E36 BMW becoming a classic?

[wjb]

Had a couple of E36's, most recently this low miles 316i that I picked up last year, I could've kept it, but I decided to take a bit of profit and sell it on.

The new owner said he was gonna put it in storage, will probably be a classic in about 5 years I reckon.

[E36GUY]

blade7 said:

SidewaysSi said:

I have a rust free, low mile 328 manual coupe and wouldn't let it go for less than £10k. IMO more fun on road than any M3 bar the E30.

Much as I liked my 328 Coupe it was no M3.

Agreed. I've had both and the 328 was great but the M3 is another level. To the point I still have it 11 years later.

As to the topic. I think 328 genuine sports coupes and M3s will get to classic status along with 323/328 sport tourings.

[SidewaysSi]

C70R said:

SidewaysSi said:

C70R said:

SidewaysSi said:

C70R said:

I feel like you're arguing for the sake of defending your car now. You even said "Wooly handling and steering and generally the feel of a heavy 2 door saloon car. " in your own profile!
Is that what makes a car fun? Or great? Or a classic?

Are you really that obtuse? Please re-read and get back to me. Yes, of course it is wooly as a standard untouched car after 20 years of use. But following some tweaks, my car is no longer standard...Now do you understand? I don't think you have any real world experience of a properly upgraded car but I am happy to be proved wrong.

And I really don't need to defend anything at all - I love it for what I use it for (a fun, slideable, family friendly road car) and as I said, that's all that matters. It isn't for sale and quite frankly, I may well still have it in one form or another in 10 years time.

Now please tell me about these 15 that are considerably superior for my needs...

The thread is about the E36 being a "classic". You're now talking about your highly upgraded car as if it somehow makes the standard car better.
As for the 15 cars, I've listed three indisputably superior 3-series models above. In fact, when you add the rarely-sighted sub-£10k E36 M3 into the equation, the 328 might be the fifth-best 3-series under £10k (and that's ignoring the E46 330ci and 325ti, IMHO).
It really isn't hard to find better cars under £10k...

Edited by C70R on Sunday 3rd September 23:07

You did say 15 old chum.

And of course my car is uprated - a standard BMW, most M cars included are fairly dull. Let alone ones with original suspension and are 15+ years old. But I don't think such things really bother you.

Given your list above and car history, let's say we look for different things in a car and leave it at that shall we?!

You're hung up on this "15" thing, aren't you? The fact that there are probably six better 3-series models alone available in your self-imposed budget is telling enough.
Tell me when was the last time you saw someone recommend a 328i E36 when the "what car?" question was "family and fun for £10k". That should say all you need to know.
So, you want some better cars with those criteria (so you can frantically scramble to prove yours is better)?
Rx8, Altezza & Aristo, Audi S3 & S4, Golf R32, Lancer Evo6/7/8, Impreza Spec D/Sti, Focus ST, E39 M5, BMW 130i, Megane 250, C32 AMG. The list is endless...
Had you just been sensible and said £3k, you wouldn't be looking so much of a wally now.

Anyway, that's moot, because the thread was about whether it's a "classic" or not. So far most owners seem to agree, but that means squat.
As for the bit in bold, I'd suggest your standards are low if this is what constitutes a "classic".

As for the car history thing, I've only are cars I've owned since joining. Damned if I can be bothered to list the 20-or-so that preceded this.

Edited by C70R on Monday 4th September 08:47

So I am a "wally" now? Hardly. But this is PH, land of the keyboard warrior with a passing interest in cars as opposed to someone who actually loves and knows much about them.

How you feel you are qualified to tell me what cars are better for me beggars belief. I actually know a few things and have a fair bit of experience but what is that eh? And quite frankly, your experience seems somewhat limited but I will go along.

What you may or probably not have realised is that I look for very different things in cars to most people, you included. I want something basic, fun, slideable at road speeds and which gives me a hit every time I drive it. Hence my current garage, which the BMW is one. I don't care about safety, comfort or toys and actually hate them as they add unnessary complexity.

