How Many 911 Defectors Are There On This Board? Just curious why?

Rich911E · Rich911E's Garage

I was just wondering how many people on this board also have a 911? I am new to this board, but I have been a Pelicanhead for a long time over on the 911 tech board. On this board, I keep seeing people with their signatures (like mine) also having a 911. I was wondering why you got the E30 in addition to the 911. Are you guys using the BMW for daily transport or for sport?

In my case, I bought the BMW specifically to use for track events, primarily because I was a bit iffy about driving a 34 year old 911 across the desert full of spare tires and tools, beating it to death for two days and then driving it home. BMW spares are easier to obtain and the cars seem pretty bulletproof. The BMW seems somewhat easier to work on (but I do have to admit that the 911 is pretty easy too -- much easier than others would let on). Mine is still at the shop getting prepped and I am looking forward to doing BMWCCA driving schools and track days. (I got started so late, I think I'll need rains). I am looking toward a return to the Nurburgring for the BMW Club of Europe's 3 day driving school. Besser Fahren mit BMW!

Just curious.

Rich

clevy70911T · clevy70911T's Garage

I've had many cars through the years and just moved on to the e30 after remembering how much I enjoyed a friends e30 years ago. These is something about driving german automobiles that I can't find in other makes. It's not really so much a quality issue, but can't really explain it otherwise. I just like the feel of it. The e30 is my daily driver and the Porsche only gets several hundred miles a year. I love the e30 and hope to drive it for a long time. I have compared it to finding my "soulmate" of cars. I also like the 5 series, but have always owned a convertible. My dream would be to have a 325ixc, an awd convertible e30. We'll see about building a e30 hybrid after this winter driving.

Yargk · Yargk's Garage

I need a fun beater, daily driver. I think many of the owners of older 911s know value and will not mind that a car is not new as long as they get a good value. You can't beat the reliability, performance, aftermarket, and quality for the price that an e30 costs. There are people that will buy a new economy car for 15k and think that they got a good deal. I'll spend a third as much and have something that makes 50 more hp, is more fun to drive(rwd), and won't have plastic pieces breaking. With the quality used cars out there, a cheap new car is a fool's proposition in my opinion. To make the argument more clear, you can buy a used e36 m3 for the price of a new corolla. But again, there are people who just need the new car shine and would be bothered that the car had been, curse the words, driven before. It's their loss. Don't get me wrong, I'd buy a new car if I was very well off in the $ department, but I'd still see no reason to buy anything but the top models. The reason is that you could always get last year's top model for the cost of this year's second rate ride.

Overpaid Slacker · 11-12-2003, 05:31 AM

I've been a fan of the e30 for quite a while. A buddy of mine in college had a brand-new e30 convertible that he and I spent many hours in, back and forth between NYC and Syracuse and all over the northeast. I'd always thought the iX was a great idea, well-executed, and when I tired of the old Land Rover as winter transportation (no radio, no heat to speak of, a bear going uphill at speed, tough on roadtrips) an iX was a natural target. I love the car; in addition to the $6k purchase price, I've put about $2k into it in the last year ($1500 discretionary and $500 for injectors) I'd have put $2k into anything I bought anyway, it's part of the rite of acquiring a new-to-me car. The only real trouble is resisting the temptation to put a Dinan chip and manifold on the iX, in order to save those funds for the '02 resto and/or 930 mods.

JP

cassisrot · 11-12-2003, 07:28 AM

I have had BMW's since 69. In order: 69 2002, 66 2000, 82 320is and currently an 89 325is that is "in storage" so to speak. I'm a bit turned off by the newer models and the 89 is probably the last BMW I'll own. I stop by this board every so often to see what is going on and what Fast Aggie is up to.

mikes72t · 11-12-2003, 08:01 PM

I found the 72 911 Targa with a blown motor and happened to have some extra money in the bank so a project car wahoo. Then two weeks later my wife totals my truck ( tow vehicle) and I could not find another truck I liked but found the 87 325iS which is an awesome daily driver, slower than my friends V6 Accord but ever so much more fun. The really nice thing is that I thin kboth of my cars are done depreciating.

Rich911E · Rich911E's Garage

This thread got me thinking that I have been ignoring my old 911. So much going on lately, I have just been driving the Z3. So, heading back to the office at 11PM and no traffic, I decided to take it.

It had been sitting for so long it barely started. But two obligatory pumps and half throttle to set the Webers and the 2.7 came to life again. It was good to get reacquainted. The 901 gearbox with first offset to the left and 2-3-4-5 in an H is so right. That long shift that works so quickly if you are gentle with it. The car is so light and simple and responsive. Mash the gas, and it just builds speed relentlessly.

One short late night blast is all it took to remind my why I need that car.

