to sell...or not to sell...?

[BLINGMW]

ESPECIALLY look at insurance... that is the reason i've taken a sudden turn towards something else (again)

FWIW, the 325's insurance is much better than the M3. I don't even want to go into my "the 325 is better for the street AND for the track" tirade again.....

[Rex4life]

sorry that post sounded like my dad, but damnit if i haven't heard that speech enough. and it turns out he is right. last year i was looking hard at an e36 m3 and could have worked out the payments while working during school but, one insurance quote later (2.5k+/year) and i was quickly shot down

[BLAIR]

shit.. just get any 3 series and convert it all the M specs.. sounds like alot but really not that hard...and would overall be cheeper.. and insurance on a 325 would be less :lol:

[.RJ]

I don't even want to go into my "the 325 is better for the street AND for the track" tirade again.....

Do it! Do it!

I dont agree with you.... unless we're talking E30's

[Evan]

Mike what exactly was your insurance quote? If you are comparing to a 92 civic hatchback and are surprised at an increase, well no shit cap'n.
When I almost bought a '99 996, the insurace increase was tiny. +$150 a year. Hell, my 240 raised my insurance almost as much.

[.RJ]

I need to shop for new insurance now that I dont have a theftmagnet....

[Dave]

well, if you can find an E36 for a reasonable price, get that. Add on the stuff from an M3 (or better goodies) and get the badges and such. It won't be as fast as an M3, but give a lil bit o b00st and will all be better.

[.RJ]

I'd tell you to buy my E36, but you probably dont want cheap, ugly and reliable.

[G.Irish]

I agree with Chan, if you're willing to do some work you can easily make up the performance gap with a M3 for cheaper. Of course, applying the same mods to the M3 will put it in a different ball park but I digress.

Either car will be good tho so pick your poison.

[Mike]

Mike what exactly was your insurance quote? If you are comparing to a 92 civic hatchback and are surprised at an increase, well no shit cap'n.
When I almost bought a '99 996, the insurace increase was tiny. +$150 a year. Hell, my 240 raised my insurance almost as much.

that makes no sense at all, but whatever. i was quoted around 2500/yr for an m3.

[Feersty]

E36 M3 is best, but requires a great deal of miscellanous costs after the initial cost. If you can buy a BMW you should be able to afford what it costs to repair it.

[Evan]

that makes no sense at all, but whatever. i was quoted around 2500/yr for an m3.

I was surprised too. Probably because more affluent drivers tend to be better drivers. Similar reasoning why a ducati is 1/4 of the amount to insure as a yamaha.

$2500 does seem really steep for a $15k car, maybe because of all the clowns that drive (wreck) them now.

[Mike]

especially when i currently pay 600/yr for the hatch...

[.RJ]

E36 M3 is best, but requires a great deal of miscellanous costs after the initial cost. If you can buy a BMW you should be able to afford what it costs to repair it.

You really ought to look into the cost of parts/ownership/repairs - it really is not that bad. Its certainly not a "great deal". I put $200 in parts into mine and hasnt needed anything the 13k miles i've put on it since christmas.

[Evan]

hasnt needed anything the 13k miles i've put on it since christmas.

..except a new interior.... :lol:

[Sijray21]

E36 M3 is best, but requires a great deal of miscellanous costs after the initial cost. If you can buy a BMW you should be able to afford what it costs to repair it.

You really ought to look into the cost of parts/ownership/repairs - it really is not that bad. Its certainly not a "great deal". I put $200 in parts into mine and hasnt needed anything the 13k miles i've put on it since christmas.

yeah i remember talking to hunter about the parts for the e36 and they didn't seem that far off parts for the honda (brake rotors, pads, other basic stuff). The only thing that might cause me problems would be the computer/electrical work, but i'm hoping that won't be the case when looking for an m3 with fewer mileage.

[.RJ]

Well the things you will need to replace if the prev owner has not been on top of things with a high milage E36 (over 80k)

- water pump (metal)
- thermostat/thermostat housing (replace w/ metal)
- suspension bushings (front LCA and Rear traling arm/subframe will definately be worn out by then)
- radiator
- valve cover gasket set

Some things that it may need

- Shifter rebuild
- trans mounts
- interior trim
- On board computer (They usually go bad)
- headlight housings (they're plastic and pit - $80 each)

Other than that, they are pretty solid. At 120+ k my motor burns no oil, and compression is 200+ psi across all 6 cylinders, 30mpg highway and no real issues - I have not dealt with my suspension bushings, FWIW.

[ScottyB]

Jay, quit screwing around and settle on the M.

[BLAIR]

Jay, quit screwing around and settle on the M.

I agree :lol:

[BLAIR]

my freinds dad jus sold a 325 completely converted to m3 spec.. (EVERYTHING), no way to tell at all. with a supercharger for 15k

he bought an imaculate e30 m3 with a e36 motor for 13k

so hybrid cars are just as reliable and cheeper