Cheap Fun BMW - E30, E36, Compact or 1 Series ?

Cheap Fun BMW - E30, E36, Compact or 1 Series ?

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V8RX7

Original Poster:

26,763 posts

262 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
I'm looking for a daily driver that's also fun, cheaper the better but I could stretch to a 3.0 1 series if it's the best option.

I'm leaning towards an E36 328 ideally with M50 manifold etc but are any of the other options more fun ?

I think an E30 I'm chasing rust and paying more as it's now a classic.

IIRC the compact isn't actually that compact - is it better than an E36 Coupe as I'm not a huge fan of it's looks.

1 series - I have no experience of them, owners seem to think they're good.

E46 - I'm not a fan, I think they look better and the interior is much nicer but they feel too insulated from driving, the throttle response is awful and even after removing the CDV there was a massive delay in the clutch engaging on my 328 (the 330 was ok)

The final option is an E36 M3 / Evo - but I'd feel guilty subjecting one to winter use.

JakeT

5,406 posts

119 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
Depends how cheap you want to go, but the E46 325ti (compact) is adored by many on the forums around these parts. 2.5 M54, 5 or 6 speed manual, shorter gearing, and some suspension tweaks as standard make them fun little things to drive. Don't rust like a standard E46, either.

For example...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

V8RX7

Original Poster:

26,763 posts

262 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
JakeT said:
Depends how cheap you want to go, but the E46 325ti (compact) is adored by many on the forums around these parts. 2.5 M54, 5 or 6 speed manual, shorter gearing, and some suspension tweaks as standard make them fun little things to drive. Don't rust like a standard E46, either.

For example...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Budget is very flexible but as I cover few miles I find it hard to justify paying £6k for it to sit on the drive. (I have weekend toys and a van too)

Googling seems to suggest the E46 Compact lost the E30 rear suspension, does it suffer with the poor throttle response of the E46 too ?

I don't think I could cope with going down to the 318Ti level of power.

Edited by V8RX7 on Wednesday 27th July 20:53

JakeT

5,406 posts

119 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
Correct, the E46 compact is the same underneath as the regular model, but all models come with sport suspension, stiffer ARBs than the regular cars and introduced the quicker steering rack earlier. They also have a non valved exhaust compared to full size models so do sound pretty nice. There is an appreciation thread for them here. They're a good slow speed car as they won't do over 60mph in second, but it makes for good fun.

Anything with the M54 can suffer, but there is a way to sort it.

http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/4012-throttle-a...

I find that I can rev match well with mine, and it reacts well to the throttle.

Wouldn't recommend a 318ti. The engines in them are meant to like head gaskets, Valvetronic bits and burn oil like its going out of fashion. Not to mention I think BMWs best engines have 6 cylinders inline.

V8RX7

Original Poster:

26,763 posts

262 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
Thanks.

I used to reset my 330 Sport every couple of weeks but I found it's general unsportyness frustrating so I sold it.

I think I'll have to go back to at least an E36 to avoid it.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
JakeT said:
Correct, the E46 compact is the same underneath as the regular model, but all models come with sport suspension, stiffer ARBs than the regular cars and introduced the quicker steering rack earlier. They also have a non valved exhaust compared to full size models so do sound pretty nice. There is an appreciation thread for them here. They're a good slow speed car as they won't do over 60mph in second, but it makes for good fun.

Anything with the M54 can suffer, but there is a way to sort it.

http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/4012-throttle-a...

I find that I can rev match well with mine, and it reacts well to the throttle.

Wouldn't recommend a 318ti. The engines in them are meant to like head gaskets, Valvetronic bits and burn oil like its going out of fashion. Not to mention I think BMWs best engines have 6 cylinders inline.
Some features might be standard on Compacts, but only the 325ti got Sport seats and suspension as standard (my 320td SE had neither)!

But if you don't want the drive by wire accelerator IIRC the 328i E46 was the last of that breed - then again the 328Ci I test drove handled like a boat compared to my 325ti! I would happily live with a reset now and again for the sharper handling!

