M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
GENERAL => Off-topic discussion => Topic started by: AlpineRob on January 05, 2010, 06:35:29 PM
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I have a chance to pick up a 1997 m3 coupe 5 spd for short money...i havent looked at it yet, but it appears to be solid and legit..i have had my e30 for about 6 years now..Love it...it gives me so many petty problems and little rust spots that only i can see...but i still love it..Cant afford to have both..What would you do?
Ive been dreaming about buying a new bimmer for so many years but always dreamed about never selling my e30 off.. i need assistance on this one. Thanks!
Robert
1991 318is
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Its a tough call. But I suspect if you sell your E30 you'll be wanting it back again at some point. You can never truly replace an E30 :) Then again, try the M3 for a while, and if you get bored with it in a few years, sell it and find another E30. They'll be around for a while. Personally I'd stick with the E30 just because I like the "classic" appeal it has.
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I'd say M3 but just for the hell of it. The 318is is "nice" in it's own way but an M3 is an M3...unless your E30 is immaculate, get the E36.
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Depends on what kind of repairs you like to do doesn't it??? LOL
They each have their "needs"
Dave
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Put an s50 in your 318......I would go see and drive the M3 before making any decisions. You know damn well you will want the 318 when you sell it, but on the other hand the M3 is sweet, too bad it's an e36. I wish I had your problem.
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Your heart's saying yes but your head is saying no eh? ;)
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I'm currently doing a total restoration of my E30 318is and adding a DASC and have a PERFECT '95 M3 for sale. The E36 is nice, quick, but not all that comfortable I have found. The vader seats are not great on long trips. I'm keeping my 968 daily driver. It's not as quick as the M3, but handles MUCH better.
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i say buy the M3, swap the engine into your E30. Put the M42 in the E36 M3 and sell it to some idiot yuppee :p.
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take in account that the running costs for an M3 are WAY higher than for the 318is.
But if you can afford it... you only live once
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I have owned three E30's and everytime I get rid of one I always come back to an E30. Nothing BMW makes handles or is as much fun to drive as an E30. If I were you, I'd consider an S52 conversion on your E30 instead of buying an E36. The E36's are nice cars, but they will never have the same appeal or handling of the E30's. Plus what everyone always forgets is whenever you need parts for an E36 or E46 M3 a lot of times it will be almost double of the other cars in it's series. I had a friend that had to replace his cats for the exhaust to pass inspection and had to shovel out over $2k. A normal E36 would have been less than $400.00. Consider a conversion with your E30 or better yet buy an E30 M3 and then do the engine conversion and you'll have the best of both worlds.
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agree. if you can live with the handling hit, swap the s52 over and part the rest of the car.
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I know the idea of the swap sounds fun and all, but I am one of those picky owners who doesnt like upgrades..I enjoy keeping things original. I love my e30, especially because i have put so much into it to keep it like new, which is not easy..it being a daily driver in New England and all.. It is in incredible condition but i want to go FASTER!! I have been driving it for 6 years and always hate having to sink my foot into the gas just to accelerate onto the highway every time.. the 4 cylinder is strong and peppy but man I just want to be able to throw my own head back..
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I know the idea of the swap sounds fun and all, but I am one of those picky owners who doesnt like upgrades..I enjoy keeping things original. I love my e30, especially because i have put so much into it to keep it like new, which is not easy..it being a daily driver in New England and all.. It is in incredible condition but i want to go FASTER!! I have been driving it for 6 years and always hate having to sink my foot into the gas just to accelerate onto the highway every time.. the 4 cylinder is strong and peppy but man I just want to be able to throw my own head back..
Sounds like you do not want to part with the E30....so don't. You need a second car. One that throws your own head back.
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I'm currently doing a total restoration of my E30 318is and adding a DASC and have a PERFECT '95 M3 for sale. The E36 is nice, quick, but not all that comfortable I have found. The vader seats are not great on long trips. I'm keeping my 968 daily driver. It's not as quick as the M3, but handles MUCH better.
I feel all jealous. Just wish I had the time/money/motivation/space...one of these days I'll have that 924S...or a Martini edition...or a '77 in green. Love those ugly colors!
Keep the e30. You'll only regret it when she's broken...
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Ill keep what i have..i didn't even bother going to look at the M3...it was my least favorite color on the M3 anyway..boston green..ill wait for some day when i can afford to have both..no compromises... i'm thinking an estoril blue convertible 5 spd, with the m3 lightweight wheel set up..that's my favorite..
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I'm glad to hear you're going to keep your E30, because I swear you'll want another one as soon as you get rid of it. Five years ago it was easy to find an E30 in good shape, but it's getting harder every year that passes to find one in good shape or not totally abused. Plus, parts are going up now due to the fact it's almost hit the 20 year mark of being out of production.