What Car - E36 328 vs. Corrado VR6

[bodhi]

Ice White Socks said:

The biggest thing the article mentioned was the sheer speed pace of the VR once its on a roll- its a very, very quick car with a wonderful long third gear that has embarrassed a lot of cars. I have had a VR6 for about six years now and judging how it keeps pace with modern 330's then I would say its a good bit faster than a period 328

I wouldn't say so, as the 328i is faster than the E46 330i. The 328i is a deceptively quick car - just ask the Boxster S and Audi TT 225 I've easily kept up with.

[Ice White Socks]

Sorry guys- it had been a while since I had looked at the review and yes it was a 325 it went up against- my mistake

I still stand by the comments that its pretty quick (as I say faster than my mk5 r32).

I have attached some of the scan copys of the review- make up your own mind how the two compare (I read it as the 325 is very good- the VR6 is excellent)

[jon_80]

bodhi said:

Ice White Socks said:

The biggest thing the article mentioned was the sheer speed pace of the VR once its on a roll- its a very, very quick car with a wonderful long third gear that has embarrassed a lot of cars. I have had a VR6 for about six years now and judging how it keeps pace with modern 330's then I would say its a good bit faster than a period 328

I wouldn't say so, as the 328i is faster than the E46 330i. The 328i is a deceptively quick car - just ask the Boxster S and Audi TT 225 I've easily kept up with.

That I know to be untrue, sadly, much as I'd like it to be true. The only 328s that might do that are the ones which have had the air intake de-restriction and a suitable remap to exploit it.

[WeirdNeville]

Given that choice, I'd be looking hard at the Corrado. They've always had an air about them, they're a bit more 'special' than just another 3-series, albeit with a big engine. They're well respected for their handling, although I suspect that at this age that will be down to how revently it's had dampers and bushes looked at rather than how it left the factory.

I've always fancied a Corrado, and I'd say you wouldn't go far wrong with one. What the worst that can happen? If you don't get on with it there are buckets of 328i's out there you can sell up and put your money into. Here's another consideration: the 328i comes as coupe, saloon and estate, the Corrado is coupe only (thankfully! I love their shape). If your circumstances change in a couple of years you will be able to move on to a 328i, but the coupe is a "young mans car"

ANd I'm typing all this with a (sheddy) 328i touring on the drive.

[TommyBuoy]

jon_80 said:

bodhi said:

Ice White Socks said:

The biggest thing the article mentioned was the sheer speed pace of the VR once its on a roll- its a very, very quick car with a wonderful long third gear that has embarrassed a lot of cars. I have had a VR6 for about six years now and judging how it keeps pace with modern 330's then I would say its a good bit faster than a period 328

I wouldn't say so, as the 328i is faster than the E46 330i. The 328i is a deceptively quick car - just ask the Boxster S and Audi TT 225 I've easily kept up with.

That I know to be untrue, sadly, much as I'd like it to be true. The only 328s that might do that are the ones which have had the air intake de-restriction and a suitable remap to exploit it.

^ This. With the M50 manifold and a larger throttle body and a ecu flash then you would be looking at 225bhp on a healthy engine, from what I have researched (was thinking about it with mine but he cost would mean I would be better of putting money towards a new car and the insurance!).

I'd still go for the E36 - looks better and souonds better - all in my opinion.

Does seem a bit pricey - I'd put this down to the alloys and a bit of optimism though.

[lordlee]

If you have 4k to spend then this is an interesting option...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2231471.htm

Edited by lordlee on Thursday 11th November 13:08

[bodhi]

jon_80 said:

bodhi said:

Ice White Socks said:

The biggest thing the article mentioned was the sheer speed pace of the VR once its on a roll- its a very, very quick car with a wonderful long third gear that has embarrassed a lot of cars. I have had a VR6 for about six years now and judging how it keeps pace with modern 330's then I would say its a good bit faster than a period 328

I wouldn't say so, as the 328i is faster than the E46 330i. The 328i is a deceptively quick car - just ask the Boxster S and Audi TT 225 I've easily kept up with.

That I know to be untrue, sadly, much as I'd like it to be true. The only 328s that might do that are the ones which have had the air intake de-restriction and a suitable remap to exploit it.

