e36 convertible or e30 convertible

[david106]

I've always fancied a e30 325i convertible but I've been looking on auto trader and the price of e36 convertibles are very tempting .
Whats the best engine to have in a e36 ?

[darkchild]

Any of the 6 cylinders are good but the pick of the bunch is the 328i. Very brisk and reasonably economical when driven sensibly. The M43 1.8's, whilst being a very good engine, don't really have enough power for the heavier convertible bodystyle.

[e36boy]

Although I like E36's.......I think theyre at rock bottom at this moment in time ! Too new to be classic and too old to be seen as a nice car E30's are more desirable at the moment and they look cool in cabriolet guise.

If you go for the E36 go for a 6 cyl and go 328i.....Providing its a newer one your after If not then go 325i.
The 4 cyl are guttless tbh.

[jaffro]

ive got a e30 cab a to be honest im going off it quickly. but out of the 2 its e30 all the way

[darkchild]

Although I like E36's.......I think theyre at rock bottom at this moment in time ! Too new to be classic and too old to be seen as a nice car

Whilst there are some horrific examples out there, its a lot easier to source a good E36 convertible than an E30. A late 328i convertible is probably the last E36 with a real value and therefore haven't fell into chav hands...yet!

[gooner1]

May well get tarred and feathered for this, but speaking as a 325i cab owner, i,d say it depends entirely on what
you can pick up a good 328i cab for. Think you would have to pay in the region of 4 long ones for a decent E30 cab, do,nt get me wrong i,m well happy with mine but to get it up to scratch its going to cost me £2000 upwards for a respray and some minor cosmetics. Which im happy to spend as its mechanically sound and still just under 99000 on the clock. Never driven a 328i cab so can,t comment on how they handle or perform, but asthetically the E30 has the edge imho, though having said that i also think the 328i cab is easy on the eye.
Sorry if this a bit long winded, but just done 9 hours fishing in the sun, after a night shift and i,m running on pure caffeine.

[david106]

The chav factor does worry me a bit but you can say that with the e30 aswell . whatever i choose will be my daily runner so a hardtop would be nice

[gooner1]

What sort of prices are they going for david106, sorry can,t be arsed to look mate.

[david106]

plenty of 328i on 97/98 plates for £3k alot with good history and sensible miles or a 96 328 with hardtop for £3200ono

[gooner1]

Hmmm, that,s not too much more than the coupes. Anyone want to buy an E30 cab?

[madaboutthe30]

Id rather go for the e30.

The e36 doesnt really fit in anywhere in a sense that its not a classic car yet and looks a bit dated for it to be classed as a modern day car.

I see e36s everywhere, where as e30s are a rare site down here, that makes them all the more special

[david106]

I was hoping it might piss down all summer then the prices might go even lower.
I came past a garage today and they had a 330i e46 convertible couldnt see the reg as it had a 330ci plate covering it but they wanted £12k . dont get me wrong its a nice motor but i couldnt justify spending that amount of wedge.

[e36boy]

Id rather go for the e30.

The e36 doesnt really fit in anywhere in a sense that its not a classic car yet and looks a bit dated for it to be classed as a modern day car.

I see e36s everywhere, where as e30s are a rare site down here, that makes them all the more special

I dont get all this E30's are rare business..........I see loads every day, Granted theyre rarer than an E36 but Its only the sought after models that are quite rare, Such as a 325i sport or an M3.

If I were you Id drive both and see what tickles your fancy, But if the E36 328's are down at those prices id certainly be looking at going for one.
Ive owned two E36's and one E30 and the E36's have been the most reliable Cars ive ever owned ......And I tend to drive my cars very hard.

[B7]

I have both a 1989 325 convertible and one of the last 1999 323 (2.5) e36 convertibles.

The e30 is now a classic and it's starting to feel that way. mine is fully sorted yet it feels dated and i like that as a fun car. It's more involving. The manual hood makes it feel old as well but I own it as a classic, not a status symbol. But I wouldn't want to do 20k miles a year in it lets put it like that!

The e36 is an excellent every day car. Can't fault it. electric hood works faultlessly, and being a manual 2.5, it's fairly brisk (328's are better). The interior is a much nicer place to be and with the fatory MTec bodykit it looks the part as well. I can drive it every day with no issues, it starts, stops and is 100% reliable.

If your after an every day car, get an e36 all the way.

[e36boy]

I have both a 1989 325 convertible and one of the last 1999 323 (2.5) e36 convertibles.

The e30 is now a classic and it's starting to feel that way. mine is fully sorted yet it feels dated and i like that as a fun car. It's more involving. The manual hood makes it feel old as well but I own it as a classic, not a status symbol. But I wouldn't want to do 20k miles a year in it lets put it like that!

The e36 is an excellent every day car. Can't fault it. electric hood works faultlessly, and being a manual 2.5, it's fairly brisk (328's are better). The interior is a much nicer place to be and with the fatory MTec bodykit it looks the part as well. I can drive it every day with no issues, it starts, stops and is 100% reliable.

If your after an every day car, get an e36 all the way.

Totally agree with those comments

[Rav335uk]

E 30 all the way. Nuff said