E30 vs E36

[mistertripps]

There is a interesting discussion going on with my MINI forum concerning the better track car. Lots of people prefer the E30, but some say the E36 is the better way to go. Just thought I'd solicit your opinions.

[blackstig]

E30=Cheaper to prepare, cheaper to buy, easier to maintain, more fun to drive, lighter weight . . .

E36=More expensive, handles better, faster, aftermarket will take you further . . .

-Stig

[Mitch]

Stig is right, the E30s are great tossable little cars, inexpensive to run and maintain, nice large aftermarket.

For a race car only, I'd get a E30.

[mistertripps]

E30=Cheaper to prepare, cheaper to buy, easier to maintain, more fun to drive, lighter weight . . .

E36=More expensive, handles better, faster, aftermarket will take you further . . .

-Stig

The guy arguing for the E36 says the prices are evening out, for the cars and for the mods. I suppose if that is true, maybe the E36 would be a better choice. But, for me, I just like the E30 better.

[Dominic49]

e36 is better for track
no one cares when they run into the wall :)

[Philip]

e36 is better for track
no one cares when they run into the wall :)

LOL True true
Unless it's a no-sunroof coupe. Then people cringe in pain.

[dinanm3atl]

E30=Cheaper to prepare, cheaper to buy, easier to maintain, more fun to drive, lighter weight . . .

E36=More expensive, handles better, faster, aftermarket will take you further . . .

-Stig

That is just wrong.

The e36 is a better track car. It is faster, has better suspension and brakes. The chassis is stiffer and the list goes on and on. Weight can be removed ;)

I would like to know how it is cheaper to prepare an e30 though? A cage is a cage and last time I checked good quality race coilovers are equal in price. Easier to maintain? e36 doesn't need valve adjustments, it doesn't have a timing belt. That is just to name a few.

You can get into a 92-94 325i/is for CHEAP and start from there. It is just a better car for tracking. End of the story. I know the e30 guys will get mad but it is true and I am an e30 owner, well I was till last weekend.

95 e36 m3 is your budget track star in the making!

[atl530i]

e36 is better for track
no one cares when they run into the wall :)

Haha... Thats too funny. They all crash the same way eh???

Honestly, I'd rather get an E30 because there is not a lot of electronics like the E36. I'd also get the E30 and drop an M50 or M52 in it and have some fun.

[e30bmw]

Having won more road races than any other model in history, the E30 M3 is considered by many to be the world's most successful road race car. M3s entered by BMW and privateer racing outfits did dominate the competition for the years it was in production. Its wins include the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, European Touring Car Championship and even the one-off World Touring Car Championship title in 1987. The E30 M3 is also a multiple winner of Guia Race, 24 Hours Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hours.

Straight from wiki, enough said, I love E36s and all, but get an E30 M3 and you are set.

[88e28]

Having won more road races than any other model in history, the E30 M3 is considered by many to be the world's most successful road race car. M3s entered by BMW and privateer racing outfits did dominate the competition for the years it was in production. Its wins include the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, European Touring Car Championship and even the one-off World Touring Car Championship title in 1987. The E30 M3 is also a multiple winner of Guia Race, 24 Hours Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hours.

Straight from wiki, enough said, I love E36s and all, but get an E30 M3 and you are set.

WOW You been reading up. Good job. Listen to Dinanm3atl he knows what hes talking about.

[dinanm3atl]

Having won more road races than any other model in history, the E30 M3 is considered by many to be the world's most successful road race car. M3s entered by BMW and privateer racing outfits did dominate the competition for the years it was in production. Its wins include the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, European Touring Car Championship and even the one-off World Touring Car Championship title in 1987. The E30 M3 is also a multiple winner of Guia Race, 24 Hours Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hours.

Straight from wiki, enough said, I love E36s and all, but get an E30 M3 and you are set.

Right... Against 190e Mercedes ;)

There is no competition. You have to dump mad money into an e30 to make it an e36 m3 equal. It is just the nature of the beast.