Since you obviously need this spelling out, let me do this in a way that hopefully even you will understand. And if not, let's just give up.

My car is an E36 328 which will have (and please take this on board) the following changes/upgrades giving a total expenditure probably around the £7-8k mark:

- E30 arms
- M3 bushes
- Z3 steering rack
- upgraded brakes
- LSD with a 3.46 ratio diff
- Bilstein B12 kit
- Stiffer adjustable roll bars
- M50 manifold, induction and BBTB. Then it will be remapped
- X Brace
- Vibratechnics engine mounts
- quickshift and ZHP gearknob
- 15" wheels with 205 section tyres

I have probably missed a few things but given that list and the base car, it is a very compelling road and occasional track car. Something that is chuckable, agile, power oversteerable at sensible speeds and good fun.

So standard leggy examples of a E46 M3, B3 (I don't want a switchtronic), D3 (no diesels) are certainly not more fun or focused than my car. And yes I have driven them all bar the D3. But if you like a good sound system and heated seats, I am sure they would be "indisputably" better.

As for some of your other suggestions:

- RX8 - good car but I don't want the engine issues or rubbish economy. And I didn't like the steering when I drove one.

- Altezza - sorry, holds little appeal and not sure what it adds to the party

- Audis and Golf R32 - really? Do I need to explain?

- Lancers - actually I have been thinking about one. But I would want an RS (Sprint) or TME and they are quite a bit more cash. And they all have far higher limits for on road fun

C32 - No autos and hardly in the same league. I would love a W124 but that is a different sort of car

Megane - I do like these but I want RWD

Focus - err, no. Read my requirements.

E39 M5 - Has an appeal but way too heavy for me.

130 - good car but more expensive and less budget for upgrades. However an upgraded 130 holds far more appeal than a standard E46 M3 for the same .outlay

In many ways you seem to have just listed cars, many of which are totally lacking in the qualities I look for. But I am sure they would make great cars for you.

Edited by SidewaysSi on Monday 4th September 10:01

[C70R]

wjb said:

Had a couple of E36's, most recently this low miles 316i that I picked up last year, I could've kept it, but I decided to take a bit of profit and sell it on.

The new owner said he was gonna put it in storage, will probably be a classic in about 5 years I reckon.

While undoubtedly a lovely, original car, that you obviously covet, your 316i will never be a "classic".

[dannyDC2]

Currently on my third 328i, this one spends most of its time sideways.



I'm after some chrome kidney grills if anyone would like to sell me some?

[C70R]

SidewaysSi said:

C70R said:

SidewaysSi said:

C70R said:

SidewaysSi said:

C70R said:

I feel like you're arguing for the sake of defending your car now. You even said "Wooly handling and steering and generally the feel of a heavy 2 door saloon car. " in your own profile!
Is that what makes a car fun? Or great? Or a classic?

Are you really that obtuse? Please re-read and get back to me. Yes, of course it is wooly as a standard untouched car after 20 years of use. But following some tweaks, my car is no longer standard...Now do you understand? I don't think you have any real world experience of a properly upgraded car but I am happy to be proved wrong.

And I really don't need to defend anything at all - I love it for what I use it for (a fun, slideable, family friendly road car) and as I said, that's all that matters. It isn't for sale and quite frankly, I may well still have it in one form or another in 10 years time.

Now please tell me about these 15 that are considerably superior for my needs...

The thread is about the E36 being a "classic". You're now talking about your highly upgraded car as if it somehow makes the standard car better.
As for the 15 cars, I've listed three indisputably superior 3-series models above. In fact, when you add the rarely-sighted sub-£10k E36 M3 into the equation, the 328 might be the fifth-best 3-series under £10k (and that's ignoring the E46 330ci and 325ti, IMHO).
It really isn't hard to find better cars under £10k...

Edited by C70R on Sunday 3rd September 23:07

You did say 15 old chum.

