Better handler e36 or e30 ??

[motorsports_3]

Me and my brother were arguing yesterday about ours cars. He is a lil arrogant and thinks just becuase his car is newer his is better, i told him to fuck off. Now to the point i said that my87 325 with kyb shocks and eibach springs could out handle his 318ti with bilstien shocks and eibach springs. Then that is i was wrong that any e30 would out handle and equivilant e36 ie. 318is e30 to 318is e36, or m3 e30, to m3 e36. Mind you were were talking about skilled drivers. So guys who was right is it me or him?

[BavBrwlr]

im almost 100 percent sure a e30 could outhandle a ti, now for an e36 m3, i honestly dont know, the e30 is very rigid and stiff

[TommyO]

I think it's hard to determine without first defining handling. I think the e30 is probably more nimble and easier to toss around, but I suspect the newer and wider chassis of the e36 would be better for long sweepers, etc.

[bmwwindout]

e30 4 sure



---------------
Real m3's have 4 cylinders!
And no Cup Holders!

[bmwwindout]

but of course everyone has thier opinions...
http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread.php?threadid=9252

[E36DJ]

This is going to be a long thread.

I think it's pretty simple, the E36 is an evolution to the E30 - with a longer wheelbase and wider track, (combined with wider tires.) I just don't see a company releasing a car that not only didn't surpass the previous model, but didn't even MEET the old performance specs.

E36 all the way.

[CMT]

Originally Posted by mazenz

from every comparison test ive ever read, and a little bit of personal experience the e36 is the better handling car overall, but the e30 is easier to drive at the limit by a long shot. the limits are greater on the e36. nothing can beat the agility of the e30 m3 though. its just not comparable in "feel"

Originally Posted by S14

there was an article in roundel awhile back comparing a modified M3s. one from each generation. The conclusion was that while the limits are higher on the E36 comapred to the E30, and (the E46 has even higher limits than the E36), none of the two match the sheer joy in driving the E30 M3

I wholeheartedly agree with the above. This is exactly how I feel about the difference between the E36 and E46 M3 - While the limits on the newer car are higher, its comparative lack of direct feel and feedback make the older car seem razor sharp in comparison. Stock for stock, that is (most people who have driven Carmen's 04 M3 with the GC Advance Design race suspension have said it is one of the best "handling" cars that they have ever driven). Putting aside the differing definitions of "handling," the E36 has higher lmits when compared to the E30. BMW put a lot of R&D into making sure that the 3 series' capability evolved, not devolved. Anything else just wouldn't make sense.

[BavBrwlr]

i agree, but what about the ti, isnt it shorter and higher center of gravity give it less direct controll? compared to the e30

[CMT]

[Howies]

e36 has almost 50/50 weight dist... cant beat it. dont know about the 318ti perhaps the smaller engine is balanced by the goofy hatch.
and as the poster says...


but thats the m3

[powerslave]

My E30 318is will own my e36 325is hardcore on tight twisties. Its far, far more tossable, and lighter. It is much more fun to drive. My e36 is much faster on wide open high speed turns; more stable, more power and higher limits. Its definately not as tossable, noticibly heavier. BTW, the 318is has H&R Sport springs and Bilsteins, Yoko AVS 100 tires 215 width on 15 inch Ronal LS wheels. The 325is has H&R Race Springs, Koni Yellows, Chassis X brace, 225 width Kumho 712s on 18" BBS wheels. Just a little insight.

[DTME30ic]

As much as i love E30's, its the E36 that handles better. It has miles more grip that an E30 and can therefore corner better. The E36 has a more advanced rear suspension than the E30.

I am talking run of the mill examples of E30/E36. An E30 M3 will be better than an E36 318i for example. . .

When it comes down to it though, the E30 is a more involving drive as you can reach its limits at far less speed than an E36. You can easily challenge the E30. Lots of fun

[motorsports_3]

Doesnt the e30 m3 have 50/50 weight distributionn

[Mark_In_PA]

E30 M3s can beat E46s M3 on a track so theres some prrof on what handles better.

[Howies]

Originally Posted by Mark_In_PA

E30 M3s can beat E46s M3 on a track so theres some prrof on what handles better.

i hope you are talking about auto-X because an e30 couldnt hold up to the extra power of the e46 on a real race track!

track has little to do with handling when one car has less then 2/3 the power of the other

~Ryan