BMW E30 M3 vs BMW 320d - Auto Express

[@MrYasZ]

That E30 is extremely good looking !!

[@ANDREWSAMY562]

Yasser Bel I don't like BMW's. I totally agree.

[@dankenport2485]

BMWs of the 70s, 80s & 90s were some of the best looking cars of all time. E9, E12, E26, E30, E31, E32, E34, E36, E38...

[@seddam]

Yes, but not good like ,450SEL

[@EugVR6]

i think some are missing the point of this,.....its only to show how much performance has come on.... I remember the E30 M3 being so fast in its day but today that performance is avaliable to most, in the most boring of vehicles. ...which we take for granted. .. Same with the cosworth when i was 16 years old.....its was the unbeatable car, now a 330d rep mobile would leave a std cosworth to 60, 100 and the 330d is faster flat out....its just progress. ...

[@conspiracykill]

Lol "I'd prefer the old respected classic car over the new unproven and weakest package version" 🤣🤣 race my 2016 328i's little 4 cyl and they might not like the show.

[@WarthDader74]

I would choose the E30 anytime. its one of the most iconic cars ever made. And it has a soul that is almost totally missing in the newer car.

[@rootsmanuva82]

WarthDader74 Plus it's worth as much if not more than the brand new F30!

[@WarthDader74]

They should relaunch the E30, they would have sold millions and millions of it.

[@WarthDader74]

Tandem Drifter Yes I agree. And with modern petrol engines.

[@DK07x]

WarthDader74 Only BMW collectors and enthusiasts would buy it though... The golden age of E30 is long gone. It's an old car now.

[@WarthDader74]

DAYM Well, what can I say. I think the most of BMW buyers actually are enthusiasts.

[@hvf26]

an interesting test. but even if the f30 was faster, i would still get the e30. with these hero cars, its not about how fast they are. you could easily buy something faster for far less money and have it be more economical and so on. its about how they make you feel. cars just arent made like that anymore. raw, unassisted and pure

[@MrSmith130]

Spot on!

[@DK07x]

hvf26 In 20 years they'll say that about the f30...

[@dokterkarel]

DAYM honestly I doubt it. I have a 15 year old E46 and in my opinion it still looks like a modern car. Cars like E30 and E34/32 will always be classics. The F30 will still look modern even after 50 years.

[@DK07x]

dokterkarel E46 is an exception, it looks timeless. Same will apply to a few cars: I'd say 2000 VW Polo FL looks kind of modern even today, so does 2005 VW Passat etc.

[@williamgson4055]

Why are everyone getting so worked up because of these videos? They are just here to show how far cars have come in 25 years.

[@Aikaramba12]

William Gson shut up

[@nicolasestevez4797]

The E30 wasn't made for a drag race. Even though it won, It would be even faster in a lap race against that new 3-series

[@flockbmmmm322]

It lost dumb ass..

[@naystort5642]

It won the drag race flock bMmmm you dumb ass

[@Birmingham_racing]

The diesel wasn't designed for drag racing either

[@Aro_Gidigba]

Two things are important Weight disadvantage in the new 3 series They chose a 320d it may the be most common option on UK roads buy the 320i petrol would have been a better option. Both petrol

[@Zero_Ninety]

I'd have an E30 M3 over a modern 320d every. Single. Time.

[@chriswatson7488]

+Zero Ninety I've got a 2015 320D, and I have to agree, the M3 is my choice too, sadly it doesn't return the mpg of the 320D.

[@kingprone7846]

and is neither as safe

[@ButchE30M3S14]

When driving an E30 M3 you dont give a single f*ck about mpg, trust me :-)) BTW, an E30 M3 consumes only about 7liter/100km when driving 120km/h so not bad at all!

[@aragiss]

Butch That can't be true. E30 M3's get 20-25 mpg. 320d is double that. F30 M3's (modern ones) get about the same as E30, but has double the horsepower.

[@aragiss]

Even small city cars with 1.6 or smaller petrol engines do 5-7 l/100km. There's no way a 1989 2.4 liter sports car does 7 l/100km.

[@thatsjustme1990]

30+ years later and the e30 m3 still looks so good!!

