E30 vs E46 for fun daily driver and autocross

[alent]

With E46 prices going down and clean E30 prices going up, you can find both in similar conditions and prices (at least in the DC area). After selling my E36 (1998 323is w/ 118k miles), I’m looking for a new fun daily and I’ve found an E30 (1986 325e w/ 130k miles) for $4k and an E46 (2002 330ci w/ 120k miles) for $4.5k and I cannot decide which I want more. It will be a second car (I have a 2013 Jetta GLI), but I want it to be my daily because both an E30 and an E46 will certainly be more engaging and entertaining than the Jetta.
The way I see it, the E46 will be much faster, but the E30 will be more fun. The E46 might be more reliable, but any repairs will probably cost a lot more than for an E30. I plan to autocross the car, but it should also be able to make the trip from DC to Chicago a few times a year. I also plan to modify the suspension on both and maybe a 24v swap down the road if I get an E30. So should I get the E30 or E46 and why?

Also here are the cars I’ve owned for people who like pictures… all stock nothing special

[Luftwaffe1O1]

I would.incrrase your budget a bit and go for a relatively clean e46. E30 can be more fun, and definitely more tossable for an autocross, but I had an e30 daily for a while. You will enjoy life in am e46 much more. E30s are nearing the 30 year old mark these days, and an e46 is still not quite that dated. There are also some very nifty aftermarket options for updating the nav/radio with android OS units + Google maps etc.

I like e30s, but, given that it will be a daily/autox car I'd say definitely e46.

[pbonsalb]

For a daily driver, i'd get the 10-15 year old car over the 25-30 year old car.

[BimmerBreaker]

The e46, i wouldnt even think twice. And I think this e30 pricing bubble will eventually burst...