And to top it off the e36 M3 is not an electronic extensive car. It is very easy to work on and does not have a ton and sensors and electronics :)

Just look at the rear suspension... Trailing arm? Single subframe mounts per side? The e36 M3 was a HUGE improvement over the e30 M3. Consider we have an M328 here in the US, The gap on an e30 M3 vs a 99 300hp Euro M3... Geesh!

[Justin]

Right... Against 190e Mercedes ;)

There is no competition. You have to dump mad money into an e30 to make it an e36 m3 equal. It is just the nature of the beast.

And to top it off the e36 M3 is not an electronic extensive car. It is very easy to work on and does not have a ton and sensors and electronics :)

Well i have both an E30 325i and a E36 M3 and i will agree that the E36 is a better track car hands down! Technology gets better and makes cars better as far as brakes, power, susp. Stock for stock the E36 would kill a E30 on the track all day long then just to get the E30 up to the E36 stock, would take a full susp i would say..... Then brakes, then power..... On top of that a E30 M3 costs more then a E36 M3 so tell me how its cheaper to track a E30 M3????

O and BTW lets not even go into the costs to maintain an E30 M3....S14 = Lots of $$$$$!!!

[Mitch]

I totally agree with dinanm3atl, the E36 M3 is one of the best performing cars available that you can drive to the track, race it, then drive it home. Its the old race car mentality.

Oh man what I would do for a E30 M3. They are about as expensive as a Ferrari to maintain and fix! YIKES!

[dinanm3atl]

I know everyone loves the e30 but it is not THAT good ;)

[SOUTHERNBIMMER]

[QUOTE=dinanm3atl;24912]That is just wrong.

The e36 is a better track car. It is faster, has better suspension and brakes. The chassis is stiffer and the list goes on and on. Weight can be removed ;)

I would like to know how it is cheaper to prepare an e30 though? A cage is a cage and last time I checked good quality race coilovers are equal in price. Easier to maintain? e36 doesn't need valve adjustments, it doesn't have a timing belt. That is just to name a few.

QUOTE]
You telling me there is no timing belt in the e36?

[dinanm3atl]

[QUOTE=dinanm3atl;24912]That is just wrong.

The e36 is a better track car. It is faster, has better suspension and brakes. The chassis is stiffer and the list goes on and on. Weight can be removed ;)

I would like to know how it is cheaper to prepare an e30 though? A cage is a cage and last time I checked good quality race coilovers are equal in price. Easier to maintain? e36 doesn't need valve adjustments, it doesn't have a timing belt. That is just to name a few.

QUOTE]
You telling me there is no timing belt in the e36?

I am telling you that. There is not a crappy timing belt. It uses a real deal timing chain ;)

[Justin]

^ Yes it uses a timing chain!!!!! I think the M20 was one of the only BMW engines that use a belt!

[Philip]

w00t!!!

E36 FTMFW, BIZ-NATCHES!

[atl530i]

^ Yes it uses a timing chain!!!!! I think the M20 was one of the only BMW engines that use a belt!

This is why I bought an E30 318i. I did not want to deal with the timing belt issues. No power but I didn't care, lol. It had a 5 speed atleast.

[dinanm3atl]

This is why I bought an E30 318i. I did not want to deal with the timing belt issues. No power but I didn't care, lol. It had a 5 speed atleast.

Late model small bumper 318?

[SOUTHERNBIMMER]

For some reason I had it in my head they had just gone to all belt systems. Glad to know they didn't. We need an M20 chain retro fit kit. My M20's are just temporary tinker toys anyhow.

[dinanm3atl]

For some reason I had it in my head they had just gone to all belt systems. Glad to know they didn't. We need an M20 chain retro fit kit. My M20's are just temporary tinker toys anyhow.

If you own an m20 powered vehicles...

If in doubt change it and throw in a tensioner and water pump. It is cheap and easy AND better than a blown up head. I guarantee it!

[SOUTHERNBIMMER]

If you own an m20 powered vehicles...

If in doubt change it and throw in a tensioner and water pump. It is cheap and easy AND better than a blown up head. I guarantee it!

I have three. Not too worried about it at the moment since I am only using one of them as a daily and I do not ride them hard but I will be installing a new belt/tensioner soon which I have as well as the water pump. This weekend is all clutch in the E36.