Pro's and Con's off owning an E36?
I’m searching a fun car to drive and still has comfort for the long rides. I have an w124 but thats an 250 diesel and has no power at al… So i decided BMW also german engeneering is an option espescially the e36 and e39. What engines are fun, reliable and not to expensive? Petrol or diesel? Automatic an option?
Shoot! 😁
Comments
BMW auto boxers of that era were dreadful, benz transmissions both react faster & have better gearing ratios.If you want to buy a BMW go for a manual & hopefully an IS model,(325iS rather than an 325i. IS models had LSD diffs, twin cam engines or at least most of them had) as my experience is concern e36 & e39 are more expensive to buy & maintain than a merc w202 or w124.
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Also mercs have way better rear suspension setups, a lot easier to drive sideways & controlling the car while BMW feels more nimble & better overall steering YET when you push too far the car, the e36 specially has a very nasty oversteer that is quite difficult to control, the mercs are softer but react far better beyond the limit of grip.
i would say if you are going to buy an automatic go for a merc or if you can find a manual BMW go for the bimmer.
The con is having the desire to buy one
The only con is that tyres is expensive and go for a 325 or 328 manual