Behold! My God, my Chod, look at that shyte ( Renault and BMW content)

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

You're welcome to:) on the e36 caliper bolts all round are 1mm smaller than on the e30, balljoints at the front are crap design, with e30 arms considered an upgrade.

 

The e39 has too much electrickery for its own good, and loves to eat auto boxes and coolant systems.

 

I've had several e36, and know a fair few folk with e39s etc.

 

The e46 is just like an e36 in a fancy frock, except it has fewer bolts holding the front struts on:)

 

My dad's e60 isn't a patch on an e34 (by his admission) and runflat tyres can do one:)

 

Thems just my observations-not gospel:)

Having run old BMW's for many yonks, the E36 is a more robust car than the E30. They're easier to work on and severe structural rot is much less common. E39's were great cars with only a few foibles although the later they are, the worse they get (post 98 ABS modules, post 2000 throttle bodies etc). As for the cooling system, the plastic impeller pump lasts around 10 years as do rads etc - they were actually introduced in 1994 on the E34. E46's are overrated shitboxes, rust prone heaps mostly powered by shitty 2.0 diesels and the awful N42/46 engine of death.

When current, rust plagued the early E30's as did cracked heads. E34's were great cars and much better than the W124 Benz.

[320touring]

 

 

Having run old BMW's for many yonks, the E36 is a more robust car than the E30. They're easier to work on and severe structural rot is much less common.

I find them more annoying to work on, and most e36 up here are a sport kit holding together some wire mesh. They rot like Buggery under the sideskirts. I've seen rotten of both-they're both old models now:)
 

 

E39's were great cars with only a few foibles although the later they are, the worse they get (post 98 ABS modules, post 2000 throttle bodies etc). E46's are overrated shitboxes, rust prone heaps mostly powered by shitty 2.0 diesels and the awful N42/46 engine of death.

We'll have to agree to disagree about the 39, but I'll shake hands up to the elbows about the e46!
 

 

When current, rust plagued the early E30's as did cracked heads.

There's a reason why I have a facelift 2.0, and not an early 2.5:)

 

E34's were great cars and much better than the W124 Benz.

I'd have an e34 first, e32 next, w126 third and a w124 a distant fourth..

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I changed more 2.0 and 323i heads back in t'day though.

 

Modern BMW stuff is a bit grim with the 1 Series and E90 being the armpit and arsehole of design. Horrible scrap.

[Barry Cade]

Looks like it was involved in a terrible accident.

Looks like what was left on the seat after a terrible accident.

[scruff]

I do like those Tourings, they are proper classy looking, bit like an old Range Rover or a Volvo estate, they can fit in virtually anywhere. I also like them as they evoke fond memories of a particularly delicious MILF who ran a stables on the farm I used to live and work at, she had a one in that deep dark blue (and she had a lovely arse).

[320touring]

I changed more 2.0 and 323i heads back in t'day though.

 

Modern BMW stuff is a bit grim with the 1 Series and E90 being the armpit and arsehole of design. Horrible scrap.

Early 320is had the 200 casting head, IIRC, later changed to the 731 as fitted to mine. I wouldnt mind a 323 crank for my 320, bit more oomph without the 2.5..

 

agreed re arseholes of design- its like the design is matched to the character traits of the drivers:)

[320touring]

I do like those Tourings, they are proper classy looking, bit like an old Range Rover or a Volvo estate, they can fit in virtually anywhere. I also like them as they evoke fond memories of a particularly delicious MILF who ran a stables on the farm I used to live and work at, she had a one in that deep dark blue (and she had a lovely arse).

Have this on me;)

 

 

a 320 with some tech2 bitst plus cream leather sports interior

it

 used to have an s14 fitted before I got it, but that was long gone before I got her sold on

[twosmoke300]

Am I the only one that finds all the bmw e number and merc w numbers annoying, geeky and confusing ?

[drum]

Am I the only one that finds all the bmw e number and merc w numbers annoying, geeky and confusing ?

