Time for a new car.

[bjl4776]

Since i just totalled me 92 525i i need to look for a new car. I love the e34 and really want to find a 535im, but im thinking of an e36 325is. Anybody have any experience with these? Any problems i have to look out with the e36's, or any other suggestions of a car that would satisfy me after owning an e34?

[bimmerd00d]

i like the E34 much more. e36 feels cheap compared to it.

[Interceptor]

Since i just totalled me 92 525i i need to look for a new car. I love the e34 and really want to find a 535im, but im thinking of an e36 325is. Anybody have any experience with these? Any problems i have to look out with the e36's, or any other suggestions of a car that would satisfy me after owning an e34?

There is a popular saying in my country and it goes something like this: from horse to a donkey

Stick with the E34 - even E46 looks cheap compared to it.

[Mr Project]

A good friend has a '94 325is.

It's much lighter, more responsive, and faster than my 535im. But I wouldn't trade him for anything.

The interior on the E36 really doesn't wear well, they are basically all falling apart now. The car also just doesn't have any room! The back seat is very, very tight, and the trunk is very small.

IMO if a car is going to have tiny worthless backseats, it should just not have them at all, and be a true sports car, like an RX-7 or M Coupe. Otherwise it seems like a pointless comprimise.

It is quicker, though, and if you are looking for a car to race on the weekends or something, it would be much better suited to that than an E34.

[bahnstormer]

e30 is a cool choice

[Jason]

dare i say an E39? I just drove the 535 from NY to VA and back this weekend and it was awesome, but i think it might be a little nicer in the E39 (I'm only going by the quick trips that i have taken in them before). But, it sounds like youre looking for a smaller car. I personally would go w/ an E30 or E46 before an E36 unless youre considering an ///M which i think would be a great daily driver.

[bjl4776]

The reason i would move down to an e36 is because of the ability for it to be a good track car. This car probably won't be my daily driver for more than two years, after that ill probably be able to afford an e34 M5 or such.

[Sean H]

The reason i would move down to an e36 is because of the ability for it to be a good track car. This car probably won't be my daily driver for more than two years, after that ill probably be able to afford an e34 M5 or such.

Don't understimate the E34 as a track car. I did pretty well for myself in my old '92 535i during track events (passing many an M3 and the like). A little gearing change in the back, strip it all out, and you'll have a car that can hang with the 3's. One of the top guys in BMW club racing is running an E28 (slightly modified, of course )
I've often thought about it: a 535 weighs in at 3500# vs 3200# for an E36 325is. I wonder how the two compare race-prepped? It would seem to me that there's a lot of sound deadening material in the 5 not present in the 3 that could make up for some of that extra weight.
Of course, this is only considering weight, the E36 probably has some advantages in terms of suspension and steering (rack and pinion v. recirculating ball).
We all know which one would look better out there, though
Sean H
'89 535i
'84 318i

[Paul in NZ]

if you really want en e34 m5 i would get one now...they aint getting any younger.....

[Dan in NZ]

e46's are getting cheaper every minute... Could be worth looking into.