E30 Zone

are they any good im not looking to get one but just wondered if any zoners had ownd any ????

I don't mind them, problem is toooo many M3 replicas about.. when you have an E36 M3, you think people think its a replica...!

My old one, I want it back Sold it when I moved to a bigger house!

wayneE30 wrote:are they any good im not looking to get one but just wondered if any zoners had ownd any ????

hi, mate i have a 318is model , superb fuel econmy , comfortable , refined , reliable , but im sticking with my e30 325i , they have more charecter than the e36, but whatever floats your boat. but the e36 is a good car , just try to find an original 1 that has not been neglected , or crashed , and that it has a genuine service history.

i've had 2 e36 328is. pretty good cars for soaking up miles - not as responsive as e30 325i or M3, but for a decent 325i sport, you can also have a pretty good e36 328i coupe - given the choice of a 4k e30 or a 4k e36 - it would be a difficult decision - i like them both - all depends what you want to do with it.

P.s i would however swap my 328i sport with a nice e30 M3, I miss my M3 and the way it handles - e36 cant touch a standard e30 m3 in the twisties.

I had an E36 compact for a number of years. It was the ickle 316i - great car if a little slow Only ever had one major problem and that was a head gasket that went. I was really happy with it otherwise.

i`ve nearly bought one a few times, watch out though as there are loads of chav`d up 316`s out there
try and find a nice original one

so all in all the e36 is alright then thats good must admit i do like the way they look

I've had an E36 325 coupe for the last 18 months, it's up for sale now but is a great car and a real step on from the E30 in many ways.

BMW made the E30. Things went downhill from there on.

I have a 328 sport fully loaded and fctory m kit and wheels, apart from the mirrors, its a good car i cant falt it.
They are just boring to drive and look more date'ed than an e30 already.

Brianmoooore wrote:BMW made the E30. Things went downhill from there on.

you have a point there brian, up to a point!! some folks like to fit the 24v engines out of the e36 to e30's

the e36 is a lot more common than the e30 on the roads.

early ones had appalling build quality/fit and finish, however the later ones (m plate onwards) are actually fairly decent cars, not as involving as the e30 but capable cruisers none the less!

Despite what anyone says the E36 M3 is a hell of a car.

timARE wrote:I've had an E36 325 coupe for the last 18 months, it's up for sale now but is a great car and a real step on from the E30 in many ways.

in my own opinion, the e36 is a great car if you want to churn the miles out without too much fuss. if you only want to get from place to place, then its ace! however, if you want to feel involved in the driving experience, then e36 is not the car that you want! its numb in the handling a bit, lacks steering feedback, you dont feel involved as much, but on the plus side, its more comfortable, quieter, better on fuel, and it protects you slightly better in a crash, as long as u dont have a compact, then u might as well put on a helmet and cut the boot off ur e36 all together. lol

I almost bought one a LOT of times. My first beemer was almost a 323 on an R plate, but i had to have an e30 coz it felt so much more involving. Both have their merits and downfalls, but id like to own both. I can see myself buying an e36 next year when im a bit better off.. which brings me to my quote above... timARE, how much and any info/pics?

timARE wrote:Despite what anyone says the E36 M3 is a hell of a car.

It's a better one when the engine's transplanted into an E30!

Brianmoooore wrote:BMW made the E30. Things went downhill from there on.

yep thats the truth

320Touring wrote:

Brianmoooore wrote:BMW made the E30. Things went downhill from there on.

you have a point there brian, up to a point!! some folks like to fit the 24v engines out of the e36 to e30's
!

I have fitted the M50 vanos engine into one of my E30s, and am in the early stages of another one using a M54 twin vanos.
I know the M20 engine is a beautifully smooth, lovely sounding motor, but it is hopelessly dated. It has obviously evolved from an ancient pushrod design through much modification about as far as it can go, which has resulted in an engine that leaks oil through every possible place at every opportunity, has a plumbing system of a complexity that defies belief, and cracks more than its fair share of heads.
The E36 and onwards engines I like, the car I don't.

Brianmoooore wrote:

timARE wrote:Despite what anyone says the E36 M3 is a hell of a car.

It's a better one when the engine's transplanted into an E30!

Or a Compact, which is half E30.