And of course my car is uprated - a standard BMW, most M cars included are fairly dull. Let alone ones with original suspension and are 15+ years old. But I don't think such things really bother you.

Given your list above and car history, let's say we look for different things in a car and leave it at that shall we?!

You're hung up on this "15" thing, aren't you? The fact that there are probably six better 3-series models alone available in your self-imposed budget is telling enough.
Tell me when was the last time you saw someone recommend a 328i E36 when the "what car?" question was "family and fun for £10k". That should say all you need to know.
So, you want some better cars with those criteria (so you can frantically scramble to prove yours is better)?
Rx8, Altezza & Aristo, Audi S3 & S4, Golf R32, Lancer Evo6/7/8, Impreza Spec D/Sti, Focus ST, E39 M5, BMW 130i, Megane 250, C32 AMG. The list is endless...
Had you just been sensible and said £3k, you wouldn't be looking so much of a wally now.

Anyway, that's moot, because the thread was about whether it's a "classic" or not. So far most owners seem to agree, but that means squat.
As for the bit in bold, I'd suggest your standards are low if this is what constitutes a "classic".

As for the car history thing, I've only are cars I've owned since joining. Damned if I can be bothered to list the 20-or-so that preceded this.

Edited by C70R on Monday 4th September 08:47

[b]So I am a "wally" now? Hardly. But this is PH, land of the keyboard warrior with a passing interest in cars as opposed to someone who actually loves and knows much about them.

How you feel you are qualified to tell me what cars are better for me beggars belief. I actually know a few things and have a fair bit of experience but what is that eh? And quite frankly, your experience seems somewhat limited but I will go along.[/b]

What you may or probably not have realised is that I look for very different things in cars to most people, you included. I want something basic, fun, slideable at road speeds and which gives me a hit every time I drive it. Hence my current garage, which the BMW is one. I don't care about safety, comfort or toys and actually hate them as they add unnessary complexity.

Since you obviously need this spelling out, let me do this in a way that hopefully even you will understand. And if not, let's just give up.

My car is an E36 328 which will have (and please take this on board) the following changes/upgrades giving a total expenditure probably around the £7-8k mark:

- E30 arms
- M3 bushes
- Z3 steering rack
- upgraded brakes
- LSD with a 3.46 ratio diff
- Bilstein B12 kit
- Stiffer adjustable roll bars
- M50 manifold, induction and BBTB. Then it will be remapped
- X Brace
- Vibratechnics engine mounts
- quickshift and ZHP gearknob
- 15" wheels with 205 section tyres

I have probably missed a few things but given that list and the base car, it is a very compelling road and occasional track car. Something that is chuckable, agile, power oversteerable at sensible speeds and good fun.

So standard leggy examples of a E46 M3, B3 (I don't want a switchtronic), D3 (no diesels) are certainly not more fun or focused than my car. And yes I have driven them all bar the D3. But if you like a good sound system and heated seats, I am sure they would be "indisputably" better.

As for some of your other suggestions:

- RX8 - good car but I don't want the engine issues or rubbish economy. And I didn't like the steering when I drove one.

- Altezza - sorry, holds little appeal and not sure what it adds to the party

- Audis and Golf R32 - really? Do I need to explain?

- Lancers - actually I have been thinking about one. But I would want an RS (Sprint) or TME and they are quite a bit more cash. And they all have far higher limits for on road fun

C32 - No autos and hardly in the same league. I would love a W124 but that is a different sort of car

Megane - I do like these but I want RWD

Focus - err, no. Read my requirements.

E39 M5 - Has an appeal but way too heavy for me.

130 - good car but more expensive and less budget for upgrades. However an upgraded 130 holds far more appeal than a standard E46 M3 for the same .outlay

In many ways you seem to have just listed cars, many of which are totally lacking in the qualities I look for. But I am sure they would make great cars for you.

