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Thread: BMW E36 vs. VW Corrado - Which would you buy?

  1. Member N'Syncro's Avatar
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    08-13-2003 01:20 PM #1
    BMW E36 92-94ish 325i or 325is
    5 speed
    192hp 6cyl
    rwd
    fully loaded w/ leather, sunroof, etc


    VS.

    VW Corrado VR6
    93-95
    5 speed
    178hp 6 cyl
    fwd
    fully loaded w/ leather, sunroof, etc


    Pretty much damn near identical stats and both are pretty close in price. I have always been a VW guy, and Corrado's have always been a dream car of mine, but have always LOVED BMW's also.

    Both cars will be made into crazy shop car beasts.... Turbo'd w/ standalone, Built bottom end, etc... eventually. If i buy a Corrado, we'll be doing an AWD syncro swap done to it. I have the complete system in my garage right now. Its winter here 6 months a year, so AWD comes in handy.

    Repair costs are not an issue with either, neither is insurance.. Insurance here is a joke.

    Discuss.

    http://www.flatoutperformance.com - Local shop. Great guys!

  2. 08-13-2003 01:30 PM #2
    I owned a corrado VR6 for over 4 yrs, was a member of the CCA and an old school GTi owner before that. The corrado WILL turn into a grenade in time. It is a rocket, and sheer fun to drive when everything is working properly, but the truth is, it was far less reliable than my dad's 75 911S was.
    Oh sure, the engine is solid...but you need to watch out for pitted heads due to running pink coolant, tired timing chain tensioner mechanisms, terrible cooling system design, sloppy gearbox and soft syncros, motor mounts that break and wear out vy quickly, the ol' starter swtich and sunroof and rear wing not working etc.

    watch the heater core and the coolant hoses and the aux coolant pump. I put almost 100k on mine in 4 yrs, and I loved it to death, but it was the worst car in terms of reliability myself or anyone in my immediate family has owned in the last 30 yrs.

    What do I drive now (after my sister totalled my CVR6 (it had 192k on it at the time and was probably in the best shape it had been in in the last 150k!)?

    A 1995 325is.
    rock solid, I've put 17k on it since november 02. It just turned 100k. Put some real suspension in one, sticky tires, get a chip, do the fan delete mod, pick up an M3 stock exhaust, and upgrade the brakes.

    If you really want to go fast, 240 hp @ the crank with the M50TU engine is as simple as a custom chip, stock cams from a 95 M3 engine, M3 exhaust, and intake. Add a 3.38 differential from an M3 automatic and you'll be faster than stock E36 M3s.

    They do have some problem areas too, albeit easily fixable. thermostat, radiator, water pump, rear shock mounts.

    Hold out for one with the sport package which includes the wider 16" split 5 spoke wheels, sport suspension, and those awesome sport seats. I've never had a problem in the winter w/my car even running 15" all season tires on stock non sport wheels in the winter...just turn that ASC on...it was the worst winter we've had in 10 yrs here too!


  3. Banned skillton's Avatar
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    08-13-2003 01:35 PM #3
    tough choice since you're planning to go awd on the raddo, i dunno which one i would pick
    i have some video's of a turbo e36 running 10.07 in the 1/4 mile and an SC'ed m3 beating a porsche 996 turbo, f355, modena and diabolo on the highway


    Modified by skillton at 1:42 PM 8-13-2003

  4. Member N'Syncro's Avatar
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    08-13-2003 01:35 PM #4
    I know all about the reliability factor of the corrados. If you check my sig, you'll see that i owned something just as bad, if not worse... A b3 passat WITH a G60 engine. That thing was getting fixed more than i was driving it.

    Thanks for the 1st hand knowledge.

    http://www.flatoutperformance.com - Local shop. Great guys!

  5. Member N'Syncro's Avatar
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    08-13-2003 01:37 PM #5
    I think this all going to boil down to which one I think looks better.

