E36, E39 or E46 for £1500??

[CallorFold]

No idea on pricing but what do E28's and E30's come in at? As a second car I'd want something a bit more "classic" - E36 onwards still give the feel of a daily driver to me.

[T0MMY]

I guess a decent engined E30 (a 318is or 325i) is probably a lot more expensive like for like than an E36. I've had E30s and E36s and the former are much more fun in my opinion with the latter being great mile munchers but a bit lifeless.

[Motorrad]

confused_buyer said:

Then you'll have to compromise on some of your other criteria. Decent cars IMO but in that price bracket neither a weekend "fun" car or particularly bullet proof in terms of what can/will go wrong.

I've owned a few E46s and now an E39. I've also driven quite a few variants. Other than M powered models none of them are really 'fun'.

Maybe an E36 328i might be achievable in your budget and that might be more fun than a 330ci? Can't really comment as I haven't driven one.

Thing you're barking up the wrong tree 'fun wise'.

this might be a laugh- a haggle away from your budget

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Edited by Motorrad on Wednesday 30th July 10:48

[bodhi]

T0MMY said:

A 328 has about the same power to weight ratio as a 1.8 MX5 so I wouldn't say they're much faster (obviously more top end). Handling wise...well as you say, we all have our opinions but having owned both the cars in question I'm astonished that anyone could think the BMW was anywhere near as entertaining to drive.

Apart from the fact the 328i is over 2 seconds faster to 60 (7.4 for the MX-5, the 328i was timed at 5.9 by Autocar), and has an extra 20mph at the top end as well. I'd say that was quite a bit quicker.

OP I'd probably be searching out the best E36 328i I could find. A pretty entertaining steer out of the box, and is easily improved to make even better. Plus it has THAT engine, which is worth the entry price alone.

[Sea Demon]

Keep an eye on Gumtree etc for bargains - 328 with an M50 manifold from the 325i, larger throttle body & remap will see at around 230-240bhp maybe a bit more with a nice exhaust, supersprint etc - performance, looks and respect - what more do you want?

[Motorrad]

I quite like this- within budget, sounds mechanically spot on and the much cooler touring.

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/168938/bmw-...

[daveco]

I was unimpressed with a drive in an E36 323. The throttle felt heavy and the power uptake poor. However, it did feel more 'direct' than an E46, and a good deal lighter.

I'd say a 328 is a far better steer with the extra 20hp.

The 325/328/330 in the E46 are also good fun. The 330 feels far more alert than the smaller engines when pressing on

[WhyAyeMan]

T0MMY said:

A 328 has about the same power to weight ratio as a 1.8 MX5 so I wouldn't say they're much faster (obviously more top end). Handling wise...well as you say, we all have our opinions but having owned both the cars in question I'm astonished that anyone could think the BMW was anywhere near as entertaining to drive.

When I had mine, I had a little drag against my mate in his E36, the MX5 is quite a bit slower TBH.

I never said the beemer was more entertaining, I just said it was fun to drive down the lanes, which it is. Depends what you want out of a car, I wouldn't say the BMW handled better but it handles well, is faster and sounds better, and to some, that might be more fun.

What it boils down to is give it a go. If someone wants a BMW they aren't going to be happy with an MX5.

[freenote]

Thanks for the replies chaps.

Fun for me is anything with a decent engine that I haven't had before (or in some cases that I have had before). It's just a car to be used for anything and everything at the weekend that isn't what I drive on a daily basis.
I won't be taking it on track and I won't be pushing it to its limits on the road. I enjoy driving around in different cars for a laugh.

I know there are better handling cars in my budget but I just fancy a BMW and wanted to know which one is least likely to be a money-pit at this price point.

[VinceFox]

2 door manual e36 328i. Ive owned these and mx5s and although the mx5 can be fun, to compare their performance is unrealistic. If you can actually drive, the 328 is much faster point to point.

When i sold my last 328i to buy an m3 i must confess there were quite a few occasions where i questioned if i'd needed to change cars at all. The m3 is a lot faster, but as a day to day user the 328 is a bloody brilliant car. Good 2 door 2.8 manuals are going to start getting thin shortly too.

