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Thread: E30 or E34 or E36

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Montreal
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    10
    My Cars
    2016 BMW 535i

    E30 or E34 or E36

    Started thinking about buying an ''old School'' bmw sometime in the near future , not really for the performance but mostly for the classical look and keeping it forever ..

    Although they're all very different cars I can't seem to make up my mind on which of them to focus more on since I love them all equally ..

    Which one would you pick and why ( has to be ///M ) ,

    Feel free to share Stories , pictures and opinions !


    So far I have owned the following :

    E31 , E34 (525) , 2x E36, 2 x E39, E46, E53 , E70, F10 (present)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Posts
    17
    My Cars
    1997 BMW E36 M3 coupe
    So personally I would choose the E36 M3. I have had two, I have had my current one for two years. Though there is a stigma with the E36, especially stateside with it not coming with the S50B32 I can say that the S52 is really solid, I never had a problem from them from either of my M3's (My current one has 270k miles). There is an abundance of N/A mods for you to pick from and if you do decide one day to chase power there are plenty of F/I mods and mod support for them. Really, the thing to keep in mind with any of them is the maintenance, the newest E36 M3 (currently) is 19 years old. You have owned a couple E36's so you know but since you are looking into an ///M its going to be a little more pricey, aftermarket or OEM. But the M cars really have the same maintenance issues as the non-M ones. Having owned a 328i and then going to an M3 I can say it is a huge jump, nothing like it, I get pure joy anytime I drive mine. Since you are just planning on maintaining it and keeping it I would say the E36 is the best way to go, it is the cheapest (thus the extra money spent on finding and buying an E30 M3 or an E34 M5 could go to restoration, maintenance and if you so choose, modifications to the car). Plus, again, they are everywhere, you will not have a problem with finding parts for them.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Riverside, CA
    Posts
    345
    My Cars
    98' M3/4/5, 85' 944
    Looks wise to me the E30 and E34 are the best looking BMWs ever made and the definition of classic and German build quality. This is coming from a current E36 owner and former E34 Owner.

    E34 M5 would be my choice.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Hopewell Junction, NY
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    2,639
    My Cars
    1987 325iS...edan
    Buy an E30, skip the M3. Way cheaper, just as fun, can be made just as quick, nearly as iconic to regular people these days.

    Or a 2002, or a 3.0CS. If you're considering E30 M3 money, the CS would be my choice 10 times out of 10.
    Interested in vintage cars? Ever thought about racing one?
    Info, photos, videos, and more can be found at www.michaelsvintageracing.com!


    Elva Courier build thread here!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Vancouver
    Posts
    2,947
    My Cars
    98 M3
    As a fairly wealthy man, e30>e36>e34
    As a not so wealthy man e36, and thats the only option.
    I've had my e36 for 5 years now and have no interest in getting rid of it. Its a great car, relatively reliable, and I've done 3k road trips, track days, and snowboard trips with the car. Its a great blend of old enough to feel special and new enough to actually use as transportation. I feel like the e30 is a little more "special" but comes with a few more headaches. The e34 would feel more practical while still feeling special, but a little to boaty for my liking.

    - 98 m3, techno/anthrazit cloth, 124k and officially worthless - 89 m3, alpine/black 143k and officially old - 2000 323it, tiag/grey, 169k and officially boring

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    The Netherlands
    Posts
    16,710
    My Cars
    DE-spec E36 328i/M3 cab
    Very different cars.

    E30 is too boxy and I dislike its interior. E34 M5 with S38B38 would be top dog, but not cheap to own.

    E36 is a nice meet-in-the-middle proposition.

    Of course personal taste plays a big part here. So in the end only you can make the best choice for you based on that and your budget.
    1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiί III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
    SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL

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  7. #7
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    E34. Find a nice 540/6 speed. Or a 535!
    ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
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    Hopewell Junction, NY
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    1987 325iS...edan
    Quote Originally Posted by MParallel View Post
    Very different cars.

    E30 is too boxy and I dislike its interior. E34 M5 with S38B38 would be top dog, but not cheap to own.

    E36 is a nice meet-in-the-middle proposition.

    Of course personal taste plays a big part here. So in the end only you can make the best choice for you based on that and your budget.
    My favorite thing about the E36 interior is when it falls off.

    Interested in vintage cars? Ever thought about racing one?
    Info, photos, videos, and more can be found at www.michaelsvintageracing.com!


    Elva Courier build thread here!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    NW suburban Chicago
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    16,302
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    hiss by my window
    E30 is quintessential BMW and a barrel of monkeys to drive.
    E34 is the perfect driver's sedan, does everything well. Not a racer, forget that.
    E36? More modern but lesser build quality than the others, also a blast to drive. Boy racer stigma attached.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by ELVA164 View Post
    My favorite thing about the E36 interior is when it falls off.


    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    2016 BMW 535i
    Thanks for the input guys ..
    Found this one in Canada for about $12K USD
    http://www.autotrader.ca/a/bmw/m/whi...%200B3&sprx=-1

    Also a Euro spec seems interesting for about $30,000 USD if importing from Germany

    https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/d...1-999302d851af

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