No

[twosmoke300]

It's a 2001 330 (or what ever it is) ffs .

Mind you Hondas seem to get this guff too ( ek3 v Tec just kicked in yo)

[320touring]

It's a 2001 330 (or what ever it is) ffs .

Mind you Hondas seem to get this guff too ( ek3 v Tec just kicked in yo)

 an e46 then;)

 

Yeah its geeky, but being able to go into the dealers and ask for the correct part for your car, using the codes is easier than saying " its a 1997 Punto, I'm looking for the RH caliper as fitted by Sergio, or was it Luigi? nevermind, its the one fitted on a Tuesday, unless is was the first of the month- cos then they fitted a Wednesday caliper" etc:)

 

e30= 3 series 82-91

e36 = 3 series 91-99

e46= 3 series 99-2007ish

 

then it gets complicated:)

 

e90= 3 series 4dr saloon

e91= 3 series touring

e92= 3 series 2dr coupe

 

etc

[twosmoke300]

When I worked for a Honda dealer we used to get the boy racars in asking for so and so for their ep3 or whatever.

Can we have the vin or reg please ?

Parts often changed with the same model code so didn't see much point in using it tbh.

[garethj]

Very nice, I've got a soft spot for the BMW estates.  But you must promise to never call a car this:

 

 

 

The 5

 

 

 

It's the kind of thing they do on Pistonheads and exceedingly naff.  I was reading a thread about how someone was going to buy a Ro, and couldn't wait to hear about the Wankel rotor seals, 3 speed semi auto etc.  I was gutted when the bloke was actually talking about one of those Vauxhall Holden things.

 

The 5 could be a Rover P5, Audi 5000 (bonus points for a shite car expensively imported), a Honda C50... you get the idea

 

But an excellent fleet, good on you

[320touring]

Very nice, I've got a soft spot for the BMW estates.  But you must promise to never call a car this:

 

 

 

 

It's the kind of thing they do on Pistonheads and exceedingly naff.  I was reading a thread about how someone was going to buy a Ro, and couldn't wait to hear about the Wankel rotor seals, 3 speed semi auto etc.  I was gutted when the bloke was actually talking about one of those Vauxhall Holden things.

 

The 5 could be a Rover P5, Audi 5000 (bonus points for a shite car expensively imported), a Honda C50... you get the idea

 

But an excellent fleet, good on you

 

ha:)

 

thats what it is called- every e34/60 we've owned is know as that.

 

or the 535i, or the barge

[drum]

So an e36 is a 3 series and an e34 is a 5 series? It's illogical captain.

 

I like the 2002 (not the year) and the 635csi. I would take circa 2000 323 (or is it 325?)coupe too mind.

[drum]

That's another thing. Why were some 3 series 1.8 badged as 316 etc?

[cort16]

I'm currently on the lookout for a nice E39. I'm going to see a 525d m sport at the weekend.

[Luckythirteen]

If I can interrupt the BMW love for a moment...that 172 is lovely. Not so sure about the white dials, but the green paint is gorgeous. Better than the multitude of silver ones, anyway.

 

Interruption over, carry on...

[Barry Cade]

Can I piss on everyone's chips here and say I almost hate BMW's, ones with 4 wheels anyway. Berlin built BMW's are the correct ones.

 

Rubbery gearchange, flat seats, very overrated dash, crappy idrive shite, rust brake pipes, crappy rubber components,fragile wheels  and more...

 

Owned a few, disliked pretty much all of them, especially the 520i auto (E28) that spat me off the road at 15mph, and the 518 Touring (E34) that had more broke than worked, even with a FBMSH, and most of the Bavarian horses should have been glue to hold the rattles together. A 316 (E I forgot) where I could fit my head through the rust holes in the rear arched. Latterly a 523i (E By Gum) that shat it's head gasket in spectacular fashion.

 

A proper car with 50/50 weight distribution should have a couple of slabs in the boot IMO.

[forddeliveryboy]

Has BMW talk been rationed or summit on here? It's like listening to some kids with new toys, or accidentally finding you're on PH.

