E34 vs E46 BMW

Both are dirt cheap and they weigh about the same. For a dirt cheap, interim, track rat that can carry me, my wife and my young son to the track & back while my Boxster is all blown apart for the 911 engine swap. An E36 would have been my first choice, but every example I looked at was terrible in some way (rust, electrical problems, et al). The goal is a cheap, RWD, four-seat car with a manual transmission to play with while the Porsche is apart and then to use for winter autocrosses in the snow at Lime Rock after the Porsche is done. An SN95 Mustang has also crossed my mind..

The E46 has a much nicer interior but is heavier, the rear subframe mount tearing issues are more common (possibly as a result of the weight) and the engines have aluminum blocks instead of iron so they aren't as indestructible. Having owned both, an E36 would be the better track car and an E46 the better DD.

pointofdeparture wrote: The E46 has a much nicer interior but is heavier, the rear subframe mount tearing issues are more common (possibly as a result of the weight) and the engines have aluminum blocks instead of iron so they aren't as indestructible. Having owned both, an E36 would be the better track car and an E46 the better DD.

In reply to pointofdeparture:

I've owned a couple of E36s, and it would be my first choice if the available cars in my region weren't generally terrible, that's why I'm shopping E34 5-series against E46 3-series cars. Both seem to be readily available in my area, in better condition than comparably priced E30 or E36 cars.

An E34 is not a very good choice for any performance driving unless you are going to sink a crap ton of money into one. Also had one of those. Ponderous steering, heavy, not much aftermarket. At least with an E36 or E46 you can pick up cheap used go-fast parts from wrecked track cars and the like on web forums; E34s look cool, but an M5 ($$$) or turbocharging one of the rare 535i models (not a whole lot cheaper) is the only way to really have fun with one IMO.

pointofdeparture wrote: An E34 is not a very good choice for any performance driving unless you are going to sink a crap ton of money into one. Also had one of those. Ponderous steering, heavy, not much aftermarket. At least with an E36 or E46 you can pick up cheap used go-fast parts from wrecked track cars and the like on web forums; E34s look cool, but an M5 ($$$) or turbocharging one of the rare 535i models (not a whole lot cheaper) is the only way to really have fun with one IMO.

3400-3600lbs for a fullsize car is not heavy. I had a 535i, didnt know they were rare (i know a manual 535i is rare or non existant) and it was slow mainly because the gearing. Ripped ass on the interstate. Mine stayed stock and handled pretty well but i imagine with some konis and h&r springs it would be pretty nice. Id say look for a 525i because manuals can be had more easily and as long as its not an 89/90 it only has 15ish hp less than the 535i and iirc you can play around with motor parts and build great power with the m50

In reply to chiodos:

I was referring to the 535i manual, actually. But compared to an E36 or E46 the E34 is just not a great option for any sort of track work. The recirculating ball steering totally sucks and they only make E36 power but weigh more than an E46. If you have no other option, I could see making one work, but I wouldn't choose one over a 3-series of any generation. Great highway cars but that's a far cry from a racetrack.

Good points, disregard my rambling crap then

I had an e34 530i. I really enjoyed it. Having said that, it had very little low end torque & although I don't think the steering totally sucked, it was far from as good as that in my 2002s,or e36,or 633i, or '75 530i or f80.

M2Pilot wrote: I had an e34 530i. I really enjoyed it. Having said that, it had very little low end torque & although I don't think the steering totally sucked, it was far from as good as that in my 2002s,or e36,or 633i, or '75 530i or f80.

I drove an e34 530i, i concur, that baby v8 had less torque than my 6 cyl 535i. I still dream about a 540i thoigh. Only in e39 guise to skirt nikasil problems.

Now here's an E46 question: can the Xi models be easily/cheaply converted to RWD? I find lots of 330Xis with defective transfer cases that are almost free (sub-$500).

M030 wrote: Now here's an E46 question: can the Xi models be easily/cheaply converted to RWD? I find lots of 330Xis with defective transfer cases that are almost free (sub-$500).

Now that right there is an interesting line of thought...

In reply to Woody:

Maybe I should start a spin-off thread posing that question by itself.. If a cheap, used E36 25i(or E34 535i) 5-speed transmission will bolt in and the Xi front differential, transfer case and the front three driveshafts can all go in the dumpster, then E46 fun might be able to be had on the (very) cheap. I would anticipate DSC traction control freak outs, but otherwise, I don't see a real roadblock.I'm certain that somebody here knows more..

M030 wrote: Now here's an E46 question: can the Xi models be easily/cheaply converted to RWD? I find lots of 330Xis with defective transfer cases that are almost free (sub-$500).

Nope. The front suspension geometry is completely different, meaning that your control arms, hubs, knuckles, struts, and sway bar, along with the steering rack, oil pan, transmission crossmember and mounts, and many other miscellaneous parts are completely different. In the end, it would be ridiculously expensive and a ton of work when you could have just bought a RWD model.

Can it be done? Yes, and it has been. But the people who have done it started with wrecked RWD parts cars and still ended up spending thousands of dollars to get it right. What is your time worth?

I've owned both (95 540i and a 330i ZHP)

The E46 is a better car in every dimension and are basically the same size inside. Unless you have to have a V8, get the E46