[@gregbez]

I know which one I would rather have and it's not the diesel. Of course a modern car is more advanced but that's besides the point. Owning a classic is a thing of beauty.

[@buca9696]

Thing is, old BMWs that are well looked after are very rare. Most of them are thrashed and bashed by idiot boy racer wannabes.

[@r3h4n786]

Im glad the E30 won, I love those, amazing even today.

[@kadirrgenc]

I prefer E30 M3 to 320d F30

[@jugostran]

I like the E30 but the F30,if you get it in a 328i (330i) or 335i(340i) can be quite quick.But they always put the 2.0 4 pot diesel in it.That engine sucks.

[@teemu9689]

NickCorsair YT 6 cylinder diesel is way more reliable than 4 cylinder

[@ChristianArreguin]

well what a shit comparison. a drag? seriously? no lap around a twisty track or anything?

[@MrTewe74]

320d runs not bad for a 2 litre Diesel Engine, 25-30 years ago it had been a really fast car.

[@ziomorph]

Holy shit a 2.3L 4 cylinder with 215 HP? Thats amazing for back in the day

[@e36trk]

Naturally aspiratet!! The s14 is a masterpiece of an engine😊

[@mikesiegenthaler4224]

@@e36trk the best bmw engine probably next to the inline 6

[@e36trk]

@mike You forgott the s85 b50 v10🤗

[@mikesiegenthaler4224]

@@e36trk believe me i didnt forget it, it isnt! I owned one and there was no month without something going wrong. And then those rod bearings.... If you want engineering perfection, go with the S14, inline 6 from e39 (especially the 525i) or the m70/73 v12! I ve owned them all besides the s14, but my cousin had one 10 years ago, original s14 2.3! It was perfect

[@e36trk]

Okay you re right but for me is the s85 the most emotional engine of bmw But my personel favorite is the s50b32, the engine is perfect, but the rest of the car makes lot of problems, the typical e36 problems.. i think you know whst im talk about.. sorry for my english😂

[@jasonl5589]

even if it was e30 318i, e30 all day any day.

[@Maxdiavin]

+Jason Lee I have a 325i cab e30 and a m3 e30 full plaisir but I love my alpina e90 b3s bi turbo ...

[@naystort5642]

Maxdiavin stop talking shit like you have any of them cars you've probably got a 1991 pug 106

[@Maxdiavin]

Nay Stort go to my Facebook public album on Hawotte Alain and you will see all my cars... before the Alpina I have a m5 v10 ;-) ...please after come back to correct your com ;-)

[@michaeld2519]

+Maxdiavin Awesome cars you have, Max, especially the M3! It's funny how people hate to believe that someone else can have great cars - just complete jealousy. Three weeks ago I bought a gunmetal metallic grey E30 325is (stroked to 2.8) in immaculate condition after hunting for one for over a year, and also have a mint condition E30 318i as a runaround. I would even take my 318i over that 320d... Cheers mate, enjoy your drives!

[@GlossaME]

You should've used the 320D EfficientDynamics with 163 BHP, as a middle of the range engine.

[@alexg475]

Would have been more relevant to have a complete review about handling differences. Would be interesting.

[@RichardFanders]

Can't believe this was 4 years ago :o I remember watching these videos when new and would have guessed 18 months ago.

[@saucysimpson259]

The new auto box would have won the race

[@MrMally1951]

Agreed !

[@LRS905]

Damn E30 still looks good!! Makes me remember my first BMW, a 1989 316i, with nothing at all (even the sunroof had to be cranked manually), but one of the most sturdy and fun cars I have driven.

[@Justin225]

Great series. Looking forward to seeing all of these. Never thought my E92 330d would be able to beat any M3.. after seeing this race I think it probably would!

[@AlexP-hn6zd]

Of course that we can win. :) i ve got 330d too with 250hp and 550n.m. its stronger than M3 E30 but with M3 E46 its gonna be harder.

[@snakecold6755]

Wow Old school!

[@mutley66]

Wasn't a fair race. The M3 had a gopro on top, the 320d had a Contour which is longer, creating more drag.

