E30 or E28, i want your opinions.

Nick C. · Post by **Nick C.** » Jul 16, 2005 11:51 PM

Hey guys, i am now trying to sell this damn Civic :@ !@#$ . You guys were right when you said, id be back (E28 or not, its still BMW) Im deciding between E28 or E30. I love them both equally and can't really decide. I want to know your feelings on them. I know since im at a E28 website, feelings may be biased, but i know some of you have E30's.

Is there anything different about E30's? Engine wise/mechanically? I got to know E28's really well and i dont think the E30 would be too much different (mechanically). Simple thinking says an E30 would out handle E28's? Can this be proved otherwise? Can i make an E28 superior to an E30. Just tell me your thoughts, and on both or advantages/disadvatages of both. Thanks, Nick

Jay in VA · Post by **Jay in VA** » Jul 16, 2005 11:56 PM

Nick,
Being an e28 junkie I hate to admit this, but there are way more upgrades for an e30. Sky is the limit, oops I meant your wallet. But that is just my .02

Threeshifter · Post by **Threeshifter** » Jul 17, 2005 12:03 AM

I have a similar delema while trying to find a car for my girl friend. We are looking at a
528e and a 325. I would kind of like her to get the e30 so that I can monkey with my 535i and her 325. The 325 is fun to drive.

tacm · Post by **tacm** » Jul 17, 2005 12:09 AM

[QUOTE="Jay in VA"]Nick,
Being an e28 junkie I hate to admit this, but there are way more upgrades for an e30. Sky is the limit, oops I meant your wallet. But that is just my .02[/QUOTE]
this is true but the e30's all have the baby 6......dont get me wrong i LOVE my 528e, but, sometimes I feel a bit looked down apon by the big 6ers on the board....Steve

Nick C. · Post by **Nick C.** » Jul 17, 2005 12:12 AM

[QUOTE="Jay in VA"]Nick,
Being an e28 junkie I hate to admit this, but there are way more upgrades for an e30. Sky is the limit, oops I meant your wallet. But that is just my .02[/QUOTE]

Yeah i know, this is a HUGE factor for me as in im going stupid nuts in terms of modificatiosn with this next car, and the easier mods are to come by, the better. Keep em coming guys!

Rich in WI · Post by **Rich in WI** » Jul 17, 2005 12:41 AM

I've had two E30s and two E28s in my time. They are very different cars. Primarily in the handling and interior space. The E30 is a go-kart compared to an E28.

If I were to get back into an E30, I'd go for either a 1989 or later M20 or a 318is (M42). Both are peaky motors with limited low-end torque. Very different from an M30 powered E28.

The E28 will offer more space and comfort. The E30 has more raw driving toss it around where ever you want feel. I also found the E28 to be easier to work on. The E30 wasn't bad, but my E28s didn't/don't seem to pose the same difficulties when doing maintenance. I couldn't tell you why, it's just something I found to be the case.

Hope this helps,
Rich

RobbieR · Post by **RobbieR** » Jul 17, 2005 1:12 AM

[QUOTE="Nick C."]Hey guys, i am now trying to sell this damn Civic :@ !@#$ . You guys were right when you said, id be back (E28 or not, its still BMW)[/QUOTE]
LOL! That wasn't long. What was it, less than a month?

Nick C. · Post by **Nick C.** » Jul 17, 2005 1:15 AM

LOL what can i say BMW OWNS me ; not even, im gunna say 3 weeks!

[Edit by Nick C. on [TIME]1121577387[/TIME]]

Tim in N FL · Post by **Tim in N FL** » Jul 17, 2005 1:45 AM

Hey Dude,
We knew you'd be BACK. Hell, I was only gone for what...maybe 6 months tops when I sold my '87 535is to Parks and just had to have an e39iS 5spd and 928s4? (@) ~0

Anyway, practicality and frugality are certainly important but let's face it...a Civic is no BMW of ANY kind with respect to the driving experience and "soul." Who give a Civic a name besides a high-school or colleg-aged (sorority) girl? I've owned a variety of Honda products and do think the Accords and Integras/Civics can be fun to drive...but c'mon there's no comparison, ultimately, eh?

I DO think it is possible to own a BMW on a Civic-budget if one:

1) finds a solid example to begin with;
2) does any and all wrenching on it themselves;
3) sources their parts (used) from "Jay in VA" - Da Used Parts Pimp

Kudos, good luck sorting this all out, and BTW...welcome back!