My first BMW was a new E30, and I've done 300K+ miles in E36s.

Imo an E36 is a nicer overall means of transport, but an E30 is more connected/ fun for the enthusiast, in the same way that an E36 beats an E46. (An M Coupe/breadvan or E36 Compact is a good comprimise imo. )

Drove the E36 that gave it's life for my E30 for a hundred miles or so before killing it, and was not impressed at all. May as well have been an Astra or a Focus.
300 non motorway miles in an newish Astra SRi yesterday. Shall be sticking with the E30.
Astra has Recaro seats, BMW has Recaro seats. 300 miles in the Astra - ready for the chiropractor. All day in the BM - totaly comfortable, no aches at all. Why?

i was told that its common for the e36 engine(im not sure wich one) to have head gasket problems is this true? or are the bulletproof like most of the e30's

wayneE30 wrote:i was told that its common for the e36 engine(im not sure wich one) to have head gasket problems is this true? or are the bulletproof like most of the e30's

M50's a lot more bulletproof than the M20, and keeps it's oil and water where it belongs.
Only known weakness,AFAIK, is with the vanos system, and occasional dud HT coil.
You might be thinking of the profile gasket on some 4 pots.

avoid the 316 and 318 they just don`t have enough power,

325i with the M50 is the best bet.

see if you can find a spec`d up 325se or 325sport even

Ive had three e36's.A 92 316i saloon,a 94 320i coupe and currently a 97 323i coupe.I was into the e36 before i bought an e30.I love the e36 and the e30 both for different reasons.Even though the e36 was the direct replacement for the e30 they are two different cars,built in different decades for different purposes.The e36 was much more of a departure from the e30 than the e46 from the e36.They both(e30 and e36)have good and bad points.Personally i think the e30 is very good as a driving tool,(318is,325sport and m3)far more driver feedback.Its more apealing and exclusive because it's getting older.The e36 is pretty good at everything,less excusive cause they are so common.The e36 m3 is a misile.My choice would be a non evo 286bhp earlier model.

A1BMW325iSport wrote:avoid the 316 and 318 they just don`t have enough power,

325i with the M50 is the best bet.

see if you can find a spec`d up 325se or 325sport even

M52 is better - lighter weight, and more tuneable.


as for the debate well both have their good an bad points.

e30 is cheap as chips on the whole
reliable enuff
its limits r lower, as such its deemed to be more fun.



e36 is more comfy
more reliable
quieter everywhere esp on m/way
a bit less wieldy - eg not as easy to throw around.


day to day the e36 is a much beter prospect
as a hooligans car the e30 wins


thats the non ///M models.

the m3's arent really comparable imo.
the e30 m3 is race bred, lhd only, not a good everyday car - due to lack of refinement, 4 pot wrongness and other e30 things (noise etc) - however as a lanes/track day car its awesome.
e36 m3 is an amazing car - i doubt many on here wud not like them if they gave them a chance

Brianmoooore wrote:

320Touring wrote:

Brianmoooore wrote:BMW made the E30. Things went downhill from there on.

you have a point there brian, up to a point!! some folks like to fit the 24v engines out of the e36 to e30's
!

I have fitted the M50 vanos engine into one of my E30s, and am in the early stages of another one using a M54 twin vanos.
I know the M20 engine is a beautifully smooth, lovely sounding motor, but it is hopelessly dated. It has obviously evolved from an ancient pushrod design through much modification about as far as it can go, which has resulted in an engine that leaks oil through every possible place at every opportunity, has a plumbing system of a complexity that defies belief, and cracks more than its fair share of heads.
The E36 and onwards engines I like, the car I don't.

i totally understand your point about the engines mate, and i'm aware that the m20 is oldskool tech, but what i was pointing out was that note EVERYTHING went downhill after the e30, thats all

320Touring wrote: i totally understand your point about the engines mate, and i'm aware that the m20 is oldskool tech, but what i was pointing out was that note EVERYTHING went downhill after the e30, thats all

how u figure that ?

