Project Green Hell: 1995 BMW 325i/4/5 Sport

[Jake]

Dig the Oxford Green to the max. :thumbup:

Since they're both kinda in the same cheapcomfy market, how's it compare as a DD to the e34?

Thanks, it's growing on me

I like it better than my E34 as a daily. Notice I said "my." The M30 motor in my 535i was super old-school and got 17 mpg everywhere I went. It was kind of clattery. Driving an M30-equipped E34 feels like driving an E30 that's bigger, with more leather and wood everywhere. Same "scrappy" characteristics. If you've driven an E30, you'll get it.

My E34 also had the "comfort" seats which are sized for American rear ends (i.e. big, i.e. not mine). The sport seats on the E36 fit my body better. The M50 motor gets far better MPGs (26 commuting, 30+ highway) and drives so differently. The car is more nimble and fun on the day-to-day drives.

For pure highway, the E34 has it. I bought it thinking I'd drive the Miata more, but with the coilovers making it so rough (and the overall cramped nature of a Miata...) I spent a lot more time in the E34. And it wasn't as fun as I'd hoped, even with the 5-speed and LSD. The E36 has been plenty entertaining for a commute, does better on gas, and while only four model years newer, was designed as part of the 'next generation' beyond the E30/E34/E32 cars, so it feels way newer.

Having driven E34's with the M50 I6 and the M60 V8, they both behave worlds newer than the M30 cars.