    Hopefully things will go great and in a few years i'll be able to build up the other one that i don't buy now.

    http://www.flatoutperformance.com - Local shop. Great guys!

  6. 08-13-2003 01:48 PM #6
    Quote, originally posted by N'Syncro »
    I think this all going to boil down to which one I think looks better.

    Hopefully things will go great and in a few years i'll be able to build up the other one that i don't buy now.

    I would go with the E36. It's more reliable, RWD, significantly more fun to drive stock. The corrado is cool, but for driving fun I'd go with the E36.

  7. 08-13-2003 02:11 PM #7
    i'd go g60 with the tt's 225 1.8t swaped in, give it that awd system and you got a smooth ride. for a ground up project that would definatly be what i would do, unless you are planning an /M conversion. ah well i'm getting ahead of myself. tuff call

  8. Geriatric Member Chapel's Avatar
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    08-13-2003 02:18 PM #8
    Quote, originally posted by Dan92SLC »
    blahblahblahblahblah

    what he said.


    PS... Dan, you better come to the HMS Car Party on Saturday...


  9. Member RogueTDI's Avatar
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    08-13-2003 03:21 PM #9
    Quote, originally posted by N'Syncro »

    Pretty much damn near identical stats and both are pretty close in price. I have always been a VW guy, and Corrado's have always been a dream car of mine, but have always LOVED BMW's also.

    Identical stats? I honestly dont know how these two cars can be fairly compared. Sure, they are both good performers, but I cant imagine someone having a tough decision to make. You either prefer the BMW or the VW.

    BTW, is that a 192hp 2.5L? Surprising since the current 2.5L is only like 182, no?


  10. 08-13-2003 03:46 PM #10
    Quote, originally posted by RogueTDI »

    BTW, is that a 192hp 2.5L? Surprising since the current 2.5L is only like 182, no?

    It was detuned when it was placed in the 323i (which eventually went back to being the 325i). Reason: Reduce 328/330 cannibalization.


  11. 08-13-2003 03:57 PM #11
    thats not a fair picture comparison.

    thats a widebody, fender flared, m3 kitted, turbo 325.


  12. 08-13-2003 04:01 PM #12
    Once you own a Corrado the magic ends. It's a great car and I love it. But I'm bettin the bimmer is a much more reliable and reasonable car to own. Sure you're not gonna get the attention you'd get from the Rado, but I've had ebough problems with my Corrado to say that owning one once is enough.

  13. Member SuperGroove's Avatar
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    08-13-2003 04:04 PM #13
    neither....

    I'd buy a Porsche 944 S2


  14. 08-13-2003 04:06 PM #14
    i would go for the corrado for two reasons...

    1. i absolutley love them
    2. everyone and there brother drives 3 series around here they are almost as common as civics


  15. Member N'Syncro's Avatar
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    08-13-2003 04:08 PM #15
    Those are just examples of the cars i'm thinking of. Those are NOT the actual pictures of the cars i'm considering.

    And as far as i know, it was a 192hp engine (M50 right?). If its not 192hp here, its 192hp in Europe.

    They are pretty similar comparisons for me.... I'm going to be getting near identical luxury inside, (more room in the e36 though), 6 cylinder engines with nearly the same hp, similar stock performance #'s, etc.


    Modified by N'Syncro at 3:09 PM 8-13-2003

    http://www.flatoutperformance.com - Local shop. Great guys!

  16. Geriatric Member Chapel's Avatar
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    08-13-2003 04:12 PM #16
    Quote, originally posted by VwG60Kid »
    i would go for the corrado for two reasons...

    1. i absolutley love them
    2. everyone and there brother drives 3 series around here they are almost as common as civics

    except that most of the 3ers around here are well done and classy
    not riced out like the Common New England Civic


  17. Member N'Syncro's Avatar
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    08-13-2003 04:20 PM #17
    There's only about 4 raddo's in my city (pretty much all stock), and although there are quite a few E36's, i've only seen 2-3 with minimal mods (ie rims).