[@DethThrasher1]

lol

[@blues03]

at 0:16 when he was walking down the line of the classic cars I started foaming at the mouth..

[@GHOSTJERKER]

I'll take that MB 450 SEL. That car rides like a dream!

[@user-gadgetgachi]

Well.....can someone give me an old BMW? It's a beauty....

[@galerio995]

Where is the Delta Integrale?

[@galerio995]

The New Lancia Delta

[@jamiepritchard3829]

I just bought a 420d and i didn't think it was anywhere near as quick as my old E30 325i! Maybe it just felt a lot faster 20 years ago?!

[@HarryPotter047]

" auto express racing driver " .. guy looks like an accountant ..

[@Dogmatv1]

Old is gold..loving the e30 true vetran, currently using the e46 which is great.

[@roadhouseguy]

Nice idea for a series. Wish you could a full inside out comparison of old vs new. Heritage is always great to see.

[@alx1123]

I was born to late, I've started driving in an era of fat ugly cars built around fuel economy. Just look at those classics all standing in line. They look fantastic.

[@JustGoForItXD]

you know who else was born late? our grandchildren who cant live on this planet because of climate change you selfish fuck.

[@SSjcm800]

Wtf? Is there something wrong with you?

[@FlyingAero]

JustGoForItXD LOL youre nuts

[@Computercontrolled87]

JustGoForItXD Than go buy a Toyota Prius or a bicycle

[@ynotnilknarf39]

Pretty much all comparisons like this fail to mention the improved aerodynamics of modern equivalents AND the accepted losses in performance of an old car. A win here for the M3 is quite impressive against the 'rep mobile' as this bloke seems to totally miss.

[@TwelveSevenTwoWorks]

The E30 M3 is in a completely different league. It's out of most peoples price range for a start; which says Enough. It looks amazing, has character and soul and can be repaired by men with spanners. The modern Bimmer is a throw away car waiting to go wrong and be forgotten about. If the two cars were new and the same purchase price; it'd be a no-brainer for me. Modern cars are like iPhones; need software updates for things that shouldn't matter.

[@antv7943]

Good idea guys... I agree with all the other comments but I would be so sure about all the new vs old comparisons from the same maker. Try your best and please bring us more details from each car - not only drag race! Thank you...

[@ThirdLife86]

215 PS vs. 184 PS, how is this a fair comparison ? Choose the 325d with twincharger and 218 PS to even things out and please don't shift manually, go get the ZF 8HP Automatic to see the real "evolution" in terms of technology for the F30. And to be fair, please add at least 250-300kg of weight to the E30 M3 so its an even power to weight ratio here. If i were to choose a 3-Series it'd be the new 335d xDrive.

[@damonz83]

ThirdLife86 Calm down it a comparison video. That’s the whole point. If they cars had the same spec then they would be the same. And the e30 had probably lost some power anyway.

[@jogrobler]

"Proper performance car"... yes, 24 years ago. And it still beats a modern car with almost the same displacement. Of course it won't beat modern proper performance cars but it goes to show you just how much of a hero it really was and still is.

[@paulhunter123]

the e30 next to that modern blob of a BMW really shows how shit they look these days

[@chethankille1820]

Perfect for fat pigs like yourselves.

[@cockshield]

Ooooh, methinks somebody just bought a 320d M-Sport haha!

[@Armaros1337]

because a nobody in the internet knows much more than dudes who get paid to design cars

[@mikegallagher3700]

Very interesting love the old hot hatches.....mk1 Astra gte.....M3.s....Quattros

[@Adzzz1995]

This is an awesome idea good work autoexpress great work Mat!

[@mariodecristofaro9492]

This is a curious thing. KZbin should be full of videos like this.

[@gabb05]

i want an E30! they're getting so expensive nowadays though

[@abyss7524]

Yes here in turkey it can cost upto 40000 us dollars

[@acuras4ever]

wow those videos are really fun to watch. matt please do as much of them as you can... :D

[@jordanglenn1956]

Hey there I'm mat Watson from carwow

[@erickdaniel6409]

Id take the e30 m3! #dreamcar

[@bpatryk69]

Cool idea, can't wait for more videos!

