E30 or E36?

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Looks like I'm going to be upgrading my Fiat Seicento Sporting to a 320i (poss. SE) and I'd be interested to hear everyone's views on which I should go for.

For my budget (c.£3k), I think I can get a half decent E30 320iSE, but I'm not sure if I could stretch to a good E36. Does anyone out there have any tips or advice - having owned a funny little Fiat my knowledge of decent cars is pretty thin!

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I sold my dad my 318is Coupe last year - 1992, 60000 miles, FSH for £4500. Its worth about £3500 now, maybe less and runs like a dream (last full srvice £120).

I would get an E36 - the design in 11 years old, but still looks good. The coupe is a very nice car to own and drive and with specialist care, does no cost a ridiculous amount to keep running. The E30 on the other hand looks old fashioned and feels narrow and confined inside IMHO.

I would recommend an inspection before purchase though as exhausts/tyres are expensive and the suspension bushes are not cheap to replace if they are shot.

If you are looking at an E36 look for:

Squeeking/graunching from suspension (especially over speed bumps)
Corrosion around trailing edge of front wing and around rear wheel arches.
Perished seals around rear pop out window/rear screen
Front winscreen for delamination and leaks.
Electric window motors (windows should retract a cm when the door handle is pulled to clear the seals (coupe only). Should be smooth in operation.
Central locking works on doors and boot.
exhaust/tyres/brakes obviously.
ABS light stays off when the brakes are used.
Has as much of a BMW SH as possible.

The 318is is no hot rod (0 - 60 in 9.3), but it is only group 12 insurance. I had mine for 3 years and had the following replaced under warranty:

Exhaust manifold
Rear suspension bushes (twice) (Reallignmemt is £120)
ABS sensor
Brake lines (failed MOT)

For a 10 year old car, it drives amazingly well...just make sure you take the time to find a good one.

Totally agree with the above posts, E36 is a much better car and still feels modern. I have an e36 318 and an e30 320 and the while the 320 is in nice order it feels an very old car in design and the handling is a bit iffy compared with the 318 which is pretty much unstickable with the power it has. If youre on a budget bear in mind the fuel costs, the 6 cyclinder are much much worse than the 4's.