e34 v e46 and possibly unrelated performance issues

[Dexm]

After driving my "new" '00 323it 5 speed for a week, I have to say I was impressed with how tight and firm it rides (it's got the sport package). It's got really good pick up. My '91 535i 5 speed is a brute compared to the 323 but just loses out in nimbleness. Though it's still pretty good. I've noticed two things. The suspension in the '00 feels a lot tighter and I prefer it. And it feels like in the 535 doesn't have the "punch" in lower gears that the 323 has. Maybe the 535 needs a tune-up, I don't know.

I'm not sure which I prefer. It's a toss up. But I've got to agree that BMW's are fun to drive. It's not just advertising hype.

I say this all having driven two cars as daily drivers for a long time. A beat to shit Toyota and a 51 Buick -- the Buick which I drove for years on the freeways at speeds of 80-95 MPH had "no" suspension compared to a BMW, obviously, and it didn't even have radials until I put them on shortly before I garaged the car a few years ago. I kept everything stock and original (which is my "mods" are so foreign to my way of thinking -- obviously there are guys who trick out old American cars, but there are a lot of people who like to keep everything "original" -- maybe this way of thinking isn't so much prevalent among younger guys who buy BMW's, I don't know). I rebuilt everything except the engine block myself. A hell of a lot easier to work on than a BMW, by the way:):stickoutt

[4500 RPM]

The E46 steering is nothing short of superb. Is your E46 a sport package?

Nice acquisition BTW, manual wagons are rare.

[tonyroc14]

the e46 is a very nice car. It's up there as one of my favorite cars. Right below 2002's and right above a 635 :D

[Binjammin]

Well duh, the Buick Floatmaster is a completely different universe from where the BMW was built. The e34 is an older car, the e46 is a new car. None of the three will ever feel similar, just make sure they're all in prime operating condition and enjoy!

[David325e]

Hey man, 18 here and my goal is showroom fresh for my cars, just to give you some hope.

[Dexm]

The E46 steering is nothing short of superb. Is your E46 a sport package?

Nice acquisition BTW, manual wagons are rare.

Thanks. Yes, it's got the sports package. I bought it from another person on bimmerforums.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1137184


Well duh, the Buick Floatmaster is a completely different universe from where the BMW was built.

Really? Thanks for the insight.


Hey man, 18 here and my goal is showroom fresh for my cars, just to give you some hope.

Yeah, there's something to be said for keeping everything original. That said, in addition to steel-belted radials, if I were to use the '51 as a daily driver again, I'd seriously consider front disc brakes and maybe even seat belts. But I like a lot of the mods that guys on bimmerforums have done. Especially some of the brakes and suspension stuff. The additions to the body, not so much. I think, for instance the plain jane E34, looks brilliant the way it is without adding anything to it. In fact, I prefer it the M Class.


the e46 is a very nice car. It's up there as one of my favorite cars. Right below 2002's and right above a 635 :D

I love the 2002. I had a friend in college who used to drive one before she wrapped it around a tree. We used to have to push start it down the street to get it going. The 635 is great too. A friend of mine wrote a novel and the main character had a 635 in which he chopped the top off and had to drive fast on the freeways when it was raining in order to justify the expense. And to keep the rain out:) The E28 is one of the favorite 4 doors though.

I like the wheels in your sig. I'm thinking of trading mine at some point for something like yours.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3326/dsc01308u.jpg

[Binjammin]

Really? Thanks for the insight.




This from the guy pointing out that the e34 and e46 handle differently.


Point taken?