[etinifni]

Those of you who know will understand.

[NotQuickEnough]

No I had two e36s they were better driving cars

[jmg]

No, the E36 was universally praised. The F30 not so much.

[englishguy84]

Absolutely positively not. Curious, what makes them similar to you? To me they’re immediately differentiated by size, feel, and mission (small fun, sporty sedan vs midsize, upscale, comfortable sedan with quick reflexes)

[donkey]

In a sense that they were overshadowed by the E30/E90?

[Malloy]

No.

[DrivenByE30]

My F30 replaced my E36, and in some ways i can see why the F30 is to the E90 what the E36 was to the E30...

But other than that, no.

I do miss my E36 tho.

[SlickShift]

The E82 1er was a modern replacement for the E36 IMO. The F30 (or even the F22 I drive) doesn't feel or drive like an E36. I wouldn't even say they drive like the 2 E46s I owed. The F chassis cars are incredibly different in their mission and execution.

[ceedawg]

Originally Posted by SlickShift

The E82 1er was a modern replacement for the E36 IMO. The F30 (or even the F22 I drive) definitely don't feel or drive like an E36. I wouldn't even say they drive like the 2 E46s I owed. The F chassis cars are incredibly different in their mission and execution.

AGREE 100%% on all accounts. Sometimes with my F30 I think Im driving a 5 series Id like to add, me coming from two E36 M3's.

[Patrick852]

Originally Posted by ceedawg

AGREE 100%% on all accounts. Sometimes with my F30 I think Im driving a 5 series Id like to add, me coming from two E36 M3's.

I have the same feeling, as driving my F30 of the size as an E39 5 series, and they share the same comfort ride.

Sometimes I wonder, if BMW were to make the E36, E90 and F30 simultaneously, which one would I buy?

[DSH7]

I've seen many similar discussions about the F30 and it seems the older cars nearly always win in the better handling/funner to drive department. For those who have owned both, how does a suspension modded F30s (quality coilovers, upgraded ARBs, etc.) compare to some of the older "ultimate driving machines"?

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Patrick852

I have the same feeling, as driving my F30 of the size as an E39 5 series, and they share the same comfort ride.

Sometimes I wonder, if BMW were to make the E36, E90 and F30 simultaneously, which one would I buy?

I too came from E39 5 series; '97 540 and a '03 540 M-tech. The F30 is almost as big space wise and weight wise. But here's something to consider: My F30 328 has 4 cylinders vs 8, gets almost double the gas mileage, has similar 0-60 times and top end, and cost me $46k in 2014 dollars instead of $54k in 1997 dollars. The F30 is light years ahead in technology (hud, adaptive suspension, nav, etc.) vs the E39. So, 1/2 the price (inflation-adjusted)/ double the gas mileage, 1/2 the cylinders, much more refined: By that measure, the F30 is a hell of a car. Keep in mind I love, love, loved my two E39s, but the F30 is an amazing car in my opinion. Comparing it to and E36 just doesn't make sense to me. The E36 was a different car for a different time for a different market. The only thing in common is they were both called 3-series. Truth be told, my favorite BMW for just fun driving was my '88 E28 528 with all of 125 hp. BMWs are not just enthusiasts cars anymore. They are a big car company designing and selling cars to a much broader market. Comparing the E36 to the 1 or 2 series would be more appropriate.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

I too came from E39 5 series; '97 540 and a '03 540 M-tech. The F30 is almost as big space wise and weight wise. But here's something to consider: My F30 328 has 4 cylinders vs 8, gets almost double the gas mileage, has similar 0-60 times and top end, and cost me $46k in 2014 dollars instead of $54k in 1997 dollars. The F30 is light years ahead in technology (hud, adaptive suspension, nav, etc.) vs the E39. So, 1/2 the price (inflation-adjusted)/ double the gas mileage, 1/2 the cylinders, much more refined: By that measure, the F30 is a hell of a car. Keep in mind I love, love, loved my two E39s, but the F30 is an amazing car in my opinion. Comparing it to and E36 just doesn't make sense to me. The E36 was a different car for a different time for a different market. The only thing in common is they were both called 3-series. Truth be told, my favorite BMW for just fun driving was my '88 E28 528 with all of 125 hp. BMWs are not just enthusiasts cars anymore. They are a big car company designing and selling cars to a much broader market. Comparing the E36 to the 1 or 2 series would be more appropriate.