[@G0ML333]

I'd prefer the whole in one go rather than it being one each week... But I guess you have to spread it out to deliver content each week... argh. You're killing us!

[@ruslanivanov9803]

I want to see cornering and braking test of the two please

[@shoelace510]

Wow this is an amazing series idea. I hope they can do this often!

[@animal355]

It was never built for max speed but designed and built for the track and in rallying and touring car it dominated the track and the grid, no one can have an opinion on this care until they've drove one, and it still is the best car I've ever had the privilege to drive, and been driven in. Awesome motor.

[@VladStaicu]

Awesome series, I got really excited during that drag race!

[@CasN1993]

well you probably haven't driven a modern bmw 2.0l diesel. The volkswagen diesel cars and toyota diesel cars i've driven only got power until 3000rpm, but de bmw's power goes on til at least 4200rpm! It's an unbelievably good engine and it does not feel like a diesel powered engine at all. It rev's fast and in combination with the 8-speed auto is quite a fun car to drive!

[@4dshow]

I thought the diesel was going to take the win here,how wrong was I!! Love this video and cannot wait for the following episodes

[@linux2005]

Now remap the 320d to what it should be for the engine, and do the test again.

[@toroklevi]

E30.. ! :) the car has a style.. the new one... dosn`t have jet.

[@acroracing]

Is that BABY MAT WATSON?

[@hunghuge12]

Would you mind giving the torque in ft/lbs too, please? It would make it that bit easier for us old ones to understand.

[@Kowen8714]

Your post should be upvoted to be the top comment. Seriously, how many people failed to HEAR what the presenter told on the video.

[@burak90uk45]

E30 m3 is legendary sport car and also first love never die :)

[@davekana8388]

Wow 320d, 65 MPG, is that Imperial gallon or US? I would think that it may be heavier as well!

[@Loda_be]

Dragracing a M3 proves they don't understand the car

[@TassieLorenzo]

I supposed they didn't have time (or owner's approval) to flog it on a circuit...

[@Birmingham_racing]

David Looijmans you comment shows you don't understand the video

[@hultii]

great idea guys .. wondering what car channels will copy it :)

[@SwPiotrek]

Very cool idea for videos!

[@Supcharged]

Does he work for autoexpress or carbuyer

[@antitheus9004]

Who all are here after Carwow

[@b.sh.1941]

So many cool cars in the beginning. Instead of the 450 SEL I would have put a 190E 2.5 16v there. Fits the line better.

[@r3h4n786]

+BrakeHorsePower92 Its because its equivalent "S" class back in those days, the 190E could be compared with the E class of now probbaly

[@b.sh.1941]

r3h4n786 Wait, the SEL is the equivalent or the 190E? 190E is pretty small, it's C-Class size.

[@alxcsb]

Needs captioning when you tell us about the numbers, would be easier to compare.

[@jasonisonfire]

Wow, the F30 looks huge. I think I read somewhere that the e30 M3 is a good 6 inches narrower and nearly a foot shorter than the e92 M3 coupe, looks like the 3 series just keeps ballooning. I miss small, quick cars. I'd much rather have ≈ 200hp in something light I can make dance on twisty roads than 300-400hp in a more bulbous car that'll be faster everywhere else

[@ramibos6549]

320d went to fuel saving mode after few seconds haha

[@ThirdLife86]

Torque is just part of the equation. What really accelerates you is power and lots of torque only mean more power at that RPM.

[@Retrobeemer]

Modern 3 series wipes the floor with standard e30 M3, down to better developed suspension and latest tyres. The e30 looks way cooler though and definitely sounds way better too. As an everyday road car though, an e30 325 sport is nicer to live with. Personally though, I prefer my e21.

[@MyDarkMe]

Well even though I am not a diesel fan at all, but I gotta argue with you here, the M550d does neither sound nor drive like a tractor. Through its 3 turbochargers there is not lag at all and its faster than you´d need for a car on the road and due to beeing a inline 6 it still sounds ok (well I guess you gotta like the sound but oh well) And working for a BMW dealership in germany, I know how well the M550d works, I´ve driven a few of them.