    Whatever i get, its going to be turned into a head turner.

    http://www.flatoutperformance.com - Local shop. Great guys!

  18. 08-13-2003 04:37 PM #18
    I think I'd go with a Corrado if you're going to go Synchro AWD. Not
    a big fan of the 2.5 I6.

  19. 08-13-2003 06:16 PM #19
    I would go with the Corrado. There are lots of E36's to choose from, they are not nearly as rare as a Corrado, and reliability is not that bad with the Corrado. My brothers is a '93 with about 160K. He has ran about 1000 (literally) bottles of nitrous through it (70shot) and has neve been left stranded. His only problems were the after-run pump (130K miles) and the heater core. But he did not get the recall. It burns zero oil, does not smoke, and at 158K miles it ran its fastest 1/4 mile ever at a 13.5. A Corrado tastefully modified is going to get a lot more attention then the E36.

  20. Geriatric Member Chapel's Avatar
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    08-13-2003 06:48 PM #20
    Quote, originally posted by jacobyb »
    A Corrado tastefully modified is going to get a lot more attention then the E36.

    100% subjective

    girls will see a Corrado and go... "its just a VW" (Ive seen it)
    girls will see a BMW and drop their pants faster than if they had 4 margaritas in them (gross exaggeration)


  21. 08-13-2003 08:02 PM #21
    well, they are very differnt cars IMO. power delivery in stock form isnt much different. the Corrado is a bit quicker in stock form. the E36 handles better and is more fun too drive.

    If you are buying a Project..i say Corrado, if you want a reliable daily driver, i say E36.

    I like them Both, if i planned on a project E36..i would buy a 318Ti, otherwise it would be a 328iS or an M3.


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    08-13-2003 08:11 PM #22
    both my friends and i have trounced a supercharged m3. Id still take it over a corrado they are awesome machines and do incredibly high mileage with no problems

  23. 08-13-2003 08:33 PM #23
    all I'm going to say is..
    Quote, originally posted by N'Syncro »

    and if you need more ( ) I'll find another picture


  24. 08-13-2003 09:13 PM #24
    I'd take the e36

  25. 08-13-2003 09:14 PM #25
    as problem prone as they are ...i'd still hit the corrado

  26. Geriatric Member Chapel's Avatar
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    08-13-2003 09:20 PM #26
    reasons why I would never go with the corrado.
    1) I dont fit.
    Im 6'3" 280lbs.
    when I go to use the pedals, my shin rubs against the bar under the dash... its not comfortable.
    2) Lamborghini style blind spot and awful rear visibility.
    not to mention its pretty claustrophobic inside
    3) Porsche sized rear seat
    4) FWD
    5) severe front weight bias
    6) electrical and engine problems galore.
    7) VW transmissions suck... plain and simple. soft and mushy.

  27. 08-13-2003 10:16 PM #27
    bimmer, the rado is sweet, but the bim's is sweeter and more reliable

  28. 08-13-2003 10:22 PM #28
    Quote, originally posted by Chapel »

    100% subjective

    girls will see a Corrado and go... "its just a VW" (Ive seen it)
    girls will see a BMW and drop their pants faster than if they had 4 margaritas in them (gross exaggeration)

    ok now lets be serious...

    most girls, let alone people, dont know what the hell a corrado is

    and I dont know one girl who would cream over a car oooh wow a car lets have sex now

    im sure there may be some....maybe they do different things than i do...like cream over cars

    maybe those midwest crazies are different

    Since you are going to fix it up crazy how about this.....you dont fix any of them up and you buy both cars with all the money you'd have left and leave them stock....TADA! now you are set

    Tough choice


  29. 08-13-2003 10:30 PM #29
    The 325is. heres why, Corrado's look awesome, and if they work they drive great, but theres always going to be something wrong with them. I drove a 96 318ti the other day with a 120k on it then I drove a 2000 jetta GLS 2.0 with 67k. The bimmer felt just as good as a new 325is I drove a few weeks prior. The Jetta felt like a used car. granted this is just one example, and not using the cars your looking at, but it give you an idea what the differences would be. unless its a stock mKII, I dont think Im ready for old VW ownership, Ive had a decently reliable MKIV, and it still pisses me off sometimes.