I also had a 123d SE "Dynamic" (so M-Sport suspension) and good as it was it just didn't feel as sharp handling-wise as the 325ti I have now, but a 130i would doubtless be a different experience even if only because of the engine (which is fantastic in my Z4C).

However the OP mentions an M3 - if that is in budget that has to be the way to go, but I doubt it would be cheap fun!

e21Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
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Someone here is selling a very tidy e36 Compact that is ripe for an m52/2.8 and LSD.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282113455076?ssPageName=...

Less than a grand and no rust issues.

ftypical

457 posts

117 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
How about an E46 330ci 5-speed with refreshed suspension, new clutch and no rust?

I recently bought an E46 M3...

V8RX7

Original Poster:

26,763 posts

262 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
But if you don't want the drive by wire accelerator IIRC the 328i E46 was the last of that breed - then again the 328Ci I test drove handled like a boat compared to my 325ti! I would happily live with a reset now and again for the sharper handling!

I also had a 123d SE "Dynamic" (so M-Sport suspension) and good as it was it just didn't feel as sharp handling-wise as the 325ti I have now, but a 130i would doubtless be a different experience even if only because of the engine (which is fantastic in my Z4C).

However the OP mentions an M3 - if that is in budget that has to be the way to go, but I doubt it would be cheap fun!
I'll have to try a 325Ti then, I really don't like the look of the 1 series hatch - the Coupe is much better but too expensive for my needs.

I recently saw an E36 M3 not get a bid at £5k which I thought was cheap - if you don't cover many miles and can fix things yourself then I'd expect it to be pretty cheap to run.

V8RX7

Original Poster:

26,763 posts

262 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
e21Mark said:
Someone here is selling a very tidy e36 Compact that is ripe for an m52/2.8 and LSD.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282113455076?ssPageName=...

Less than a grand and no rust issues.
That's the kind of thing but I've too many projects, I'd rather pay £2k+ and find one already converted - most seem to have been then used for drifting frown

FredClogs

14,041 posts

160 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
325ti posse in effect on the thread already I see...

As you were ;o)

I have one, I think it's great, if your budget is flexible a 130i might be a better car and make more sense over a few years but I doubt it'll be better vfm in the short term. (That's assuming 325ti prices don't rocket on all the hype they get round these parts).

V8RX7

Original Poster:

26,763 posts

262 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
ftypical said:
How about an E46 330ci 5-speed with refreshed suspension, new clutch and no rust?
If there is no delay on the throttle I'd be interested - but reading up it seems this is a consequence of emissions and cannot be remapped out :

"E46 I suspect it may have a TORQUE based EMS system rather than a airflow based system. (infact I'm almost sure of this because I can't see how you would easily map a dual VANOS system properly with an old style airflow based system) BMW/Bosch pioneered the torque based EMS system. If it IS a torque based system there is almost no way that an aftermarket place such as AMD will be able to remap it properly. A Torque based engine management system works on TORQUE demand from the driver and then a delivered torque- by varying all sorts of things on the system- such as intake VCT, exhaust VCT, spark, EGR, fueling parameters. It will vary these things optmising for things such as emissions and fuel economy, but everything is in the memory in terms of look up tables. These look up tables have come from rigourous R and D work. Unlike some of the older systems a Torque based EMS system may delay transient throttle openings (fly by wire) in the interests of getting the emissions and fueling spot on"



In fact thinking about it a PO remapped my 330 using Superchips


Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Saturday 30th July 2016
quotequote all
FredClogs said:
325ti posse in effect on the thread already I see...

As you were ;o)

I have one, I think it's great, if your budget is flexible a 130i might be a better car and make more sense over a few years but I doubt it'll be better vfm in the short term. (That's assuming 325ti prices don't rocket on all the hype they get round these parts).
Hello from one of the 325ti posse!

