E30 325i vs E36 325i/328i

[Brenner5]

i've heard that the e36 engines sound sweet with the 24 valves but about performance becasue they look heavier

how does the e36 2.5 compare to the e30 2.5???

i have only raced one e36 2.5 and beat him very easily

how about the e36 2.8? on parkers it only shows that it is 3bhp more than the e36 2.5?? how do the two compare?

[6potWil6pot]

Ive got a road test of a 325i E30 and E36 twin tests, that and other figures suggest theyre roughly as fast as each other but the 24v 6s need to be revved a bit more to get their power. Mines got an M50 24v, pretty fast
328i uses an M52 which is corked for emissions purposes or something so it has the same hp as a 2.5 but a bit more torque, can be uncorked for some nice gains ive heard tho...

[bryang]

230bhp from a 328 available quite easy according to the e36coupe.com forums.

Certainly the last dyno day I attended most where over the 200BHP bracket

I would imagine a E30 325 MIGHT be quicker off the mark that a e36 325, but despite its weight, with better aeros a E36 325 will be quicker at the top end..

[andrewe30m3]

I've had both - 328 and E30 325 (also E30 M3 with 3.5 M30) - The 328 has greater torque than 325 - can be tuned with m50 inlet manifold with some mods to give 200+ bhp reasonably easily - also 328 Sports all come with half leather and some other goodies such as AC, auto dim mirror, M3 body kit etc.

I personnally think its now a tough call to warrant an e30 325 sport over a 328 sport as good e30s go for Ԛ£5k and average 328i sports can go as low as Ԛ£5k - You tend to get a lot more for your money on E36 - especially if you use it as an everyday driver - I chose E36 as it worked out as a much faster and more comfortable car for the same money as e30 sport - given the choice again ... dunno maybe E30 if price was right, but I found it hard to justify spending Ԛ£5k on an e30 (Which is incidentally not far off what I sold my E30 M3 for) - For the record I would definately buy E30 M3 for Ԛ£5k for the right one.

Theres me off on one again... lol

If you want to ask any questions about e36 let me know as I've had two e36s 328is.

cheers andrew

[M5pilot]

328i Sport is a much better car than the 325i sport and is faster. As far as driving experience goes the E30 probably wins but the e36 sport is a much better every day car.

E36 325i vs 325i E30........nothing in it I would say.

[andrewe30m3]

E36 325i vs 325i E30........nothing in it I would say.

I'd say the E30 is better than e36 325 IMO - Early e36 i have heard were pretty ropey - whereas a late e30 325i - all probs ironed out from factory and better feeling car to drive - performance wise - prob not much in it - but can't comment as have never compared the two before.

cheers

[M5pilot]

I would agree, early E36 325i's had really poor build.

E30's were generally the same build quailty all the way through which is extremely good.

Infact, if you go through an e30 and tighten up the interior (nuts, screw etc) its amazing how good it is, hardly any rattles and squeaks.

[randomdave325]

i've driven all three and used to play with my m8's e36 325 a lot and theres not a lot in it. i have to drive my e30 way harder than the e36 (in reverse role situations) but both have to be flat out and it varies (it ain't what you've got it's the way that you drive it type thing) but they are never far from each other how ever long or hard we try. the e36 is easier to drive but not so much fun and too big (in my opinion) . the 328 felt really flat above 4k but had more torque. personally i like revvy engines so the 325 is the one for me. but cam, chip and get a bigger manifold on a 328 and get it revving. it's got to be fun