Vr6 or Bmw e36 328i

[kil2002 1]

Hi

i would like to know how the vr6 compares to the e36 328i, in terms of performance.any of you lot had any encounters with them. any info would be appreciated

thx

[Eat this 2]

i would expect very similar performance

[TVR6 0]

To some extent, although the BM is that much heavier. The 330 I think produces 220bhp, again is much heavier than the VR and I give them a fair run from my standard VR. It's down to the driver

[anorak 0]

The E36 328 is slightly quicker than a VR6, but only slightly.

(0-60 in 6.4, 0-100 in 17 compared to 7.1 and 18.5).

328 has 193bhp & 206lb/ft (VR 174 & 170)

but the BM weighs about 100kg more than the Golf.

Really depends whether you prefer front or rear wheel drive.

I've read that the E36 328 was the best 3 series BMW ever produced (not that I'd talk you out of getting a VR!! )

Both cracking cars though - can't go wrong with either.

[TVR6 0]

A 328 with 0 - 60 in 6.4?! I don't think so mate.

[mattverth 0]

One of the first CAR magazine reviews - I think the one after the one with the Lemon and a VW badge on the cover! - was a head to head of the VR with a contemporary BM 325 - dont know what "e" series though.

[purple highline monster 0]

One of the first CAR magazine reviews - I think the one after the one with the Lemon and a VW badge on the cover! - was a head to head of the VR with a contemporary BM 325 - dont know what "e" series though.

I have a copy of the mag with the "vw lemon" on the cover!

[dubloke 4]

always loved bm's spesh the 3 series! have to say that i think on the move the vr would beat a bm 328 for pace, not a lot in them tho. would have to go with the vr for an all rounder tbh as the service costs of bmw's are so much higher than that of a vw, and there are more enthusiasts out there willing to help on the vw scene imo!

[kil2002 1]

many thx for the info

[The1andonlygav 0]

god, just get a vr6 and be happy you never wasted your money on a bmw!!

[anorak 0]

A 328 with 0 - 60 in 6.4?! I don't think so mate.

Don't shoot the messenger buddy! I was quoting (from an ageing memory) Autocar test figures. Got the 0-60 times spot on too!

So' date=' just for the record;

Autocar road test - BMW 328i - 30th August 1995

Power - 193bhp

Torque - 206lb/ft

0-60mph - 6.4 seconds

0-100mph - 17.4 seconds

50-70mph in top gear - 9.1 seconds

Autocar road test - VW Golf VR6 (3 door) - 6th November 1991

Power - 174bhp

Torque - 173lb/ft

0-60mph - 7.1 seconds

0-100mph - 18.7 seconds

50-70mph in top gear - 9.3 seconds

The Golf road test was actually a twin test with the BMW 325i with the Golf's performance figures being very slightly ahead of the BMW's, although (again to quote the author) "nothing separates them on the road".

Whatever way you look at it the 328 has an admittedly slight edge over the VR,

although interestingly (if you're as anoraky as yours truly) they have identical power to weight ratios of 143bhp per tonne. Fancy!

I've heard several comments from those in the supposed "know" that BMW's power

output claimed figures are somewhat conservative - especially those concerning their models which had ratings close to the German tax threshold of 200PS (about

197bhp).

The BMW, Audi and Mercedes 2.8 litre six cylinder engines of the 1990's all had

quoted power outputs of 193bhp! Coincidence??

Rant over, soap box back in shed.

[purple highline monster 0]

yeah bmw`s are ok but the people who drive them!! they are so common!! every unlawfull encampment has one you know!

[Ultimatetune 0]

by a VR6, bmw are becoming so CHAV now, they used to exclusive, now they are just common as muck. Plus you will have lower repaire bills and should generally be more reliable too

[Nerih 0]

yeah apparently the mondeo man is now bmw 3 series man.

[TVR6 0]

Anorak, wasn't shooting you down buddy

I've never actually looked at the figures and have only gone by my experience of driving both. Perhaps the 328 I drove was a bad example, didn't look it though and seemingly well maintained. At the time I was looking for a car I had the VR6, GTi (1.8T), BMW 328i on my short list. Plumped for the VR6 in the end. IMHO found it to be the best value for money and performance.

[jay 0]

I HAD A RUMBLE WITH A 328I OFF THE LIGHTS BY THE BELL BUP IN SOUTHEND I PULLED FROM IT ALL THE WAY TILL END OF 3RD I COULDNT GET AWAY AND HE COULDNT GAIN ON ME SO GET YOURSELF A VR I LOVE IT

[mattverth 0]

You might not get a completely unbiased answer on this web site........

[TVR6 0]

I just realised, the original VR6 road test was performed in 1991. The post 96 cars had the larger throttle bodies and same ecu/mapping as the highline. From past chats with Vince at Stealth I understand that the pre 96 motor puts out 174bhp (min) and the post 96 motors 190+ I wonder what a new test would throw up in terms of performance.

[anorak 0]

I imagine a VR6 Golf with 190bhp would have virtually identical performance to a VR6 Corrado (60 in around 6.5, 100 in 17.5).

More or less the same as a 328 then.

So early OBD1 Golfs are probably very slightly down on performance compared to the BMW whereas later VWs are just as quick if not quicker.

Agreed?

TVR6 - no sweat mate. I like to challenge the old memory bank now and then. And Autocar's figures are usually about the quickest of any mag for some reason (brutal road testers?).

Might be buying a cheap 328 - hence the interest in this thread.

If I do I'll let you know what it does using the old AP Performance meter.

[TVR6 0]

lol Anorak, agreed although 0 - 60 in 6.5? I wish!

Mine's a 97 and has always felt faster/more responsive than my friends both of whom have 93 models. I guess that's where my comparison to the 328 came from. Still, the 328 is no slouch and build quality is superb, nothing wrong there. Just found the VR6 more chuckable, perhaps just down to perception as it's more compact. It was much cheaper at the time also (like for like)

Would interesting to see a new comparison tho

[Buzzark 0]

I recently went through this torturous decision making recently before deciding to go VR6 (probably highline).

The 328i is a great car but the image is just too bad these days. I asked around friends and EVERYONE I found hates them. They are just too posy and flash, people assume you're a social climber just for buying one.

TBH I'd have preferred the 328i if it had a nice friendly Skoda badge on it.

Oddly enough, the only friends I found who were exceptions to the rule are all members of the "golf club" brigade, the badge still carries cache in those circles it seems.

If you do still want one, make sure the block has already been changed for one with cast iron liners as BMW will no longer replace the failed Nikasil blocks FOC and a full engine is an expensive thing. If it has Nikasil liners, the engine WILL fail at some point before it really should.

PS BMW quotes 7.4 seconds for the e36 328i coupe and they weigh 1400kg. Mighty torque though!

[ingham 5]

if your going for a vr6 dont get one that has low miles ,the vr6 engine needs to be used on good runs not to the shops once a day, seen 70to80k cars needing more

engine work than cars with 140k+

see: http://www.vr6oc.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?80154.0

[Buzzark 0]

Oh, that's interesting. I was going to look for one as low as I could get, maybe that's the wrong thing to do. :?

I've just started another thread (so not to hi-jack this one) along those lines.

[matth76 1]

Stealth say an ODB2 car tends to have on average 190+bhp? My car's a P-reg 1997 vr6... does that mean I have a larger throttle body and ODB2? Is there an easy way for me to look under the bonnet and confirm?

[Eat this 2]

no need 1997 IS obd2 with bigger tb