What would you rather own and drive?
Discussion
An E36 BMW 325/328, or an E39 530, or a 306 GTI-6 ??
If I end up using my car every day more often, I'm going to want something a bit comfier for the day to day stuff than my MX5 and it might have to be practical too hence the reason of thinking of up sizing.
I did go from an MR2 Turbo to a Primera GT and while the Prim had excellent roadholding and cornering poise, I did kind of miss RWD too.
I'm thinking that a 306 GTI-6 might be a better drivers car than the Prim, though?
The GTI-6 seems to get fairly well praised. I've read that it is fairly compliant with good ride quality, and has a nice sounding and very torquey engine and good gearbox. However, I have also read that it is poor on petrol, has a terrible turning circle, and I did read one comment that it was nowhere near as good as, say, a Clio 172; this concerns me because my 182 was pretty underwhelming I thought despite being a fairly quick car. Then again, maybe a Cup model would be better than the 182, or maybe the Phase 1 which had a cable throttle (which resolves one of my complaints about the car).
However, a BMW, which I have owned (an E36 328), although fairly big and heavy, I found that it was not that bad on juice (30+ MPG was the norm unless hooning). It has RWD, and has a gorgeous smooth engine that sounds lovely. I've read that the 325 is usually much cheaper to buy, and barely any slower than an unmodded 328, and sounds even nicer?
In my experience, although BMW quote 7.3 seconds 0-60, a 328 is comfortably faster than that.
An E46 could be worth a look too (330?).
The 530, not too sure what this will be like. Much more to run than a 328? Maybe a touch too comfort orientated though, when on a hoon? I'd be really interested to hear some opinions of the E36 v E39.
What do you reckon PHs?
If I end up using my car every day more often, I'm going to want something a bit comfier for the day to day stuff than my MX5 and it might have to be practical too hence the reason of thinking of up sizing.
I did go from an MR2 Turbo to a Primera GT and while the Prim had excellent roadholding and cornering poise, I did kind of miss RWD too.
I'm thinking that a 306 GTI-6 might be a better drivers car than the Prim, though?
The GTI-6 seems to get fairly well praised. I've read that it is fairly compliant with good ride quality, and has a nice sounding and very torquey engine and good gearbox. However, I have also read that it is poor on petrol, has a terrible turning circle, and I did read one comment that it was nowhere near as good as, say, a Clio 172; this concerns me because my 182 was pretty underwhelming I thought despite being a fairly quick car. Then again, maybe a Cup model would be better than the 182, or maybe the Phase 1 which had a cable throttle (which resolves one of my complaints about the car).
However, a BMW, which I have owned (an E36 328), although fairly big and heavy, I found that it was not that bad on juice (30+ MPG was the norm unless hooning). It has RWD, and has a gorgeous smooth engine that sounds lovely. I've read that the 325 is usually much cheaper to buy, and barely any slower than an unmodded 328, and sounds even nicer?
In my experience, although BMW quote 7.3 seconds 0-60, a 328 is comfortably faster than that.
An E46 could be worth a look too (330?).
The 530, not too sure what this will be like. Much more to run than a 328? Maybe a touch too comfort orientated though, when on a hoon? I'd be really interested to hear some opinions of the E36 v E39.
What do you reckon PHs?
Owned an E36 328 and an E39 530.
Both great cars but the 5 Series was a better car. I personally found it the perfect all rounder, at home on the motorway as well as the B road. The 3 litre engine is better than the 2.8 as well. The SE is everybit as good as the sport but has better ride quality.
Both great cars but the 5 Series was a better car. I personally found it the perfect all rounder, at home on the motorway as well as the B road. The 3 litre engine is better than the 2.8 as well. The SE is everybit as good as the sport but has better ride quality.
Devil2575 said:
Owned an E36 328 and an E39 530.
Both great cars but the 5 Series was a better car. I personally found it the perfect all rounder, at home on the motorway as well as the B road. The 3 litre engine is better than the 2.8 as well. The SE is everybit as good as the sport but has better ride quality.
Interesting, thanks. 530i does look nice, maybe a little big although probably no bigger than the Primula I had.Both great cars but the 5 Series was a better car. I personally found it the perfect all rounder, at home on the motorway as well as the B road. The 3 litre engine is better than the 2.8 as well. The SE is everybit as good as the sport but has better ride quality.
Why do folks feel the need to quote the E number whenever they talk about BMWs - they all look the same to me
and the E number doesn't help any as I cant be bothered to look them up - why cant we have model years - I know where I am then!
I'd take the Pug, so as not to look like some stressy middle management type/paperclip salesman.
Of course If I was a stressy middle management/paperclip salesman type, I would probably take the BMW option, I might even know what the E numbers were all about and so be able to choose the right one
and the E number doesn't help any as I cant be bothered to look them up - why cant we have model years - I know where I am then! I'd take the Pug, so as not to look like some stressy middle management type/paperclip salesman.
Of course If I was a stressy middle management/paperclip salesman type, I would probably take the BMW option, I might even know what the E numbers were all about and so be able to choose the right one
I reckon the e36 might be feeling a bit dated - e39 is definitely more an 'upmarket' car than an e46 (after driving an e39 523i I decided I wanted a BMW and bought an e46 330ci). My 330 used to get 27mpg when I lived in Newcastle and then 31mpg when my commute became longer, but more dual carriageway (teesside to Newcastle). Engine was fantastic but had a few niggles as it got older - rust, brake pipe corrosion, door handle failed to name just a few.
306 GTI6 was definitely rated in its day but I wonder how fragile they are now, seeing as Pugs were never that well built to start with IMHO (my 309 felt like it was falling apart just before it was written off, yet from a distance appeared immaculate!).
306 GTI6 was definitely rated in its day but I wonder how fragile they are now, seeing as Pugs were never that well built to start with IMHO (my 309 felt like it was falling apart just before it was written off, yet from a distance appeared immaculate!).
530 would be my choice. I've driven a few E36s, including a couple of 328s, and I just don't like them. The steering for me is the biggest failing. IMO steering like that has no place on what's supposed to be a driver's car. Even the Sapphire had better steering. I've driven a few 5s too, not the E39 530 though, but the ones I have driven made much more sense to me, felt much more complete, i.e. they reach their objectives better than the threes (though the objectives are different).
So that leaves the 306 in second place. Personally I'd be tempted by the 306, but your description of your experience with the Primera (which actually does have a good reputation as a decent driver's car), and with a Clio 182, suggest that you'll possibly find the 306 underwhelming.
So that leaves the 306 in second place. Personally I'd be tempted by the 306, but your description of your experience with the Primera (which actually does have a good reputation as a decent driver's car), and with a Clio 182, suggest that you'll possibly find the 306 underwhelming.
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