[confused_buyer]

freenote said:

I know there are better handling cars in my budget but I just fancy a BMW and wanted to know which one is least likely to be a money-pit at this price point.

They're all potential money pits. All you can do is buy one which appears to be working when you buy it and keep your fingers crossed.

On the basis that they are the most simple, probably the E36. However, you could also argue that they are all as bork prone as one another you may as well just buy the nicest one which is probably a 528i, 530i or 540i.

[T0MMY]

bodhi said:

Apart from the fact the 328i is over 2 seconds faster to 60 (7.4 for the MX-5, the 328i was timed at 5.9 by Autocar), and has an extra 20mph at the top end as well. I'd say that was quite a bit quicker.

OP I'd probably be searching out the best E36 328i I could find. A pretty entertaining steer out of the box, and is easily improved to make even better. Plus it has THAT engine, which is worth the entry price alone.

A 328i is certainly quicker but I find a sub 6 second 0-60 a little unrealistic for a car with less than 135bhp/tonne (and just to nit pick, even if true that is 1.5 seconds quicker to 60, not 2+). Most of the quoted figures I've seen have been in the high 6s.

Anyway, the OP has said he likes a nice engine over fun handling so a 328i is a better option as the MX5 engines are a bit pants. Not much power and not that keen to rev; they're really all about handling until you turbocharge them. Mine is now running 160-170bhp and that is most definitely faster than a 328i

[VinceFox]

confused_buyer said:

freenote said:

I know there are better handling cars in my budget but I just fancy a BMW and wanted to know which one is least likely to be a money-pit at this price point.

They're all potential money pits. All you can do is buy one which appears to be working when you buy it and keep your fingers crossed.

On the basis that they are the most simple, probably the E36. However, you could also argue that they are all as bork prone as one another you may as well just buy the nicest one which is probably a 528i, 530i or 540i.

Theyve all got the potential to cost, but i reckon the e36 is the least expensive (if youre lucky). It's also got the best driver feedback.

[fushion julz]

OK...I've owned an E36 328i SE manual saloon (until January this year) and it was replaced by an E46 330i SE manual touring (pre-facelift, 5 speed). Not owned an E39 (although I have driven a couple), but have also had/have E30s and E34s.

My comments:
The actual performance of the E36 and E46 are very similar and the E36 is a nicer drive/more involving, better steering feel, etc...
The E46 always has DSC whereas my E36 had no ASC+T (but also no LSD). This may account for the better feel of the E36. Having said that my old E30 325i was a huge amount more fun than either of the later 3 series...probably not a lot of difference in performance, either.

The E36 had the best fuel economy, overall, too...

The E46 cabin is a nicer place than the E36/E30 and the E30 does feel quite dated, now. The E46 also has more toys/gadgets/comforts...I have heated leather sports seats (the E36 had leather sports, but not heated and the E30 had cloth sports), rain sensing wipers, heated door mirrors, climate, cruise control, integrated audio with HK amp/speakers non of which were on my E36 or E30.
However the trip computer on the E36 is better than the one on the E46, but an E46 with SatNav will have a better trip function, roughly equivalent to the 18btn OBC on the E36. In fact even the E30 OBC is as good as the E46 one.

If it was going to be a weekend/fun car an E30 325i would be my choice...although one at £1500 is at the bottom end of the market these days (they are going up in value).
After that I'd probably choose the E46...there isn't a lot of difference between the E36/E46 in performance/handling terms and the E46 is likely to be less rusty or generally knackered and you will avoid any chance of a Nikisil engine issue.

[walsh]

Alot of arguing over "fun".

I enjoy mine ( e39 528i manual). Down a set of twisty's its not going to be a fast/involving as a small sports car, but it does ok for what it is.

Fun can be had in many forms however. It's a doddle to catch should the back step out "by accident" on a empty wet roundabout for example.. And it sounds good.

And I paid £800 for mine (with a spare set of wheels), 2 years and 20,000 miles ago. I have fun with that, With people telling me I bought a "flash" motor, when I paid about 3 months of the monthly rental on a golf diesel.

