It's Time We Stopped Hailing Old Cars As The Pinnacle Of Driving Excellence

If you follow us on pretty much any form of social media, you’ll know that at the beginning of November, we gathered together every generation of BMW M3 for the biggest shoot in Car Throttle’s history. You’ll know this mostly because we spammed the hell out of every one of those social media channels with pictures of what we were up to. But hey, who wouldn’t?

There was a recurring theme when it came to the replies on these posts, though: outpourings of love for the original M3: the E30. Many assumed that it’d be crowned the ‘winner’ of the test. After all, it was made in a time before the takeover of electronic driver aids, a time before electric power steering and morbid obesity among cars. So, while it was by far the slowest car we had on the day, surely it would be the most satisfying, involving and exciting one to drive? Well no, actually.

I don’t want to drop a massive spoiler in this piece, but let’s just say when pondering our favourite car of the day, the E30 wasn’t exactly at the forefront of our minds. Why? Because it left everyone who drove it a little underwhelmed. 215bhp is a decent output for something weighing 1215kg, but the way it delivers that power isn’t exactly what you’d call urgent. Then there’s the very slow steering, and the soft, roll-tastic suspension.

In the grand scheme of things, this is not a sharp driver’s car, something we all agreed on during the day. And it’s not just us: our man Alex admitted he’d been told by countless other motoring journalists not to drive the E30 M3, as the reality would never live up to its lofty reputation.

None of this is the original M3’s fault. It’s still an exquisite thing (its classic, boxy proportions are ridiculously gorgeous), and there’s no questioning its motorsport history and how incredible a car it was in its day. But its day was a long time ago: the particular E30 we drove - a Roberto Ravaglia limited edition - is 26 years old, for Pete’s sake. And yet, people haven’t been able to move on, treating cars like the E30 - plus others from and before its time - like they’re the pinnacle of driving excellence. I even recall seeing a review of the E92 M3 in one respected motoring publication which claimed the V8-powered car wasn’t as exciting as the old E30. Are they mad?

If you drive a lot of old and new cars like we’re fortunate enough to, you’ll soon find this idea of performance cars from the early 90s and before being the superior driver’s machines to be nonsense. Steering has never been so quick and direct, while braking and suspension technology has come on leaps and bounds in recent years.

There seems to be this misconception that if you step into an older car, you’ll immediately be rewarded with a pure driving experience, with go kart-like, feelsome steering. Actually, older cars usually have some of the worst steering you’ll come across, often being incredibly slow and woefully vague.

"By all means, celebrate older performance cars for what they achieved in their time. The E30 M3 and countless others deserve that"

Sure, there are exceptions to the rule, and yes, I do think there was a point where cars generally ‘peaked’ in terms of driver feedback and involvement. But I reckon that peak point is much more recent than people seem to think; something we’ll talk about in more detail when it’s time for the full M3 generations test. I also think - particularly at the faster end of the scale - there are signs that the whole feel thing is coming back onto the agenda, despite what the doom-mongers say.

I’m not saying that I dislike classic cars, quite the opposite: they’re usually better to look at, more characterful and entertaining to drive in their own quirky way. By all means, celebrate older performance cars for what they achieved in their time, for how they stood up to their contemporaries. The E30 M3 and countless others deserve that. But don’t whatever you do put them on some sort of pedestal like they’re still the benchmark for driver’s cars. They’re not, and that’s just fine.

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Comments

Anonymous

This is bullshit and you know it!
Nowaday cars with drift buttons are made for you!
If you didn’t felt fun with a low(ish) hp car then you didn’t push’d hard enough…

12/01/2015 - 16:57 |
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The Stigographer

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

The “Drift button” you speak of is the Focus RS right?

… You’re an idiot if you think it drifts for you… All that button does is send the majority of the power to the rear wheels… It’s an override in the AWD system. What’s wrong with that?

12/01/2015 - 19:22 |
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Anonymous

Interesting, my 2002 has better steering than the M3 it seems, and coilovers/sway bars will help reduce body roll :D

12/01/2015 - 17:16 |
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Artur 'The Haferkeks' Kempf

Who read and thats ok in Mr.Regulars voice?

12/01/2015 - 17:28 |
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The Dakov

I think the pleasure of driving an older car is not so much how it handles, or how fast it is. It’s about challenging the status quo, and enjoying what is still great about them, and not what is worse than modern cars.

12/01/2015 - 17:30 |
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Anonymous

I think the point to be brought out here is this; old cars are considered more fun because they require more work. Never will a 1979 Celica GT be faster than a v6 Accord from today, but which would you rather drive?
The Celica might be a bit softer than you expect, and steering might be a bit slower, but it might be much more thrilling to chuck it round a rainy bend than to go full chat in the Accord.
Have you ever heard a classic car owner say “60mph feels like 100 in this thing”? That’s because of simply being less refined and more open to the elements. So with that in mind, imagine going round a corner at 50mph in a modern car, then doing the same in a classic; which option gives more thrills?
It’s preference really. I like driving older cars myself, and I realize most are a bit floppy and unrefined. That being said, there are a few classics that are tight with quick steering, but they’re far and few between. You can make an old car better with quicker steering racks and tight suspension, but the limits of grip might still be a bit ‘sketchy’ for lots of cars.
My $0.02, just find what’s most fun for you. Whatever puts a smile on your face, for that’s what being a petrolhead is all about right?

12/01/2015 - 17:34 |
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FLixy Madfox

Car throttle parking lot in a year

12/01/2015 - 17:36 |
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Rogue86 Photography

People don’t like to admit that they’re bad behind the wheel or in bed. Driving a new car is basically accepting that both of those things are probably true.

12/01/2015 - 17:38 |
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Anonymous

I just have a hard time calling a 90’s car a “classic”. Too soon. But there is a lot of sense to the article and I get what he’s trying to convey.

12/01/2015 - 17:57 |
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Anonymous

Compare apples to apples guys, find a 96 corolla with an automatic transmission and compare it to a new one. The new one will shift like lightning, steer like a go-kart, and handle bumps with confidence all while squashing its ancestor’s fuel economy rating. New cars, especially new cars at the bottom rung, are better built, faster, and more reliable than ever. I await the barrage of rotten tomatoes and booing with great anticipation for my “wrong” opinion.

12/01/2015 - 18:08 |
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Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

The thing with that opinion why correct in my mind anyway doesnt play with this discussion because of the cars a corolla is a cheap econobox whats being refered to in the post are enthusiasts cars

12/01/2015 - 20:56 |
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Anonymous

I have driven every generation of m3 except for the brand new m3. I have driven around a stroked 2.5L e30 m3 for a month while my e36 was getting a head gasket done. I have driven a highly modified built and stroked e30 m3 and that was pretty damn fast, almost as fast in a straight line as an m5. Now.. Having said that.. Most people haven’t driven an e30 m3. And it’s one of those things that you need to appreciate it for the time period it was in. It won’t stack well against modern cars. Yes, it’s quick, but man is it slow in comparison to even an e36! The e46 m3 and e92 m3 all have the similar spirit to the e30 m3. And I love the e30. It’s just not the best car in the world omg the car community needs to bow down to it.
/rant.

12/01/2015 - 18:23 |
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Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

And to clarify when I say it’s quick but it’s slow.. I mean it is light and nimble and for a high revving four cylinder, it’s pretty decent. But stack it up next to any other generation of m3, and it just won’t keep up without modification.

12/01/2015 - 18:26 |
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