Tim

ps.
sorry...I was pullin' a "tanned-one" on the emoticon usage...but you get the idea :p

[Edit by Tim in N FL on [TIME]1121584881[/TIME]]

blitzkrieg59 · Post by **blitzkrieg59** » Jul 17, 2005 3:05 AM

I've been kind of thinking this over a bit for a while now too. I love my e28 but I just feel that at 21, I should have a little two-door toss around car, not a large, heavy-ish sedan. I am saving judgement until I can finally afford to get some real tires and a decent suspension set-up.
Good luck with your search, Nick. Good to see you've come back into the light.

Nick C. · Post by **Nick C.** » Jul 17, 2005 9:34 AM

[QUOTE="blitzkrieg59"]I've been kind of thinking this over a bit for a while now too. I love my e28 but I just feel that at 21, I should have a little two-door toss around car, not a large, heavy-ish sedan. I am saving judgement until I can finally afford to get some real tires and a decent suspension set-up.
Good luck with your search, Nick. Good to see you've come back into the light.[/QUOTE]

Thanks Guys. Hey if you want a toss around car i can sell you mine. Tell ya what, your car looks pretty good, how about we trade? Its even, i swear it

BTW: heres the mistake im trying to undo(don't get me wrong civics are good cars, but stock, this is a civic from hell. it has already costed me about $120 in tickets, i can post up my horror story with the cops if wanted) : http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c ... &cardist=0

Echo · Post by **Echo** » Jul 17, 2005 10:58 AM

I think i have a good and simple solution for you. Build the best of both worlds... Buy an E30 and swap in an M30. You'll have a beast and you can forget being looked down upon! Thank me later.

Cheers,
Jonas

BMWCCA2 · Post by **BMWCCA2** » Jul 17, 2005 11:06 AM

For what it's worth, i bought a really nice '98 318ti for less than what you're asking for your Civic. It's an Active Package car (leather, computer, cruise, keyless-entry, alarm, sunroof, 10-speaker sound system) and of course that year came with dual airbags, traction control, body-color rockers, 5-spoke 15" wheels, etc. I got it from the original (BMW CCA) owner w/121k on it, new Bilsteins, meticulous maintenance history, and this was 18-months ago. Good car for my kids and I've enjoyed getting close to 40-mpg on trips I've taken in it, too. $5300 is what I paid and there are earlier year models all the time without traction control for even thousands less. The E36 has a much better air-conditiong system which is a real sore point in an E30 since they all break and need new evaporator housings $$$$, and no timing belt or head gasket problems that plague the M20 with the M44. Mine has the M-tech type rear spoiler and really looks good in Titanium silver. Just someting you might consider. Ours has been relatively trouble-free for nearly 20,000 miles so far. Just a starter (you don't want to do this job yourself on this car, especially with an automatic!), and two window regulators, pads, and tires.

Just a thought.

-Phil

mitch · Post by **mitch** » Jul 17, 2005 11:21 AM

[QUOTE="Nick C.:"]...im going stupid nuts in terms of modificatiosn with this next car...[/QUOTE]

I think that's the problem with your current car

Kidding. I know you aren't the one that created this monster.

Lemme guess, the cops wouldn't believe that you were the guy driving that attractive BMW a couple weeks earlier. What's the whole story?

Nick C. · Post by **Nick C.** » Jul 17, 2005 11:27 AM

lol, thats another thing i loved about the E28. Nothing from the cops. I would drive around with no muffler
and they wouldn't do a thing. With this thing, muffler and all there catching me! I'll make a new thread and post the story
about the cops (as not to clutter this thread).

Nana535i · Post by **Nana535i** » Jul 17, 2005 11:55 AM

I have had E28 fever since I bought my first one in 95. Couldn't sleep, always dreaming about the E28. My gf never understood my fascination owth them but she put up with it.
I am on my third one.

blitzkrieg59 · Post by **blitzkrieg59** » Jul 17, 2005 3:06 PM

[QUOTE="blitzkrieg59"]I've been kind of thinking this over a bit for a while now too. I love my e28 but I just feel that at 21, I should have a little two-door toss around car, not a large, heavy-ish sedan. I am saving judgement until I can finally afford to get some real tires and a decent suspension set-up.
Good luck with your search, Nick. Good to see you've come back into the light.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE="Nick C."]Thanks Guys. Hey if you want a toss around car i can sell you mine. Tell ya what, your car looks pretty good, how about we trade? Its even, i swear it

BTW: heres the mistake im trying to undo(don't get me wrong civics are good cars, but stock, this is a civic from hell. it has already costed me about $120 in tickets, i can post up my horror story with the cops if wanted) : http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c ... &cardist=0 [/QUOTE]

Yeah my car looks pretty nice from far away

. Can't do it though, I don't really feel like getting back into FWD. Not to mention that I am still on the license probation period.

derek · Post by **derek** » Jul 17, 2005 3:50 PM

[QUOTE="Nick C."]Is there anything different about E30's? Engine wise/mechanically? I got to know E28's really well and i dont think the E30 would be too much different (mechanically). Simple thinking says an E30 would out handle E28's? Can this be proved otherwise? Can i make an E28 superior to an E30. Just tell me your thoughts, and on both or advantages/disadvatages of both. Thanks, Nick[/QUOTE]

They share the same roundel but are different animals.

e30's are rev happy, go kartish cars while e28's are torquey, cruising cars.