Edited by SidewaysSi on Monday 4th September 10:01

Stop frothing, you hysterical blouse. (See bolded bit)

You turned up on a thread about the E36 being a "classic", and proclaimed that there was nothing better available for "family and fun" for £10k. In your (slightly skewed/narrow) opinion, there's nothing better for "your needs" (whatever slim definition you're deliberately obfuscating).
I told you, and showed you, that IMHO there are probably 20 better cars, and several better 3-series. You responded by continuing to move the goalposts (they are almost on the pitch next-door at the moment ) and wibbling about upgrades/modifications, which wasn't the point of this thread. If you can't see that even one of these cars would be better, then there's a small chance you may be deluded.
I fully accept that I may be missing all of these E36 non-Sport 328 recommendations in the "£10k fun and family" 'what car?' threads.

I'm going to leave you to your delusions, but as a parting gift I'll tell you that your non-Sport 328 will not be worth "£7-8k" this century unless you turn it into some sort of stripped-out racer. At which juncture, your point is moot.

[s m]

dannyDC2 said:

Currently on my third 328i, this one spends most of its time sideways.



I'm after some chrome kidney grills if anyone would like to sell me some?

Great pic Danny!

[wjb]

C70R said:

wjb said:

Had a couple of E36's, most recently this low miles 316i that I picked up last year, I could've kept it, but I decided to take a bit of profit and sell it on.

The new owner said he was gonna put it in storage, will probably be a classic in about 5 years I reckon.

While undoubtedly a lovely, original car, that you obviously covet, your 316i will never be a "classic".

I know, that's why I sold it.

Had it been an E36 M3 on 44k miles I would've kept it!

[blade7]

I will add when I was looking for a weekend car I found an absolutely mint E36 M3 Evo with 40k on it. There's no denying it was much stronger then the 328 over 6k revs, turned in, stopped and was spec'd better, but it didn't seem worth 4 times the money. I bought something else that I still have 8 years on. I'd have bought the M3 if I wanted a car to use every day though.

[InitialDave]

Yes, they will definitely become a classic, though pretty much anything does if it survives long enough, so I'm not sure whether that's any metric for quality etc.

I'd say they'll probably get there on merit, as decent enough cars, and ones people have fond memories of from when they were younger, as opposed to "well, they were utterly shocking, but there's not many left now, and they do personify their era", which is the ticket some stuff certainly rides into "classic" status.

Not massively keen on them myself. I regard the E30 as the one, true 3 series, and I quite like the E46, but the E36 doesn't do much for me. Best way I can describe it is it's the wrong kind of 90s vibe for my tastes, and I really struggle to understand why someone would choose one over what came before or what came after.

[s m]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if they start going up in price for a decent one and attract 'classic' status

I look back at the £500 E21 323i I had and the 2k E30 325i Sport and they'd both go for a lot more now

The era of cheap E21s was only at the beginning of this century ( I'm thinking cheap stuff in the local Bargain Pages etc ) so I think even my E36 would go for more than I sold it 4 years back








Sports will go up the most I reckon but weighed against that, younger people would often rather go for a newer BMW 1/2-series on lease/PCP etc these days - those sort of things weren't as common imho back 20 years ago

[sixpotter]

s m said:

sixpotter said:

Picked up my 1994 325i auto a couple of months back, had some money spent on maintenance over the years and has sunroof, a/c 18 button obc, cross spoke wheels. Feels a special car to me, sounds lovely and is actually going to be moved into the garage. One rear arch starting to bubble that's it. Only car in a long time I've taken out driving for the sake of driving.

My friend had a very early E36 325 for a while when I had my 328. I liked the engine on the 325 - quite different in character, liked to really rev and had a different noise/power delivery to the standard 328. Made an interesting comparison for a 1 bhp difference ( on paper )

Had an e30 325i 10 years ago and the early e36 has a very similar feel but with the nicer 24v motor, the shifter is the same, and it has the lovely smell of old German car.

