What about the Z3? Not too keen on only 2 seats, but is it a viable alternative?
What about the Z3? Not too keen on only 2 seats, but is it a viable alternative?
In reply to curtis73:
They have the 318ti suspension setup and they aren't bad cars......I personally wouldn't buy a convertible though(I'd require a z3 coupe)
I own an E36 325i (my second) and an E46 323i. I have also owned a E30 325i. I also own a Miata. The E36 has H&R sport springs Bilstien shocks and big front sway bar. My E30 had the same. I like driving the e36 the most. It is neutral at the limit, has a torque rev happy engine. The steering is nicely weighted and gives great feedback. The exhaust sounds great too. I paid $4.5K with all the goodies.
The E30 was fun but the engine was less rev happy. The steering ratio sucked. The rear would come around on me at the limit without warning. It felt like a nice tractor.
The E46 is too isolating. It is not engaging.
The Miata is more fun than them all.
the 318ti and Z3 do not try to kill you as much as the e30 wanted too.. but they are definitely not a car for lifting mid corner
Our 328i was certainly a better 'car' than the e30, but the e30 is the one we really miss. Steering ratio is cheap and easy to fix, as is shifting, using z3 parts.
I would definitely drive an E36 first to see how you like it compared to an E46. You may still end up passing up on it because it looks a little boring with the square headlamps. The Z3 is a viable option if you like the looks of it. I actually prefer them over the NA and NB Miatas, well, in the handling department anyway.
I have an E36 and I love it (except for the unreliability) and I have autocrossed an E46 M3 once.
I love that in this thread you have to look twice when someone says E36 M3 to make sure they aren't swearing 
I fully loved the go-kart feeling of the E30, especially since mine had Momo wheels, Bilstein shocks, and H&R sport springs, but as I age I'm appreciating the solid, quiet ride of some of the newer german cars.
I will attempt to drive more E36s. The only ones I've driven have had 80% the NVH as an E30 but weighed more and handled like crap. The E46s I've driven ride like a dream and handle 75% as well as my E30 cabrio, but with 90% less noise.
I'm also a little curious about This 07 C-class Merc I posted earlier.
I've heard you folks talk about how mid-90's was the end of MB greatness, but wondered if this fit in to the equation.
alleykat wrote: I own an E36 325i (my second) and an E46 323i. I have also owned a E30 325i. I also own a Miata. The E36 has H&R sport springs Bilstien shocks and big front sway bar. My E30 had the same. I like driving the e36 the most. It is neutral at the limit, has a torque rev happy engine. The steering is nicely weighted and gives great feedback. The exhaust sounds great too. I paid $4.5K with all the goodies. The E30 was fun but the engine was less rev happy. The steering ratio sucked. The rear would come around on me at the limit without warning. It felt like a nice tractor. The E46 is too isolating. It is not engaging. The Miata is more fun than them all.
I like your assessment. I agree... with my limited experience with them all. My only problem with the Miata is that they bring crazy money around here. I can buy an E46 with under 100k miles for less than I can buy a 150k Miata.
In reply to curtis73:
Come down to VA. They are cheap as chips around here.
curtis73 wrote: What about the Z3? Not too keen on only 2 seats, but is it a viable alternative?
If you're considering two seaters, how about a C4 Corvette? The TPI motor feels like a truck motor compared to an M52 (or for that matter, compared to a 4.8 LSx truck motor!), but they fit "My goal is to have a really neat, eye-catching car that is also ridiculously fun to drive," very well. Of all the cars I've ever sold, the one I miss most is a C4.
This is just me projecting my current wants onto your issue but... what about an inline 2 seater?
If you aren't set on BMW, how about either an X300 XJ6 (94-97) or a post '00 XJ8?
If your price is a bit flexible then maybe an E30 that's already had the M50/52 motor swap finished? Most of these cars have the E36 steering rack installed as well.
R3Vlimited.com had a bunch last time I looked and many are on/near the eastern seaboard.
If you're considering two seaters, how about a C4 Corvette? The TPI motor feels like a truck motor compared to an M52 (or for that matter, compared to a 4.8 LSx truck motor!), but they fit "My goal is to have a really neat, eye-catching car that is also ridiculously fun to drive," very well. Of all the cars I've ever sold, the one I miss most is a C4.
I have looked at several, and you are completely right. Plus, they are built on tried-and-true simple architecture. SBC with an old-school gearbox. Parts would be cheap (for the driveline anyway) and it probably won't lose much value.
Insurance might be an issue since it is one of the most stolen vehicles ever. I guess I would just get liability only and a good alarm system 
Going to look at THIS E36 on Saturday.
Thoughts? What should I look for?
Wow. I think it looks pretty dang nice.
curtis73 wrote: Insurance might be an issue since it is one of the most stolen vehicles ever. I guess I would just get liability only and a good alarm system
Actually, I was pleasantly surprised that our C4 'vert was one of the cheapest to insure cars we have owned since I moved over here.
BoxheadTim wrote:curtis73 wrote: Insurance might be an issue since it is one of the most stolen vehicles ever. I guess I would just get liability only and a good alarm systemActually, I was pleasantly surprised that our C4 'vert was one of the cheapest to insure cars we have owned since I moved over here.
I'll have to get some quotes. Thanks
Ask when the cooling system was last refreshed on the e36 (water pump and radiator especially).
good to know...
Rear shock mounts are known to fail so if there is some unusual clunking coming from the rear, it could be that. Clunking noises coming from the middle of the car, underneath you will probably be the guibo. Don't get an aftermarket one!
I say a really good is300(with an auto) can be had for 5000 all day long, an slightly rough manual too. But you knew I'd say that.
It's pretty obvious what's going to get my vote, but it's for several reasons. Pretty much every 5k e46 I've seen is either high mileage, clapped out, or both. The cooling systems one these are probably worse than any other BMW (which is saying something), and if the entire system hasn't been replaced it will need to be.
The e36 is a fantastic car, and I still miss mine. That said, it isn't eye catching unless it's done up well, and we all know the interior problems they have. As others have said the 328is is the bargain, but at the end of the day you'll want the M3. They're already starting to appreciate, and will hold their value more down the road. Finding a decent one in your price range might be tough though.
Now, the e30. These are already appreciating at a rather rapid rate, and though I expect that will taper off pretty soon the value probably isn't going to be coming back down any time soon. They are eye catching, and similar to Hunter mine gets quite a bit of attention. I rarely take it out without getting a thumbs up or comment on the car, and it's more track wench than garage queen. My advice is to see if you can find someone local with a 24v e30 and taking it for a spin. They drive so much differently with a M5x/S5x than an M20 or M42, and really blend the performance of the e36 with the fun of the e30.
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