E30 E36 E46

[BrokenSaint911]

what is the difference between the what is the difference between all the E30 E36 and so on how do i know which one is best

[328iPower]

First off, Welcome to DTM There are sub-forums with info on the e30, e36, and the e46. the e30 was like from 1983 to like 1991 then the e36 came along untill 1999. and then the e46 came along. the body has changed with all, as well as the engine. its just gotten much better every time. here are some pics of the 3 series
Just so that they would be all the same type, Im comparing just the M3's. Still similar to the regular 3series.

E30 M3


E36 M3


E46 M3

[TSA-E30]

Originally Posted by 328iPower

the body has changed with all, as well as the engine. its just gotten much better every time.

Spoken like a true non-enthusiast!

[328iPower]

Originally Posted by TSA-E30

Spoken like a true non-enthusiast!

I was just letting him know that BMW always improves. But I still love the old 3 series, E30 M3 is the true M3

[hammerfang]

along the way the 3 series has gotten bigger, more refined, heavier, more luxurious, and more powerful. however, the older 3s (e30 especially) r very light and especially fun to drive. they r now falling into the enthusiast category bc of this, the e36 is prob the most well known 3 series and i'd say the most popular (at least by number of owners). the e46 continued on this trend and i feel is truely the first 3 series built with a strong focus on luxury and comfort. in my family we have an e36 325is and an e46 330i and while the cars r very similar in some ways they r night and day in others. finally with the e90 u have a car with cutting edge technology and some serious performance, especially the 330. but the new 3 is so advanced that i feel its lost some of the charm the older 3 series have and for this reason i don't feel as though they will have quite as large of an enthusiast/after market following as the other 3 series have had.

[BrokenSaint911]

i am very thanks for the info i love bmw and think dados yellow bimmer is bad ass i have always liked them but couldnt figure out the difference between the e30 and so on thats all i couldnt find out

[e30-ix kid]

newer does not necessarily equal better, all depends on what your looking for. as the years go on they become less and less of a purists sports car.

[BrokenSaint911]

i was thuinking a 1995 e36 m3 or 1999 e36 m3 is there any difference i cant choose can anyone give me info or tell which would be better i have done all my own studing of them but still cant choose

[e30-ix kid]

slightly different engines. the 95 would likely have an s50 which is a 3 liter, under the hood whereas the 99 would have an s52 motor which is a 3.2. theyre basically the same motor, but the s50 is arguably more tunable due to the fact that its ecu is in compliance with OBD I emission requirements, which is under less regulation by emission standards (in ny anyway) just like any other car older than 96. the s52 is OBD II controlled with a slightly different fuel injection system, slightly different bore and stroke, and makes alittle more usable midrange torque due to a change in the design of the intake and exhaust manifolds. (tell me if i forgot anything guys) i got the feeling all this is gonna go right over your head, but there it is in case you were wondering.

[Barane46]

e30 rulezz.... best M power for me.

[e30-ix kid]

word ^ ^ ^

[HJ_E36]

Does it mean the E30 is better than the rest in term of racing? If so then it's kinda sad cuz i've just got my 98 m3

[ILiveToRide]

The E30 M3 is more pure sport/racing. It's more direct, lighter, less compromises.
As a overall car concidered it's the worst of the three.

Stock for stock E46 M3's are faster around a track then both the others.

[e30-ix kid]

Originally Posted by ILiveToRide

Stock for stock E46 M3's are faster around a track then both the others.

and 3 times as expensive to acquire and maintain.


it all depends on what your looking for.

[GERMAN]

the e36m3 gt is the best 3 series ever made. well maybe the e30m3 evosport.the new bmw's are to damn heavy and big.european cars seem to be getting bigger, while american cars are getting smaller and more european, i think for once the europeans, especially the germans need to learn from america's past mistakes.