[Shakermaker]

dannyDC2 said:

Currently on my third 328i, this one spends most of its time sideways.



I'm after some chrome kidney grills if anyone would like to sell me some?

I might have some of these... I'll go and look in my parents garage soon if I remember and if they are there you can have them for postage cost


Anyway, I had an E36 328i Touring back in 2007-08 and I do miss that car. Bought when I was 22 and my first car with some proper "oomph"

It had been modified slightly, with the M- bumpers and side skirts, 18" wheels from an E46 model, and angel-eye headlight conversion. Plus a few engine changes, had about 20bhp more than standard.

Great car. Miss that car. In my opinion, certain models can indeed be given the Modern Classic status.

[jeremyh1]

All early to mid 90s BMW now stand a chance of becoming instreasting classics now

[anonymous-user]

I wonder if the same people saying they'll never become classics are the same folk who never purchased a shed full of mk1 escorts when they were £250 each

[SidewaysSi]

C70R said:

SidewaysSi said:

C70R said:

SidewaysSi said:

C70R said:

SidewaysSi said:

C70R said:

I feel like you're arguing for the sake of defending your car now. You even said "Wooly handling and steering and generally the feel of a heavy 2 door saloon car. " in your own profile!
Is that what makes a car fun? Or great? Or a classic?

Are you really that obtuse? Please re-read and get back to me. Yes, of course it is wooly as a standard untouched car after 20 years of use. But following some tweaks, my car is no longer standard...Now do you understand? I don't think you have any real world experience of a properly upgraded car but I am happy to be proved wrong.

And I really don't need to defend anything at all - I love it for what I use it for (a fun, slideable, family friendly road car) and as I said, that's all that matters. It isn't for sale and quite frankly, I may well still have it in one form or another in 10 years time.

Now please tell me about these 15 that are considerably superior for my needs...

The thread is about the E36 being a "classic". You're now talking about your highly upgraded car as if it somehow makes the standard car better.
As for the 15 cars, I've listed three indisputably superior 3-series models above. In fact, when you add the rarely-sighted sub-£10k E36 M3 into the equation, the 328 might be the fifth-best 3-series under £10k (and that's ignoring the E46 330ci and 325ti, IMHO).
It really isn't hard to find better cars under £10k...

Edited by C70R on Sunday 3rd September 23:07

You did say 15 old chum.

And of course my car is uprated - a standard BMW, most M cars included are fairly dull. Let alone ones with original suspension and are 15+ years old. But I don't think such things really bother you.

Given your list above and car history, let's say we look for different things in a car and leave it at that shall we?!

You're hung up on this "15" thing, aren't you? The fact that there are probably six better 3-series models alone available in your self-imposed budget is telling enough.
Tell me when was the last time you saw someone recommend a 328i E36 when the "what car?" question was "family and fun for £10k". That should say all you need to know.
So, you want some better cars with those criteria (so you can frantically scramble to prove yours is better)?
Rx8, Altezza & Aristo, Audi S3 & S4, Golf R32, Lancer Evo6/7/8, Impreza Spec D/Sti, Focus ST, E39 M5, BMW 130i, Megane 250, C32 AMG. The list is endless...
Had you just been sensible and said £3k, you wouldn't be looking so much of a wally now.

Anyway, that's moot, because the thread was about whether it's a "classic" or not. So far most owners seem to agree, but that means squat.
As for the bit in bold, I'd suggest your standards are low if this is what constitutes a "classic".

As for the car history thing, I've only are cars I've owned since joining. Damned if I can be bothered to list the 20-or-so that preceded this.

Edited by C70R on Monday 4th September 08:47

[b]So I am a "wally" now? Hardly. But this is PH, land of the keyboard warrior with a passing interest in cars as opposed to someone who actually loves and knows much about them.

