E30 325i vs E36 M3 coupe

[Rodney///Marsh]

hey bud.. I too was in this boat trying to figure out which one.. I searched high and low to find a decent 325iS but the pricing was insane. and even though I am a real BMW enthusiast, I couldn't see myself paying that for the car.

soo one afternoon a 327iS came out of the woodwork and was for sale at a very nice price. I went to test drive and I was happy. at the same time, my phone rings and my mate says, bro, that black M is up for grabs..

I got to the seller and it was a diamond black german specwith full service history. I closed my eyes and took the e36. 3 reasons,
1 - not many black on black german specs around.
2 - mechanically she is prestine and have a full service history
3 - I got her for half the price of the 327is.

now some say but the M3 is not an iS but then I say, you a haven't driven the M3. until you do, you will understand it.

as for parts, its like any car, make sure you buy the correct stuff and you wont have problems. Only genuine BMW goodies go into my car and she has 270 000 on her clock and still as smooth as the day she was produced in 1993 to be delivered in 1994..

my 2 cents bro, buy a decent M. as long as she is straight and mechanically she is sweet, you cant go wrong. a fresh coat of paint and interior can always be done..

I agree with this. A buddy of mine had an ///M and that's one of the reasons I'm hooked on BMW. They just perform so beautifully whether in traffic or on a B road......

Unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to drive an iS. An E30 323i yes....but I was plenty young at the time lol

I prefer the e30 323i.. she is a lot more fun to drive. I may still get me one.. I know where I can find one.. 325i head on there wif a cam, branch and a lekker zorts.. it goes like the clappers..

 

[Fordkoppie]

An e30 has its own appeal, but make no mistake - the e30 is like the Citi Golf of the BMW world. Its really old and feels old.

M3 is a much better/capable car.

But dont be fooled into thinking an e36 M3 is cheaper or easier to maintain. You will be painfully surprised. E30 parts are dirt cheap in comparison and easily available - unless you are looking for secondhand parts, because those are pretty much extinct.

The cheapness of running an e30 is [probably] the only reason I still have mine.
....and perhaps because its almost unbreakable.:rollsmile:

 

[Maljan]

These are two very different cars. Perhaps you should drive both before you spend the money.

I took a friend's 325is out for a spin back in the day when they were new. It felt quite tail happy and I got to dial in in some opposite lock without really trying. Very nice it was.

I also took an E36 M3 for a test drive once. I was surprised at how loud it was compared to my 328i. It also seemed that you had to bury the pedal in the carpet before you felt the extra power. Handling wise it was absolutely glued to the road and opposite lock seemed way out of reach and beyond my abilities. It was quite glorious, all the same. BTW, I ended up in a 528i because the family was expanding.

 

[GoCart]

E36 M3.... The end

 

[E30 Freak]

I sold my white M3 to buy a 325iS coz it was KILLING me that I never owned one.

If you dont have that kind of desire for an E30 then rather stay away. It is less comfortable, slower, heavier on juice.

Both cars are holding value nicely so that is at least a plus. Parts for the E30 is easier to find & oil is cheap. M3 gona cost over a grand just for an oil change, brakes....go do the research

I sold my last M3 which I loved & now have a 325i 2 door which is the best compromise & not as attention grabbing as an iS. I love it to bits & the thought of not owning a boxie makes my tummy sore but the scream of that M motor at full tilt is very hard to beat.

Bottom line, the M3 is the obvious choice & has everything you want but will eat your pocket with maintenance. The E30 is for the old school BMW connoisseur that wants modern stuff like Aircon, ps, ew.... & of course those AWEFULLY good looks that is adored by the world over

 

[splintheter]

Im fortunate enough to have both.

If I had to choose one, the E36 M3 would win every day and twice on Sundays.

 

[Pho3niX90]

I might get stoned for this. But I do not put an e30 325 in a higher bracket than an e36 325 or any other car for that matter. There is nothing special about them to me. Go m3 as it's a master piece. A 325 is just that. A 325.

 

[danieljames]

I might get stoned for this. But I do not put an e30 325 in a higher bracket than an e36 325 or any other car for that matter. There is nothing special about them to me. Go m3 as it's a master piece. A 325 is just that. A 325.

Oooooooooooh.


Treading on thin ice lol

 

[Nikhil]

I say E36 M3 its a special car! It has aged well and your stock non bmw non hot hatch will still struggle to keep up. However i was aiding a buddy who was in search of one a while back and most require about 30k worth of work to become pristine again.

 

[Yuben]

I might get stoned for this. But I do not put an e30 325 in a higher bracket than an e36 325 or any other car for that matter. There is nothing special about them to me. Go m3 as it's a master piece. A 325 is just that. A 325.

AGREE:clapper:

 

[Ratslaaf]

I say E36 M3 its a special car! It has aged well and your stock non bmw non hot hatch will still struggle to keep up. However i was aiding a buddy who was in search of one a while back and most require about 30k worth of work to become pristine again.

That would not put me off in the least! It would be a privelage to work on such an icon

 

[frs1]

Once an e30 fan, always one. Old school and niceeeee.

 

[WyKiD]

Thanks guys appreciate the feedback from all, some very pertinent info.

As mentioned, I should really go and drive the 2 cars as it has been many years since I have driven either car. I should reacquaint myself with the "drive" offered by both cars, as currently I am going on a distant recollection which may no longer be accurate.

Its almost a head over heart decision, with the e36 being the logical choice but oh that mournful wail of the M20 just does it for me....

I'm not too bothered by outright performance as I spend most of my time cruising with the occasional spirited drive.

I guess it comes down to the fact that both of these cars was the stuff of dreams for me as a youngster in school and either one will satisfy my old school itch.

I am going to start by getting out and driving both cars, probably best to see if the reality of driving the cars lines up with my recollection.

Next step, guys if any of you has or knows of someone with decent examples of these cars looking to sell...please let me know...:ty:

 

[444YYY]

Honestly... The two cars you have chosen are not freely available where u can pick them up tomorrow, once the decision is made...

It seems you have a soft spot for both.

My advice is look out for both of them, and the choice you have is actually restricted to availability. Check out which ever one comes up, and choose based on condition....

Good luck with the search. I'm sure the fanatics will help out with leads!