Not in a race or anything, but as a possible track car. I am absolutely in love with my R, but this M3 is $6000, as opposed to like $19K for the R. Do I bite the bullet, get the cheaper car, and blow all my money on track time, or just keep the R and go into debt blowing all my remaining money on track time?

 

run away, quickly, from a $6000 E30 M3

Brian

 

E30's are more expensive to keep up then a ITR (Just something to think about).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sscguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not in a race or anything, but as a possible track car. I am absolutely in love with my R, but this M3 is $6000, as opposed to like $19K for the R. Do I bite the bullet, get the cheaper car, and blow all my money on track time, or just keep the R and go into debt blowing all my remaining money on track time?</TD></TR></TABLE>

both very capable track cars .....the M3 though is probably a more capable track ***** .....

but could you afford to fix it , if it breaks down .....

its very easy ...and fairly cheap ......to repair a B18c5 /tranny ..etc ...

its not so cheap ....or easy to repair an E30 ....

 

i say ITR all the way even though i madly love the e30 M3... it's just a matter of $$$ like they said, much cheaper to maintin an ITR track car

 

but for just 6000, even getting it for a winter beater is worth it

just a thought

 

A $6,000 M3 will require a lot of money to make it right. Good examples still fetch $15k.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Brian*Blue95M3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">run away, quickly, from a $6000 E30 M3

Brian</TD></TR></TABLE>

What Mr. Grey Goose said.

 

$6000 is too much for an E30? I haven't seen them for anything less than like $8-9000 lately. And they are harder to work on and more expensive to boot? Hmm...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apex i ITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">E30's are more expensive to keep up then a ITR (Just something to think about).</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is definitely true. With E30 M3's being so rare and the fact that almost all of the parts on them are different from the other 3 series, you better be willing to spend mucho $$$. Oil leaking seems to be a common problem w/ E30's.

If you want an M3, I'd Recommend an E36 just because they are a bit more affordable for upkeep because there were lots of them produced.

I really wish I could own an E30 M3 also but I decided that it would be a bad move since I'm in college and need a very reliable car(saves $$). ITR OWNZZ ME.

I say get the Arrrrr

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sscguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">$6000 is too much for an E30? I haven't seen them for anything less than like $8-9000 lately. And they are harder to work on and more expensive to boot? Hmm...</TD></TR></TABLE>

$6000 is too little. I personally wouldn't touch one for less than $9000, and that is pushing it.

Brian

 

I had considered an E36 at some point, but the cheapness of the E30 is what made me question it. I think after the R is done, an E36 will be the next step. The one thing I don't like about them is the weight, I really like lightweight cars, and the E30 would be more like the R in that respect.

 

I have the pleasure of owning both cars. A good M is going to run you 12-13k. Maintenance is key as well. It's definately more expensive to run than an R, but it's not outrageous, imo. The car was built to be run on the track, and is very stout when it comes to handling track abuse. Added bonus? Best handling car I've ever driven on track.

Warren

 

Too little? Hmm... So something like a $7000 difference between an '89 E30 and a '95 E36...somehow that just doesn't seem worth it. The E36 is a better car, yes? I would assume it's faster, handles better, brakes better, more reliable (just for the fact that it's like 6 years newer, assuming similar maintenance). I'd prefer to shell out the 7 grand for an E36 in that situation, especially if the E30 has maintenance issues.

 

Ok, well, if it winds up being cheaper to track an R, that'll be the route I stick with for now, seeing as how money is the biggest issue. But Warren, you say it's the best handling car you've ever driven (the E30 I assume)? Is that stock or with modified suspension or what? And does it handle better than an E36 if you've compared it?

 

Slight update, here's the situation with the E30:
15x,xxx miles, Dinan chip, BMP strut brace, stock original suspension, AVS ES100s on 17" wheels, runs well, just replaced alternator, heater core, starter needs replacement soon, driver's side seat needs repair to side bolster, body's in good shape, needs paint here and there (spoiler front and rear), needs service board for dash. I haven't test driven it yet, planning to next week, but maybe as a winter beater if not a track *****...

 

Better do a compression test - I'd hate to foot the bill on a rebuild for one of those puppys

 

rebuilds on the stock motors can cost $10k+


I went through this same dilemna, and I will not be getting an E30 M3. Its like getting a less reliable ITR basically, the cars are very similar.


would you trust a $6k ITR? i sure as **** wouldnt.

 

whats the difference between E30, E36, and E46? are those just different years?

 

E30 = 88-91
E36= 95-99
E46 = 01+

Brian

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Brian*Blue95M3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">E30 = 88-91
E36= 95-99
E46 = 01+

Brian</TD></TR></TABLE>

E36 = 92-99, not 95, right?

 

as far as M's go

Brian

 

i'm 95% sure the M returned in 95 with the 3.0L, then in 97 it went to the 3.2.

i don't think there were M's from 92-94.

E30's are expensive to maintain no doubt. i seriously looked into buying one, but found it to be too expenisve. i think i priced a rebuild at about $3500 in parts without pistons and maybe a couple other things. check out these guys (http://www.vacmotorsports.com/cgi-bin/index.pl), as they seem to be the best without being insanely overpriced like Turner is. Turner wants something rediculous like $700 for a set of exh valves.

imo, the E30 M3 is much like an ITR, but significantly faster. please don't use an E30 as a winter beater......would you use your R as one?


Modified by tnord at 8:16 PM 4/30/2003

 

E36 applies to 325, 318, etc. Not just M's.

Warren

 

I have the full blown Turner J stock setup on my car. It handles better than any E36 I've driven so far, which includes 1 lightweight.

Warren