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Thread: e36 compact vs e46 compact? Best chassis and handling?

  1. #1
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    e36 compact vs e46 compact? Best chassis and handling?

    Hello,

    How are you?
    I am a big fan of the 3 series compact models.
    But I am wondering what would be the better handling, most mod friendly and better build base?

    From what I can tell, the e36 is a mixture, with basically the front end of the e36 and the rear end of the e30.
    This makes it easy to swap an e36 engine like the m52b28 but then I would assume it would be harder to set up the braking and suspension, as it would have to be a mix and match between front E36 suspension, anti roll bar, brakes and the rear transmissions, trailing arms, diff and brakes from either an e30 or Z3.

    The e46 compact seems to be all e46 and from what I can tell, everything from say an e46 330i should bolt straight up.

    Is this accurate?
    Also, is the e36 much lighter? How about the handling?
    As for performance, reliability and mod potential, is the M54B30 much better than the M52B28?

    If you were to pick either one for a build, which would you go for and why?

    Thanks.
    Cheers!


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  2. #2
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    You are correct when you say that the E36 is a mix of E36 and E30. That means the E36’s handling is less stellar then that if the E46. Btw, I owned an E30 and an E46 for a combined total of 32 years!

    Engines are quite comparable though I’m partial to the M54B30, which is what was in my E46. It’s considered one of BMW’s best engines. The B30 does burn oil unless properly maintained.

    So my recommendation is to go with the E46.

  3. #3
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    You have some wrong information. The rear suspension on e36 has nothing in common with an e30. In fact the suspension on e36 and e46 are fairly similar. I would give the nod to e46 as it can fit larger tires and has a more durable interior (if that is a concern).

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  4. #4
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    Take a look at the link. It’s for an E36 compact. It’s a picture of the car’s rear suspension which is definitely from an E30.

    https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=33_0999

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini View Post
    Take a look at the link. It’s for an E36 compact. It’s a picture of the car’s rear suspension which is definitely from an E30.

    https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=33_0999
    No Marco, that is a 318ti, the only e36 chassis that shares such a similarity w/e30 and z3. All other e36 sedans and coupes have two lateral links and a semi trailing arm, not swing arms! I would NOT recommend racing e30 or z3 chassis!

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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by CameronR View Post
    No Marco, that is a 318ti, the only e36 chassis that shares such a similarity w/e30 and z3. All other e36 sedans and coupes have two lateral links and a semi trailing arm, not swing arms!
    Marco is on point, the E36 318ti is the E36 Compact.

    Quote Originally Posted by CameronR View Post
    I would NOT recommend racing e30 or z3 chassis!
    Unless it's an E30 M3.
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  7. #7
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    Well don't I have egg on my face! I see the original post asking about compact models. We didn't get the e46 compact in North America and I missed that detail. I still wouldn't recommend the chassis! :-P


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    e36 compact vs e46 compact? Best chassis and handling?

    Quote Originally Posted by MauiM3Mania View Post
    Marco is on point, the E36 318ti is the E36 Compact.



    Unless it's an E30 M3.
    Correct . Now back to the e46. Its subframe is made of recycled cardboard. The e30 didn’t have a 10th of the issues with subframes compared to the e46.




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    Last edited by GG///M3; 12-25-2019 at 11:44 PM.
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  9. #9
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    A missing element in this discussion is what type of racing might this car compete. Knowing that, you could look at the record as to what does well and what not so.

    Edit: The OP didn't mention racing, so if this is just for fun road car, it probably doesn't matter much.
    Last edited by MauiM3Mania; 12-26-2019 at 03:27 AM. Reason: added comment
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by CameronR View Post
    No Marco, that is a 318ti, the only e36 chassis that shares such a similarity w/e30 and z3. All other e36 sedans and coupes have two lateral links and a semi trailing arm, not swing arms! I would NOT recommend racing e30 or z3 chassis!

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    What are you talking about!? So many people race e30’s!

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by 21deep View Post
    What are you talking about!? So many people race e30’s!
    Well good for them! The trailing arm suspension sucks. Given a choice, I say step up to the e36/e46 coupe chassis and suspension. You know, there is a reason BMW used it in the e36/e46 M3...

    The only reason I would race a car with an e30 style suspension would be if it was a class requirement or I was trying for a lighter 4 cylinder powered car.

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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by CameronR View Post
    Well good for them! The trailing arm suspension sucks. Given a choice, I say step up to the e36/e46 coupe chassis and suspension. You know, there is a reason BMW used it in the e36/e46 M3...

    The only reason I would race a car with an e30 style suspension would be if it was a class requirement or I was trying for a lighter 4 cylinder powered car.

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    Correct


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