.

[velocerosso]

That's exactly the same as the Alfa. Fantastic driving machine. It really was designed for the driving 'buzz'. It's very grippy around the bends and the steering is like a go-kart. However, they do have their distinct quirks: Reliability isn't an issue but repairs and replacement parts are awkward to fix.

If the right car comes along: BMW 32 something E30 version or, if I can find the right one, Alfa 156 SW 3.2 GTA.

As I'm not very familiar with BMWs, things like M52 means nothing to me. My first thoughts of the E30 was the 325.

[Mr-Lachs]

The downside of running an E30 as a daily really is just that they are now very old cars. I love mine and cant see me ever selling it but thats partly because i enjoy it when i use it because its feels old but fast, fun and makes a great noise, but i have a modern car with all the creature comforts and decent economy to get me to work and back every day.

This. My 325i is for sparingly dry days only and i have a modern daily, but theres no substitute for the drive - they are utterly amazing cars to drive, light, nimble, fast, the sound...20 odd years on since my first I've still yet to find a better car, even that said though i wouldn't daily one now (i did a few 15 odd years ago) as they are old cars now, prefer to cosset these days, but thats just personal choice on my behalf.

[ross_jsy]

A 325i is a nice tram. Not quick compared to modern traffic but feel a lot quicker than they are. I daily a 325i and get about 16mpg with a heavy right foot and driving in Jersey so no long runs.

An m52 is the 24v that came in the e36, e34 etc (think 328i). Being a more modern lump they are better on fuel and make more power. Standard they are 192hl but 210-220 is easy with a single bolt on mod (m50 inlet). Finding a converted car that has been done to a decent standard could be an issue though.

The other option as mentioned would be an m42 converted touring. The m42 was the 16v 4 cylinder fitted to the 318iS. Decent enough power and good efficiency, but if you want a 6 pot and the extra torque/power/lovely sound they make, I would go for a 6 pot.

[capri_rob]

That's exactly the same as the Alfa. Fantastic driving machine. It really was designed for the driving 'buzz'. It's very grippy around the bends and the steering is like a go-kart. However, they do have their distinct quirks: Reliability isn't an issue but repairs and replacement parts are awkward to fix.

If the right car comes along: BMW 32 something E30 version or, if I can find the right one, Alfa 156 SW 3.2 GTA.

As I'm not very familiar with BMWs, things like M52 means nothing to me. My first thoughts of the E30 was the 325.

The alfa 156 steering is superb - even if you swapped the rack on an E30 you wont get close to how fast the 156 rack is.

I had a 2.0 twinspark sportwagon it was great - especially above 3500 rpm

[magpie]

i have here a VERY clean 318i none sunroof auto touring and i will be fitting a 318is 16v m42 engine in it soon .
the car will be for sale and it's only covered 79k miles [ car ] the engine is sound i know the owner and car that it's out of .

would you be interested in this at all ?

[velocerosso]

i have here a VERY clean 318i none sunroof auto touring and i will be fitting a 318is 16v m42 engine in it soon .
the car will be for sale and it's only covered 79k miles [ car ] the engine is sound i know the owner and car that it's out of .

would you be interested in this at all ?

Thanks. Looks quite nice. Does it have cloth or leather seats? If you have a number in mind, please feel free to PM me with additional details.

[velocerosso]

That's exactly the same as the Alfa. Fantastic driving machine. It really was designed for the driving 'buzz'. It's very grippy around the bends and the steering is like a go-kart. However, they do have their distinct quirks: Reliability isn't an issue but repairs and replacement parts are awkward to fix.

If the right car comes along: BMW 32 something E30 version or, if I can find the right one, Alfa 156 SW 3.2 GTA.

As I'm not very familiar with BMWs, things like M52 means nothing to me. My first thoughts of the E30 was the 325.

The alfa 156 steering is superb - even if you swapped the rack on an E30 you wont get close to how fast the 156 rack is.

I had a 2.0 twinspark sportwagon it was great - especially above 3500 rpm

Agreed. Even my 1.8 sounds great pumped up through the gears. Their engines have a unique sound: BMs, Audis etc have a lovely creamy grunt... the Alfa is far from creamy, but very feisty feel and sound to it.

[magpie]

i have here a VERY clean 318i none sunroof auto touring and i will be fitting a 318is 16v m42 engine in it soon .
the car will be for sale and it's only covered 79k miles [ car ] the engine is sound i know the owner and car that it's out of .

would you be interested in this at all ?

Thanks. Looks quite nice. Does it have cloth or leather seats? If you have a number in mind, please feel free to PM me with additional details.

cloth seats

[magpie]

i can also fit a full 325i engine with s/s full exhaust and convert it to manual

[velocerosso]

i can also fit a full 325i engine with s/s full exhaust and convert it to manual

Well, manual gearbox is a preferred choice. Likewise leather seats is good: My Alfa has Momo full leather, but cloth isn't a deal breaker as long as the numbers stack up.

[magpie]

you don't want much

[Brianmoooore]

FYI, all tourings, unlike saloons, whatever their engine size, had brakes and suspension to a similar spec. to the 325i saloon. A 2.5 engine dropped into a 318i touring will result in a car not too dissimilar to one that started life as a 325i touring, whereas a similar situation with a saloon can require suspension and brake upgrades to go with the engine swap.

[baggimodo]

Lovely looking touring that Mick! Would be perfect with a six pot in imo I'm really thinking about breaking mine and buying one!

[velocerosso]

you don't want much

It's what you're used to, I suppose. Seats can be changed but manual gearbox is something I've always owned.

[ross_jsy]

Auto's can be swapped to. Buy an e30 on shell condition, everything else bolts on easily enough

[velocerosso]

Cheers guys.

The problem I have is the Alfa has set a very high benchmark.

My brother has a 2004 Audi 1.8T Cabriolet. It is everything that most people say about German engineering: Cracking build quality, nicely designed; more toys than the Alfa; quiet at high speeds; pretty quick.

By contrast, the Alfa picks up loads of tyre noise and not quite as quick in a straight line but more than makes up for it at road holding. The biggest difference, however, is the Audi feels soulless to drive: No feedback from the steering. In terms of smiles per miles, the Italian is hard to match, much less beat.

The only experience I have of BMWs goes way back to the early 90s: School mate had a 5 series (520 I think) from the mid 80s. Can't remember much about it.

Any other car won't be in addition to... but a direct replacement for the Alfa. So it'll need to be speacial or have the prospect to be very special.

[ross_jsy]

Obviously we are all biased as it's an e30 owners site, but nothing drives like an e30 IMO. It's a very involved drive, especially when it's wet out.

My favourite thing about it is, while keeping up with normal traffic it is still engaging.

Keep in mind they are old cars now and from a completely different generation to your Alfa

[velocerosso]

Obviously we are all biased as it's an e30 owners site, but nothing drives like an e30 IMO. It's a very involved drive, especially when it's wet out.

My favourite thing about it is, while keeping up with normal traffic it is still engaging.

Keep in mind they are old cars now and from a completely different generation to your Alfa

Completely understand your sentiments. I can guess the E30s are a good drive, and if it suits your taste then nothing else will better it for the money.

If I see one for sale in my area, I will endeavour to test it and report back on my thoughts based on its own merits and compared to the Alfa.

[robbo86]

M42 engine touring possibly up for sale soon...?

May I register an interest?