Which BMW will give you the most pure driving experience (outside of the M cars)?

"LJ909" (lj909) 04/11/2016 at 18:53 • Filed to: None

1

24

I'm talking 3 peddle, 4 or 6 cylinder most basic trim BMW. A true sports sedan experience. Something that you can slide around the corner without some electronic nanny getting in the way.

RyanFrew > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 18:57

0

Does it have to be basic trim? Or just not an M car? Because I would say that the answer is a manual m235i. The 228 pictured isn’t going to do a whole lot of sliding, even in Sport mode with traction control turned off.

fourvalleys > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 18:59

0

Are we talking ever? Or is the 2002 excluded?

Flavien Vidal > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 19:01

1

NOT the 320D, that’s for sure (typical rent-a-car in France before I bought an Austin Mini to keep for when I get back home... saving on cash and providing me with TONS of fun). It came with a manual, sure, but damn did it suck ass!!! Traction control could not be fully turned off and was hugely invasive, even “off”. Not powerful, not fun in anyway.

My answer would be a 135i with an aftermarket LSD...

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 19:02

18

A used one, with steering feel.

Bytemite > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 19:03

1

Obviously the E30 318is.

lone_liberal > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 19:05

2

When you’re talking pure driving experience I don’t think you can go wrong with a 2002tii.

citizennick > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 19:07

0

an E46 because that N/A power.

-this space for rent- > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 19:08

0

I dont know but I bet it was built at least a decade ago.

AM3R shamefully returns > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 19:10

0

If you want a newer, fun BMW an E9x or E82 is very hard to beat. Hydraulic steering, 6MT, inline six (twin turbo optional), RWD, and DSC can be turned off (hold the button down for 10 seconds). I was getting my 335i sideways the other day in a big empty area. Hell, My auto 328i is still a pretty fun car to DD. I can only imagine what a smaller ca like a 1 series is like.

Decay buys too many beaters > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 19:11

0

An e30

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 04/11/2016 at 19:23

0

What if it’s had the feel replaced under warranty?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 04/11/2016 at 19:34

1

That’s dilsdos

kanadanmajava1 > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 19:34

0

I’ll suggest E30 320is which is rather rare tax evasion model for Italy and some other minor markets. It has 2 liter version engine of M3's famous S14 and it has nearly identical drivetrain. It lacks M3's special body with the raised trunk and fender flares so you easily mix it with regular E30s. Unfortunately these are now quite expensive (but still cheaper than new 3 series BMWs).

Flavien Vidal > kanadanmajava1 04/11/2016 at 19:47

0

Unfortunately, unless you live in Italy, 320is are nearly impossible to come by and they are getting “a bit expensive indeed”! 325is are a bit cheaper, albeit, less fun, but still...

RallyWrench > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 19:48

0

A European-market E21 323i. Light, great visibility, no power steering, with a high-revving small six that pulls hard and makes glorious noise.

Steve in Manhattan > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 19:49

0

2002. ‘76, base, optional radio.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 19:52

1

Assume manual and M-sport/sports package where available unless otherwise noted. New, probably 228i or M235i, both with the M and Track packs. Recent-ish, e92 335is(manual or DCT), e90/92 335i, e90 330i if you want n/a. Further back than that? e46 ZHP, e36 325is, e36 318ti, e30 325i or 318is, e39 540i w/m-sport, e34 M540i, e34 535i, 2002tii. There are probably a few I missed

RPM esq. > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP 04/11/2016 at 20:43

0

Good list. The relatively rare but not-a-unicorn 1995 E34 540i 6-speed stands out to me as an omission, since true M540is are easily going for M5 money... But even an E34 525i can be fun—not fast, but neither is a 318. Even older, there are plenty of E28 535s and E24s around that offer a lot of fun in a pretty simple, reliable package.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 21:09

0

If wanting a new one, I suppose it would honestly come down to a 6MT 320i with the sport and track packages or a 6MT 228i with the track package for getting it at the cheapest price. Equally if you must have more than 4 cylinders, the M235i would be the answer.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > kanadanmajava1 04/11/2016 at 21:28

0

that is neat, never knew about it. Its crazy how many BMWs the US missed out on

CRider > LJ909 04/11/2016 at 21:35

3

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > RPM esq. 04/11/2016 at 21:36

1

yeah, the e34 540i was an omission. For some reason I thought all 540i’s in the US market were M540i’s.

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > itranthelasttimeiparkedit 04/11/2016 at 21:43

0

The US sure missed out on many great BMW’s, but in this particular case, it’s the Italians who missed out on the e30 M3. The only appeal of the 320is is rarity, and super-duper extra rarity for the 320is 4-door sedan.

dogisbadob > LJ909 04/13/2016 at 17:55

1

The Isetta