I can only report what I managed in my own, standard 328i Saloon. Perhaps my engine is in particularly rude health, but both a Boxster S (986 is it?) and a TT 225 tried to drop me and failed miserably. Don;t get me wrong, I wasnt gaining on them, however, I wasn't dropping back either.

[chippy17]

SlimRick said:

The BMW does seem a wee bit pricey!!!

indeed you could get a vgc 3.0 M3 for that with some change, Which IMO is superior to both...

[hombrepaulo]

I doubt they were really trying.

[toast boy]

Haven't driven the 328 (although a mate has just bought one so may get a try soon...) but used to own a 16v Corrado and can say that the handling was brilliant. I know they're front wheel drive but it was so chuckable and very neutral, could balance wonderful 4 wheel drifts in it. Also I think the Corrado has a bit more sense of occasion than the BMW, I still really like the E36 coupes but the Corrado is just that little bit more special.

Edit to add: The VW would also be my choice for an investment, the prices for good ones aren't going to go down any time soon and may begin to rise slightly.

Edited by toast boy on Thursday 11th November 12:55

[lordlee]

toast boy said:

I still really like the E36 coupes but the Corrado is just that little bit more special.

Edited by toast boy on Thursday 11th November 12:55

[ManOpener]

lordlee said:

If you have 4k to spend then this is an interesting option...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2231471.htm

Edited by lordlee on Thursday 11th November 13:08

RUN. FAST. FAR AWAY.

Serious money-pit potential there.

[aka_kerrly]

Granted this test includes the GOLF vr6 which is a 2.8 with less power than the corrado but the results show that the characteristics of the VR6 make it a lot faster than the HP figure would suggest. This test compares it with the E36 325i


Full article here
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3869039

[bodhi]

hombrepaulo said:

I doubt they were really trying.

I don't. Both had sports 'zorsts on them, so didn't leave much to the imagination.

[jon_80]

bodhi said:

jon_80 said:

bodhi said:

Ice White Socks said:

The biggest thing the article mentioned was the sheer speed pace of the VR once its on a roll- its a very, very quick car with a wonderful long third gear that has embarrassed a lot of cars. I have had a VR6 for about six years now and judging how it keeps pace with modern 330's then I would say its a good bit faster than a period 328

I wouldn't say so, as the 328i is faster than the E46 330i. The 328i is a deceptively quick car - just ask the Boxster S and Audi TT 225 I've easily kept up with.

That I know to be untrue, sadly, much as I'd like it to be true. The only 328s that might do that are the ones which have had the air intake de-restriction and a suitable remap to exploit it.

I can only report what I managed in my own, standard 328i Saloon. Perhaps my engine is in particularly rude health, but both a Boxster S (986 is it?) and a TT 225 tried to drop me and failed miserably. Don;t get me wrong, I wasnt gaining on them, however, I wasn't dropping back either.

To be honest I can't comment on the Boxster and Audi but I can on the matter of the E36 328i vs E46 330i and the 3 litre does seem to have sufficent extra top end that it will ultimately (at relatively high speeds) pull away.

Apart from anything else it's 20% more powerful and less than 10% heavier so it's not that much of a surprise.

[Matthew_Eames]

Both nice cars, E36 is suffering with an image problem at the moment and prices are bottoming out...a nice 328i sport could be a worthwhile investment in the longer run...they will also return just over 35mpg on a run.

Friend has one and I have an E46 330ci and there is no perceivable difference in speed at legal levels...not sure about beyond that but the M52B28 is a great lump if a little lazy (can be fixed if desired but it's nicely smooth as standard)...

Can't really comment on the Corrado except that it's a good alternative and not likely to loose value, slightly more classy image at the moment aswell...though at a guess the economy will be lower and repairs more expensive due to body panel rarity but by contrast the E36 is prone to a bit of rust.

944 would interest me here, as would a 3.0 V6 alfa GTV and perhaps a Saab 93 Aero....the mid-late 90's produced some great big engined coupes, all of which are very reasonable now

All would be viable choices in my eyes but it comes down to preference and what you feel about them...go test drive!

[lordlee]

ManOpener said:

lordlee said:

If you have 4k to spend then this is an interesting option...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2231471.htm

Edited by lordlee on Thursday 11th November 13:08

RUN. FAST. FAR AWAY.

Serious money-pit potential there.

My friends wife has had her 430 for four years and hasnt had any serious problems just routine maintenance and a couple of switches. Hers has no rust in the front wings or rear arches either.