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

01 Dec 2015

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.

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

I think the reason people don’t like the way old cars feel, is because they are expecting them to feel like new cars. Yes, the old cars do have more steering feedback. Yes, the pedal travels are more natural. Yes, you are more connected with the car and the road. But you have to realize they aren’t as perfectly machined and sterilized as new cars. Not everything is as well put together. My dad recently drove an MGB and said he enjoyed it more than almost any car he’d ever driven. But it wasn’t perfectly out together, he steering was a little inaccurate, the brakes were worn. You have to take the good with the bad.

Sure new cars might be perfect in every way but I do prefer classic cars altough they are far from perfect. In new cars, the feeling to the pedal is better and i’m not even talking about the steering yet I don’t really feel in control of the car like I do behind the wheel of a classic car. I drove few awesome cars lately like the lotus exige S so I understand why you love new cars but I think it’s understandable that some people do prefer classic cars especially when they are modernized as some ford escort you can see in rally.

My s2000 is the pinnacle of a ‘drivers car’

And that’s why I love the E30 M3 DTM, which has more than double the amount of horsepower than that of the regular M3.

Whoever wrote this sounds like a woman shopping for tampons. If you honestly believe that any of these new cars could ever compare to the legends of the past, you are not fit to be writing for a car page. You sound like the type of guy that considers how many cup holders a car has before buying… Have a seat, Susan.

Newer cars can beat these legends in performance, technology, comfort, looks, etc. You sound like the type of guy who doesn’t know anything about older cars and newer ones and has never driven either.

It really has nothing to do with age, or technology. It literally comes down to feel, and not in a sentimental sense. I’m sure I can speak for many people here when I say I don’t care how old or new a car is or what gadgets and tech bits it has, as long as I can feel the road and the car through the pedals, firewall, steering wheel and seat. Knowing my tire pressure based on how soft the steering rebound is, knowing how much rear traction I have based on how far back I get thrown into my seat, how slippery or grippy the road is based on steering and throttle inputs, and knowing if my crank pulley is loose when I feel a subtle knocking in the firewall is what makes a car driver friendly. If Ferrari can make a car that lets you feel all of this, great. Idc if it has ABS or traction control or electric power steering, as long as they don’t numb the sense of touch. I’ve driven an E30 and compared to other sports cars of the day, it’s no better than new BMWs. Soft, comfy suspension, pleasant noise deadening, smooth throttle positioning, nothing that can give you any bit of feedback. Same goes for Supras, R32’s, etc.

My 1997 Miata would be dominated by the brand new one on the track, and the new one has more precise steering, more power, a nav system, and driver’s aids to get me out of some sticky situations. That’s the reason I love my old Miata; I’m not saying the new one is boring to drive, it’s the exact opposite, and I’d take one any day if I had the opportunity. But I love my NA because it is less refined, therefore I have to look out for the car as well; will this upset the balance? Am I going into this corner too fast? Is my engine running well? Are my suspensions holding up? I find myself asking these questions and, I don’t know—don’t get me wrong I love new cars— but I formed such a big bond with my Miata to say I agree with this article.

Oh well, I guess to each their own, right?

I haven’t driven many cars, but I’ve driven a 14’ and 11’ Durango and a 02’ Liberty (Jeep, not Subaru). While the Durango has great sharp steering (much improved for 14’), there is a lot less feedback coming through. You can’t really feel the wheels, you kinda have to guess.