MSP or E30 M3?

[Option]

I've been waiting to get a titanium msp for over a year and now that the dealers in my area are finally getting some, I am having second thoughts. I'm torn between getting a new msp and a first generation BMW m3. I feel like I know exactly what to expect from the msp (been reading this board religiously for months) but I don't know a whole lot about the E30 M3's (quarks, common problems, reliability...). Whichever car I get will be my only car so it will have to serve as both my daily driver and occational autoX/track car. Has anyone had much experience with the E30 M3 or have any opinions about which car is "better" choice? Thanks

 

[MP3skaterNC]

how much for the e30? if its reasonable you could have money to put the 3.2L from the e36 m3 into it. that gives you a light ass car, with around 270 rwhp if you mod the engine. The e30 is a great handler too from what ive heard. plus its rwd you cant go wrong there.

 

[redrims]

yeh, unless you do a swap like he said, I would go with the MSP as a daily driver. You would have more for with the E30, but age is a factor, especially with reliability.

 

[nmaino]

I owned a e30 M3 for over a year. I would buy one of these cars (as long as it is in stock condition, with all paperwork) without even thinking about it. My e30 would have kicked the s*** out of the MSP without breaking a sweat.

In my opinion, the only thing that the MSP has going for it over the e30 M3 is a warranty. Other than that, the e30 is a much better car. If you want to know some more about the e30 M3, send me an email and I tell you all about mine.

If you want to say "no to rice" then I would buy the BMW.

 

[Option]

Thanks for the quick responses! I'm not interested in swaping in another motor but I am willing to pay a few thousand (2-3K) to get worn parts replaced. Redrims, what makes the msp a better DD? Is it just the warranty/age or is there somthing else to your opinion? Thanks again.
-Kevin

 

[unwrittenLaw]

I dont think the MSP is rice at all..but the M3 is nice..I'd probably go w/ a new car and warranty if you need a daily driver w/ good performance..

 

[redrims]

Thanks for the quick responses! I'm not interested in swaping in another motor but I am willing to pay a few thousand (2-3K) to get worn parts replaced. Redrims, what makes the msp a better DD? Is it just the warranty/age or is there somthing else to your opinion? Thanks again.
-Kevin

Just the warranty and age. Plus I'm skeptical about buying other people problems. You never know how good they took care of their car. It's like a chance you have to take.

 

[GerardPRO5]

learn about the E30 M3 before you buy it...that S14 is sweet, but it's killer maintenance...either you've got a full set of tools, a lift, and a BMW certification...or you have a great mechanic.

some resources you should consider:

BMW E30.net
BEST forum out there...honestly, even better than this forum (no offense to anyone here)

bimmer.org
great BMW information here.

I owned a 1989 E30 325i and it was love and heartbreak at the same time. I modded the car just the way I wanted it, only to have all the problems of an old car come back at me. I sold it after one year and 25K miles of pure joy.

definitely pick up the Bentley manual (if you can find one).

 

[GerardPRO5]

oh...another thing, the E30 M3 is not a daily driver.

You can use it as your daily driver, but prepare to suffer some days when you're just not driving.

I took my 325i to the shop (Bullet BMW Masters in Costa Mesa, CA) during the weekdays sometimes...and HALF of the cars that needed work were E30 M3's.

they're good cars, but they just require a LOT of maintenance.

for a little bit more, you can get a pretty decent E36 328is (1998 would be best). sure, it's not an M3, but you'll be able to drive it every day and your mechanic won't know you by name.

 

[low_psi]

while i would love to own a E30 M3 or a TurboII RX7, reliability is a huge issue. i can't rebuild 13b's and i can't keep up with the price of BMW OEM parts...

 

[blynzoo]

sure, it's not an M3, but you'll be able to drive it every day and your mechanic won't know you by name.

Hilarious...

 

[CivicEater]

Plus I'm skeptical about buying other people problems.

funny, after seeing how many MAJOR things have been going wrong with your "under warranty" cars, i'd say an old M3 would be much preferred..

 

[redrims]

funny, after seeing how many MAJOR things have been going wrong with your "under warranty" cars, i'd say an old M3 would be much preferred..

Yes, but the key word here is 'under warranty'.

 

[GerardPRO5]

Plus I'm skeptical about buying other people problems. You never know how good they took care of their car. It's like a chance you have to take.

...didn't you just buy a used and heavily modified 200sx...which probably isn't under warranty anymore?



(monkey2)

 

[redrims]

...didn't you just buy a used and heavily modified 200sx...which probably isn't under warranty anymore?



(monkey2)

yes and I'm still skeptical, but I saw enough documents on the engine to make my decision.

 

[CivicEater]

Yes, but the key word here is 'under warranty'.

quoting Tommy Boy "What's the point of a warranteed piece of s***?"

 

[mikeyb]

I deal with BMWs all day long. The E30 M3 is a good all around car to start with. But you need to do a lot of homework on the car your looking at. Make sure it has all papers and that all the maintance has been done. Also make sure it hasn't been tracked. Those are the ones to buy. Don't just buy the first M3 to come along. Also the S14 motor will need to be rebuild between 120k and 130k which will run for 5k to 7k.

 

[redrims]

quoting Tommy Boy "What's the point of a warranteed piece of s***?"

So you won't have to pay for certain things out of your pocket. i.e broken radiator or non-blowing AC.