the m3's arent really comparable imo.
the e30 m3 is race bred, lhd only, not a good everyday car - due to lack of refinement, 4 pot wrongness and other e30 things (noise etc) - however as a lanes/track day car its awesome.
e36 m3 is an amazing car - i doubt many on here wud not like them if they gave them a chance

i would have to agree about the m3 as i saw an old topgear today and they featured the e30 m3 the m5 and a funny wedge shaped bmw that i've never seen before but they basicly said that the m3 is a pure racing car with a family shell on it thats so

Chaos wrote:

320Touring wrote: i totally understand your point about the engines mate, and i'm aware that the m20 is oldskool tech, but what i was pointing out was that not EVERYTHING went downhill after the e30, thats all

how u figure that ?

well, the e36 engine (m50) is popular for conversions, the steering rack is also a popular retrofit. What i mean is that the e36 offered some advancements in terms of tech, which can be used to improve the e30, ergo the e3 wasnt all downhill!

there is a good side to e36's is all i'm saying.

I'm saying that BMW cars went downhill after the E30, not that there wasn't any usefull developments.
One of the main reasons for the decline was the rise of the compensation culture, and the fact that at the time of the development of the E36, BMW could sell anything with a BMW badge on it, no matter how good or bad it was.
The E36 rack is hardly a technological development - it's just made with a coarser pitch on the rack teeth.

Brianmoooore wrote:I'm saying that BMW cars went downhill after the E30, not that there wasn't any usefull developments.
One of the main reasons for the decline was the rise of the compensation culture, and the fact that at the time of the development of the E36, BMW could sell anything with a BMW badge on it, no matter how good or bad it was.
The E36 rack is hardly a technological development - it's just made with a coarser pitch on the rack teeth.

agreed then

my we are such intelligent fellows!btw how goes the m50 conversion?

M50 goes fine. Gets started up and shunted around, but STILL not on the road properly.
Just can't find the time to finish the paintwork -It's a lovely mix of Malachite green and primer at the moment.

Brianmoooore wrote:M50 goes fine. Gets started up and shunted around, but STILL not on the road properly.
Just can't find the time to finish the paintwork -It's a lovely mix of Malachite green and primer at the moment.

good good! 'rat ride' is a plan-just spray the whole car with primer and put racing stipes down the LHS of the roof

Brianmoooore wrote:I'm saying that BMW cars went downhill after the E30

i find that statement laughable.

i dont like the styling much on some of the bangle models but the range between e30 and now has been pretty superb.

e36 - slate it all u want, but it was a good car
e34 - bloody good
e39 - awesome
e31 - outrageous, not a gr8 seller but what a a car.
e46 - outstanding

Chaos wrote:

Brianmoooore wrote:I'm saying that BMW cars went downhill after the E30

i find that statement laughable.

i dont like the styling much on some of the bangle models but the range between e30 and now has been pretty superb.

e36 - slate it all u want, but it was a good car
e34 - bloody good
e39 - awesome
e31 - outrageous, not a gr8 seller but what a a car.
e46 - outstanding

Pretty superb maybe - compared with other marques, but they have become overweight , suffering from middle age spread, and the handling has been neutered due to fears of litigation.
I also don't agree with those that suggest the E30 isn't suitable for everday mororing, or has been surpassed by others.
I did 300 miles in an 03 Astra SRI this week, and in noway dos it match the E30 on comfort, handling, noise levels, ventilation or performance.
My parents have an 02 Audi A3. Same applies there.

i have to agree with brian on this one

having driven hundreds of cars new and old on a regular basis and having owned every type of car going i always come back to e30s

i understand some of the comments for newer car but for driveability and pleasure of driving i will always have an e30 for a daily driver and mines only a 320i not the best on juice but think about it what would you really have instead of an e30?? the look great,go well, are fairly solid and rust free if looked after they also cost pennies to keep on the road my last mot bill for parts was Ԛ£35 and that was for brake pipes all in all i have never had any other car that could give me as much pleasure and still have the cool factor as well as being super reliable and easy and cheap to fix in 90% of cases
the misses has had e36 and now has e46 and yes its quickish and comfy but it dosent give me any buzz at all when i drive it it just feels overweight and overly worked as a car theres no real feel to the steering and its no way as good on any road as my e30
e30s forever in my world Daz

well im definatly convinced that e30 are the better car for tha diehard driver however the e36 is still good from what most people have said and im now thinking i want one