  30. 08-13-2003 10:38 PM #30
    Quote, originally posted by Chapel »

    100% subjective

    girls will see a Corrado and go... "its just a VW" (Ive seen it)
    girls will see a BMW and drop their pants faster than if they had 4 margaritas in them (gross exaggeration)


    Funny you say that. My brother (17) just bought a sweet 325is with all of his own money, for his first car. The first thing my manger says is "Nice car, but you know what, it still won't get you laid!"

    It depends. For daily driver, E36 all the way. For a second car/project, the corrado is my dream.

    Jeff


  31. 08-13-2003 10:51 PM #31
    I would take an E30 325is over a Corrado, let alone an E36 325is. I loved my Corrado, fun car, but unreliable. my E30 325e with 220k on it is way more reliable.

    I'm going to get lynched for this:
    The corrado chassis is weak, put it on jack stands and it flexes enough to make the doors difficult to open. The reliability is sub par, the thermostat housings leak all the time, the water pumps do too. The coolant system itself is just crap on the VR6s. The G60 doesnt share that problem, but it does have a grenade worthy of the US Army under the hood. The corrado itself is DEAD SEXY, super hot with great lines, its just too bad that pretty picture was painted with crayolas.


  32. 08-13-2003 11:58 PM #32
    Quote, originally posted by Chapel »

    2) Lamborghini style blind spot and awful rear visibility.
    not to mention its pretty claustrophobic inside
    3) Porsche sized rear seat
    5) severe front weight bias

    2) it is small inside, but it was among the roomiest in its class during its production.
    3) the only Porsche car that has seats the size of the Corrados rear seats is the 928, but even those are not as comfortable. other Porsches, such as 911's and front-engined 4-cyl's, have show seats basically. if you are any older then 5yrs old...you will be cramped.
    5.) the Corrado SLC/VR6 has 64/36 Weight distribution, is this not ideal for a FWD car? the SLC was one of the best handling FWD's of its time.


  33. 08-14-2003 12:22 AM #33
    BMW e36 325i...

  34. 08-14-2003 12:59 AM #34
    Quote, originally posted by Chapel »
    reasons why I would never go with the corrado.
    1) I dont fit.
    Im 6'3" 280lbs.
    when I go to use the pedals, my shin rubs against the bar under the dash... its not comfortable.
    2) Lamborghini style blind spot and awful rear visibility.
    not to mention its pretty claustrophobic inside
    3) Porsche sized rear seat
    4) FWD
    5) severe front weight bias
    6) electrical and engine problems galore.
    7) VW transmissions suck... plain and simple. soft and mushy.


    1) can't do anything about
    2) its not that bad, yes the E30 is a fishbowl, but its not that bad.
    3) the rear seat of the Corrado is the most comfortable 2+2 I've been in.
    4) (agreed)
    5) Thats good for a FWD car, it does handle pretty damn good.
    6) no, not really. just coolant or charger related.
    7) you mean the shifter bushings or shift linkage, the tranny is not soft and mushy... its metal.


  35. Geriatric Member Chapel's Avatar
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    08-14-2003 01:10 AM #35
    Quote, originally posted by Rook »


    1) can't do anything about
    2) its not that bad, yes the E30 is a fishbowl, but its not that bad.
    3) the rear seat of the Corrado is the most comfortable 2+2 I've been in.
    4) (agreed)
    5) Thats good for a FWD car, it does handle pretty damn good.
    6) no, not really. just coolant or charger related.
    7) you mean the shifter bushings or shift linkage, the tranny is not soft and mushy... its metal.

    the switchgear...


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