Fun Daily Driver: S13 240sx or E30 325e or i

[EuroG20]

I'm trying to decide on which of these three cars to get. There are several of each available in my area, so finding them is not a problem. I researched the cars to a point where I can't decide between the two.

Basically, I chose these cars because of RWD, great handling, decent power, and reliability. I'm looking to spend less than 4000, because hopefully I'm selling my Pathfinder for like 7000 and I want some money left over for mods.

Gas mileage is a priority however, as I will start college soon, which means a 60 mile commute to Charlotte each day, in both city and highway conditions. I know that the 240sx and 325e get pretty decent mileage, but I'm not sure about the 325i. My friend has one, and he always complains about it getting bad mileage, even on the highway, but it may just be the way he drives it. I am coming from driving a Nissan Pathfinder however, and I highly doubt it can get any worse with the bimmer, even if driven hard.

Also, cost of maintainence is something I've been thinking about. The 240sx benefits from plentiful spare motors for sale (due to all the people spending money on SR20det swaps), cheap replacement parts, cheap mods, and the ease of working on the cars. The bimmers, on the other hand, would cost alot if something serious went wrong that would require me to take them to a dealer. It's not so much the cost of the parts (you can get most for cheap from BMP Design) but the labor. Most of the minor stuff would be easily taken care of with some time and a Bentley manual though.

I've always wanted a BMW and it's the company I want to work for, but my family has had good luck with Nissans, so I am tempted to get the 240. Plus, I would like to get into Auto-X and drifting, and the 240 would be cheaper to modify.

Anyway, I just need some feedback on which I should choose. Advice from previous owners of these cars is preferred, but advice from anyone is appreciated.

[Polygon]

I can't be much help since I have no experience with either car. However, the last time I went autoxing the two fastest cars that day were two E30 3 series BMWs.

[NISSANSPDR]

Finding two BMW's that set the fastest time of the day at an autoX doesnt mean they are any better or worse than a 240SX...but I have had experience w/240SX's and I can tell you...they are great...the BMW's have a decent aftermarket...it's not bad...but the 240SX's is growing like wild fire...so many options...

The BMW has great steering and good suspension just like the 240SX does...probably the BMW's brakes are just a bit better than the 240SX's...

But take into account repair costs...to fix a 240SX is relatively very very cheap compared to BMW parts...

So take that into account

[Polygon]

That is why I said that I have no experience with these cars, so by no means am I saying that the 240 can't perform. In fact there weren't any 240s there that day, in fact I haven't really seen any around here at all.

[nbw]

whats the difference between the 325e and 325i? and what are the difference between them and the m3's?

[EuroG20]

Both the 325e and i have the M20 Inline Six Motor, but different versions. The 325e has a low revving 2.7 liter that is built for fuel economy and torque and produces 121hp at 4250rpm. The 325i has a 2.5 liter high revving version that puts out 168hp at 5700rpm. The 325e has more torque than the stock i however and it can grow to 192lb-ft with a Jim Conforti chip. The 325i will ultimately be faster, whether stock or modified, but the 325e can get 30+ mpg on the highway and has more torque than even a chipped 325i, resulting in a car that feels quick, even if it's not up to the 325i standards, esp for top end power.

The E30 M3 is a totally different animal. The only body part it shares with any other three series is the doors and the suspension was totally revised. Totally different powertrain setup also. It has a 2.3 liter, high compression, high revving, race derived 4 cylinder producing 192hp at 6750rpm. The only reason there is even a road version is because of the homogalation rules of the 1980's, meaning BMW had to produce a certain number of road versions for the race version to be allowed. The race prepped M3's dominated the touring car scene from the time they were released in Europe in 87 to the early 90's. These cars are a very bad choice for a daily driver however (unless you have $$$) as the repair costs are appropriate for a race derived motor, as is insurance.

[EuroG20]

Nobody else has any advice or experience with these cars?

[EuroG20]

come on, someone else has to have an opinion or advice

[CrzyMR2T]

id go with the 240sx. i feel that the 240sx is the better car, mainly because of its suspension, even if its the e30 m3 version. the240sx uses a multlilink rear suspension, and e30 uses semi trailing arms.

heres a good article on the z3, and the e30 m3 semi trailing arm rear suspension.

http://www.zvolution.com/Z3Faq/suspe...suspension.htm

[ricesucks]

BMW's reall suck. Anything over on of them...There ok for .5 percent of the time...When something isn't wrong with them.

[curtis73]

Good grief, please don't listen to ricesucks. BMWs have some of the best reliability records on the planet. Not to mention, I want to see ONE 240 with as equal compression as my e30 325iC. German metallurgy is far superior and as a result the engines tend to last much longer. 250,000 - 300,000 miles is not uncommon for an un-touched M20 engine in a BMW with regular maintenance.

If you want fun-to-drive, you can't look at numbers alone. If you want to seriously have a grin on your face when you go to work, in my humble opinion, nothing beats the BMW. Interior noise, ride quality, handling, fit and finish, quality of materials, NVH, and the feedback you get from the road are only topped by newer BMWs.

I personally have 156k on mine and here's what it looks like. No problems, no nothin. 170 hp, better handling than even a modified 240, and much better resale value.

Ricesucks is entitled to his opinion, but from my viewpoint here's how it looks. BMWs have all the reliability of the Japanese. They tend to use better quality materials. We often times overlook it when we look at numbers, but things like the seats, carpet, headliner, climate control, and other peripherals tend to last longer in BMWs. The two shortcomings I see with BMW; slightly more expensive parts, and the headache you get from the permanent grin on your face.

[DinanM3_S2]

Originally Posted by ricesucks

BMW's reall suck. Anything over on of them...There ok for .5 percent of the time...When something isn't wrong with them.

Not only are you ignorant about BMWs, you have also failed at English. I like this line, "Anything over on of them."


Like I said in another thread, with BMWs you are less likely to need to replace parts, but when you do it can be expensive. If you treat them well, they will last a long time. I'd also be willing to bet that the insurance on an E30 3er would be lower then a 240sx.

[kman10587]

Originally Posted by curtis73

The two shortcomings I see with BMW; slightly more expensive parts, and the headache you get from the permanent grin on your face.

Two more big ones: haughty, holier-than-thou attitude at the dealerships, and poorly laid-out interiors. Little details like the size and grip of the cupholders and button size and placement are not as good in the 3 Series as they are in most Japanese cars.

[sivic02]

Id say it all depends on the price. I havent driven any of the bmw's listed but i have driven a couple 5 series and they are great fun cars to drive. I have also driven a 240 and i have to say although it might not make as much power it is one of the most fun cars i have ever driven. Id say the best way to settle this problem is to flip a coin.

[ricesucks]

Well guys, I can't spell, Shot me!...Anyways, my dad had a 1995 BMW 325i....It needed about 3,000 dollars of work after he drove it for 30,000 miles...It had 70,000 on it....Sorta sucks for him...Well, I guess some BMW's could be relible, Just not to my experince