Shane

I have two 5sp's, and the thing that I keep thinking about most is how much I miss my auto. I absolutely love my 5sp's, but keep thinking about taking the drive train from my recently departed auto and making the conversion with one of my 5sp's.

I have driven my auto on the track and loved every minute of it. Once NA and once with the twinscrew. My goal right now is to get down to one manual transmission 928, so the war department will let me get another 928 (one with an auto tranny).

M3 = Yawn

Cameron

I had a maunal 1995 E36 M3. The 3.0 L in line six - 240 HP. The next year they went to 3.2 L, but the output was still 240 hp.

The 5 speed E36 M3 will do a mid 5 sec 0-60mph. That is the only time that it will be close to a 5 speed 928 S4 or GT. After that, the 928 will walk away from it. On the track in a DE environment, I was faster in my stock 928 GT, than the E46 M3's (the 333 hp version) that were in my run groups.

MGW-Fla

Mentioning window mechanism on Beemers... I think my 02 325 had at least two replaced...at a whopping 2 & 3 years of age.... and they were on rear windows that dont get used much! Among other things.... oh yeah... like the new transmission they just installed last week(cost me $50 with the 100k warranty), at 75k miles. Course they charged the factory about $4800! Think they just mass produce em now simply to lease em. I love how it looks, love how it drives, just think they make them cheap in the mass production. And I have driven a couple of the 2006 model 325's & they do look cheap on the inside & have an ugly rear end compared to previous models(who am I to talk I'm sure)! I told my wife I might buy another one when its 21 years old like the two 1985 Sharks I have! Then I might be willing to learn how to fix it myself!

anonymousagain

fourside - I have an 86.5 (only chip mod) and am decisively faster than my friends '95 M3 w/exhaust+chip, although his feels more dramatic as a stick versus my AT. Consistent driving is more fun in the shark, especially at "regular" driving attitude.

That said, same friend picked up a stock '98 M3 sedan (blk/blk like my shark). Put in some drive time and loved it. As much as I liked the stick "right gear right now" feel, I prefer my AT shark to rowing the lever all the time - personal preference, but traffic bites for left calf workout. The '98 is not quite up to his '95, but feels more refined indeed; likely the non-modded feel and less hyperness.

Drive an AT shark (in maintained condition) and shift the gears yourself. Likely, you'll find more connection to your driving than you thought and a far more sport-engaged feel.

Summary for me: Shark looks and feels awesome, all the time, period; M3 looks okay but <a little> common, yet feels awesome most of the time (maybe all the time if AT is close in performance??). Shark is comfy and rides so all day long; M3 is comfy-er and rides so all day long (again clutchless). Shark is okay to get in/out of; M3 is far more practical, especially the sedan.

If $$ is the same, the M3 back doors are a selling point for me. Do you need that utility? If not, 2-doors is hands down the 928. Neither would be my primary vehicle. If your only car, M3 definitely for day-in-day-out wear and tear. Both are easily 200k+ cars. Having my shark, I'd love to add that '98 if I could afford it.

Otherwise, my shark was substantially less than the M3 by a mile. My friends '98 was $14k and I'd think you could find a nice S4 for ~$3k less than a comparable M3. Both great vehicles. Don't fret the AT in a 928, just drive 'em both and choose on which "difference" suits your need.

Good luck!!

BC

The autos must have some concentration put in them to make it work properly. You must also make sure (IMHO) that it is not a 2.2.

San Diego huh? Where in this great City?

Dave Sz.

I have an 80 Euro S 5 Speed, 88 S4 auto and a 95 M3 5 speed. I really like all the cars for different reasons. The auto S4 is driven the least because it is more like a concours car and I'm not an auto fan for a sports type car. The Euro is my favorite but least reliable and the M3 is really quick on the freeway on ramps but a 928 will eventually prevail. I would rate the M3 as the most reliable.

Dave Sz.
1980 Euro S
1988 S4

Daniel Dudley

The M3 will feel more tossable on a tight road, and quicker shifting. The 928 will want finesse but will reward good driving and beg for an open road. I would go for an 85 or newer 928 with the 5 speed, but a low mileage M3 will give you less drama and a great drive.

