So Im having this little dillema about what kind of car to get next. These are the options:
Audi 90 quattro (possible swap plans)
E30 325ix (Possible turbo plans)
E36 325is (Not left stock)
E30 325is (plans for turbo)
What I want/need is a winter car (IX or 90) and a project/summer car.
Summer:
Ive always wanted an E30 project car to mess around with and try the whole turbo route, but I also love the way the E36’s look. If I were to get an E30, I would do suspension first then tackle the turbo plans. If I were to get an E36 I think I would visuals first and then figure out if I wanted to do a 3.2 swap or turbo route.
The E30 is easier to repair, cheaper, and more nimble(?)
The E36 is larger, More moddern, Better ride, better looking(?)
Winter:
I need to get something with AWD and it needs to be <$4000, Idealy $3000
Since Ive always love the E30, I was thinking about the 325ix. There are a couple concerns that I have about it though
They rust easier than the Audi
I wouldnt want to leave it stock. I would want to do everything that I have planned for the E30 325is but I dont know if the drivetrain could take it.
They are considerably harder to find and more expensive than the Audi.
Cost Audi ~$3000 BMW ~$4500
I do also love the way the B4 Audi 90’s look in black. They are relatively cheap and look nice. The Quattro system is awesome in the winter, and I think I could leave that car stock; for a while. Ive been looking into what you could even do to those motor wise and it seems that the most common swap with the 2.8 is to swap in a 3.6v8. You cant easilly swap in the 20vt into the 2.8 platform without welding in new motor mounts and Im not a fan of the way B3’s look.
Idealy, I would like to get 2 cars. One for the summer and one for the winter, I just dont know which ones. I wouldnt be suprised if some of you say “just get the IX and use it as a daily” but I dont think I could. For no good reason other than why not, I want 2 cars
I have initially $7000 at the least to start out with and get both cars so use that in your opinion too.
92 e36 325i has a nice strong motor ready for some boost.
if you want to drop a 3.2 swap i think its the same block, or everything will match up so you could turbo first and then swap it later and not have to drop more money on different turbo shit… 325 to the m3, the head is different…
my vote is for the e36… they are soo pretty … beautiful ride, and as far as nimble… e36’s handle like cumming in my pants with an aftermarket suspension, the stock one is kind of smushy. so its probably something you wouldnt notice over the e30 anyway…
e30 will handle better than an e36, smaller, lighter. id say buy an e30 and do an m50 swap in it, then boost it if youd like
or put a euro s50 in there and enjoy 280hp stock with itb stock. mod it and get into the 300’s n/a.
a fast but budget route is to use a 2.7 bottom end (forged crank, little stroker setup) with a 2.5 head. makes for lower compression (~8.3:1 to 8.8:1 depending if you use regular eta or super eta block/crank/rods/pistons) and boost it
thats what my car has, the super eta bottom end and 2.5 head. pretty darn quick, and would haul ass with boost.
I don’t know enough about BMW’s to comment, but I will say this. You don’t need awd for Buffalo winters. FWD and all seasons will get you through 99% of the time and FWD and snows will get you through 99.9% of the time.
Take the money you save by buying a FWD beater and put it toward your summer ride.
Or, take the money and buy a better beater so you’re not fixing it all the time.
Well again, Im not looking to get a FWD beater. I dont want FWD anymore. I like to go snowboarding so when it snows bad, I dont want to have to think to myself, should I go out or not? Is it too bad out to drive? I also want an AWD due to my home location. I have to call home ahead of time to let someone know that Im on my way so that they can snowblow the driveway otherwise I will get stuck. There is usually ~8" of snow on my driveway at any given point unless it was just snowblowed. Basically the bottem like is this, I NEED and AWD car while I still live where I do.
So the question is still this, Do I get the 325ix or the 90 and why?
With all due respect, Thats not what I want. Ive told you that before. I want out of the FWD game so that is not an option. My options are listed above so lets stick with those…
i vote 89-91 325is for summer, 84-88 325e with studded snows and sandbags (or a system) in the trunk (i always went with the system). with good snows like blizzaks or hakkas up front and hakkas or studded snows in the back, you can plow through everything, and dorifto everywhere. I NEVER got stuck ONCE in a 325e with a system and good snow tires. and I drove in all weather to get snowboarding.
What kind of price would you expect for a 325is in GOOD shape, and a 325e that wont fall apart? I dont want to be throwing money away here but I want to have 2 cars if that makes sense. That is the other reason why I was thinking about the IX or the 90. With the IX I know that I could drive it for a year or 2 and still be able to sell if for close to what I paid for it as long as it isnt abused/damaged. The 90 could also be sold for close to what I paid for it as long as the aformentioned areas were covered. I also really would like to have AWD. I dont know if its mental or what but I would just prefer to have AWD over FWD or RWD for the winter.
I guess it comes down to this:
For summer which should I get?
E30
E36
