I think some things need clarification first the e30 M3 is legendary as a historically significant street legal civilian version of probably the most successful racing car of all time but on public roads it was not spectacular. It had an overly stiff ride and a harsh engine with a high narrow power band requiring constant rowing of the gears to keep up with traffic. By comparison the e30 325i handled and stopped just as well as the M3 and was only 0.2 sec slower to 60 mph plus it was and is cheaper and much easier to live with on a daily basis. Second the terms "best car", "best performance car" and "best driver's car" are not interchangeable. Generally a driver's car is measured by how big a smile you have on your face when it is just you, the car and your favorite road. It is a car that communicates so well and makes you feel so connected that after a bit you stop thinking about it and the car essentially becomes an extension of yourself, absolute performance is irrelevant. Now your favorite car can be anything, a performance car, a driver's car or just a car, whatever you like. The e30 is special for being a driver's car as much as the Miata, the odd Lotus or earlier 911s ect that seats four comfortably and is reliable enough to be practical for every day use.
I don’t completely disagree. To me, it seems like so many people just throw out there that the e30 is the best(insert what you want). I think the e30 is a great car, but it’s more a jack of all trades, than the best at any one thing. To me, it was the best platform a regular Joe could get. Now, with the market being the way it is, I don’t know if that’s the case anymore. As I said in the video, only my opinion. Plenty of people will disagree, and some may agree. Just bringing up the topic for debate.
Why specifically do you think the E30 M3 is one of the greatest cars of all time? I'm not disagreeing just curious about your perspective. You might want to do additional research on the M3. What it isn't is a amazing performance car, even in it's day it was just okay. No faster or better handling than the car that led to it's creation the Mercedes 190E 2.3 16, which is arguably the better car. What it was and continues to be is the benchmark for a driver's car on any track. You need to learn the difference between a driver's car and a performance car. I would say there are a number of GTIs which are better performance cars than an E30 but that there is no such thing as a front wheel drive driver's car. That is something people really to understand, E30s are driver's cars not performance cars. If you want a performance BMW the E36 or E46 are what you want, especially the E36. It drives almost as well as the E30, it uses the M50 and M52 engines as stock and later engines are basically plug and play and for a bonus they are cheaper have a better rear suspension and don't use their oil pans as a skid plate compared to the E30. FYI the E30 325i is over a second faster to 60 mph has a higher top speed and can out turn a stock gen 1 Miata, braking is a statistical dead heat, add a spec E30 suspension kit and not are they only a match for a modded Miata but also every contemporary BMW on the road without a 6 figure price tag or an M on the trunk.
I made this video to be contrarian. The e30 is indeed a great car, but I’m just trying to say that in the current market, I don’t know if it’s the slam dunk decision that it used to be. I’ve driven multiple e30’s and first gen Miata’s, and I prefer the Miata. As I said, the e30 is better all the way around, but in my opinion only, the Miata is the better drivers car. There certainly ARE front wheel drive driver’s cars that are considered among the best of all time. EG Type R’s, old Mini Coopers, SAAB 900’s, the CRX. The GTI is a great driver’s car, especially the new MK8. Saying anything is the GOAT is always a matter of opinion. I could never fault someone for making an argument for any platform. And as I’ve said, I LOVE my e30. The M3 just is one of the GOATs because of the history it created, and because between it and the 190E, is a big reason we get to enjoy the awesome cars we have today.
I agree the Miata is more fun, it is light nimble and a fantastic sports car. That was the point I was trying to make, fun and fast are not the same thing. The best thing about cars like the Miàta or the E30 is they are a joy to drive in normal traffic. Your point about performance was spot on. Too many people try to force the E30 to be a great performance car, they're not. They are great driver's cars, their "God's chariot" came from their perfect combination of being as fun as a Miata and as practical as a Corolla. You can make an E30 fast but it likely will make it a worse driver and for half the money a E36 will be faster ànd more fun to drive due to its stiffer chassis and better rear end. If you ever get the chance try to drive a Mercedes 190E 2.6, their answer to the 325i, they are amazing imagine if an S class and an E30 had a baby.
I forgot to add a mea culpa about the Mini, it is the unique exception in the FWD world. I'm on the fence about the Mk8, I like the car but the new dash and touch controls ruin the experience for me.
