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TameRacingDriver
Original Poster
8,201 posts
141 months
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crocodile tears said: would like to be able to comment on the 172 but I've never driven one.. I think you've got to that point in the thread where the best advice is to go out test drive a gti-6/rallye from somewhere, as if you were disappointed by a 172, whats not to say you'll be disappointed by a gti-6/rallye nobody knows but you as to why you didn't like it.. For me the 172 was a bit of a None starter.. Just the thought of all the awful economy spec clios that I'd been in put me off for a life time  True you are probably right... the 182 disappointed me because it was a bit nose heavy, so understeer on slow tight corners in the wet, drive by wire throttle (a slight lag between pressing the pedal and getting any response), somewhat twitchy, brakes faded (could have been the wheels not letting enough air at the pads due to the design - no doubt Ph1 / Cup / Trophy does not suffer this), relatively poor driving position, over-tyred (slightly too much grip), masked the sensation of speed somewhat etc. If I had 6 grand or so I'd be looking for 130i or Z4 3.0 but I don't.... it will need to be under 2 grand, until I've saved a few pennies to get something better.
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infradig
909 posts
76 months
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Another e39 vote here,every time I see one I miss mine.I have never driven a car with a better ride/handling balance. Although if I was young and reckless ,caning the bejesus out of a quick 306 would probably outweigh the sensible saloons charms .
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s m
8,093 posts
72 months
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ben5732 said: 325i E30 sport model? (LSD!) Not exactly practical though I presumed he meant the E36 325i - only 1bhp less but down on torque compared to the 328. They're obviously all older than 328s though ( which are cheap enough anyway now )
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Devil2575
4,382 posts
57 months
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kodos said: Finally!! I love my e39 and have no plan on selling it anytime soon, but im glad someone else on here will admit they are money pits and isn't selling dreams of 30-35 mpg to people from a 530i!
They are worth the expense but don't get reeled in by people telling you they do 30mpg. Unless you sit in the left hand land all the time at 60mph and reset the trip computer as you join the dual carriageway. My manual 530i Sport did 26 mpg on my normal commute. On the motorway at 80 mph it would do 32mpg all day long. This was what I got Middlesbrough to Epsom. Best ever was 38 mpg when I set the cruise to 70. I guess it depends on how you drive.
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TameRacingDriver
Original Poster
8,201 posts
141 months
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s m said: I presumed he meant the E36 325i - only 1bhp less but down on torque compared to the 328.
They're obviously all older than 328s though ( which are cheap enough anyway now ) True less torque than the 328, but shorter gearing IIRC, probably makes up for it and maybe it feels about as quick, even if it isn't?
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BorkFactor
4,864 posts
27 months
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I am in quite a similar situation, trying to decide between an E36 328i / 323i and an E39 538i / 523i. It is not proving easy!!
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sparks_E39
6,575 posts
82 months
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BorkFactor said: I am in quite a similar situation, trying to decide between an E36 328i / 323i and an E39 538i / 523i. It is not proving easy!! Don't get the '23 engine, the '28 is just as economical but quicker.
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BorkFactor
4,864 posts
27 months
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sparks_E39 said: Don't get the '23 engine, the '28 is just as economical but quicker. But costs an extra £200 to insure on both cars, and the 23 doesn't seem like a slouch, from the figures. Decisions!! 
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sparks_E39
6,575 posts
82 months
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BorkFactor said: But costs an extra £200 to insure on both cars, and the 23 doesn't seem like a slouch, from the figures. Decisions!! £200 is nothing I'm afraid when it comes to the E39 at least. My 528 has been in the garage 5 times in the last year, at about £150-£300 a time, and mines a good one.
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Baryonyx
6,832 posts
28 months
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I would go for the 306 GTi-6. The toughest part would be getting a good one, having looked recently they seem fairly scarce full stop!
The BMW is a nice cruiser no doubt, but get the lumbering saloon onto some country lanes and you'll be fighting it, not flowing with it. The rattly little French firebox will just give and give in those circumstances, and with it's lithe FWD chassis you'll never tire of punting it about. In the Peugeot, you'll be able to rely on that FWD to really attack those B roads. In the same situations an E30 or E36 M3 might be as fun, but any lesser BMW just won't compare.
