View Poll Results: What car would you rather have?
BMW M3 (E36 1997-1999)
11
26.83%
BMW M-Roadster (1999-2000)
8
19.51%
Audi S4 (2000-2001)
22
53.66%
Voters: 41. You may not vote on this poll
I need your opinion about getting a new car....Please!
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 308
From: Sturmen Motorsports
Especially with an M car. Spend a little extra getting one with low miles and have EVERYTHING checked out. There are two outstanding shops in the Bay Area:
1) North Bay Bavarian in Santa Rosa
2) Catalpa St Garage in Santa Cruz
These guys will treat you right, and they're experts. Believe me, expect to spend nearly twice as much for replacement parts for BMW as you would for anything else.
Things like bushings, control arms, belts, etc. Ask them exactly what you would have to replace in the next year and in the next 5 years.
And save an extra $700 or so to replace the rear lower control arms with upgraded BMW ones. The rear lower control arm is one of two Achilles Heels of the E36 platform and WILL bend under hard driving.
1) North Bay Bavarian in Santa Rosa
2) Catalpa St Garage in Santa Cruz
These guys will treat you right, and they're experts. Believe me, expect to spend nearly twice as much for replacement parts for BMW as you would for anything else.
Things like bushings, control arms, belts, etc. Ask them exactly what you would have to replace in the next year and in the next 5 years.
And save an extra $700 or so to replace the rear lower control arms with upgraded BMW ones. The rear lower control arm is one of two Achilles Heels of the E36 platform and WILL bend under hard driving.
VIP Member
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,709
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Car Info: CRZ EX-Navi/6MT & Vue Redline
Originally posted by Domino
Especially with an M car. Spend a little extra getting one with low miles and have EVERYTHING checked out. There are two outstanding shops in the Bay Area:
1) North Bay Bavarian in Santa Rosa
2) Catalpa St Garage in Santa Cruz
These guys will treat you right, and they're experts. Believe me, expect to spend nearly twice as much for replacement parts for BMW as you would for anything else.
Things like bushings, control arms, belts, etc. Ask them exactly what you would have to replace in the next year and in the next 5 years.
And save an extra $700 or so to replace the rear lower control arms with upgraded BMW ones. The rear lower control arm is one of two Achilles Heels of the E36 platform and WILL bend under hard driving.
Especially with an M car. Spend a little extra getting one with low miles and have EVERYTHING checked out. There are two outstanding shops in the Bay Area:
1) North Bay Bavarian in Santa Rosa
2) Catalpa St Garage in Santa Cruz
These guys will treat you right, and they're experts. Believe me, expect to spend nearly twice as much for replacement parts for BMW as you would for anything else.
Things like bushings, control arms, belts, etc. Ask them exactly what you would have to replace in the next year and in the next 5 years.
And save an extra $700 or so to replace the rear lower control arms with upgraded BMW ones. The rear lower control arm is one of two Achilles Heels of the E36 platform and WILL bend under hard driving.
-Chris
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by Domino
Uh, have you *driven* all three cars?
Why are you so bent on everyones opinions? Get facts-like this one:
Drive the E36 M car. Sit in it and see if you're too tall for it because sometimes my E36 car gets a little tight.
I didnt think you were buying a car for anyone on the forum, so go with what YOU like man. (And tell all these Euro-haters that you wanted a little more comfort than a WRX )
Uh, have you *driven* all three cars?
Why are you so bent on everyones opinions? Get facts-like this one:
Drive the E36 M car. Sit in it and see if you're too tall for it because sometimes my E36 car gets a little tight.
I didnt think you were buying a car for anyone on the forum, so go with what YOU like man. (And tell all these Euro-haters that you wanted a little more comfort than a WRX )
Yes, I've driven all 3 cars and I think the S4 would be the right car for me. I'll be looking at a couple on Monday. I appreciate you input.
Thanks,
Last edited by AmirWRX; Apr 25, 2004 at 03:57 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 308
From: Sturmen Motorsports
Originally posted by AmirWRX
I'm basically just trying to get your opinions on these cars. For example, someone might come out and say: the 98 E36 M3's have transmission problems....then I'd go and research that and maybe get a 99 instead; you know? I don't understand what made you think that I'm buying a car based on what people vote for....
I'm basically just trying to get your opinions on these cars. For example, someone might come out and say: the 98 E36 M3's have transmission problems....then I'd go and research that and maybe get a 99 instead; you know? I don't understand what made you think that I'm buying a car based on what people vote for....
And in general, everyone has been responding with their personal likes, dislikes and biases, not factual reasons why they have them.
Yes, I've driven all 3 cars and I think the S4 would be the right car for me. I'll be looking at a couple on Monday. I appreciate you input.
And if you dont mind me asking, why sell the WRX for a German? Comfort, prestige, styling..?
Have fun with the S4's!
-Dom
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by Domino
[B]Right, I gotcha now. That would be a fact, not an opinion on the 98 M3. And in general, everyone has been responding with their personal likes, dislikes and biases, not factual reasons why they have them.
How does the S4 handle compared to the WRX? I'd be interested to hear from someone who has driven both. I cant imagine the S being able to beat the agility and quickness of the WRX.
And if you dont mind me asking, why sell the WRX for a German? Comfort, prestige, styling..?
Have fun with the S4's!
-Dom
[B]Right, I gotcha now. That would be a fact, not an opinion on the 98 M3.
And in general, everyone has been responding with their personal likes, dislikes and biases, not factual reasons why they have them. How does the S4 handle compared to the WRX? I'd be interested to hear from someone who has driven both. I cant imagine the S being able to beat the agility and quickness of the WRX.
And if you dont mind me asking, why sell the WRX for a German? Comfort, prestige, styling..?
Have fun with the S4's!
-Dom
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 223
Well, I had an E36. The engine and mechanicals are awesome.
But the electrical gremlins are what made me love Japanese cars even more. Power windows quiting due to lack of use. Instrument cluster that went crazy. Mystery CELs that would come and go and untraceable. Trip computer that died etc...
But the electrical gremlins are what made me love Japanese cars even more. Power windows quiting due to lack of use. Instrument cluster that went crazy. Mystery CELs that would come and go and untraceable. Trip computer that died etc...
VIP Member
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,709
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Car Info: CRZ EX-Navi/6MT & Vue Redline
The S4 will be no better than the E36 with the electrical. Keep in mind that E36's have a common problem with the rear subframe bushings. Mine never had that problem, but many if not most will. Causes the whole rear and of you car to make all kinds of thud noises when going over bumps, and is a pain in the rear to repair. I think zoeb had that problem with one of his bimmers, so you might want to ask him. If you really liked the feel of your rex, I would reccomend the S4. My buddy has one, and it is a much closer feel to our wrxs than an E36 M3. Plus, if you ever do decide to start enhancing the performance, the S4 will be cheaper and easier to do so with.
-Chris
-Chris
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RSV12K
Engine/Power - EJ25T (STI and 2006+ WRX)
4
Mar 31, 2005 09:49 PM