Rich

golden · 11-14-2003, 03:51 PM

I'm speechless about the honda accord v-6 comment and suggest it to be driver error,..butt,... getting back to original comment about the 911's fans,.. I am one. Such simple and awesome power, as well as turning heads for a 40 year old design. I'll never have "new" autos as the depreciation makes my head hurt.
Still looking for my 70's 911s as it is just about the only car I've never owned. I was "converted" to german cars when I was 16 by a opel kadette the had black racing stripes painted over a ferrari red body with a few simple mods to make the sewing machine moter (as my friends with the big block cobras would say) a bit more peppy. I now own a black/black leather 325is and it instills the same ass-puckering power as some of my racing 240z cars.

Yargk · Yargk's Garage

New v-6 accords make 240 hp. If you buy the sportiest model, a 2 door with a six-speed, they will do 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. It's hard to keep up with that in a 15 year old five seater car that has a 2.5 liter motor, no matter what it is. This is why S50 swaps are so tempting to me. You get a much more refined motor (4 valve heads, vanos, etc) with 240 hp in a car that is much lighter than the accords (or e36 m3s or e46 m3s for that matter). Just with the stock 3 liter S50, I bet 0-60 times would be 5.5 (or maybe even lower) with the right gearing. Fuel consumption shouldn't be worse than the current motor. Stick some cams, new injectors, a bigger afm, and a chip in and you're looking at 290 hp and 0-60 times of 5 seconds or less, probably.

jjskibinski · 11-17-2003, 06:22 PM

Rich (and list),

I have always had a Porsche of some sort, '55 356 Continental Coupe, ' 67S 911, ' 77 911S without thermal reactors, and now again ' 67S 911. I happend upon the ' 84 318i BMW by odd chance. A friend (mechanic by trade, Porsches) obtained the 318i on a trade. He didn't want to fix/sell the BMW, so sold it to me cheap as I was looking for transportation for my son while he was at college. It handles well, is now reliable after I spent the time repairing, or replacing and tuning the engine, fuel pump dirt in gas tank bad sensors, etc. Great gearbox, and just fun to drive on a daily to work basis. Like both 911 Porsche and BMW's for their exeptional merits.
Jan

golden · 11-18-2003, 03:48 PM

3 series,....vicious even with 4 passengers (lightweight girls). I am biased however as every car I have has to have thorough exhaust mods and a chip. (still under budget at 2000$)
I still can respect an Accord as I learned how to race in the 80's version but still can't justify 23000$ for a hondomatic.

newman 911 · 11-29-2003, 08:10 AM

I have 77 911S and put her in the hanger for the winter except on nice days. I have owned MGS, Triump gt6, 73 914, and have always had good luck with imports. So my son needed a car really bad so I picked up this 89 325is that runs and looks great cheap. the inside is perfect and has a 190k. I figured this would be the best route to go. Chris

My son don't get the car till he pays me, however I did let him drive it on Thanksgiving to lite a fire under his ass to pay me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

phaques · 12-27-2003, 09:33 AM

I just sold my 79 911SC track car, and purchased a 1988 325is which I intend to gradually prep for the track. I'm not done with 911's for a long shot, but for now I'm in the beemer world. Why? two reasons: First, the car I just bought I paid $800 for. If I threw ALL of the money I sold my 79 911 for at this car, I'd have one hell of a track ready beast. Engines are a dime a dozen. Second, I wanted to try a beemer after having them dog me at various track events. Oh, and third (I know, I said there were only two..): access! I can see the 'kin spark plugs (all of them)! I can even reach in and touch them without removing several large engine components!! I could practically climb in the engine compartment with a sleeping bag and spend the night there. I can adjust the valves in about half the time I can on the 911, and I only have to replace one valve cover, not four! I could go on...

Only one thing....who ever heard of running WATER through the engine block!?! what kind of foolishness is that.....

crazyman · 12-28-2003, 11:12 AM

I have a '70 911T and an '86 325e. The BMW is a daily driver and the Porsche is for summer nice day cruises.

Bought the 911 not running and as a project. It now runs well (but still backfires on deceleration) but still needs headliner installed and all window rubber installed. I have all the parts (included when purchased) but don't have a heated garage. It's stored until spring in my parent's empty garage.

I'm toying with purchasing a '90 735i that's available to me quite cheap and in real nice shape. Any input from you E30 guys? Too big? Not enough power for weight (3.5 L)?

Thanks! -Paul M.

jase007 · jase007's Garage

This is a great thread!

I have a street '90 iX that I have modified as much as I can without going to the BIG $ tuners (and....stroker from IE or nothing in the bay as E36 motors won't swap... easily that is). Was a daily driver until I got the Suburban (tow vehicle for track 356).

Have had the 911 Targa and 356 for as long as the BMW. My Targa is a weekend / nice weather car (slightly modified for DE and high perf. driver's clinics). My 356 is a HSR / SVRA racer (read: $ black hole!). My iX was for daily commuting and foul weather.

I can honestly say that my iX is my most trouble free car (206,000 and still has good compression / leak down). All are great cars and once I add a long hood 911 faux RS clone I'll be done.

Haven't defected from the 911 boards (which I also frequent) but have complemented my Porsche habit. Only wish this board was as active as the 911 board.

Jason