You nailed it. I am the owner and driver of the Oldsmobile Autocrossed in the video. I had the tires up around 40 or 45 psi to keep them on the rim. When I race my Mini or when I owned an e39 M5, I would let air out of the tires, usually up to 10 psi when things started to get hot.

The factory ride of the 88 is most excellent. They handle better than you would think. The suspension is soft but rather sophisticated with McPherson struts up front with sway bars front in rear.

I have always wondered what the supercharged engine would be like in my 88. With the stock 3800 series 2 it’s got decent pickup, not fast by any means but plenty to do one wheel peels till the cows come home.

I see you caught me autocrossing my Oldsmobile again. For reference the tires are 205 70 R15 Firestone Precision Tourings. I think I had them overinflated to 40psi+ to prevent them from rolling off the rim.

Because those are not hubcaps, they are the factory alloy wheels.

I can see this working. Those little things are rockets at the low end. RWD, short wheelbase, low center of gravity, relatively narrow tires.

But they have already gone up in value considerably, an e36 M3 that was listing for $12k five years ago is now listing for over $20k. It’s hard to find a manual e36 M3 now for under $10k in reasonable condition.

There really aren’t any slower than a Chevy Chevett. In most traffic you don’t need lots of power, 64hp would easily run 80mph on the highway with something that light.

You just nailed why so many 90s cars are awesome.

I completely agree with your assessment of BMW models. I find myself gravitating towards the simpler models as they just make you feel so much more connected. The BMW bug started for me with the e38. I then purchased an e39 M5 which was an incredible car that liked to be revved out. In my opinion the e39 M5 was where…

E46 M3s are appreciating too?

Im surprised and not. They are high strung engines, they need special attention and proper maintenance to have a chance of staying in tip top shape. I know someone with one that has 50k miles, other than a well known throttle body fault, his has been flawless.

I couldn’t agree more. Jalopnik wrote another article on the last year on the ignored e36 M3s, which are amazing drivers cars. I plan on buying one in the next few months, sadly prices have been going up quickly for them. Articles like this dont help!

I have seen cars like that in NY! Also Ohio...

I mean the BMC A series is no power house of an engine, but it really does have a lot of character. Lots of low end torque and makes the most delightful sounds. They are lots of fun to ring the snot out of to get the most of their power.

Honestly I have heard this working for people and have noticed it myself. I have an Oldsmobile and a manual Mini. The Oldsmobile is so mindlessly easy to drive that even on more technical roads with stop and start I get lazy and my mind wanders. In the Mini it takes much more like a highway drive where no additional…

I understand what you are getting at but honestly the turbo ruins the experience, you get a title wave of low end torque. It doesn’t make you work for the power like the old NA BMW engines made you.

I honestly really much prefer velour / cloth seats. They are easy to clean, just vacuum them off, don’t scratch or crack like leather and vinyl, and it is much more comfortable. Heck, right now I’m sitting in the snuggly warm velour seat of my Oldsmobile. My Mini has Alencantera seats, they are very nice, I see why…

Who else wants BMW to release a version of the M2 with a screaming naturally aspirated inline 6? Say 280hp or so with a cable actuated throttle. I’m planning on buying an e36 M3 but I would totally or a 2 series in the above configuration.

Well if you ever make it across the southern tier of NY, you are wellcome to stop by Erie, PA and check out my brother and I’s rotary valve BMW e36 project. It’s come pretty far since it was featured on Jalopnik over a year ago. It runs nicely but likes to blow coolant lines.