[s m]

fushion julz said:

OK...I've owned an E36 328i SE manual saloon (until January this year) and it was replaced by an E46 330i SE manual touring (pre-facelift, 5 speed). Not owned an E39 (although I have driven a couple), but have also had/have E30s and E34s.

My comments:
The actual performance of the E36 and E46 are very similar and the E36 is a nicer drive/more involving, better steering feel, etc...
The E46 always has DSC whereas my E36 had no ASC+T (but also no LSD). This may account for the better feel of the E36. Having said that my old E30 325i was a huge amount more fun than either of the later 3 series...probably not a lot of difference in performance, either.

The E36 had the best fuel economy, overall, too...

The E46 cabin is a nicer place than the E36/E30 and the E30 does feel quite dated, now. The E46 also has more toys/gadgets/comforts...I have heated leather sports seats (the E36 had leather sports, but not heated and the E30 had cloth sports), rain sensing wipers, heated door mirrors, climate, cruise control, integrated audio with HK amp/speakers non of which were on my E36 or E30.
However the trip computer on the E36 is better than the one on the E46, but an E46 with SatNav will have a better trip function, roughly equivalent to the 18btn OBC on the E36. In fact even the E30 OBC is as good as the E46 one.

If it was going to be a weekend/fun car an E30 325i would be my choice...although one at £1500 is at the bottom end of the market these days (they are going up in value).
After that I'd probably choose the E46...there isn't a lot of difference between the E36/E46 in performance/handling terms and the E46 is likely to be less rusty or generally knackered and you will avoid any chance of a Nikisil engine issue.

What year was your 330i fushionjulz?

I've had all the same-engined 3's as you mentioned, but I started off with the E21 323is ( entertaining and quite a small footprint compared to a modern 3 )

[sparks_E39]

I love my E39, there isn't a better all round car for the money, however it isn't fun in the traditional sense really. It's just so nice to drive, really quite quick and a lovely place to be, my kind of driving. It handles really well but a 328i would run rings round it... and will be quicker. If you want one £1500 won't get you into a decent facelift sport (firmer suspension and the sport kit) however it will get you a nice pre facelift SE.

[matthias73]

Bunch of fun you guys are!

I've got a 520 right now and it's s lovely car but boring as fk. If you want s fun bmw, you should really be looking at 328s or 530/540s.

I had an e34 525I and that was a hoot. but for driving, my e46 was brilliant.

for fun, I'd be looking for an e36 328I in a nice colour with a sunroof and leather sports seats. Then put a noisy induction system on it and go have a blat

[WhyAyeMan]

matthias73 said:

for fun, I'd be looking for an e36 328I in a nice colour with a sunroof and leather sports seats. Then put a noisy induction system on it and go have a blat

To be fair, being that we're all on about fun, I'd say don't rule out the E46 over the E36. I've had both and the cars are very similar to drive in most respects, the E36 feels a bit quicker in the lowest gears but then there's virtually no difference, the E36 is a bit edgier in the handling but the E46 feels like the newer car, with a faster rack (and just as much feel) and just feels like it handles better on the limit to me.

I only mention this because it might be easier to find a decent cheap E46 than a decent E36 nowadays.

[matthias73]

WhyAyeMan said:

matthias73 said:

for fun, I'd be looking for an e36 328I in a nice colour with a sunroof and leather sports seats. Then put a noisy induction system on it and go have a blat

To be fair, being that we're all on about fun, I'd say don't rule out the E46 over the E36. I've had both and the cars are very similar to drive in most respects, the E36 feels a bit quicker in the lowest gears but then there's virtually no difference, the E36 is a bit edgier in the handling but the E46 feels like the newer car, with a faster rack (and just as much feel) and just feels like it handles better on the limit to me.

I only mention this because it might be easier to find a decent cheap E46 than a decent E36 nowadays.

You may well be right there. When I binned my e46 and needed a cheap replacement I went 39 instead of 36 because the latter are mostly ruined or just old.

1500 buys a decent e46, but I guess the thing to do would be to not compromise on spec and condition and get the best of whatever model you can