Fishey

In your 95 3 series or the 944?

Really it doesn't matter because $2700 is a totally rediculous price..

alxdgr8

When I was looking for a new DD it was between a urS4 and a E34 540i/6. I would've taken either but I came across the S4 for a price I couldn't pass up. I'm glad I ended up with the AWD car too as I would've had to buy snow tires for the E34 and it has an open diff so winter wouldn't have been fun.

E30's are lots of fun though...between an N/A and an E30 it would be a tough call. Keep both!

whalebird

Having owned many BMW 3 series cars. I really like the E30. IMHO one very underestimated E30 is the 90/91 model 318IS. Great 4 - cylinder and is a lot happier in the turns. They seem to have a flexible power range and really nice balance with the 4-banger. Otherwise, the early 325 E (eta) motor can be built into what some say is the strongest E30 powertrain available, and it is sick torque.
Look for a 2-door with sport seats/steering wheel at least. If not look for the es/is with ltd slip diff, and wider BBS wheels. They can be really fun street cars that are easy to live with "practicle" compared to a 944.

Yummybud924

i don't really like bmws just because they are everywhere, plus I don't consider them real sports cars but sporty family cars.

only bmw I like is the 850 with the pop up headlights and v12 motor.

Yummybud924

the new bmw with v10 motor is also very nice... I love the sound of that motor.

38927

If I were in ur shoes i'd keep the 944. I've had a few e30s from 318 i, 318is (great peppy car) and a 325ic. All of which were e30s. Of them all I'd choose the e30 m3 it had a 200+ hp I-4. I'd say the 944 is more appealing to me simply because I love the body of the 944.. But when it comes reliability with respect to cost of maintience, the bmw would be a more affordable option. anyhoo Just my 2cents...

eniac

My BMW ownership list is:

Past:
1984 E30 318
1985 E30 318
1988 E30 325ix (BEST CAR EVER!!!)
1989 E30 325ix

Current:
1989 E34 525i
1991 E30 325ix (gf's car)

Sure my 951 is way more fun in the summer but overall, in Michigan, the 1988 325ix is a better car. Low maintentance cost, AWD, sporty enough for DE's, etc. 1988 is the only year iX to buy unless you HAVE to have a 4 door. The plastic bumpers from an 1989-1991 are a very easy swap.

I would say the it's a tough comparison between a 951 and a 325ix since 951 have the power and upgradability but the 325ix has AWD and very low driving costs. The pros and cons are nearly equal so I bought both.

As far as E30's go the only bad one is a 325e. Any other E30 I would take hands down over a 924/944 N/A. A 951 or S2 is a different story because those are far different cars and really outclass everything except an M3, or 325ix in winter.

That said I would trade both my E34 525i AND my 951 in a second for nearly any E30 M3 that is drivable.

IMO, every single household should own both a BMW(any model) and a cheaper fun Porsche(914, 944, Boxter, etc).

Reimu

Most people here are comparing old 944s to 95+ bimmers

That answer your question?

Both are good cars, e30 would be a nice dd for a college kid since the 944 isn't quite dd material for someone lacking cash

85944na

In my experience the E30 is much cheaper to maintain. You should have no problem selling the IX and getting a 325is for less money. I like having both an E30 and a 944. The E30 M3 is an awesome car, but the price on those far exceeds any other E30 or 944 n/a, it exceeds a majority of 951s too. As you know both cars drive very differently, which is better depends on your personal preferences and needs.

joemis

I currently have both a 944 (89S2) and an e30 BMW (92 325i convert). My 944 is a weekend toy and the e30 is my daily driver. If I could only keep just one, it would be the e30 because it is a great all-around car. Comfortable ride with good handling and super smooth operation. Maintenance is much less and easier to work on.

But, on the other had the 944 is better looking and much faster on the back roads. It's just not as practical for an every day car. Of course everyone will have their own needs and opinion of what is best. I would never want to part with my 944. Lucky for me I don't have to make such a choice.

Joe M
1989 944S2
1992 BMW e30 convertable

Trevor Ely

Having owned several E30s and having driven very nice examples of each bodystyle E30 M3/944 Turbo Cup(etc.)...I've got to say, it comes down to what you're actually doing with the car, and what you want to get out of it...

I think when it comes down to the cars, strictly as daily drivers, the E30 (in Non-M form) is hard to beat, as it's much cheaper to own and IMO, is more practical when it comes to hauling people/things (Especially, if you grab a four-door).

Now, when it comes to the car as performance oriented, sports cars...There's no question the 944 (in whatever form) is exquisitely balanced, and providing incredible feel...Saying that, I think you'd be very surprised how nice a sorted E30 with the right suspension modifications can feel. As with both cars, lightness is key, and I don't think you'd be let down by either car in the handling department.

I think both cars offer a great driving experience, the E30 chassis is nowhere near as capable with big power (i.e. swapped car vs. modded 951), but if you're on a budget and strictly dealing with a Non-M E30 and a N/A 944...I'd say it comes down to personal preference and budget.

Here's a couple nice Non-Ms to help the E30's case







...and a neat clip, in case you've never seen it...


...This is actually an Italian market '320is', which was a normal, Non-M narrow-body chassis w/ a 2.0L version of the M3's S14 engine.

Yummybud924

not sure what year the e30s are but the old school bmws like pre 92 are pretty fugly imo. most cars from the 80s to early 90s are real ugly. 944 looks like no other car from the 80s, all the other 80s cars are boxy and have no curves.

Trevor Ely

Okay.

To OP...So, if being pretty is also a criteria in your choice of car...You might as well cross out the E30.

I can agree in some sense, though...E30s do show their age, the really do look a couple decades behind, where as the later 944s really look like they're only maybe a decade behind.

eniac

I think the 944 shows thier age more then an E30, especially an M3. The 944 no matter how round you try to make the ends look, it still has that 80's flat/wedge style, hatchback trend design like the old RX-7's, 240's etc. That dates the car no matter what else is done to the body and any attempt to eliminate that only makes it worse and more dated.

I liked BMW better when they looked like BMW's instead of the new design where they all look like Chryslers. I don't think E30's look dated as much as the 944.



In regards to my comments about trying to make a 944 not look dated, the only thing IMO that works is the 968. Still retains the hatch(no getting around that), but the open headlights and eliminating the cheap 1970's rubber mirror and spoiler trim help it match with newer cars that could be sold today(cept for the hatch)...example:




Granted the 968 wasnt in the comparison and Im babbling but really I just wanted an excuse to post some pics of these awesome looking cars.

Yummybud924

the 944 is really an early 70s design...... its really only a 924 with fender flares and it was based on the 924 carrera GT.

I still think a 944 looks nicer than a e30 bmw.

and yeah I don't like the design of new bmws.

I think audi is the only german automaker that is coming out with nice designs.