MR951

Just wondering if anyone has any experience w/ BMW E30 M3s.

Back in the late 80s/early 90s there were just two cars that I was in love with. The Porsche 944 Turbo and the BMW M3. I finally got my '89 951 less than a year ago and now a '89 M3 is available for only $5k (I haven't checked it out yet). I'm wondering how the maintenance cost would compare assuming both cars are equal in condition. Which would be a better daily driver?

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

aeronautica86

maintenance for the BMW will be less as there are fewer things to break and parts are alot less expensive.

a good friend of mine has a nicely built e30 m3 (2.5L stoker, cams, headwork, shortrunner intake, 3" exhaust, wbo2, etc) and it is pretty freakin fast. I've driven it a few times and really love the car. He has some suspension work too, can't remember exactly what off the top of my head though. The car handles great, feels great, shifts great - I imagine stock they wouldn't be all that exciting compared to a 951, but with a few mods they can be totally badass cars.

KuHL 951

The early E30 M3's still bring a premium price in decent condition. Many still sell in the $10K+ range. A $5K M3 version would make me very suspicious, just like a $4K Turbo S would throw up a red flag. Get a PPI done for sure. The run of the mill M20-25 BMW requires less maintenance than the Turbo and parts are cheaper and more available, can't vouch for the M3 though. Hope it turns out to be a nice car.

fast951

The parts on the E30 M3 will eat you alive... A $15K engine rebuild is not unexpected...

951TurboEuroSpec

I owned a e30 M3 for 4 months after having a 944 turbo and all i can say is it handled like no other, but was so slow it drove me crazy needless to say i sold it and purchased another 944 turbo, Besides interior parts it is a lot more expensive to keep that engine running and for the power you get its not worth how much it is to keep maintained. The cheapest engine maintenence you can do is to replace the 4 cylinder and place a e36 6 cylinder M3 heart in its place...
I do love the setup of the 4 cylinder but beauty is one thing and power is a whole different animal..
Mind you this is coming from a Porschaholic..

Did i mention they have a tendancy to rust like crazy..

Epic2112

This again?

*points down*

docwyte

A $5k E30 M3 means it need $10k worth of work done. They're great handling cars with an extremely finicky and expensive motor to deal with. I looked into one as a track car before I bought the 951S and discovered that a decent one would cost around $15k, then I'd need to track prep it, and it's performance wasn't as good as the 951S.

Really cool car and I'd still like to own one tho...

JM993

This is funny, I'm currently looking to add a 951 or S2 as a track car

I've been driving my E30 M3 for a couple of years. I bought a 165K mile rat with a straight body and performed a complete restoration to EVOIII specs.

http://www.s14.net/photopost/showgal...er=494&cat=500

These are fun cars, and can be very reliable if they are properly cared for. The engines are high strung, but are very easy to maintain and service (no timing belts, turbos, etc). Solid lifters mean valve adjustments every 15K (not hard). It's funny, my M3 is easy - a 951 kinda scares me

E30 M3s are generally not fast unless you convert to a 2.5. To put things in perspective, my car is just as quick as an E36 M3 or about as quick as a 951 (not S). However, you've got to "drive it like you stole it." Their handling is simply wonderful, definitely a high water mark for BMW.

FYI: I spent approximately $11K on my engine, doing some of the work myself. However, this is a full 2.5 conversion (throttle bodies - there are 4, header, cams, etc). A 2.3 can cost much less.

In the end, I have a nice reliable classic car. The nice thing is that the engine is all BMW - no aftermarket stuff. In other words, if you guys can handle a 951, I wouldn't give ownership of an E30 M3 a second thought.

HTH,

Joe

1995 Porsche 993
1988 BMW E30 M3 2.5 (240HP) daily driver

jimbo1111

The handling is first rate on the e30m3. There motors are also very strong. Race built, solid lifters, high revving. My very close friend has a 2.7 conversion. It's pretty quick. About 240 hp. Problems are rust, stress cracks on the front and back strut towers. About 5 k to replace them. Suspension parts always break.(very dangerous) My other friend has a 240 hp 6 cylinder e36 m motor. Nice car but the extra weight can be felt up front. One other track buddy has an m5 motor 330hp. The car is fast but suffers the same weight problems. They are a little under powered by todays standard but in it's day it was a fine car to own. It still is if your not looking to keep up with the Jones.

JM993

Don't do that. The balance of the car goes right out the window. You might as well by an E36 instead!!!!

Joe

1995 Porsche 993
1988 BMW E30 M3 2.5 (240HP) daily driver

Serge944

E30s handle so well! I have m3 sway bars on my 325is (the rest of the suspension is pretty much identical) along with lowering springs and a decent set of wheels - the handling is incredible. The car is more fun through the corners than my old 944 with weltmeister sway bars.

Unfortunately, they fall short in the looks and speed departments where the 951s excel so much in!

Barry Johnson

Wow.... $5k for an E30 M3? Hmm, you better bring a Bimmer buddy with you if it even exists!
Everyone is right about the handling, very well balanced, but not terribly fast, much like the E36 M3.

However, they are very strong motors, and theres a guy (no bull****, I know him and have seen the cars) with a built turbo setup running somewhere around 500hp, not at peak power.... So, if you know how to tune, and have LOTS of cash, they're great cars if you're looking for handling and power, or just handling without the power . The other car he has is a turbo'd 2002 that pops wheelies... Hehe, pretty cool We're talking enough power to need a carbon fiber driveshaft and built up E36 tranny...

Anyway, let us know if its a legit car, and how F'd up it is!

Serge944

There was a red e30 m3 w/ a salvaged title for sale a few months back for 6k. It wasn't too terrible, but probably best suited as a track car.

But yes, expect to lay down a good 10-20k for a nice examle.

JM993

I got my car for $6K (all original body panels, not salvage). Of course I have about $24K into it now, but it is virtually a new car.

Joe

1995 Porsche 993
1988 BMW E30 M3 2.5 (240HP) daily driver

MR951

The car exists here:
http://www.islandpreviews.com/main/m...hp?ad_id=46158

I haven't looked at it yet and I don't know if I will. I don't want to give up my 951 and having 3 cars is too much (WRX is my daily driver).

FWIW older european cars are pretty cheap here in Hawaii. Most of the gear heads here can be put into one of two catagories. The V8 drag racing or nascar crowd or the rice burners. 944s and 951s are rather inexpensive. I got my '89 Turbo in great condition (only needed new wheel bearings, batwing and had a leaky front strut) for $7,000 from a dealer. The mechanic I go to likes to buy 951s and fixes 'em up to resell on the mainland. After shipping the car he still clears a few grand profit.