 

My trusty MoT man has a guy who comes in and spouts numbers and figures at him, non-stop (who has more than one four-wheeled BMW). He smiles, nods in agreement and says nothing till the chap's out of earshot. He reckons the better ones are little more than jumped-up Capris with nicer engines - but has huge respect for any business who can engender such customer loyalty.

 

I do like the late-eighties three series in Touring form, though. Dunno why - i doubt they're so much better than the others. They just look right.
 

[twosmoke300]

I do like how they drive and the basic engineering seems sound but I'm fed up of doing brake pipes and awkward bastard suspension bushes on them.

[320touring]

If I can interrupt the BMW love for a moment...that 172 is lovely. Not so sure about the white dials, but the green paint is gorgeous. Better than the multitude of silver ones, anyway.

 

Interruption over, carry on...

I wondered when you'd pop up...

[320touring]

Can I piss on everyone's chips here and say I almost hate BMW's, ones with 4 wheels anyway. Berlin built BMW's are the correct ones.

 

Rubbery gearchange, flat seats, very overrated dash, crappy idrive shite, rust brake pipes, crappy rubber components,fragile wheels and more...

 

I agree re idrive and brake pipes (rears are always over the tank). Most of the other stuff affects later models than I'd drive

 

A proper car with 50/50 weight distribution should have a couple of slabs in the boot IMO.

Alarmingly, a 6 cylinder e30 touring came from the factory with 51/49 distribution-on account of the additional roof/rear hatch etc..

 

Much better than the 60/40 of a 2 Dr saloon:)

 

I think the major issue with the BMW scene is VAGGISATION-ie its all lows and euro etc. Couple that to the 'old escort'syndrome that a lot of e30 owners seem to be suffering from and you have a right bunch of interesting sorts.

 

That'll be why I'm over here rather than on BMW fora-you guys know its just an old car I like:)

[320touring]

I do like the late-eighties three series in Touring form, though. Dunno why - i doubt they're so much better than the others. They just look right.

 

Agreed:)

 

 

Re model numbers, the codes are just like Ford's really..

 

Take escorts as am example

 

A mk1 3 series is an e21

 

Mk2=e30

Mk3=e36

Mk4=e46

 

Etc.. see how, like escorts, they get more shit the higher the number?not much different at all:)

[Barry Cade]

Listening to a couple of bmw guy's talking still sounds to me like someone reading out the ingredients on a pot noodle.

E numbers are nasty.

[320touring]

Listening to a couple of bmw guy's talking still sounds to me like someone reading out the ingredients on a pot noodle.

E numbers are nasty.

[bmwfanboi]quit moaning and tell me how much you like my touring![/bmwfanboi]

 

 

So, open question..which of my current fleet would you have, and why?

[Barry Cade]

Fast clio's are a hoot and yours is a cracker. Love anything powerful and right wheel drive so a proper 5 series is a laff.just don't go for this "ultimate driving machine " stuff.

[320touring]

Fast clio's are a hoot and yours is a cracker. Love anything powerful and right wheel drive so a proper 5 series is a laff.just don't go for this "ultimate driving machine " stuff.

Good shouts on both counts..the Clio really surprised me-build quality better than expected, performance is great, and it'll still take 4 adults plus (some) luggage and do 40mpg on a run.

 

My e30 is a practical car that's fast enough and fun to drive, simple.

 

The 535i is a thug-great fun and not subtle..need to put er back on the road this year

[Luckythirteen]

I wondered when you'd pop up...

Ha! Couldn't resist. Or couldn't bear to see the little French Fancy buried in Bavarian Banter.

Once again...as you were!

[forddeliveryboy]

Agreed:)

 

 

Re model numbers, the codes are just like Ford's really..

 

Take escorts as am example

 

A mk1 3 series is an e21

 

Mk2=e30

Mk3=e36

Mk4=e46

 

Etc.. see how, like escorts, they get more shit the higher the number?not much different at all:)

 

Ok, you can continue now, after various rude int-ruptions