There's a gap in the market...

There's no proper modern day equivalent to an e30 318is...

Let me elaborate, while the 335i was the best car I've ever owned and a fantastically capable machine in every way! A massive chunk of its' power is wasted, generally the bigger the engine the longer the diff ratio / gearing and in a car that would crack 200km/h+ in absolutely no time at all without breaking a sweat and when it is designed to happily sit at that speed all day long in total comfort (on the autobahn), it is no surprise that - in Ireland - on a spirited backroad drive or even on the motorway you will barely get out of 2nd gear and have to hold back (if you intend on keeping your license), something else that comes into play is the steering ratio, again, when it's designed to cruise at silly speeds on the autobahn, it's naturally a wider/longer ratio so that it isn't twitchy, this naturally makes it slower to respond at slower speeds (eg back road blast etc) and so ruins the fun (suddenly adaptive steering makes a lot of sense!) anyway, this isn't just on the e9x 335i, on e36s a 318is has a 3.45 ratio while a 323/328i have a 2.93 ratio, and again e46s a 320ci has a 3.38 ratio, a 325ci a 3.15 ratio and a 330ci has a super long 2.93 ratio.

The big engined cars have impressive figures but what's the point if it only serves to make the car's top speed 250km/h instead of 230km/h? It's irrelevant.. I know driving enthusiasts are meant to buy an M and that the non-M big engined BMWs are just capable cruisers, but that's bullshit, what if you want a "baby" M? What if you want something with the essence of an ///M car but without all the massive costs? What if you want something with a lovely - not massively powerful and irrelevant - revvy engine, with a lovely useable power delivery, lovely short throw 6 speed manual transmission, lovely (not obnoxiously loud) engine/exhaust note, a sexy lightweight, subtle, stylish, purposeful body, small wheels, rear wheel drive and an LSD? Where do you turn? This is the gap in the market! The closest thing to this was a friend's 116i I drove a few days ago which had the most perfect suspension, steering, and gearing set up in any car I've been in recently but (aside from being especially visually-challenged in 5 door SE guise) was lacking power, a 6th gear, and sounded just awful.

I find myself trawling through forums and car websites not finding the "goldie locks car" any suggestions?

Despite my username, I'm done with e36s (at least for now), e46 (and equivalent Z4) 325 isn't quite right, e46 330 has super long gears, 318 is slow and has the troublesome 4 pot. I haven't driven a 320 yet and I suspect (hope) that may be the closest thing to what I'm after with a 6 pot, useable power and a 3.38 diff ratio. Yes they burn oil and leak etc etc but maybe, just maybe, it's the right car for me, possibly with a nice exhaust upgrade to hear the 6 pot sing.

I know on paper an MX-5 would be the ideal car for me, but they're all hideous things except for the brand new ND model (don't have 30k to spend on one nor would I spend 30k on one), GT86 would be ideal on paper as well but still far too expensive, MR2 too old, MRS too hideous, 350z too expensive to buy/run (may as well have an e46 M3). What other car could potentially fit the bill? I have a budget of 5-6k which should certainly be a fair budget for something decent!

S2000 is a good drive but at the end of the day it's jap and not a BMW. You are right there is a gap. Me personally it would be a well sorted E46 M3. Doesn't have to be a low mileage holy grail car, wouldn't bother me if it was over 100000mls either once it was well cared for.

I've been driving a 116i for the last week and definitely think it definitely shares some traits with the e30 318iS parked beside it.

Both are small by modern standards, relatively light, handling is pretty good for real world use (not planning to enter either in the WRC or lap the ring).

The 1er has some nice modern features like seat warmers which make it a more pleasant place to be on a rainy day.

The only thing letting down the 116 is in fact the engine, it's just not powerful enough, almost dangerously so if you're trying to overtake on the motorway.

That said with a bigger engine I think it'd be a good daily. It may not be the most beautiful car but in sport spec, with a roof spoiler and a light tint on the back windows I think there are worse looking cars out there.

With a 2.5 petrol or a 2.0d I'd say it's a good daily choice. Finding a good one is the tougher bit.

For comparison here's a pic of the e30 beside a 1 series Coupe I took a while back

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10...bfdad1c2e4.jpg

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Originally Posted by HealyC

S2000 is a good drive but at the end of the day it's jap and not a BMW. You are right there is a gap. Me personally it would be a well sorted E46 M3. Doesn't have to be a low mileage holy grail car, wouldn't bother me if it was over 100000mls either once it was well cared for.

