[GaelAng]

So, (I hope this is the right place to ask this, because I’m new to Bimmerpost) I would like to get next year my first BMW and one of the options that I’m considering is an E30 316i, what are the pros and cons of having this model? I’ve also taken into consideration the E36 316i and also the E46 and the newer 120d from the early 2010s, should I take the E30 or one of these other models? Thanks in advice.

[agorski]

My spouse had a 318i back in the day because she loves hatchbacks. It was the lowest end model at that time and the cabin plastics looked and felt like that. She had the automatic transmission and the car didn't so much accelerate as "accumulate speed". It could be fun with a manual transmission.

[Chihuahua]

I was never a fan of the E36, the quality just isn't there. I'm partial to the E30, but the E46 is also a solid car. I can't comment on the engines you're looking at as we didn't have those in the US, and we never had a 120d. E30 or an E46 would be a good choice as a first BMW, they're both very DIY friendly. Do your homework on both, there's plenty of information out there. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[M-technik-3]

316 that would be an older carbed version of the M10 engine while super simple car in electronics and maintainability. How available are parts? Here in NA E30 parts are really starting to dry up.

I am not surprised BMW doesn't support them as they really just want to become done with their legacy car IMO. If they didn't they would follow suit like Porsche and Mercedes have in supporting their cars that that made them who they are and the E30 was the car that sold the BMW Marque to North America.

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

I was never a fan of the E36, the quality just isn't there. I'm partial to the E30, but the E46 is also a solid car. I can't comment on the engines you're looking at as we didn't have those in the US, and we never had a 120d. E30 or an E46 would be a good choice as a first BMW, they're both very DIY friendly. Do your homework on both, there's plenty of information out there. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Agreed but I do love my E36 M3 and as much as I hate them because they were so unloved here in the US I love finding an 318Ti that always becomes a S50 or S52 powered depending on whats on hand in my garage. Ti's were bastard childs and made for super amount of fun with 6 cylinder the rear trailing arm design made a great hooning machine.