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I think some things need clarification first the e30 M3 is legendary as a historically significant street legal civilian version of probably the most successful racing car of all time but on public roads it was not spectacular. It had an overly stiff ride and a harsh engine with a high narrow power band requiring constant rowing of the gears to keep up with traffic. By comparison the e30 325i handled and stopped just as well as the M3 and was only 0.2 sec slower to 60 mph plus it was and is cheaper and much easier to live with on a daily basis. Second the terms "best car", "best performance car" and "best driver's car" are not interchangeable. Generally a driver's car is measured by how big a smile you have on your face when it is just you, the car and your favorite road. It is a car that communicates so well and makes you feel so connected that after a bit you stop thinking about it and the car essentially becomes an extension of yourself, absolute performance is irrelevant. Now your favorite car can be anything, a performance car, a driver's car or just a car, whatever you like. The e30 is special for being a driver's car as much as the Miata, the odd Lotus or earlier 911s ect that seats four comfortably and is reliable enough to be practical for every day use.
good take
I don’t completely disagree. To me, it seems like so many people just throw out there that the e30 is the best(insert what you want). I think the e30 is a great car, but it’s more a jack of all trades, than the best at any one thing. To me, it was the best platform a regular Joe could get. Now, with the market being the way it is, I don’t know if that’s the case anymore.
As I said in the video, only my opinion. Plenty of people will disagree, and some may agree. Just bringing up the topic for debate.
Why specifically do you think the E30 M3 is one of the greatest cars of all time? I'm not disagreeing just curious about your perspective. You might want to do additional research on the M3. What it isn't is a amazing performance car, even in it's day it was just okay. No faster or better handling than the car that led to it's creation the Mercedes 190E 2.3 16, which is arguably the better car. What it was and continues to be is the benchmark for a driver's car on any track. You need to learn the difference between a driver's car and a performance car. I would say there are a number of GTIs which are better performance cars than an E30 but that there is no such thing as a front wheel drive driver's car. That is something people really to understand, E30s are driver's cars not performance cars. If you want a performance BMW the E36 or E46 are what you want, especially the E36. It drives almost as well as the E30, it uses the M50 and M52 engines as stock and later engines are basically plug and play and for a bonus they are cheaper have a better rear suspension and don't use their oil pans as a skid plate compared to the E30. FYI the E30 325i is over a second faster to 60 mph has a higher top speed and can out turn a stock gen 1 Miata, braking is a statistical dead heat, add a spec E30 suspension kit and not are they only a match for a modded Miata but also every contemporary BMW on the road without a 6 figure price tag or an M on the trunk.
I made this video to be contrarian. The e30 is indeed a great car, but I’m just trying to say that in the current market, I don’t know if it’s the slam dunk decision that it used to be. I’ve driven multiple e30’s and first gen Miata’s, and I prefer the Miata. As I said, the e30 is better all the way around, but in my opinion only, the Miata is the better drivers car.
There certainly ARE front wheel drive driver’s cars that are considered among the best of all time. EG Type R’s, old Mini Coopers, SAAB 900’s, the CRX. The GTI is a great driver’s car, especially the new MK8.
Saying anything is the GOAT is always a matter of opinion. I could never fault someone for making an argument for any platform. And as I’ve said, I LOVE my e30. The M3 just is one of the GOATs because of the history it created, and because between it and the 190E, is a big reason we get to enjoy the awesome cars we have today.
I agree the Miata is more fun, it is light nimble and a fantastic sports car. That was the point I was trying to make, fun and fast are not the same thing. The best thing about cars like the Miàta or the E30 is they are a joy to drive in normal traffic. Your point about performance was spot on. Too many people try to force the E30 to be a great performance car, they're not. They are great driver's cars, their "God's chariot" came from their perfect combination of being as fun as a Miata and as practical as a Corolla. You can make an E30 fast but it likely will make it a worse driver and for half the money a E36 will be faster ànd more fun to drive due to its stiffer chassis and better rear end. If you ever get the chance try to drive a Mercedes 190E 2.6, their answer to the 325i, they are amazing imagine if an S class and an E30 had a baby.
I forgot to add a mea culpa about the Mini, it is the unique exception in the FWD world. I'm on the fence about the Mk8, I like the car but the new dash and touch controls ruin the experience for me.