[@thewalrus1968]

i had a bog standard E30 325i baur last year.. i did a 15.6 second quarter at a dragstrip that is known t be slightly uphill...i think these 1/4 mile figures must be a bit wrong

[@ALKUKES]

I dont care if m3 e30 is slower than others, i still want the m3 e30,

[@888Philskill]

You would be amazed at how quick the new generation 320d/520d bmws are between 0-60~ kph, but once you start rolling towards 80/100 kph it just dies out and you end up helplessly crawling up in speed

[@JustOneOfSoMany]

On a track, M3 E30 would be far more superior, due better suited suspension and less total weight (both very important in cornering).

[@Exekutioncro]

i would take the e30 m3 every day

[@sweatpeaw]

320d f30 in sports setting manual have good punch, good tonus on the first gear nothing to do with the e90 163 or 177

[@AR-uy8yr]

E30 with twin headlamps...iconic design

[@d-man4937]

E30 any f#+king day. I've got an old 318 with 400k on it and it still a dream to drive. Lucky to get 300 from a new one. E30 tank

[@Frammore]

what a lovely E30 :o, it's perfect

[@isaacandmary]

BMW hasn't made an M3 worth looking at since 1989.

[@Beats4needs]

Seriously pal? Dont be stupid, you would choose an E92 even and E46 over and E30.

[@isaacandmary]

Max Wicked You're probably right Max. I don't doubt the newer models are engineering marvels and drive like dreams compared to the older M3 I was referencing. However, aesthetically, I can barely tell the new 3-series from a Hyundai. The 89' M3 was much sharper and stood out design-wise, IMO.

[@romulus_]

Fred G. Sanford convergent design. not necessarily bmw's fault. most manufacturers are moving toward a similar aesthetic that appeals to a large number of people.

[@maximilianlindner]

What about the E46 M3 CSL? E92 M3 GTS and E36 (euro) M3's? Come on...I think they are VERY worth looking at ;)

[@zacrl1230]

Fred G. Sanford Actually, the best M3 is the 1991 M3 Evo II, but I guess I'm just splitting hairs.

[@hongcc]

That was great! Now let's do a race between E30 M3 and the Quattro!

[@2355eric]

My A4 B8 2.0T FWD with stage 2 ECU tuned and with a lot of mods but just smoked by an E46 last month. M3 is too good regardless which model it is. M3 is a good performance car.

[@elmadrigal3071]

the m3 e30 is better than any modern bmw.

[@sipmarton]

Great idea!

[@ChrisDorgan]

can you do track battles for these as well? a drag race is great but throwing it around the corners is a different kettle of fish as you guys know :)

[@GainEveryday]

Does Mat Watson use to work for Auto Express 10y ago ? And now he have his own carwow on you tube over 9 million subs

[@rudolph280]

How about a M3 vs M3? Would that not be what this is all about

[@MelbStevo]

Matt! Thought you were on carbuyer only

[@j4k3shneg]

Id have thought there would be, seen as manuals are cheaper and generally save on fuel costs

[@weneakhborzable]

you should compre the 190e merc too.

[@testacorsa150]

I'm sorry, but what drag race were you describing at the end of the video. It was pretty much the reversal of what you showed! wft?!! haha. Fun to see the proof that we are indeed living in the absolute golden age of horsepower.

[@christitanfighter]

Great series!!

[@quality6779]

Mat Watson! From CARWOW!

[@RaskVousSalue]

Not really, traction have been improved over time. You saw it too, if the race was shorter the new one would have won despite higher weight and less power.

[@WallStreetBeggar]

I think people don't understand how these diesel engine or diesel in general works. They're not for flat out acceleration, the torque gives you great get up and go. However, diesel engines are very low revving compared to gasoline motors so you quickly run out of thrust to bring you up to speed. So where diesel is good at is at it's peak torque range around 1.2-2k RPM where torque peaks out, so from a light you can accelerate quickly out of there, but again you run out of thrust quick.

[@resnonverba137]

Interesting how performance has moved on over the years.

[@toastynik]

i would take the e30

[@RetroGamerVX]

Is there one of these races you don't loose?