Nik99
06-01-2008, 09:17 PM
Hi All,
I posted a few weeks ago about my indecision as to if i should go with and e36 or e46 M3. Based on some valid point from the people that responded i had settled on an e36 being my best option. As i stated in my previous post i absolutely refuse to buy a car that i cannot properly maintain, so an e46 would be right on the edge of what i could see myself spending on a car. I started looking at what was available on the market around me and found a few decent examples of e36's. I was looking in the $11,000-$17,000 range. Ideally i would like a car that was low millage and one owner. The best deal i found was a nice 1997 silver coupe, one owner, 42,500 miles, all service record and they want $15,000. The thing is though that a co-worker (die-hard Porsche 911 nut) showed me a 1987 911sc with 68,000 miles for 11,000. So, i now have a second dilemma that i would like your help on. I have driven both cars (well another 1988sc actually) so i know what they are both like. Here are the pros and cons as i see them:
1997 BMW e36 M3
Pros:
Newer car
More reliable engine
Easier to drive at the limit
Potential for occasional use in the winter (oh yeah...I'm in Connecticut so we get to have fun in the snow for a third of the year)
Cons:
More expensive initially
More common than the 911sc
Resale value may not be as high
1987 Porsche 911sc
Pros:
Less expensive initially
Potential for high resale value
ITS AN AIR COOLED 911!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cons:
Potential valve issues may mean $$$$$$
Scary beast at the limit
Okay, so this is my own opinion, i admit i may be wrong on some of the generalization i made about either car. I am more then willing to listen to any opinion on the matter. I obviously understand that i am posting this on a BMW forum so the views expressed maybe slight scewed, but i would just like some input. Please also keep if i acquire either car it will be stowed for most of the winter (i have a beater camry coupe).
Thanx in advance.
I posted a few weeks ago about my indecision as to if i should go with and e36 or e46 M3. Based on some valid point from the people that responded i had settled on an e36 being my best option. As i stated in my previous post i absolutely refuse to buy a car that i cannot properly maintain, so an e46 would be right on the edge of what i could see myself spending on a car. I started looking at what was available on the market around me and found a few decent examples of e36's. I was looking in the $11,000-$17,000 range. Ideally i would like a car that was low millage and one owner. The best deal i found was a nice 1997 silver coupe, one owner, 42,500 miles, all service record and they want $15,000. The thing is though that a co-worker (die-hard Porsche 911 nut) showed me a 1987 911sc with 68,000 miles for 11,000. So, i now have a second dilemma that i would like your help on. I have driven both cars (well another 1988sc actually) so i know what they are both like. Here are the pros and cons as i see them:
1997 BMW e36 M3
Pros:
Newer car
More reliable engine
Easier to drive at the limit
Potential for occasional use in the winter (oh yeah...I'm in Connecticut so we get to have fun in the snow for a third of the year)
Cons:
More expensive initially
More common than the 911sc
Resale value may not be as high
1987 Porsche 911sc
Pros:
Less expensive initially
Potential for high resale value
ITS AN AIR COOLED 911!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cons:
Potential valve issues may mean $$$$$$
Scary beast at the limit
Okay, so this is my own opinion, i admit i may be wrong on some of the generalization i made about either car. I am more then willing to listen to any opinion on the matter. I obviously understand that i am posting this on a BMW forum so the views expressed maybe slight scewed, but i would just like some input. Please also keep if i acquire either car it will be stowed for most of the winter (i have a beater camry coupe).
Thanx in advance.