Best thing to do would be to test drive a few e30s.

Check out some e30 boards for the differences between model years.

Most people prefer the 89-91 325i's b/c of the small plastc bumpers.

Both cars are just as easy to work on. The e30's front suspension is not as prone to shimmey as the e28. They share a similar rear suspension setup. You can swap diffs between both platforms. With the e30 you have to worry about a timing belt as well.

I have both and prefer to drive my e28 daily. Each car puts a different kind of smile on my face....

-Derek
90 325is - m3 5 lug hub/brake swap, 4.10S, h&r's, konis, short shifter, more....
87 535is - 540i brakes, bav auto springs, bilstein sports, autosolutions ssk, 3.73S(from my e30) more...

bronzitbill · Post by **bronzitbill** » Jul 17, 2005 5:06 PM

This probably wont help matters but here goes... I drive an e-28 535i 5 speed, my wife drives an e-30 325i auto. I LOVE THEM BOTH!!! I know I'm lucky cause I've got my 535 and I can drive the e-30 anytime I want. I suppose it depends on what really floats your boat. For pure handling, go with the e-30 (with a 5 speed). For a slightly more comfy ride, e-28. Either way, ya can't lose! As far as maintence and reliability, these two are probably the last of the over engineered bimmers. We're keeping ours .

Jordan528e · Post by **Jordan528e** » Jul 17, 2005 10:52 PM

I've got an auto 528e and a 5spd 325iC. As you can imagine, the 325 is much more fun... 50 more hp and much, much lighter. I really hate driving the 528e... it's a slug compared to the 325i.
But obviously you wouldn't get a 528e if you got an e28... and I can't really say much about a 535 because I've never driven it. All I can really tell you is I love driving the 325i, and it's fairly
easy to work on, it has alot in common with the e28. The e30 also was rated as one of the best sports car under 5g by sports car magazine.

If you want to have some fun with a light car, go e30. But you can't really argue with the sleeper status of an 80s sedan...

You're hearing this from another 17 year old BMW owner

BMWJustin · Post by **BMWJustin** » Jul 18, 2005 12:52 AM

Nick, sorry to hear about the tickets and your bad experience with the civic. Need help finding a clean e30 or e28, once you decide what you want, let me know and I will be glad to help. Knew you'd be back......
Justin

Mike K · Post by **Mike K** » Jul 18, 2005 7:52 AM

Tough call. I've owned several E28s and several E30s now. Perhaps it's just coincidence, relative maintenance history (although every car I buy has this in spades), or pure fate, but the E30s seems to require far less attention. They will start and drive everyday and be happy doing it for many miles with just regular maintenance. The E28s on the other hand, seem to be a bit more finnicky. Nothing major really, but there's always something on these cars that will nickel and dime you.

IMO, a nice E30 325is can be just as compelling to drive as a well sorted 535i. But here's the rub: you can go without driving an E30 for months - years possibly - and although you will miss driving it, they are replacebale. The E28 isn't. Not driving one for any period of time longer than a week can be a soul searching experience. The E28 will haunt you until you buy another one.

Happy hunting!

Mac · Post by **Mac** » Jul 18, 2005 12:28 PM

E30's are just too ubiquitous. They're all over the place, all the time. Look for an e28, but if you find a good e24, steal it, and quick. I love my e28, but a shark...well, you see...um...kinda leaves me speechless, soooo gorgeous.

tacm · Post by **tacm** » Jul 19, 2005 12:24 AM

[QUOTE="Mac"]E30's are just too ubiquitous. They're all over the place, all the time. Look for an e28, but if you find a good e24, steal it, and quick. I love my e28, but a shark...well, you see...um...kinda leaves me speechless, soooo gorgeous.[/QUOTE]
I just dont get it.....I really respect the e24....but it does nothing for me

C'ville Steve · Post by **C'ville Steve** » Jul 19, 2005 12:02 PM

I have had 4 BMW in the past 7 years; 2 e28s and 2 e30s. The e30s are fine. I have one now that my Wife drives. It is a '89 325iX 4 door auto. I would have preferred it to be a 2 door and have a stick, but she does not feel comfy with standard trans.