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But not for €6k, but I agree on the point. A good e46 m3 is a fantastic daily [emoji3]

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Originally Posted by HealyC

S2000 is a good drive but at the end of the day it's jap and not a BMW. You are right there is a gap. Me personally it would be a well sorted E46 M3. Doesn't have to be a low mileage holy grail car, wouldn't bother me if it was over 100000mls either once it was well cared for.

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I still haven't driven an S2000 but can imagine exactly what it'll be like, I think it might be the way to go if the right one popped up, it's funny though, as you say "it's not a BMW", I love all cars but there's just something about BMWs... I'd love an e46 M3 but I'm looking to downsize while still having a fun car, wouldn't mind a big engined car if the overall price of the car is cheaper. I think a 330ci manual with a 330ci auto diff and an exhaust could be an option too, but don't really fancy experimenting. Maybe @[JohnH] can put me out of my misery and sell me "Tony" :p

Edit: Ha, just saw your post John, yea 6k is nowhere near enough for an M3 nor your 318is for that matter :p I do think a 1 coupé m sport with a decent engine would be nice but is a properly impossible find, definitely nowhere near the budget either.

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Originally Posted by Peter-E36

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Originally Posted by HealyC

S2000 is a good drive but at the end of the day it's jap and not a BMW. You are right there is a gap. Me personally it would be a well sorted E46 M3. Doesn't have to be a low mileage holy grail car, wouldn't bother me if it was over 100000mls either once it was well cared for.

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I still haven't driven an S2000 but can imagine exactly what it'll be like, I think it might be the way to go if the right one popped up, it's funny though, as you say "it's not a BMW", I love all cars but there's just something about BMWs... I'd love an e46 M3 but I'm looking to downsize while still having a fun car, wouldn't mind a big engined car if the overall price of the car is cheaper. I think a 330ci manual with a 330ci auto diff and an exhaust could be an option too, but don't really fancy experimenting. Maybe @[JohnH] can put me out of my misery and sell me "Tony" :p

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Not a hope! It's actually owned by my wife and there's a bigger chance of me being sold first!

Just to pick up your point about a 330i, my e46 was a brilliant car and I regret selling it. My only real reason was I'd had it for almost 4 years and fancied a change. I came close to buying it back but you can never go back.

Now I think of it I would like to have a spin in a 130i

Maybe this would fit the bill
http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9602010

Have you considered a quattro tt? 220hp from the 1800. Yes its not a smooth 6 pot but hard to beat power wise per displacement.

Regarding a bmw. The closest your going to get to what your looming for is a 2.5-3ltr z4 or an e46 330ci but as you said yourself you'll need to change the gearing etc.

S2000 wise as we talked about before they are rising in value now. Even at 6k ypu'll find it quite hard to get a good example. Even at that it will most likely be totally standard spec, which imo they arent great. They need atleast a decent set of wheels, lowered and maybe a decent cat back. Where as the z4 has the 6 spot sound and come woth some nice wheels from factory. S2k's are also not a good daily driver unless your into no luxury's, rattles/road noise, very little low down power which is what you need more of the time. They are very twitch unless set up properly and arent very comfy in general. Z4 has alot more cabin room also. Now i loved my old s2k. Great cars but they suit 1 purpose only tbh

E46...... I was thinking the same as you before i got the z4. Will i get a nice 330ci etc. In the end I decided I couldnt buy an e46 unless it was an m car. They arent like the e36 that way. Thats just personal opinion.

Id love a nice e30 318is or 325 but to find a decent example these days is near impossible and if you do that doesnt need money spent on it they are quite dear.

What about a boxster s?

Oh I've a good one now that we are talking Vags, a Leon Cupra R, 225bhp, 1.8l and brembo brakes. Had one for a week or two a few years ago, fantastic car and a bit of a sleeper (bang a tdi badge on the back ;))

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Originally Posted by Gar

Maybe this would fit the bill
http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9602010

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Mmmmm always fancied an e21 :cool: if I'm going for an "old" car I'd just go straight to an e30 318is though, I just couldn't handle something requiring never-ending work again :(