better m3 e30 or e36

[joefrazier]

i know the e36 has more power, torque, 2 more cylinders and costs more but as far as driving impressions i'd like to hear some feedback.

i'm looking for a street legal track car so i have the typical questions like is handling, suspension design, weight distribution, overall weight.. anything else you guys might come up with



thanks

[muckymotor]

I'd say that most e30 M3s are now more expensive than the e36 as they are much more of a classic. The e36 will be quicker though although not as nimble.

[steil]

The E30 is a nicer drive (assumung it's a decent i.e. not ropey car), however it's older, rarer & costlier to maintain compared to the e36 which is fairly plentiful in supply.

I'd _really_ like an E30 M3 again, however the upkeep/fear factor keeps me in an E36...

[s62]

E30 M3 with an engine from the E36 M3 - best of both

[E36GUY]

I'd love an e30 with the e36 evo engine in it.

Handling-wise - the e30 is one of the all time greats but it's not a fast car. My old e36 328 would murder them in a straight drag.

But if I had an e30 M3 I think I would have to keep it pretty standard as they are an appreciating classic now. I wouldn't use one as a dedicated track car, a ropey e36 would be a much better bet

[RacingBlue]

[Handling-wise - the e30 is one of the all time greats but it's not a fast car. My old e36 328 would murder them in a straight drag.

I am not sure about this quote, i would put money on the e30 m3's you have murdered must have been right dogs!

My car has 215-220 bhp and is a light car weighing in at about 1200kgs, i have never had any trouble with 328, 330's etc.

Also putting a e36 engine into a e30 me is not a grat idea as it ruins the balance of the car and the whole point of a e30 me is the roaring S14 engine.

But if you want cheap thrills then buy a e36 becasue all e30 m3's do is cost and cost and cost and thats even if there good to start with!!

[weed]

I think overall;
If you enjoy the actual act of interfacing with the car....E30 M3.
If you want to go fast(er)....E36.

In my opinion, a well driven E30 M3 by a Pilot with local track knowledge will be almost impossible to overhaul by the slightly above average enthusiast in his faster E36 M3.

m

[ASBO]

I can see this thread running and running...

Out of the box the E30 is a beautifully sorted car. It will cost a fortune to maintain though and is ultimately not that quick in a striaght line.

The E36 was built as GT car, and as such, handles like one. However, any car can be made to handle and at present I'm having my E36 Evo set up for fast-road/track. The added benefit is that it comes as standard with a corker of an engine (I'm not a fan of four-pots) and punts out ~300bhp and happens to sound bloody good whilst it's at it.

If you're prepared to spend a fortune on running a dedicated homologation special then source an E30.

If you want an all rounder (which can also be turned into a track warrior)then the E36 is a better bet.

If you check out many of the forums, you'll note that the E36 is now the default weapon of choice for the track.

[ASBO]

weed said:

I think overall;
If you enjoy the actual act of interfacing with the car....E30 M3.
If you want to go fast(er)....E36.

In my opinion, a well driven E30 M3 by a Pilot with local track knowledge will be almost impossible to overhaul by the slightly above average enthusiast in his faster E36 M3.

m

What utter, utter pish

[RacingBlue]

ASBO said:

weed said:

I think overall;
If you enjoy the actual act of interfacing with the car....E30 M3.
If you want to go fast(er)....E36.

In my opinion, a well driven E30 M3 by a Pilot with local track knowledge will be almost impossible to overhaul by the slightly above average enthusiast in his faster E36 M3.

m

What utter, utter pish

Does your experience tell you this? its a bold statement i know but unless a e36 has some major suspension and brake mods i totally agree that a e36 would not stand a chance. On track in a e30 m3 you dont really notice the lack of BHP due to the fact that you can carry so much corner speed.

[JezF]

ASBO said:

I can see this thread running and running...

If you check out many of the forums, you'll note that the E36 is now the default weapon of choice for the track.

I'll remember that when I go to the next Elise trackday, then - lol!

http://www.lotus-on-track.com/gallery.html

[ASBO]

JezF said:

ASBO said:

I can see this thread running and running...

If you check out many of the forums, you'll note that the E36 is now the default weapon of choice for the track.

I'll remember that when I go to the next Elise trackday, then - lol!

http://www.lotus-on-track.com/gallery.html

Sorry, let me re-word that for the pedants amongst you

If you're into your BMW's then the E36 has become the default track weapon.

[ASBO]

RacingBlue said:

ASBO said:

weed said:

I think overall;
If you enjoy the actual act of interfacing with the car....E30 M3.
If you want to go fast(er)....E36.

In my opinion, a well driven E30 M3 by a Pilot with local track knowledge will be almost impossible to overhaul by the slightly above average enthusiast in his faster E36 M3.

m

What utter, utter pish

Does your experience tell you this? its a bold statement i know but unless a e36 has some major suspension and brake mods i totally agree that a e36 would not stand a chance. On track in a e30 m3 you dont really notice the lack of BHP due to the fact that you can carry so much corner speed.

I was referring mainly to the first part (in bold).

Classic example of internet warriorism. Really gets my goat.

Edited by ASBO on Friday 23 November 15:51

[RacingBlue]

Sorry ASBO, did not mean to offend!!

I dont post to often so my skills of internet communication need brushing up!

[s62]

RacingBlue said:

Also putting a e36 engine into a e30 me is not a grat idea as it ruins the balance of the car and the whole point of a e30 me is the roaring S14 engine.

Have you driven an E30 M3 with an S50 engine?

How much do you think the S50 adds in weight?

Edited by s62 on Friday 23 November 16:58

[E36GUY]

RacingBlue said:

I am not sure about this quote, i would put money on the e30 m3's you have murdered must have been right dogs!

My car has 215-220 bhp and is a light car weighing in at about 1200kgs, i have never had any trouble with 328, 330's etc.

My old 328 was modded to about 220bhp and I drag raced a mate on the way to Le Mans last year and he has one of the most special most original (45000kms) e30s about. With Schrick cams and induction and he didn't have a prayer. Point is, it wasn't a dog!

[joefrazier]

does anyone know the weight distribution of each? or the suspension setups (i.e. does the e36 use struts)?


the e30 is costs more to run? glad someone pointed that out because i thought it was the opposite

Edited by joefrazier on Friday 23 November 17:33

[ASBO]

RacingBlue said:

Sorry ASBO, did not mean to offend!!

I dont post to often so my skills of internet communication need brushing up!

I wasn't directing my bile at you Sir.

I was annoyed at the ball hox being sprouted by the somewhat appropriately named 'Mr Weed'.

[taffyracer]

The E30 is indeed a great car but the amount of money you need to spend to get it remotely close to what a 1/2 decent E36 can do is staggering, a good set of coilovers and a brake some nice AP's and lots of time on weight saving can quite easily bring about a serious track car, it's not as if you;re comparing a volvo estate to a porsche is it, the E36 has a very accomplished chassis, equally as good as an E30 IMO, it was simply detuned for mass production

[ASBO]

JezF said:

Judging by what people can get out of fairly unmolested E30 M3's at the Ring, I'd have to agree with Weed. Despite the fact that I have an E36 M3!

Burn the apostate!