Those who compare F30 to E36/E46/E90 do not get F30.

F30 is a spiritual successor to E39, which is a superb balance of comfort and competence. The cost savings of F30 versus E39 come from the reduced trim quality of the 3-series, but that's cool to me given trim quality does not significantly contribute to the driving experience.

Over the last few years, family and friends with E39(528i/530i/540i/M5) gradually migrate to various configurations of F30.

E39 owners get and understand F30. Some E36/E46/E90 owners see the brilliance of F30, but the majority do not.

My prediction is that G20 will complete the transformation of 3-series to E39 of the past. If true, that will be a good thing!

[JJS]

It was a lowly E36 318i I borrowed around Y2K that persuaded me that I should have a BMW one day. It felt superbly balanced, communicative and a joy to drive - even at a leisurely pace. The E46 came to soon (did not have the means then) and the E90 was too Bangle-ish for my conservative aesthetics. 13 years later, I bought my first BMW and 3er. It's much less like the E36 than the F22 is. With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, I should have bought the M235i or M2. But they weren't even announced when I signed my purchase order in 2013.

My timing sucks, but I have no regrets with my F31.

[2000Z3M]

Originally Posted by DSH7

I've seen many similar discussions about the F30 and it seems the older cars nearly always win in the better handling/funner to drive department. For those who have owned both, how does a suspension modded F30s (quality coilovers, upgraded ARBs, etc.) compare to some of the older "ultimate driving machines"?

its all the nannies that make new cars suck. I had a 2000 M Roadster and it only had traction control, it was on or off. God, i miss that car

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by JJS

It was a lowly E36 318i I borrowed around Y2K that persuaded me that I should have a BMW one day. It felt superbly balanced, communicative and a joy to drive - even at a leisurely pace. The E46 came to soon (did not have the means then) and the E90 was too Bangle-ish for my conservative aesthetics. 13 years later, I bought my first BMW and 3er. It's much less like the E36 than the F22 is. With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, I should have bought the M235i or M2. But they weren't even announced when I signed my purchase order in 2013.

My timing sucks, but I have no regrets with my F31.

My love for BMW came when I first drove my brothers '69 or '70 2002 with round taillights. I instantly knew I would have a BMW one day. It took 20 years, but I finally got there. My brother's car was amazing and I'd love to take it around the block again. The memories!

[Patrick852]

I definitely put the tag on E36 as the best "Ultimate Driving Machine", and E90 comes second. However, as time goes by, F30 fits me more. Coincidentally, I no longer have the muscle to turn that E36 steering, and reflects to counter-steer that tail happy elves. Marketing of 3-series probably finds out what their customers need along this two decades.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by 2000Z3M

its all the nannies that make new cars suck. I had a 2000 M Roadster and it only had traction control, it was on or off. God, i miss that car

Are you including your car in this category? In what universe does a 435 ZHP suck? It's Christmas, send it to me as a gift please

[ceedawg]

can we say the f30 is equal in size Interior wise to the E60 5 series? I think so. This car is big and feels it. This is the way all the compacts.have go e I guess. Look at Honda and Toyota.

[ceedawg]

Want a car like an E30/E36 gotta go M235i,M2,135i ,M135i.

[2000Z3M]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Are you including your car in this category? In what universe does a 435 ZHP suck? It's Christmas, send it to me as a gift please

its an atuo, too many computers on it, no soul driving feel sucks

[Poon Stick]

Originally Posted by ceedawg

can we say the f30 is equal in size Interior wise to the E60 5 series? I think so. This car is big and feels it. This is the way all the compacts.have go e I guess. Look at Honda and Toyota.

No still significantly smaller than the e60.

The f30 is probably a little smaller but equivalent to the e39 5 series