DMB14

I dunno if this is the right place for this, but I may be forced to sell my beloved 944. I have been verrry unlucky with my car. Almost everything that could go wrong has (I'm really not exaggerating here) and I've had over $10k in repairs in 11 months of ownership. It's just getting ridiculous. I'm probably $20K in by now, and it still needs a new A/C compressor and motor mounts, which I will most likely be taking care of myself in the coming months.

I'm going to college next year and it just might not be possible for me to keep maintaining this car due to a lack of money, space, equipment, time, etc... So, does anyone know how 944 maintenance compares to an E36 M3? I need something that's a bit more reliable, less finicky, and cheaper to maintain.

I know the M3 is a good deal faster than a 944 N/A, but that's only part of the reason why it's got my interest. If it sounds like an M3 wouldn't work out for me, what are some other fun, unique, and fairly dependable cars for $10k or under? Manual transmission and RWD is pretty much a requirement.

Thanks for the input.

The thought of selling my 944 breaks my heart. If I do, I know I'll have to replace it with a 951 someday...

MM951

I know how you feel about the "everything that can go wrong has" feeling. My first 944 was a nightmare. Luckily, I've had good luck with my 84 and 87.

My friend has a 95 M3 .. I don't know how the maintence is but it seems pretty reliable. I've spent a decent amount of time driving it and I freakin' love it. It's not that fast, but a lot quicker then a n/a. I love the looks and the steering feel, but the seating positionb leaves a bit to be desired IMO.

For 10K I think I would rather try and swing an 00-02 S4 or a 968.. or a really nice 951. After driving a modded 951 you won't want anything else. I suggest you try it

SamGrant951

I had a 97 M3 and it was very reliable, pretty easy to work on as well (I only ever did basic stuff as it was all preventative maintenance anyways) Great cars, I'm sure I will have another one day.

t34418l31

if your goin to college i'd recommend goin with an e36 328 or 325. save the 4g's.

potent951turbo

+1, this is what I was thinking. A lot of the cheaper E36 M3's I have seen lately are pretty run down. You could pick up a really clean 328i for less money.

Legoland951

The e36 325s are great cars for little money and are very easy to work on. Just don't get the auto trans as they are made by GM and are prone to breakage at around 100k miles. Buy a 5 speed and you are good to go as they are chain driven and drivetrainwise pretty bulletproof. The only things out of the ones I have seen go wrong are window switches, regulators, and the LED display in the dash/computer.

M758

Well,
This means that you are mostly done. If you already have fixed years of imporper maintanence the car should be set for a long string of good years.

Why sell now when the big stuff is all fixed and new and have some else enjoy the car you fixed.

Litespeeds

My thoughts exactly. If you have spent that much money into getting everything sorted out except for the motor mounts and ac, you are pretty much there. Keep the car as you will not be able to get back even a fraction of what you put into the 944.

And who knows, but you might be very unlucky and buy an M3 or another used car that you think is dependable and end up having to spend another $5-$10K on maintenance.

JayVee

I'm also considering a '96-'99 M3 as my next sports car. My 944 is running in top shape right now, but a car that's 10 years newer (with a back seat) might make sense for me. A 951 would be cool, especially since I've learned a lot about 944s over the past year, but it would still be a 20+ year old car. Tough decision, really. I think a lot depends on the specific car that you can find and how well it's been cared for.

CabrioArtie

I currently own a '99 M3 Cabrio and it has been very reliable. I don't as of yet own the 944 I'm looking for, but I would say reliability is based upon the car and the maintenance it received over its life. If you buy a poorly maintained car, whether it is an M3 or 944, you will have problems.

Ensure you know the maintenance history of the car you are buying and then pray it isn't a lemon.

StickShift

Go to a 3 series bmw forum. Search for coolant system, rear shock mounts and moneyshift. They also have issues with the variable cam motor failing.
Having owned a 3 series and a 944, they both have their faults, and you will spend to fix things regardless.

ZPmadA

I have an 86 944 Turbo I daily drive. Owned it for over 3 years and drove 30,000 miles. It never left me stranded. Only money I spend is for preventative maintenance and gas. I don't understand how you could spend $20,000 in repairs. Is that possible?

inviktus

Coolant system is $300 in parts and easy to replace. Rear shock mounts are $60 and even easier. Moneyshift is pure pilot error. VANOS not an issue on the E36 M3.

I have a '97 M3 and have probably spent $2k in maintenance -- not counting mods -- over 80k miles, doing almost all work myself (knocking on wood!). It's easy to work on and dead reliable (knocking on wood!) as long as you keep up with the preventative maintenance.

With that said, the 944 makes the M3 feel a bit large, soft, and heavy (the M3 is on largely stock suspension, mind you, while the 944 suspension is heavily modified). Keep in mind that, while the E36 M3 is a fantastic sport sedan -- the best ever in my opinion -- it is still a sport SEDAN, while the 944 is a SPORTS CAR. Don't get me wrong; I love my M3 more than a man really should love an inanimate object, but if you don't need a back seat, you may be missing out on much of the benefit.

Now, if I were going to college with a car, I'd choose a solid E30 325 or even better, a nice Honda Civic. But if you're dead set on an M3, odds are very strong it will not disappoint.


-vik