[BMW320i]

Originally Posted by alpine318

It will probably be less vague than your 335i

nice adv

[SP330]

Originally Posted by 010101

I do agree with your comment to Vino. As for the e36....

"Chintzy" materials mean nothing to me. I have driven the e30, e36, e46, e90 and e92. To me the E36 was just the perfect blend of size, handling, practicality, and reliability(other than 3.2 liter vanos systems). I personally think the e36 is one of the best looking cars they ever made too. Obviously "the best car" is very subject and our opinions differ. If you want nice materials get a 7 series. Not a car I would ever want, but a nice interior none the less.

I like how you explained yourself, and didn't complain.

BMW's cost cutting measures went into full swing and it's most evident with the E36 (whole range).

010101 you are indeed correct, but the driving experience the car offers is well worth the troubles

[010101]

Originally Posted by SP330

I like how you explained yourself, and didn't complain.

BMW's cost cutting measures went into full swing and it's most evident with the E36 (whole range).

010101 you are indeed correct, but the driving experience the car offers is well worth the troubles

Thanks for the kind words. I know full well about the e36's cost cutting measures. I had plastic parts of my cooling system break off when I was on the freeway one time. Parts that really should never have been plastic in the first place. They put a huge dent in my hood and I required a tow home. The e36 was certainly far from ideal in some ways. There were also various plastic interior parts and clips that were coming loose when I got rid of my car.

All in all it was a good car though. I had 160k miles on it when I sold it and never really had major problems with it. The e30 however is certainly an icon car. My family owned an e30 325 that we bought new in the mid 80's. When we got rid of it in the late 90's it had over 300,000 miles on it and never had to have anything more than a clutch and some brake pads! That was a truly well made car. You put the key in the ignition if you wanted to start it. If you wanted drive fast you kept the car in check with your own skill. And if you wanted to find something you looked at your Thomas Guide. It was just a great car. That was its main selling point. Not any silly techno gadgets that kept you distracted when you could've been going for a nice drive.

[2m3]

NO point saying which one is better or the best. They are all made by same company.

E92 335i is an improvement and refinement, and it is based from previous E46, E36, and E30, so on.

I like the new front suspension in the E90/E92, and the small twin turbo giving wide torque band starting from 1400 rpm. The only thing is the price has gone up so high, many options most people do not need, and weight has accumulated.

E36 is easy to maintain, and weight around 3200lb-3300 lb. You have to rev above 4000 rpm on the 3 liter, and above 3500 rpm on the 3.2 liter to make it scream. Yes, they have cheap materials and expensive when time to change those parts (vanos, radiator, bushings, etc) which add up the dollars.

If you read Roundel, more club racers and track junkies choosing the E36 because it is at attarctive price and many choices of aftermarket parts.
Put x-brace, 3.46 final drive, cam kit, larger injector, larger HFM, larger airbox, chip, lighter flywheel or pulleys, lighter wheels, etc. It is very practical and affordable.

Yes, the E92 335i will smoke the E36M3 from standing zero, but once moving above 80 mph at twisties, it is all about the driver not the car.