E30 325IS or 911

[Inniswhe]

I am looking for some comments from those of you who drive E30's and porsche 911's

I have been searching for an old german sports car project . Started looking for a 325IS in good shape with the idea of substantial suspension upgrades , tires, performance chip, to improve performance to the best I could get for that car for street use. I really like the look of the old E30's but I understand they are not a real high performance car. I always figured that when the time came I could do an M50 engine upgrade in the 325IS for better power.


I have had a difficult time finding a 325IS that has not been driven to death as a daily driver and am now thinking that by the time I get a 325IS upgraded I might as well look for an 79-83 Porsche 911SC. It will still probably be more money but it will probably show better value retention and is a true sports car. It seems many Porsches are better maintained, and it looks easier to find more are on the market in good condition.

I also considered E30 M3's but they are rare and costly.

My question is how much better is the performance in a well maintained basically stock 911SC over an upgraded 325IS. I understand it is not really a fair fight but I am wondering how good can the handling be improved in the E30's with lowered springs, bilstein sports, heavy sway bars etc and a performance chip etc.

Thanks for any comments

[GIBSON]

Good questions, first, with all the modifications you seem prepared to do, why buy an IS? Just look for a good 325i and
make the changes you are considering. You won't get the limited slip the 325iS has but you can find one to instal if you want.
It can be hard to find a clean 325 but they are out there.
The 911 is such a different car that it's hard to compare the two.
The SC is a good car for your first 911 if you find the right car.
There are some really good cars out there but the SC has recently
appreciated quite a bit so they are not cheap. Engine issues can be very expensive and rebuilds quite costly.
So, do you need the room the 325 offers? The trunk, back seat etc. or can you live with the smaller 911. The two cars handle quite differently and you'd want to be sure you like the basic
oversteer of the 911 vs the understeer of the 325. Both are great cars, just very different. Good luck with your choice.

[Inniswhe]

Gibson,

I would also get a 325i if I can find one in good shape.
I have come across a few good automatics but that would be another expense to change over to manual but I would expect the autos to have in most cases been driven easier so I am considering that route as well.

The added room of the 325 would be nice but not necessary. This car is a weekend twisty road car so best performance is the major criteria I am after.

With the upgraded 325 what level of performance can be expected. Will the 911SC blow the doors off it on a twisty road coarse?

Thanks for any comments.

[GIBSON]

I think you have two excellent choices in front of you. The automatic 325i is an otpion but you'd be pretty frustrated until you converted it over and that's not an inexpensive thing to do.
I think that there are manual 325's out there that have not been abused, and there were a lot of them sold in the States so I'd keep looking if you are interested. The 911 can be made to handle very well but I think most agree it takes a bit more from the driver to really make a 911 handle well. Those of us that drive them appreciate that fact and enjoy it. If you're not familiar with 911's and their handling characteristics, try to find one someone will let you drive. It's quite an experience the first time you drive one, no car is just like it. The brakes are outstanding, the feel of the car has to be experienced, you might find you like the BMW better. I'm a 3 series fan as well as a 911 driver and have both in my garage. They are just 2 different cars but each is fantastic in it's own way. Both cars lend themselves to upgrades and tweaks so be prepared to spend some money, you'll get hooked. Keep us posted as you look at cars, you'll get some good feedback.

[TFowler]

It's good to here there is someone that likes both. I have a 91 318IS, and a 82 911SC. The 318 has about 160K and the 911 has about 188K.Like everyone has said , they both are very different. The E30 is like a old friend and the SC will make you take the long way home. I'm 52 and a mechanic as a living, have had , between my son and I, 2 89 325ISs, 88M3, 89 325I, 73 911T, and the 318IS in the past years. The E30 is by far the best automobile that I have ever owned. It does everything very well, very dependable, top dog autocrossing. The 911 is just a plain hoot. Takes about twenty years off your life the instant you set down in it. This 82 had a good history and has been pretty much trouble free since about $2K worth of parts was installed when we got it 7/04.Every which one you get be prepared to drop some money in them, get them right , and then enjoy the ride. I think a lot of the bad stories you here about both are from no maintenance, or letting them set. The 911 needs to driven and not set up. I try to drive this one couple times a week at least. I did a fender off restoration on the 73 T and wish I hadn't. The four digit $ paint job just took the fun out.It was worth just to much to play with. The SCs are cheap enough to get a pretty nice one and ride. Try both and see what you think.

[GIBSON]

Well put, 2 of the best automobiles ever made. I really enjoy going from my 911 to the 3 series, they compliment each other perfectly. It would be a tough call to say which one I'd choose if I could only have one....