How you feel you are qualified to tell me what cars are better for me beggars belief. I actually know a few things and have a fair bit of experience but what is that eh? And quite frankly, your experience seems somewhat limited but I will go along.[/b]

What you may or probably not have realised is that I look for very different things in cars to most people, you included. I want something basic, fun, slideable at road speeds and which gives me a hit every time I drive it. Hence my current garage, which the BMW is one. I don't care about safety, comfort or toys and actually hate them as they add unnessary complexity.

Since you obviously need this spelling out, let me do this in a way that hopefully even you will understand. And if not, let's just give up.

My car is an E36 328 which will have (and please take this on board) the following changes/upgrades giving a total expenditure probably around the £7-8k mark:

- E30 arms
- M3 bushes
- Z3 steering rack
- upgraded brakes
- LSD with a 3.46 ratio diff
- Bilstein B12 kit
- Stiffer adjustable roll bars
- M50 manifold, induction and BBTB. Then it will be remapped
- X Brace
- Vibratechnics engine mounts
- quickshift and ZHP gearknob
- 15" wheels with 205 section tyres

I have probably missed a few things but given that list and the base car, it is a very compelling road and occasional track car. Something that is chuckable, agile, power oversteerable at sensible speeds and good fun.

So standard leggy examples of a E46 M3, B3 (I don't want a switchtronic), D3 (no diesels) are certainly not more fun or focused than my car. And yes I have driven them all bar the D3. But if you like a good sound system and heated seats, I am sure they would be "indisputably" better.

As for some of your other suggestions:

- RX8 - good car but I don't want the engine issues or rubbish economy. And I didn't like the steering when I drove one.

- Altezza - sorry, holds little appeal and not sure what it adds to the party

- Audis and Golf R32 - really? Do I need to explain?

- Lancers - actually I have been thinking about one. But I would want an RS (Sprint) or TME and they are quite a bit more cash. And they all have far higher limits for on road fun

C32 - No autos and hardly in the same league. I would love a W124 but that is a different sort of car

Megane - I do like these but I want RWD

Focus - err, no. Read my requirements.

E39 M5 - Has an appeal but way too heavy for me.

130 - good car but more expensive and less budget for upgrades. However an upgraded 130 holds far more appeal than a standard E46 M3 for the same .outlay

In many ways you seem to have just listed cars, many of which are totally lacking in the qualities I look for. But I am sure they would make great cars for you.

Edited by SidewaysSi on Monday 4th September 10:01

Stop frothing, you hysterical blouse. (See bolded bit)

You turned up on a thread about the E36 being a "classic", and proclaimed that there was nothing better available for "family and fun" for £10k. In your (slightly skewed/narrow) opinion, there's nothing better for "your needs" (whatever slim definition you're deliberately obfuscating).
I told you, and showed you, that IMHO there are probably 20 better cars, and several better 3-series. You responded by continuing to move the goalposts (they are almost on the pitch next-door at the moment ) and wibbling about upgrades/modifications, which wasn't the point of this thread. If you can't see that even one of these cars would be better, then there's a small chance you may be deluded.
I fully accept that I may be missing all of these E36 non-Sport 328 recommendations in the "£10k fun and family" 'what car?' threads.

I'm going to leave you to your delusions, but as a parting gift I'll tell you that your non-Sport 328 will not be worth "£7-8k" this century unless you turn it into some sort of stripped-out racer. At which juncture, your point is moot.

If I listened to people like you on PH, life would be pretty dull. Moving goalposts? Hardly. I have told you my requirements and preferences but it is not something you seem to be able to understand. The reality is your definition of "better" differs to mine. For instance, an E46 B3 has zero appeal for me given the gearbox. Is it that difficult to comprehend? I guess my Caterham is a bit st in comparison to an M3? I suggest you really do learn to understand another opinion - it may help you in the big wide world.

Also I don't care what it's worth as I told you - £7k or thereabouts is what it will cost me and given it is a long term proposition I don't care. For me, yes ME - there is little that can beat it for reasonable money.