As for the primary ride, I don't want to be without the ability to drive my 535iS. However, if weather is a factor and in VA, we have a few months when it is, I want an option. The e30 has a degree of expendability in that regard. In other words, in bad weather, i.e. snow/ice, the e28 sits while the e30 gets driven not JUST because how well it handles the nasty stuff, but beause it wouldn't break my heart if somebody else totalled it with their bad driving.

Piss me off, DAMN STRAIGHT! But, not send me into a "Woe is me" funk.

That e28 IS the most favorite car I've ever owned!

Damon in STL · Post by **Damon in STL** » Jul 19, 2005 2:34 PM

It all depends on what you want to use the car for. My e28 is my "Cadillac" and my e30 is my "Go-Kart"

Unfortunately my e30 only has four cylinders. :p

Damon in STL

Dinan 5er · Post by **Dinan 5er** » Jul 19, 2005 3:44 PM

OK, here my $0.02;

I have owned 2 e28s - a stock 535is and my current ride, a heavily modded 535i. I have driven several 528e as well as e30s. There are lots more off-the-shelf go fast parts for the e30. That being said, an e28 can be modified to handle exceptionally well. It is just more of a challenge to modify it. You have to do your homework and get creative. Granted, it is a heavier car, but the torque of the M30 is just so wonderful. Worlds of difference from the 528e, which has an engine built for economy driving, not sport driving. The 325i engine is a high revving, sportier engine. If you want an auto cross car, you can't go wrong with an e30 325i with a 5 speed. They are now getting dirt cheap. But after all that, I personally am sticking to my e28. I have more fun with that car than any other I've ever owned.

Mike C. '88 535i, Dinan Stage 3 suspension, euro bumpers, e24 euro sport seats, TCD CAIS, PG bushings, e34 M5 big brakes, 3.46 LSD, 19 lb Mustang injectors
Coming this weekend: euro moonroof, eurethane subframe & diff bushings, 3.73 diff.

Mdreamer · Post by **Mdreamer** » Jul 19, 2005 11:45 PM

I've owned three 1989 325is' (no airbag, 3.73 limited slip, recaros, small body-painted bumpers, etc.) over the past nine years and now I drive an e28 535is.
what I humbly suggest is that you base your decision on how you drive and what you'll be using your car for. I've always relished the e30s because I believe that they make the driver feel like he is the greatest driver in the world because of the way the chassis communicates with the operator so intimately. Also, it's a bit easier to get some pretty good acceleration from a nearly stock car with the 3.73 limited slip (although, not all e30s have this, so do your homework if this is important to you), and you can swing some precise donuts and figure eights with such a small, flickable car. When those facts are combined with the near bulletproof reliability of the car, it's a pretty solid choice.

However, if you plan on doing a lot of highway miles, transporting people in your back seat, or you like the idea of speeding in a q-ship, the e28 is an excellent choice. I must admit that I do miss the ability to get sideways whenever I feel the urge (this baby sticks!), but when I get into third gear, this car really shows that it was bred for the autobahn. Another factor is the notion that people don't encounter nice e28s too often anymore, so when they do, they usually get excited and want to talk to you about your ride. That's pretty cool. As far as reliability goes... My parents own a 535i that they bought new in 1985 and it has over 310k on it, and it still runs like a champ!

Sorry about that, people. I know I got a little long-winded!

C'ville Steve · Post by **C'ville Steve** » Jul 20, 2005 10:12 AM

Yo Mdreamer,

I don't think you were long winded. I think you were right on and I agree with you totally! I'd love to have a little "flickable" 2 door 325iS, or even better, any e30 M3!

I don't think Nick would lose much of the respect of this board if he left the e28 for an e30 M3. What say you all?

Mdreamer · Post by **Mdreamer** » Jul 20, 2005 7:38 PM

[QUOTE="C'ville Steve"]Yo Mdreamer,

I don't think you were long winded. I think you were right on and I agree with you totally! I'd love to have a little "flickable" 2 door 325iS, or even better, any e30 M3!

I don't think Nick would lose much of the respect of this board if he left the e28 for an e30 M3. What say you all?[/QUOTE]

I don't think he'd lose much respect at all. As a matter of fact, when I buy my next car, it may be an e30 //M3--I think it would be a nice contrast to the e28 when I feel like blowing the cobwebs out in a high-strung, four banger kind of way!

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

E30 or E28, i want your opinions.