New member information request

[ayrtonsds]

*******I just found a great pre-buyer sermon, so PLEASE, save the flaming, but if any of you want to reply I would still appreciate it***********

I currently own an E30 325is. It has been totalled by the insurance company and after settle-up I will be in the market for a replacement car.

I have friends that own E30 M3s, and they are encouraging me to go that route. I really like the cars. However, my first love was Porsche, and the 911 to be specific. I feel like the 911 is still a bit out of my range at this time, but I have seen many 944 Turbos in my price range, and they have also appealed to me since their introduction back in '86.

Though it is a great car in it's own right, I am disappointed in the overall performance of the E30 M3. The power is, well, just not very impressive. Actually my 325is(with just a couple mods, Conforti chip, etc.) is quicker than either of my friends' M3s. And in truth, the handling is pretty great too with the suspension mods. But I want something more. I can outdrive my car's performance levels by a substantial margin.

From what I recall of the 944s, they were among the best handling/balanced cars in the world in back in the day. And If memory serves, the Turbos were pretty damn fast too. The styling is classic and timeless. So it becomes an option, if other factors are fitting.

I really would like some input from you guys who own them.

I will not have the "local support group" if I go this route that I have had owning the bimmer. But, I am a quick study, and enjoy a challenge.

My biggest concern is the $$$ amount required to keep up one of these cars. The bimmer has been a blast to own and drive, and it has been very easy and inexpensive to maintain. I have done all the maintenance, repairs, etc, on my own, or with buddies and my 325 has 198K miles on it!

Anyway, I realize I could do many many searches, and find all sorts of things to look out for, and problem areas, but if some of you would be kind enough to just hit say, the top 10 things to look out for and possible pitfalls.

And maybe some average maintenance costs, per month, year, whatever. I will be starting R.N. school in the spring and I know money may be tight at times.

How reliable are these cars? How durable? Longevity?

Any help, advice, tips, and or warnings will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[ayrtonsds]

Thanks you guys. Ya'll have been so helpful. I really appreciate all the advice.

[sayporsha]

Hello & welcome,

I used to have an E30 M3 and loved it. But having driven a 944 Turbo (951), I found myself saying, "I could be driving a 951 for less money, and it would be faster." I have owned 2 951's since then and I am very happy.

A stock 951 will feel much faster than your E30. A simple chip & boost upgrade can add ~70 horsepower. That's a lot of bang for the buck, and it's only the beginning.

You sound like you have some mechanical aptitude. That's a good thing to have if you own a 951. Not that they are unreliable, but the are all getting a little old & there are a few maintenance items that you need to stay on top of. That said, find one that has been well-maintained, with records. To buy a "bargain" 951 is false economy. You're better off paying a couple thousand more to get a good, well-maintained car & pick up the maintenance where the PO left off. Expand your search area if necessary.

The timing & balance shaft belts should be replaced every 30,000 miles, retensioned after the first 2,000 miles, then again at 15,000 after replacement. This is the most critical and perhaps the most bothersome maintenance item. The tension must be measured with a tool: either the $500 Porsche tool designed specifically for this car, or the $16 Krikit tool available at NAPA. You can't rely on the old "twist" method of measuring belt tension.

The water pumps used to be trouble, but they have improved. Replace it with the timing belt if it's questionable, since the TB must come off to get to it.

That's about it, other than the little things that ordinarily go wrong with old German cars. The engines are extremely durable, even after long, hard use. Expect to get 200K-250K out of a well-maintained engine. I encourage you to get one! They're a blast!

Good luck,

[ayrtonsds]

My sincere thanks to ya Jeff. I am looking into them even now.

[SpeedZekeRacing]

I personally consider the 944 to be the poor man's porsche. It is less expensive to maintain than the BMW. I am a prior owner of a 325is also.

www.speedzekeracing.com