e30 vs c4

I am lookng for a car? This one is for me not my son. I am 40ish and commute about 24 miles a day. I am currently looking at e30s and C4s. The only reason i am hesitating on an e30 is that it is kind of a kid car, and it is not very powerful.
Love the C4 for its power and it is definitely a little more mature; but what a POS otherwise.

Will i become bored with the e30s lack of power, or become more frustrated with Corvettes creaks and rattles?

If I was to get an e30 I would rework the suspension and put some slightly larger wheels on it, If i got a corvette i would leave it stock.

What are you coming out of? The fact is that an E30 is at least a 20 year old car now. It will have squeaks and rattles. I doubt you'll become bored with the lack of power, it is really a very entertaining car to drive. But I'm used to underpowered cars.

I don't think the C4 is more 'mature', it's probably that the main E30-driving age bracket doesn't like that sort of car.

E30s are IMHO more DIY-able than a C4, mainly due to the packaging. I might be completely off here but the later C4s might be a little better build-quality wise. Nevertheless if you want squeak-free you probably need a C5.

I would consider an E30 a lot more practical, but a C4 is fun. Even though our convertible has the 'wrong' gearbox it's still a very entertaining car to drive and surprisingly good on fuel on long runs.

My wife's favorite car is an E30 convertible with suspension mods. She's on her second one as a daily driver (now at 200k) yet could drive anything she wanted to... the only other thing she's even considered is a Boxster. Her weekend toy is a late Corvair convertible.

The car isn't powerful like a C4, but you certainly don't feel like it it's weak. My E36M3 was certainly faster, but my wife complained it felt too big and heavy. The E30 is more like a vintage car (lighter and more tossable) but one with enough performance and comfort that it can be daily used. I think I'd become bored with the C4 quicker... after all the talk here, I went to buy one back in the fall and wasn't really wowed... decided I could live without it.

I'm not as enthralled with it like she is, but I have to admit I'll chose her car over some of my "sports" cars for a nice sprited country drive...

I wouldn't like a coupe nearly as much... even though I know it's a better handling car.... but I feel the same way about the C4.

i am coming out of 2005 toyota sienna and an 04 yukon. i have driven several 92-95 corvettes, and they do not feel nearly as well built compared to the first $1300 dollar e30 i test drove.

In reply to BoxheadTim:

So do you have an e30 or C4

The answer is in my profile .

I have never ridden in the C4.. but from sitting in them and being around them.. I was never that impressed with them from a packaging or space utilization standpoint.

Seems like too big a car for too little room inside.

I find that BMW Makes some great all around cars. Get yourself a nice 325is and drive home happy.

I'm 54, and I drive an e30. Maybe it says something about my mental age.

Comparing the two cars is a bit of like comparing apples and cheese. For commuting I'd say an e30 is a good choice - there's more room for your stuff, you sit up and have better visibility around the sides and rear, and it probably gets better mileage. If you want to make it fast as well, Turbocharging Dynamics in Milwaukee makes a very nice turbocharger kit.

if you think a c4 is a pos you don't need to bother owning one, perpetuating myths about them.

nor do you need an e30. it obviously lacks the power you want.

i think you want something along the lines of an e46.

I liked the 95 I drove. The trick with the C4s is finding a well cared for LT1 style. It was a convertible, and I didn't notice any weirdo rattles or creaks, but I am not picky. I did notice 1700 RPM cruise RPM, awesome highway mileage and tons of power.

Just wanna say I've never been in a E30 or E36 that didn't have creaks and rattles, I own a E36. Anything old will squeak every once in a while

stuart in mn wrote: Comparing the two cars is a bit of like comparing apples and cheese.

EXACTLY. And everyone knows that a slice of cheese is a fantastic addition to a wedge of apple pie. I'd get both.

I've owned both. I had a 92 C4, and it really didn't rattle. I went through and tightened up a lot of screws right when I bought it, which helped. It was an easy car to work on, in my opinion, and very fun to drive. The E30 I had sounded more like a tin can tan the C4, but was no less fun to drive. I sold both for an 02 Z06, though.

But god did that C4 get up and go. I loved the seating position and the cramped cabin. But I'm 6'4" and 170 lbs, so I'm skinny enough to fit down in it with ease.

I loved my C4 LT1 -- but haven't looked back since I purchased an E36 M3. For me, the BMW is much more useful all around, and probably almost as quick on track.

I'd expand my search to look at E36s, if I were you.

just a random opinion on corvettes. The LT1 doesn't take near as much punishment or modification that an LS1 will. If it were me I would skip a C4 and go straight to a C5. Don't know what your price range is, and I'm not sure if they are any more "mature" as I saw two of them in the parking lot of my local high school last time I drove by.

I certainly agree that an E36M3 is a more "apples to apples" comparison .... and my M3 convertible was likely the best all around street car I've ever owned.

wcelliot wrote: I certainly agree that an E36M3 is a more "apples to apples" comparison .... and my M3 convertible was likely the best all around street car I've ever owned.

Plus elevnty-billion. Acquits itself well on the track and at an autox, too. And I can carry four adults in it.

If you decide on a C4, definitely get a later one (LT1 powered). The early C4's weren't particularly fast, and the build quality kinda sucked. The later ones are much faster and better built, but still have expensive problems. ABS assemblies commonly go out, and are mega-expensive. If you go with an E30, try to find one that has had the suspension and cooling system rebuilt, because otherwise you'll be doing it soon. If you think a C4 rattles, drive an E30 with worn out suspension. Personally, I'd take a well maintained E30 over a C4, but a ragged out C4 over a ragged out E30.

Also, a C4 is remarkably easy to work on for a Vette with that clamshell hood.

Put the Corvette engine in the E30, there are kits to do that now. It will be faster than the Corvette, get better milage, and have tons of cool points.

That said, get an E46 if you can. Much better for commuting and DDing.

tuna55 wrote: Also, a C4 is remarkably easy to work on for a Vette with that clamshell hood.

"For a Vette" being the keyword here...

just a random opinion on corvettes. The LT1 doesn't take near as much punishment or modification that an LS1 will.

if an e30 is the alternative choice i dont think this buyer will feel a need to add much power to an lt1. Its still a 13 second car.

personally I've found the C4 to be extremely easy to work on. It's all laid out there for you. It's still "old school" enough that it doesn't require a degree in mechanical and electrical engineering to work on. Parts aren't that bad to purchase and if you do the work yourself, the repairs are fairly cheap.

I've yet to see a BMW that I'd put the money into. Parts cost more, and it's not uncommon to replace theentire suspension and cooling systems.

But then again, I'm biased. I'm not a BMW humper, don't see the appeal personally.

Don't know how much money you're wanting to spend, but '99-'00 C5 FRCs are the best 'vette value out there. The C5s are much better cars than C4s; I've just got one word (from living with one for 220K+ miles) about LT-1s: Optspark.

You can get an FRC for around 10-12K, it's tight as a drum, much more comfortable than a C4, and just about as reliable as they come. I've got a '00 FRC, stock drivetrain, 222,xxx miles and counting. 8 years of autocross and DEs, changed the oil around 25% left on the Oil Life monitor (usually around 8000 miles), gone through a few sets of tires, brake pads, and rotors!

Check 'em out; I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Have a good one, Mike