But seriously how much more driving entertainment can you get for the money - one appeared on A/T today for shed money with about 100k miles and the electric sunroof, albeit in that weird gold-ish colour and only half-leather!

A 130i may be better in so many ways, but at 5 times the price I really can't see one being 5 times better - and with a 130i when (not if) the electric water pump dies an OEM part will cost £500. That's about half the price of a half-sensible 325ti, so a 130i suddenly starts to look a bit lacking in terms of VFM as far as I am concerned!

Waiting for 325ti prices to rocket..................!

ftypical

457 posts

117 months

Tuesday 2nd August 2016
quotequote all
V8RX7 said:
If there is no delay on the throttle I'd be interested - but reading up it seems this is a consequence of emissions and cannot be remapped out :

"E46 I suspect it may have a TORQUE based EMS system rather than a airflow based system. (infact I'm almost sure of this because I can't see how you would easily map a dual VANOS system properly with an old style airflow based system) BMW/Bcosch pioneered the torque based EMS system. If it IS a torque based system there is almost no way that an aftermarket place such as AMD will be able to remap it properly. A Torque based engine management system works on TORQUE demand from the driver and then a delivered torque- by varying all sorts of things on the system- such as intake VCT, exhaust VCT, spark, EGR, fueling parameters. It will vary these things optmising for things such as emissions and fuel economy, but everything is in the memory in terms of look up tables. These look up tables have come from rigourous R and D work. Unlike some of the older systems a Torque based EMS system may delay transient throttle openings (fly by wire) in the interests of getting the emissions and fueling spot on"
Any throttle delay appears to vary with octane. So basically it's a a product of ignition advance - or lack thereof...


In fact thinking about it a PO remapped my 330 using Superchips

nickpan

570 posts

188 months

Tuesday 2nd August 2016
quotequote all
I've had a few E30s: 320i and 2 325i and a 325ix

I've also had a 130i.

I'd agree that anything E30 is too classic for true daily use (I still run a coupe as a Sunday car) while the 130i had a super engine paired with a rather average classis. Looks boring as well.

I've driven a E46 328i and a 325ti. Both nice.

But having driven a E36 320i recently and really enjoying the rawness of it, my money would be on one of them.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Thursday 4th August 2016
quotequote all
nickpan said:
I've had a few E30s: 320i and 2 325i and a 325ix

I've also had a 130i.

I'd agree that anything E30 is too classic for true daily use (I still run a coupe as a Sunday car) while the 130i had a super engine paired with a rather average classis. Looks boring as well.

I've driven a E46 328i and a 325ti. Both nice.

But having driven a E36 320i recently and really enjoying the rawness of it, my money would be on one of them.
Doh! You've just added something else to my "need to try" list!

RA500

251 posts

195 months

Thursday 4th August 2016
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Ive got an E36 Compact with a fair few nice bits on it, poly bushed, 2.8 engine and box, genuine Z3M Back box, 3.23 LSD, 3.0 M3 sunfolower wheels etc

It's in Atlantis blue, its an individual, M sport, and is a Rositers Supplied car with all the bits on.

It needs a bit of tidying cosmetically but mechanically is all good.

Let me know if you are interested, I fancy an E34 535/540i Manual Touring as I've not really used the compact since getting the M3 a couple of years ago.

V8RX7

Original Poster:

26,763 posts

262 months

Thursday 4th August 2016
quotequote all
RA500 said:
Ive got an E36 Compact with a fair few nice bits on it, poly bushed, 2.8 engine and box, genuine Z3M Back box, 3.23 LSD, 3.0 M3 sunfolower wheels etc

It's in Atlantis blue, its an individual, M sport, and is a Rositers Supplied car with all the bits on.

It needs a bit of tidying cosmetically but mechanically is all good.

Let me know if you are interested, I fancy an E34 535/540i Manual Touring as I've not really used the compact since getting the M3 a couple of years ago.
Yes sounds great - depending how much tidying and the price - feel free to email me pics / details

Thanks