Starting over. I am sticking to one car and that's it!

 

I've owned and love both cars. The E36 M3 is a real giant killer and will give 928's a real run for their money performance-wise. I wish I could own one of each, and may yet will! I do not envy your choice. The M3 is definitely more practical and I hate to say this, reliable. It is not the maintenance headache the 928 is and everything usually works in them. Yes they do have their peculiar issues, but nothing compared to the 928. All that being said, I still own the 928...

 

Can you do your own maintenance? You can find 928s with 5 speeds if you take your time to look but they will be older cars and will likely need work over time. But one drive and you may be hooked. Or you may just have always loved the 928 and just known that you eventually had to get one (like I did). Good luck with the decision.

 

For $10k, you wont be getting too new of an M3, right? Might depend upon the individual M3 or S4 as to their history, condition & upkeep as to which one would be more realiable. I've wanted an M3 for a long time myself & hope to one day have one too. Based on some problems with my 02 325, I think I'd rather own an older M3 versus a newer one for the money, simply cause I worry that Beemer has been trending more towards the mass production effort instead of what I've always loved about them.

 

You should drive both.

According to what you are saying though, don't bother wasting your time if the 928 is an automatic; you will find it will feel heavy and uninspiring, especially for spirited driving. If at all possible, find a 5-speed S4 or Euro.

Otherwise, you can't go wrong with an M3 manual, and it's good looking too.

 

A statement made by someone who obviously has never "driven" an automatic 928.

 

I like E36 M3's but would never choose one over my 928. It's a completely different type of car but they are indeed nice.

 

With some diligent searching and good negotiations you could probably get a '87 or '88 S4 5 speed with adequate maintenance records for $12K-$14K. The main things to look for: when was the timing belt/water pump replaced, was the steering rack replaced, were the shocks and springs replaced, were the motor mounts replaced, working AC, any electrical gremlins? If all were done relatively recently and are working than at that price range it would be a good find.

 

After straying away and driving a 1995 bmw 325 between Porsches I will never go back. The e36 3 series have very cheap interiors and a lot of common problems that come from poor design, like plastic thermostat housings, and subframes that crack if they are modded at all. On M3's they fixed most of this, but they are still a sedan with a good engine. My friend just bought a 98 m3 and the car is fun and fast but it is just an old car, and doesnt have half the presence or attitude that my 26 year old porsche has. The deciding factor on replacing my BMW was the fast that I had spent more time and money on it than any other car I have ever owned. Driving down highway 1 through big sur I had the brakes go to the floor and I have never had that happen on any of my porsches, all of which are older. Porsche, there is no substitue

 

$1-3000 more than an otherwise equivalent slushbox.

 

With a statement like this..."The 928 has been a dream car of mine for years.." there is no need to look for logical rational input. The dream was formulated probably with out ever driving a 928 and possibly never having seen one in the flesh thus has little to do with any reality , simply emotions and infatuation. Life with a 928 will give you higher highs as well as lower lows nothing about it is average ! If you need the car for transportation everyday go with a BMW.

 

I wouldn't compromise on the 5-speed. I find myself grabbing my gear shifter in my AT 928 when approaching certain curves and it brings back great memories of my 5-speed e36. Just not the same.

If you are looking for a pre-obdII M3, they are probably going to be up in mileage and will be replacing the same components in either car (e.g., radiator, coil (caps), etc.).

BTW, I had a guy in a new M3 catch up to me in a rapid pace but did not act like an idiot in any way when he caught me. I'd like to think he just wanted a glimpse of my shark because that is what I would be doing if I saw a 928 and I was in an M3.

 

That is what happened with me and I could not have said it any better than Jim just did.

 

Just for future reference, I have driven three 928's varying in years.

 

E36 bmw's were the first bmw's to be cad designed therefor they are built to exact tolerances and dont tend to hold up as well as e30's do. The window mechanisms have a lot of problems as well and the cheap thin metal they use bends then you have to buy a whole new mechanism. Overall they are very disposable, even if they do look pretty good and drive nice.