Sod other BMWs, a 105 Alfa with a TS engine conversion and a few other bits would be ace and better than what I have. But don't you worry yourself about such things - they don't have air con.

[C70R]

SidewaysSi said:

C70R said:

SidewaysSi said:

C70R said:

SidewaysSi said:

C70R said:

SidewaysSi said:

C70R said:

I feel like you're arguing for the sake of defending your car now. You even said "Wooly handling and steering and generally the feel of a heavy 2 door saloon car. " in your own profile!
Is that what makes a car fun? Or great? Or a classic?

Are you really that obtuse? Please re-read and get back to me. Yes, of course it is wooly as a standard untouched car after 20 years of use. But following some tweaks, my car is no longer standard...Now do you understand? I don't think you have any real world experience of a properly upgraded car but I am happy to be proved wrong.

And I really don't need to defend anything at all - I love it for what I use it for (a fun, slideable, family friendly road car) and as I said, that's all that matters. It isn't for sale and quite frankly, I may well still have it in one form or another in 10 years time.

Now please tell me about these 15 that are considerably superior for my needs...

The thread is about the E36 being a "classic". You're now talking about your highly upgraded car as if it somehow makes the standard car better.
As for the 15 cars, I've listed three indisputably superior 3-series models above. In fact, when you add the rarely-sighted sub-£10k E36 M3 into the equation, the 328 might be the fifth-best 3-series under £10k (and that's ignoring the E46 330ci and 325ti, IMHO).
It really isn't hard to find better cars under £10k...

Edited by C70R on Sunday 3rd September 23:07

You did say 15 old chum.

And of course my car is uprated - a standard BMW, most M cars included are fairly dull. Let alone ones with original suspension and are 15+ years old. But I don't think such things really bother you.

Given your list above and car history, let's say we look for different things in a car and leave it at that shall we?!

You're hung up on this "15" thing, aren't you? The fact that there are probably six better 3-series models alone available in your self-imposed budget is telling enough.
Tell me when was the last time you saw someone recommend a 328i E36 when the "what car?" question was "family and fun for £10k". That should say all you need to know.
So, you want some better cars with those criteria (so you can frantically scramble to prove yours is better)?
Rx8, Altezza & Aristo, Audi S3 & S4, Golf R32, Lancer Evo6/7/8, Impreza Spec D/Sti, Focus ST, E39 M5, BMW 130i, Megane 250, C32 AMG. The list is endless...
Had you just been sensible and said £3k, you wouldn't be looking so much of a wally now.

Anyway, that's moot, because the thread was about whether it's a "classic" or not. So far most owners seem to agree, but that means squat.
As for the bit in bold, I'd suggest your standards are low if this is what constitutes a "classic".

As for the car history thing, I've only are cars I've owned since joining. Damned if I can be bothered to list the 20-or-so that preceded this.

Edited by C70R on Monday 4th September 08:47

[b]So I am a "wally" now? Hardly. But this is PH, land of the keyboard warrior with a passing interest in cars as opposed to someone who actually loves and knows much about them.

How you feel you are qualified to tell me what cars are better for me beggars belief. I actually know a few things and have a fair bit of experience but what is that eh? And quite frankly, your experience seems somewhat limited but I will go along.[/b]

What you may or probably not have realised is that I look for very different things in cars to most people, you included. I want something basic, fun, slideable at road speeds and which gives me a hit every time I drive it. Hence my current garage, which the BMW is one. I don't care about safety, comfort or toys and actually hate them as they add unnessary complexity.

Since you obviously need this spelling out, let me do this in a way that hopefully even you will understand. And if not, let's just give up.

My car is an E36 328 which will have (and please take this on board) the following changes/upgrades giving a total expenditure probably around the £7-8k mark:

- E30 arms
- M3 bushes
- Z3 steering rack
- upgraded brakes
- LSD with a 3.46 ratio diff
- Bilstein B12 kit
- Stiffer adjustable roll bars
- M50 manifold, induction and BBTB. Then it will be remapped
- X Brace
- Vibratechnics engine mounts
- quickshift and ZHP gearknob
- 15" wheels with 205 section tyres

I have probably missed a few things but given that list and the base car, it is a very compelling road and occasional track car. Something that is chuckable, agile, power oversteerable at sensible speeds and good fun.