It is important to remember that the Bimmer is newer but the 928 is one solid *****. Make sure you get a PPI on any 928 you are considering.

MGW-Fla

If an M3 is anything in the driving seat of comfort compared to my 02 325, then a shark definately kicks it in the pants. I am constantly adjusting the power seats in my 325 trying to get comfortable & never quite seem to get there. I can honestly say that I've never owned a car more comfortable to drive than a 928.

tv

I don't know the pecking order of bmw's but my lh euro beat an M5 silly all day at a ride a week ago. My euro is an auto, 2.54 and lsd, and kicks butt. I have driven a 3 series for a few hundred miles and it is a sedan, a narrow tall sedan. a CAR. The 928 is a low, wide exotic. Other than 4 wheels and moving not much in common.

I hope you learn from our other youngster here about getting the right 928 and having a rainy day fund. And stay away from Mr. Haney.

Kevin Michael

We have 2 s4's- a 5spd. and an auto. Yesterday was the first time I really drove the auto hard(I have an s4 5spd for that, remember) I was very shocked and excited at the power of the car. I gave it a serious thrashing, and it was a little slow off the mark, but when the power came on it just rushed hard to 60, then to 90 where I let off. a grin wouldn't accurately describe my reaction. The car feels heavier than the 5spd and a little less powerful, but awesome nonetheless. My friend Ron has an 05 M3 and he let me drive it on the open highway,while he drove my s4 5spd. I liked his car but that balanced feeling ripping through the gears just wasn't there. It had alot of pitch and yaw when driven hard. But it was fast! Plus it was
still a sedan at the end of the day. I would like to have one someday as well!

laneskelton

I had to replace the manual tranny in my bmw as well, and when I sold it the tranny was making some bad noises. The least reliable car I have owned hands down. If you want a lighter car thats fast and dont need 4 doors, get a 944 turbo. I also could not find a comfortable seating position in my bmw. My friend and I went to the dump to weigh our cars and his M3 4 door weighed 3260 lbs and my 928 weighed 3320 lbs.

whitefox

Well Jim was pointing out that your lust for a 928 was before you had actually driven one.

SwayBar

So, you presume to know what I drive and how I drive?

An automatic, is still an automatic, no matter how it's "driven". Porsche did not offer it as an option for their super-car GT2, GT3, or Carrera GT for a reason.

Mongo

I've never owned a Bimmer, but have ridden in Bill's M3. It's a fairly fast car with great handling. It will hold its own against a 928. It's also cheaper in the long run to maintain. But IMHO there's something about the 928 that cannot be taken for granted: its essence and impact on your passion for cars after driving. That's what keeps my heart pounding for my 928 S4.

Mongo

An automatic 928 S4 is about as fast as an 85 manual. My father has owned both. It's very hard to compare. Ideally I'd choose the automatic because I'd hate to do a clutch on the 928. I don't get the 'heavy and uninspiring part.' Ever been in an auto 928 S4 and WOT? You get lunged into your seat and thrusted back as it shifts from first to second. When you get into third you are doing over 85 mph. 3rd to 4th you are at 120 and the car is begging you to push it past the 150 mph barrier.

There is a reason why they also didn't offer auto on the Carrera GT, GT2 and GT3. These are race bred cars. The 928 was not born to race in any class. It's NOT A CAR THAT MEETS HOMOLOGATION REQUIREMENTS TO RACE. The engine is an open deck design and the crankshaft was not engineered to handle constant RPMs while racing. Ask Mark Anderson and Mark Kibort have demonstrated in racing their cars, the 928 is prone to a #2/#6 rod bearing failure that can split the engine in half! Cross-drilling the crank will help with the lubrication and prevent it from starving.

The GT2 and GT3 are cars that were designed for the club sport enthusiast; one who makes full use of it on the track and not for the street. However, there are those that polish them, and put them away like a piece of china only to find them 2 years later pissing more oil than a homeless man drinking Wild Turkey all night. You CANNOT compare these apples with that orange.