Author Topic: e36 vs e30 m42's (Read 5925 times)

fast_eddie · « **on:** January 06, 2009, 01:46:14 PM »

what is the major difference between the two? they both have the same engine. the e36 might be a little bigger, but does the e30 have all the neat gadgets like seatwarmers like the e36? is there really any difference in handleing? most of the front suspension is the same. the e36 has the multi point rear, i dont really know what the e30 has in the back. the 5 point was supposed to be a major upgrade.

im not knockin alll e30 guys, just want to know what im missing (if anything)

swiss318is · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2009, 03:34:24 PM »

e36 has a stiffer body but is a lot heavier then the e30. so the engine feels a bit weak. and the e30 has all the gadgets you need or not (not sure for the seatheat)..
dont forget.. the oldest e30's are over 20years old..

E30tii · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2009, 05:51:23 PM »

Heated seats were an option on some E30s, I don't if they were available on all M42 powered cars though. In the US, the 318 models didn't get as many gadgets as the 6 cylinder ones; I have seen heated seats on a 318ic, so I assume you could have ordered them on a 318i/is too, but I would guess it was pretty rare, if even possible (maybe available in Canada?). In any case, they can be retrofitted if you can find some heated seats off a car that had them.

Hodge · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2009, 08:33:01 PM »

E36 M42's also got some nice upgrades over the E30 M42's...

Better intake manifold design with the DISA valve, Better designed oilpan, (after '93) better profile gaskets, and if I remember correctly, they got stronger valves too.

I'd still rock a 91 318is though, no question about it!

Yes, E30's are definitely lighter, but honestly, my E36 doesn't feel piggish at all. I can toss it around like crazy.

Yes, E36's are definitely stiffer. My E36 is just so tight feeling and amazing to drive. My E30 is also wonderful, and is just a fun car to take out and ride in. The E36 definitely makes a better daily driver, seeing as it's a little bigger and more comfortable (depending).

I can honestly say that I have become a more competent driver not only because of continual experience, but having to cope with such an "underpowered" car makes you really drive differently. I have learned how to tune into a car quite well, and when I am in my E36 it becomes like another appendage. I literally feel everything through my seat, steering wheel, and pedals. I know what my car is doing all the time. It is a wonderful feeling.

It's the feeling of an M42 powered BMW!

Cliff Notes: My advice? Get what you really want. Either way, you cannot go wrong! E30's and E36's are awesome for different reasons.

fast_eddie · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2009, 07:41:54 AM »

yes...
i understand your appendage theory. this is my first stick and it took me a day er 2 to figure it out but after that i dont even need a tack nemore. i put a louder exhaust on to hear it better but thats about it.
i have a 95 318is thats hellrot red and has seat warmers premium sound lsd and the window sticker sayz premium package so that might be all of it i think.
i havent sceen very many hellrot bmw's. how rare are the 4's with the goodies? maby i got a better deal than i thaught for 2200 with 167000. well it still needs prolly a grand er 2 until its mint. front suspension paint motor mount quarter paanel bunch of little stuff.

Hodge · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2009, 08:18:06 PM »

My car had nothing but basic stuff, except for the "snow package" which had the 3.45 LSD and also the alloy wheels were an extra.

My LSD crapped out last year, due to being so heavily used when the original owner (I'm the 2nd owner) had it (she drove it in the snow alot). I upgraded to a Metric Mechanic 4 disc Variable LSD and love it.

fast_eddie · « **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2009, 08:15:36 AM »

wow i didnt know they were that sensitive. i live in northern michigan, i plow snow regularly with mine. im not shure on the ratio of the lsd tho.

Hodge · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2009, 08:23:28 PM »

Well, I think it was more of an "E36 LSD" problem than an "LSD" problem.

They are known for having the small allen bolt heads snap clean off and rattle around inside te casing....same thing happened to mine. I just speculated that having been driven so much in the snow helped bring this about as well, but it was probably only a matter of time.

B318M42W · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2009, 12:14:41 AM »

for the headed seats in the E30's... i have them in my 318i up here in canada, with "lots" of snow and they work great too.

fast_eddie · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2009, 07:30:56 AM »

im right in michigans snow belt, and my road is one of the last in the county to get plowed. my bimmer gets through more snow than i ever thaught it would. does great with cold starts too. but i might have a problem with my cooling system, it never seems to get past the blue on the temp gague. well unless im running in secondt gear. whair do yours usually run at in the winter?

roundel318 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2009, 08:16:16 AM »

Should run right in the middle, your stat could be wonky, among a thousand other things

fast_eddie · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2009, 08:09:53 AM »

for the last few months it is average 20 degrees outside whair i live. my car never heats up over even the first line after the blue unless i give it balls trying to get up my driveway. could it have a bad tempature sensor? thermostat?

Voluted · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2009, 09:33:38 AM »

I live in Toronto and my car came with a winter package which included heated front seats, heated power mirrors, and heated windshield washer jets.

Last week the temp was -30C outside and my car still heats up to the mid point of the gauge when sitting in traffic, and moves down almost to the first white line while driving without much stopping.

Cloud · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2009, 10:54:08 AM »

Quote from: Voluted;65040

I live in Toronto and my car came with a winter package which included heated front seats, heated power mirrors, and heated windshield washer jets.

Last week the temp was -30C outside and my car still heats up to the mid point of the gauge when sitting in traffic, and moves down almost to the first white line while driving without much stopping.

Weren't there also heated door locks included in that pack?

tony92ic · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2009, 08:57:51 PM »

I've had both and e36 318i and e30 318i as well. I don't really think they are comparable cars despite sharing a powerplant.

The E36 is a more modern, more comfortable car. The E30 a more nimble, more pure car. In my personal opinion everything BMW built after the E30 and E28 was downhill. Too heavy and too complicated. Doesn't stop me from buying them now and again as daily drivers.

As far as the multilink rear end. The E30 rear suspension is to this day better than what's available on most cars. The e36 rear end is an upgrade in the way Vista is an Upgrade over XP. Sure its more capable, but also more complex and more fragile. Although you aren't likely to break one with an M42 powerplant, but M3s and modified 6 cylinders do quite frequently.

If you are looking for a sports sedan to modify and track and go zoom-zoom in (to borrow a phrase from Mazda) then you want an e30 or 6 cylinder e36. If you want a capable fuel efficient daily driver that lets you wring out the car a little on your way to work without getting you in trouble than an e36 318is is a great choice.

To answer your question though: What are you missing in an e36 over an e30? A great deal of fun.

PS my 95 318i was Hellrot with a black interior. Cold weather package (heated seats, washers, door locks) premium sound, fold down rear seats, LSD. There was also a sport package - 16" wheels and stiffer springs on a coupe. Also adds sports seats on a sedan. Leather, foglights, cruise control were also an options. At least that's what I remember from the order sheet after 13 years. I don't remember Hellrot being particularly rare as it was the basic red for the time frame. Oh, metallic paint was another option that could get you a dark metallic red.