E36 328is vs. R53 Cooper S.  Help Me Choose.

"DylanToback" (DylanToback) 05/30/2015 at 10:11 • Filed to: None

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Hey, so I am in the process of purchasing a vehicle, and it has more or less come down to these two options. Both manual. Both have reasonable miles for their ages and prices. (1998 and 114k and 2002 and 135k respectively). Both cars are priced around $5k.

I previously owned an E36 328is and very much enjoyed it. I have not yet had a chance to see this particular car however, so I do not know what problems, if any, it might have. The E36 is a private seller, who does not seem particularly motivated. It has been difficult to contact the owner, and I may not be able to see the car for a week or so. It is also out of state, which means there will be the additional hassle of getting a new inspection and registering the car in my state.

I have looked at the Mini, and aside from a tiny rust spot on the rear hatch, and a missing rubber cover for the clutch pedal, it is more or less immaculate. No strut tower mushrooming or any of the other common issues. It did have a rattle from the exhaust which is more than likely a loose hanger, and it had some pulsation in the brake pedal. The Mini is at a small family run dealer, will have both of the previously mentioned issues fixed, and receive an inspection and sticker before I pick it up.

Any advice would be appreciated.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > DylanToback 05/30/2015 at 10:15

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I feel like the 3 series would be the better bet in this instance. I feel like the mini has way harder miles on it.

DylanToback > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 05/30/2015 at 10:19

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Based on?

djmt1 > DylanToback 05/30/2015 at 10:32

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Mini. Try something new.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > DylanToback 05/30/2015 at 10:35

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The fact that the mini is a manual, these type of cars are the type you learn to drive stick on. Also I have a friend that had to have their entire engine replace on their mini after 45k miles.

DylanToback > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 05/30/2015 at 10:59

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That is an interesting consideration. I had not thought about the possibility of harder miles. I will say that the Carfax only shows two owners prior to the dealer, and each kept the car for a long time. And there are no signs of any sort of modification or abuse. The car felt very solid.

DylanToback > djmt1 05/30/2015 at 11:00

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I am tempted. Though I am afraid I might miss having rear wheel drive.

f86sabre > DylanToback 05/30/2015 at 11:02

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I can’t speak to the BMW, but we have a 2005 Cooper S and it has been a great car. Has about 115k on it right now. Fit and finish have held up and the mechanicals have been fine. We did have to replace an engine mount about 30k miles ago. I also changed the timing chain tensioner (easy) when things started to rattle. The car has been easy to work on, aside from the fact that things are tiny. Fuel economy has been good around 32 MPG and it runs down the road nicely.

The corrosion is a bit concerning, but I don't know where you live. Sounds like the NE, so you know better than I if that level of corrosion is normal.

DylanToback > f86sabre 05/30/2015 at 11:06

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Thank you. Good to know. How has it been on the highway in terms of ride quality and noise? (I have no objection to stiff suspension, my old E36 was running a very stiff aftermarket setup).

And yes, I am in New England. Though I will be in North Carolina for most of the time I will own the car. It is a small, roughly quarter sized spot near the license plate area. It has just started to bubble a little bit. So I am sure it could be sanded down and repainted without much trouble.

djmt1 > DylanToback 05/30/2015 at 11:21

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Ahh you’ll be fine instead of drifting steal some Italian gold.

f86sabre > DylanToback 05/30/2015 at 11:22

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We have the sport suspension, so it is firm, but I find it comfortable. Our “family car” is our 2003 Evo, so we kind of like firm suspension. We did replace the runflats with standard tires due to cost and ride.

Noise isn’t bad at all with the windows closed and the hatch deck in place. With the sunroof open and the windows down there is a bit of buffeting, but it isnt horrible. With the seats down you can get a remarkable amount of stuff in it. I got two surplus aircraft galley carts in there once. Longest drive has been Atlanta to Indy for the 500 a couple of years ago and I was perfectly comfortable for the drive.

Power is good considering the weight. More than enough zip for running around. The small foot print is great for parking and opens up space in the garage. That is non trivial.

DylanToback > djmt1 05/30/2015 at 11:37

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And the ability to drive down the stairs to the subway is certainly an added benefit.

DylanToback > f86sabre 05/30/2015 at 11:39

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I believe this has standard tires as well. So that sounds like a plus. I have driven a couple of them now, and the decent power combined with the short gearing definitely does result in a quick feeling car. My plan would be to swap in a 15% supercharger pulley as well. That would give the car a fairly impressive power to weight ratio.

CallMeTURBO > f86sabre 05/30/2015 at 11:42

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“Family car is our 2003 Evo”

You are what I want to be when I'm a dad

Sir FR-S (Formally CR-Z) > DylanToback 05/30/2015 at 11:49

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Go with the mini it has more character and is a hoot to drive

f86sabre > CallMeTURBO 05/30/2015 at 11:51

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Life is too short for boring cars and the kids dig it.

DylanToback > Sir FR-S (Formally CR-Z) 05/30/2015 at 12:20

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I do agree on the driving experience. It feels significantly sportier.

Dsscats > DylanToback 05/30/2015 at 12:33

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You won’t in an R53. They’re insanely fun.

CloutiusMaximus > DylanToback 05/30/2015 at 12:34

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I would go with the Mini. The light weight is a nice change from most cars. You can really throw it into corners.

DylanToback > Dsscats 05/30/2015 at 12:37

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That’s the impression I am getting. And from what I have heard, the addition of a rear swaybar will give it very neutral handling and you can adjust it to result in oversteer if you want.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > DylanToback 05/30/2015 at 13:08

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The first few years of the R50/53 were very problematic. Make sure to have it looked over by someone who is very familiar with them. Usually the biggest problems were head gaskets and superchargers.

That being said, they’re a blast to drive and respond well to mods. IMO that first gen is soooooo much better than all of the newer abominations.

There’s nothing exciting about buying the same car over again.

FromCanadaWithLove > DylanToback 05/30/2015 at 13:49

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My heart says the E36, but my brain says the E36. (Although it sounds like you had positive words about the Mini. Both are great choices)