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Recommendations on a daily driver (non-02)


mcope

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I see the e36 doesn't get too many nods here, but i would definately suggest an e36 M3. I've had mine for 7 years now, adding 50k miles to it. I've had to replace only ONE item during that time, a camshaft sensor.

Sure i've done filters, suspension, cooling and brake maintenance as required. I haven't had any "parts falling off" as described by others. I've got a convertible, which after 11 years tend to have their own idiosyncracies. I've never had any other e36's, but I wouldn't bother with other models mainly cause the M3 prices are going way down as compared to a few years ago. The car is a blast to drive, the engine has a reputation for going strong-long, and the later years had more safety equipment, side airbags etc. "

Best-Handling Car Ever – at any Price" by Car and Driver in 1997

Lastly, in my opinion, styling wise it has the last remenents of the boxy 2002 style.

A low mileage example is ~80k nowadays. For a DD, i'd get the four door sedan to make life easier.

Drive one.

Mark B

'67 2000CS

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I find it quite interesting that many of us 2002 owners own similar other cars.

E30 318is, E36 M3.

I have 3 E36's and they all are losing their headliners, door panels are falling apart, the A-pillar cover on all 3 cars is losing its inner cover, they have minor electrical issues, mostly door lock problems (in my case) seats wear out easily, and a few other small issues. Engines are awesome.

The E30 is better built. The interiors hold out better, all the electricals work, upholstery holds out better and repairs are easier.

The E30 318is M42 motor valvetrain is not belt driven. I think the M20 is the only belt motor BMW makes.

Pierre

O==00==O

69 2002 (M20), 74 tii, 76 533i, 79 323i, 80 732i, 84 323i (S50) 91 318is, 96 318ti (S52), 97 Z3, 02 330i, 03 525iT, 02 R1150 RTP.
Auxiliary Lamp Brackets  Kamei Reproduction Front Air Dam

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Clay...

yea I was there and took this shot

DSC_0124.jpg

I'm also indirectly responsible for you owning your car.......

Next year

Delia.... E-mail me regarding the idea of the 528i

John

Fresh squeezed horseshoes and hand grenades

1665778

 

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Clay...

yea I was there and took this shot

DSC_0124.jpg

I'm also indirectly responsible for you owning your car.......

Next year

John

I love that picture.

I'm still a bit fuzzy on my car's history. All I've gathered so far is that Scottie Sharpe owned it and I bought it from Brad Thomas. Interesting to see the history of ownership and plans for the car.

ClayW
1967 1600-2 - M42 - 1521145          Follow my project at www.TX02.blogspot.com          E30 DD Project Blog

 

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All the electrical in an E30 works? Bold statement there. Never had to give your dask a quick hit to get the gauges working again, I take it? Other than the SI board in the gauges having bad solders and ICVs dying a lot, I can't think on much though. Definately better electrically than most "modern" cars I've owned (most of which were Japanese).

73 Sahara

76 S52 swap of dooooooooom

01 540i-6

90 Range Rover classic (because 02s just weren't masochistic enough)

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A lot of recommendations for a 91 E30 318is in this thread. I'll recommend a 91 E30 318i sedan. You can find the E30 318i 4 door version with the same M42 motor for cheaper than the coupes. The 318is is getting a reputation as a poor man's E30 M3. A few years ago I scored a one owner 91 318i sedan for $1.2K, with only 118K on it. The owner and numerous mechanics couldn't figure out why the car would die while driving down the road, they replaced fuel pumps, relays, etc... so the owner gave up on the car. I swapped out the ECU after I bought it and have had no problems since then. Driving the E30 with a M42 brings a smile to my face every time I drive it. The M42 comes alive after 3500, the M42 is a motor that wants you to drive it like you stole it.

G-Man

74 tii (many mods)
91 318i M42

07 4Runner

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I have an 03 e46 with 80k that i just replaced the pulleys and tensioner, belts, water pump, thermostat, 3 fuel pumps, pads, rotors, some oil lines and both front window regulators. It wasn't cheap but i know most of those parts will last another 80k.

Am I the only one here that thinks that kind of replacement on a 7 year old car is insane?

Anyway, having spent some time this afternoon working on an E30, there

IS something to be said for the

4 cylinder version of the E30 and E36... there's room under the hood!

That damn M20 is just packed in there. M50/52 is too. S50/52- well, that might be worth it.

Especially in an E30.

And in the interest of full disclosure, my daily's a '95 318i right now-

and I do like it. Drives great. Handles well. Goes a hundred if you ask it to.

And the wipers work at a hundred, too. 20-high mpg. Kid seat fits in.

Trunk fits the jogging stroller. Brakes work well.

t

"I learn best through painful, expensive experience, so I feel like I've gotten my money's worth." MattL

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A lot of recommendations for a 91 E30 318is in this thread... The 318is is getting a reputation as a poor man's E30 M3... Driving the E30 with a M42 brings a smile to my face every time I drive it... The M42 comes alive after 3500, the M42 is a motor that wants you to drive it like you stole it...

G-Man

I own only one car at the moment (I usually have three) and it's hard to beat the 318is for a comfortable, tossable and reliable daily driver.

The best part is being able to drive it down to the SoCal Vintage Event and hang out with the real classics.

post-169-13667634500742_thumb.jpg

1973 2002tii - gone

Inka (aka "Orange Julius")

#2762756

1974 2002tii - gone

Polaris (aka "Mae West")

#2782824

1991 318is (aka) "O'Hara")

Brillantrot - High Visibility Daily Driver

BMW CCA #1974 (one of the 308)

deliawolfe@gmail.com

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