So standard leggy examples of a E46 M3, B3 (I don't want a switchtronic), D3 (no diesels) are certainly not more fun or focused than my car. And yes I have driven them all bar the D3. But if you like a good sound system and heated seats, I am sure they would be "indisputably" better.

As for some of your other suggestions:

- RX8 - good car but I don't want the engine issues or rubbish economy. And I didn't like the steering when I drove one.

- Altezza - sorry, holds little appeal and not sure what it adds to the party

- Audis and Golf R32 - really? Do I need to explain?

- Lancers - actually I have been thinking about one. But I would want an RS (Sprint) or TME and they are quite a bit more cash. And they all have far higher limits for on road fun

C32 - No autos and hardly in the same league. I would love a W124 but that is a different sort of car

Megane - I do like these but I want RWD

Focus - err, no. Read my requirements.

E39 M5 - Has an appeal but way too heavy for me.

130 - good car but more expensive and less budget for upgrades. However an upgraded 130 holds far more appeal than a standard E46 M3 for the same .outlay

In many ways you seem to have just listed cars, many of which are totally lacking in the qualities I look for. But I am sure they would make great cars for you.

Edited by SidewaysSi on Monday 4th September 10:01

Stop frothing, you hysterical blouse. (See bolded bit)

You turned up on a thread about the E36 being a "classic", and proclaimed that there was nothing better available for "family and fun" for £10k. In your (slightly skewed/narrow) opinion, there's nothing better for "your needs" (whatever slim definition you're deliberately obfuscating).
I told you, and showed you, that IMHO there are probably 20 better cars, and several better 3-series. You responded by continuing to move the goalposts (they are almost on the pitch next-door at the moment ) and wibbling about upgrades/modifications, which wasn't the point of this thread. If you can't see that even one of these cars would be better, then there's a small chance you may be deluded.
I fully accept that I may be missing all of these E36 non-Sport 328 recommendations in the "£10k fun and family" 'what car?' threads.

I'm going to leave you to your delusions, but as a parting gift I'll tell you that your non-Sport 328 will not be worth "£7-8k" this century unless you turn it into some sort of stripped-out racer. At which juncture, your point is moot.

If I listened to people like you on PH, life would be pretty dull. Moving goalposts? Hardly. I have told you my requirements and preferences but it is not something you seem to be able to understand. The reality is your definition of "better" differs to mine. For instance, an E46 B3 has zero appeal for me given the gearbox. Is it that difficult to comprehend? I guess my Caterham is a bit st in comparison to an M3? I suggest you really do learn to understand another opinion - it may help you in the big wide world.

Also I don't care what it's worth as I told you - £7k or thereabouts is what it will cost me and given it is a long term proposition I don't care. For me, yes ME - there is little that can beat it for reasonable money.

Sod other BMWs, a 105 Alfa with a TS engine conversion and a few other bits would be ace and better than what I have. But don't you worry yourself about such things - they don't have air con.

Tantrum much?

[Leptons]

C70R said:

Tantrum much?

I know you're on the wind up but do you really have to quote the entire thing every time? It's fking annoying.

[C70R]

Leptons said:

C70R said:

Tantrum much?

I know you're on the wind up but do you really have to quote the entire thing every time? It's fking annoying.

I'm really not.
What sort of wally comes wading into a thread and tries to convince everyone that his modded, non-Sport, E36 328 is the best "family and fun under £10k"?

[s m]

yonex said:

I wonder if the same people saying they'll never become classics are the same folk who never purchased a shed full of mk1 escorts when they were £250 each

I think there's a few of us who wished we had a big free barn somewhere to store old stuff