Well got myself an e36

[e36boy]

I used to have a 'T' plate M tech 318is a couple of years ago............ Mine was silver and it had been to the moon and back, I think it had done about 148k miles when i sold it. It was a very nice car and never let me down and still pulled well even with the mileage.
I think the e36 handle very well..............Especially with the M tech suspension...............I dont no why you get people saying 'It didnt like corners' etc

Anyway mate, Yours looks a very nice and clean example and a nice colour aswell.

[dickster]

I took alot of stick from E30 owners when I bought my E36 M3, in a way it feels a bit like my E30 Sport did 5 years ago-I don't mean in terms of performance I mean in having a 15 year old BMW that can still felt/feels tight and solid and offers alot for the money.

As an everyday motor that needs to be reliable and half decent on fuel you could do alot worse!

[darkchild]

I dont no why you get people saying 'It didnt like corners' etc

It's from the ill advised who've probably only ever driven a J plate M40 316i with the balljoints hanging out and snapped springs. A well maintained coupe is a superb handling car that still provides a modern and refined driving experience. E30's and E36's are both good cars but completely different. The anti E36 thing is bizarre to say the least. You may prefer an E30 but an E36 is a better all round car.

[Ian_M]

Well, I'm really enjoying my car.. It's faster, more efficient, looks nicer (imo) and is just an all round nice car.

I will get some pics up I promise! Weather has just been miserable so now my car is dirty and it needs a wash!

[tim_s]

yeah darckchild but likewise Ian_M is comparing an bog standard 8v m40 e30 (no sports bits, normal small strut suspension etc) to a 16v m44 e36 with mtec kit and suspension etc, so his comparison is just as skewed really. Had he been comparing an e36 IS to an e30 IS it might be a bit more interesting
From experience (my IS had a 1.8 when my bro had the 1.9 e36 m44)
Faster - e30
More efficient - e30
Looks nicer - matter of opinion! I prefer the e30 as its a much more distinctive design, I think the e36 is nice but bland by comparison

I'd also add that out of the box I think the handling of the e36 is better (probably owing to how nailed most e30s are), but with LSDs much more common for e30s, and after suspension mods on both, it's a much closer call, imo the e30 is more rewarding and fun to drive, though I do like the e36 4 pots' handling.

[darkchild]

yeah darckchild but likewise Ian_M is comparing an bog standard 8v m40 e30 (no sports bits, normal small strut suspension etc) to a 16v m44 e36 with mtec kit and suspension etc, so his comparison is just as skewed really. Had he been comparing an e36 IS to an e30 IS it might be a bit more interesting
From experience (my IS had a 1.8 when my bro had the 1.9 e36 m44)
Faster - e30
More efficient - e30
Looks nicer - matter of opinion! I prefer the e30 as its a much more distinctive design, I think the e36 is nice but bland by comparison

I'd also add that out of the box I think the handling of the e36 is better (probably owing to how nailed most e30s are), but with LSDs much more common for e30s, and after suspension mods on both, it's a much closer call, imo the e30 is more rewarding and fun to drive, though I do like the e36 4 pots' handling.

The E30 is definitely the more rewarding to drive when you get it right. E36's are far more forgiving though and the 4 pots are stuck almost limpet like to the road (all that extra weight!).

An E30 318is is a good second quicker to 60 than an E36, but the later car has the edge on top speed due to its more aerodynamic styling.

They're both good cars but have different strengths. The E36 is probably a little too refined for its own good and lacks the raw driver focused appeal of the E30. One thing I wish I could transfer from my E30 to my E36's is the better visibility. Nice skinny A-Pillars and parkings a lot easier in a car where you can see both the end of the boot and bonnet!

[Ian_M]

I'm not comparing it to an E30 IS I'm just comparing it to my previous car... Silly of me to try and compare it something I've never driven before!

You might be right, but well... I wanted something that wasn't likely to be a rustbox and be reliable as my new job means I have to travel a bit further everyday. As I'm not intending on racing about performance comparisons between models doesn't bother me (E30 IS to E36 IS etc). It's got plenty of poke for me when I need it.

The only thing that's a bitch is parking as you can't see the sodding boot!

[tim_s]

yeah that's what I said dude (comparing e30 8v to e36 16v). I understand your reasons for going for the e36, I'd prob do the same if I wanted a runner.