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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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.
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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04M3 TiAg 69k slick-top 3 pedal
99M3 Cosmos 61k S50B32 euro 6Spd
88M3 AW 43k miles Project FS
WTB: 3.5" Eurosport/Conforti CAI
Last edited by GG///M3; 12-25-2019 at 11:44 PM.
“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
― George Orwell
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
04M3 TiAg 69k slick-top 3 pedal
99M3 Cosmos 61k S50B32 euro 6Spd
88M3 AW 43k miles Project FS
WTB: 3.5" Eurosport/Conforti CAI
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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