E36 BMW 328i Sport VS Mercedes 190E 2.5-16

[Low_E30]

Which is the better in terms of value/ fun factor/ build quality etc etc/

I know one is 4 cylinder & the other is 6 cylinder, 2 door compared to 4 door, one is from the 80's & the other is from the 90's...

But they both got similar power, & decent ones seem to cost about the same. Both are RWD. And both are subtle as hell in the looks department. Both are also a hoot to drive....

PS:No point comparing the Cossie to the E30 M3 at the moment as values are not even in the same ball park...


Discuss.....

[Ollie_bwoii]

I'd go for the 190E imo on looks, But can't advise on what there like to drive!

[320ise]

the 190 may be the better investment what about rot though? do the 190`s get eaten by it badly? if so i would go for the 328i as its gonna be easyer in general to find a very tidy car for pennys really.

[Ollie_bwoii]

My dad has a 1989 190, and its a great car! Hasn't rotted anywhere really, just a couple of scabs! Seems to pull well, but the gearbox is a bit clunky! (Not a bad thing)

Its a 2.0 though so the 2.5 16 will be a very different car!

+1 with it being a better investment! 2.5 over 2.3 as well!

[Low_E30]

Iv heard the 2.3/2.5's can suffer where the normal ones dont in terms of rot & that is under the bodykit, specificaly under the plastic wheel arches... easy enough to detect.

[oakey]

Surely you'd have to shell out more to get a good 190 16v than a good 328i??
I'd go for the merc everytime but that's mainly because they look absolutely great They're a hoot to drive aswell and I've only driven a pretty crappy one.
Speed wise I would have thought the 328i would have the edge as my brother's e36 325i was dead level with his mates 190 2.3. Neither could pull away from or catch each other.

[Cloggy Saint]

And both are subtle as hell in the looks department.

Nothing subtle about the 190's rear spoiler, it's fookin' huge!

[Low_E30]

And both are subtle as hell in the looks department.

Nothing subtle about the 190's rear spoiler, it's fookin' huge!

I think you must be on about the evo spoiler that came on the evo versions....

The one on the normal versions is probably in real terms no biggger than the one found on Tech2 sports, 328i Sports etc etc.

I would no way describe it as huge.

[oakey]

[Low_E30]

That black is probably the colour to have.

[F17RAK]

Merc definatly, it will hold its value, infact it may even go up. But your gonna have to live with the dogleg if you get a manual!

[Low_E30]

Iv got a dogleg on mine.

A bit notchy but its fine & strong as hell, it suits the chracteristics of the rev-happy engine much better than the Auto.

[csl]

As an everyday car i think i would have a 328i Sport,as i'm assuming they are better to live with on that basis and easier to get parts?
If it was something for the weekend etc,i would have the Cosworth. Just the fact that they have close racing connections is reason enough for me !

[csl]

Oh,and it would have to be a manual version Cosworth.

[e30bmlover]

i too would have the mercedes!! i love their looks..

[steerfromtherear]

Ive owned both.
Performance wise theres not a lot in it, handling either tbh. The merc feels more raw, rev happy and involving but thats probably an age thing.

Depends what you want the car for. If its going to be a weekend car or track car then the merc for me. If you want something to use all the time then 328 sport wins hands down.

They rot bad under the kits, front wings, rear arches and valance. Body panels arent too expensive. Genuine merc cossie (they are different) front wings are around £200 iirc.
Seats normally wear very well, door cards tend to go baggy and come apart.

328i sport uses pretty much generic e36 parts throughout so everything you need to replace can be bought from GSF for next to nothing.

Almost everything for a merc cossie costs an arm and a leg.
Early manifolds crack, these cost £750 to replace. The stronger ones have a buttress looking support welded in between the flange and each pipe. Down pipes are £250, thats a grand for the front half of your exhaust. Timing chain should be done at 100k, thats a grands worth of parts and work then some.

Although its performance isnt quite up to par the merc is more closely compared to an e30 m3 than any other car. The classic feel, the raw zingy 4 pot, the motorsport connections, the excellent handling and balance. If thats what you want in a car then they are good value comparitively. If you want something pretty, quick and hassle free then go for the sport.

[Alyman]

What's the going rate for a 190E 2.5 16? I happen to know where one is parked up... looks in good enough nick, but hasn't moved in ages, couple of tyres have gone flat. I've been tempted to ask how much the owner wants for it...

[e30bmlover]

What's the going rate for a 190E 2.5 16? I happen to know where one is parked up... looks in good enough nick, but hasn't moved in ages, couple of tyres have gone flat. I've been tempted to ask how much the owner wants for it...

go for it! whats the worst he can say?? these are hard times, he might be strapped for cash..

[pikanibbles]

Is there a difference between the 328i and the 328i Sport? Stiffer supsension, close ratio box, etc?

[Low_E30]

Like Steerfromtherear stated, everything for a Merc Cossie is big money to replace, thats why so many end up making such good breakers when when they rot away or something big goes bang....

Even the nastiest breaker is worth more than a grand if complete... Shame but atleast the good ones are being kept on the road for sensible money.


The self leveling rear suspension is really big money to sort if it goes wrong. Some people convert to a normal set up in an effort to keep costs down. This is not liked by the enthuisiasts!

[e30bmlover]

Is there a difference between the 328i and the 328i Sport? Stiffer supsension, close ratio box, etc?

suspension... gearbox, lsd, black headlining, m3 styling, i suppose all were an option at the time of purchase..

[steerfromtherear]

Dont think black headlining was an option.

Tbh 328i sports are even less different to a 328i than e30 sports are to regular 325s.
They command a large premium over stock 328s for not much in the way of extra stuff but not as much of a premium as e30 sports do...

[Leemc2009]

I cant really say on the W201, go over to MBClub.co.uk for some top advice.. the 'cosworth' Mercs are highly sort after, very much like E30 325i Sports are..

I had a 1994 W202 C280 Sport, full factory fitted C36 AMG Styling, full heated/electric black leather, manual gearbox, genuine factory 17" AMG Styling II's.. I absolutely loved it.. and I've had to disagree about the colour.. someone above saying black is the best colour.. in my opinion the best colour is 199 Blue/Black..

I would say it would be a very close match to the E36 328i Sport.. the W201 190E 'cosworth' cars are going to fetch a bit more money than a W202.. I've seen some cars going for £8-9k.. EVO models are similar to E30 M3 prices.

I'd have another Mercedes in a heat-beat I absolutely love them.. more so than BM's.. only thing that let my Merc down was the manual box.. notchy.. would have much rathered an auto.. and for a 200bhp 2.8 did feel very under powered.. but felt the same whether travelling at 30 or 140mph.. there was no real surge of power.. just the same power regardless of speed.