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Efbe
4,861 posts
35 months
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TameRacingDriver said: True less torque than the 328, but shorter gearing IIRC, probably makes up for it and maybe it feels about as quick, even if it isn't? How about an e36 328i touring. all the fun of the coupé, but with far more practicality, IMO better weighting and also IMO better looks. Supposedly very slightly quicker to 60 due to gearing (though I highly doubt this!) Oh and i'll be selling my leggy but cheap facelifted e36 328i touring in a few weeks time 
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BorkFactor
4,864 posts
27 months
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Efbe said: Oh and i'll be selling my leggy but cheap facelifted e36 328i touring in a few weeks time Where are you located? 
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Efbe
4,861 posts
35 months
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BorkFactor said: Where are you located? near halifax. god-knows why i'm selling her, I think it's just the 2 year itch combined with wanting something either a bit more reliable such as an Alfa-Romeo, or more economical such as a v8 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Whichever, i'm most definitely mental!
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BorkFactor
4,864 posts
27 months
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Efbe said: near halifax.
god-knows why i'm selling her, I think it's just the 2 year itch combined with wanting something either a bit more reliable such as an Alfa-Romeo, or more economical such as a v8 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Whichever, i'm most definitely mental! Any chance you could drop me a PM with some more details nearer the time?
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Efbe
4,861 posts
35 months
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BorkFactor said: Any chance you could drop me a PM with some more details nearer the time? Will do. I'll be pulling together an ad this week for her, and giving her a good clean ofc
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Fox-
9,952 posts
115 months
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To be honest I think the E39 530i is pretty crap.
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kodos
231 posts
20 months
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Fox- said: To be honest I think the E39 530i is pretty crap. Too true, dont buy them In response to the MPG i have seen 32 out of mine when i went to Brands Hatch from Leicester My daily commute through town will see 21 mpg. I average over a tank 23 mpg usually about 300 miles to a tank till the fuel light comes on.
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g3org3y
6,769 posts
60 months
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VumGarda said: g3org3y said:  Missing out on a lot of BMWs in that case.  Whilst I agree with your point, I think you've just about single-handedly flogged this meme to death now.  Absolutely agree. I find myself using it every few days. Suffice to say there are far more posts now on PH in which individuals are trying to be funny/obscure/controversial without actually helping the thread (mentioned this previously when posting above meme). Oh wait...  FWIW, 328i is a brilliant car but it should be noted that examples are getting old now. Well maintained examples (esp Sports) will command a premium. A decent runner will be a pleasure - super engine, effortless performance and with M Tech suspension (on sensible wheels) a hoot in the twisties. Plus I still think they look good, especially in coupe/touring form. Poorly maintained examples will however prove costly - suspension may be needing an overhaul (E36s are partial to eating a ball joint or two) plus there's also the classic rear arch rust. A manual can easily get early/mid thirties on a gentle motorway run. Auto box is a lot more thirsty, especially in town. Leather and full (18 button) OBC are desirable. Later examples have rear parking sensors. If you can find a decent one, super balance between fun and refinement.
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Devil2575
4,382 posts
57 months
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kodos said: Fox- said: To be honest I think the E39 530i is pretty crap. Too true, dont buy them Opinions vary I guess and it's a free country. You have every right to be wrong  Mine was the best car I have ever driven.
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s m
8,093 posts
72 months
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Efbe said: TameRacingDriver said: True less torque than the 328, but shorter gearing IIRC, probably makes up for it and maybe it feels about as quick, even if it isn't? How about an e36 328i touring. all the fun of the coupé, but with far more practicality, IMO better weighting and also IMO better looks. Supposedly very slightly quicker to 60 due to gearing (though I highly doubt this!)Oh and i'll be selling my leggy but cheap facelifted e36 328i touring in a few weeks time AFAIK, the 328 Tourings run the same FD ratio as the saloon/coupe - 2.93:1 for manual, 3.07:1 for auto. I think the Autocar tester just got a blinding start for the 6.1 run, maybe what people suspect? The E30 325i Tourings certainly got 3.91:1 FDR like the 325i Sport but unless someone has changed an E36 328i one ( possible )i don't think they should have a 'shorter' one
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