I'm still waiting on my head to return from the machine shop, so I've been longing to drive my 320i again. That got me to thinking, what car that you've driven most resembles the E21 to you? It could be on looks or just the feel of the drive, whatever. I've got some ideas, but am interested to see what everyone else thinks.

datsun 510 when it comes to looks really reminds me of it, and it would surprise me if it drove like it too.

http://www.packracingproducts.com/acatalog/Datsun510.jpg

+1 on the 510

I really like the way the Mazda MX-5 feels, and of course the 2002.

yeah, id say the 510 and the 2002 aswell. hard to pick one out from the mind though. the datsun 240z reminds me of the 320 a bitt too. used to own one, small and nippy, like the e21.

My 320 reminds me alot of my 85 Jetta. Man, I loved that car.

My 320 reminds me alot of my 85 Jetta. Man, I loved that car.
not looks wise for me, but When I had my first 320i my buddy had a VW fox so it reminds of that just because of that.

old corollas kind of remind me of them
http://www.bigflea.com/corolla/images/motoringjstyle.jpg

Surprisingly my big 740il (e32) is not a vastly different experience, its just on a different scale. If it had a stick shift, and adequate wheel/tire and suspension mods I can see it being just as crazy in the corners. (all this would cost vastly more than several 320is) The body is amazingly rigid; I can put a jack under the front, lift the front and rear wheel and still open and close the door like nothing happened. Must be why it weighs 4400 lbs! It feels much lighter from behind the wheel though.

old corollas kind of remind me of them


This is the one that comes to my mind the most. I'm not really familiar with the 510 though. It definitely look similar. I've ridden in a couple z cars and they are fun. Uncle never let me drive though!

yeah, the older ones like the 240 and the 260 are the closest, same type of body roll! haha, yeah, they are fun though. but, i gotta love my e21.

e30 318is. Well, OK, the motor is a lot more modern and the interior (remembering when my e21's had them) are more current and not as raw. But very similar feel with the e30 4 banger to the e21 4 banger. I've been thinking that one of the best motor/chassis combo's would be a turbo M42 in an e21...

ANYWAY, I have to agree though that the e32 feels very light when behind the wheel. Got to flog my parent's 735i a ton when they had it. MUCH different feel than the e38. I'm guessing your 740il had the extra power that the 735i seemed like it was lacking at times. I would overall take the 735i over the e30 325i (auto) I had at the time. '87 e30 vs '88 e32 is a no brainer. With the right driver you can do just as much in the corners with the e32 that you could with the e30. Although most people with e32's are a bit too timid to try.

Yeah, with 80 more hp than the 735 it really flies.

I had a much loved 84 Celica with a very similar set-up. Inline 4, 5spd, no independent rear though. All the same it was very fun to drive and quite quick. I got a chance to try the Supra, better pickup but felt heavy and couldn't throw it around as much as the smaller cousin.