E36 M3 or 944 S2?
Discussion
Just about to make the same choice myself.
Have researched both, 944s2 while a great car would be over 20yrs old, which I think makes finding a good reliable one harder,not impossible mind, just harder.
Both cars qualify on classic insurance if they are used as a second car aswell.
My money is going on a low(77000) mile M3e36 convertable which I pick up on saturday, if it is as nice as it looks?
Deposit has been left so fingers crossed.
Have researched both, 944s2 while a great car would be over 20yrs old, which I think makes finding a good reliable one harder,not impossible mind, just harder.
Both cars qualify on classic insurance if they are used as a second car aswell.
My money is going on a low(77000) mile M3e36 convertable which I pick up on saturday, if it is as nice as it looks?
Deposit has been left so fingers crossed.
Tough call!
I'd probably go for the 944 over the e36. The 944 isn't as powerful and you'd be missing out on that glorious straight six, but I think the design of the 944 has aged the best of the two (a nice 944 S2 looks superb and I've never really taken to the e36 M3 design) and they are remarkably good to drive - nicely balanced, low seating position, the ability to carry loads of speed through corners, good ride quality etc etc.
So 944 for me. Just.
ETA: as others have said, there will be plenty of abused examples of both knocking around, so you might need to kiss quite a few frogs before you find your princess...
I'd probably go for the 944 over the e36. The 944 isn't as powerful and you'd be missing out on that glorious straight six, but I think the design of the 944 has aged the best of the two (a nice 944 S2 looks superb and I've never really taken to the e36 M3 design) and they are remarkably good to drive - nicely balanced, low seating position, the ability to carry loads of speed through corners, good ride quality etc etc.
So 944 for me. Just.
ETA: as others have said, there will be plenty of abused examples of both knocking around, so you might need to kiss quite a few frogs before you find your princess...
Interesting and nice conundrum, I have a soft spot for the S2 and have had a few, still have one, and a good one is a very, very good car, but if using it on a daily basis you will find they are starting to show their age. It is possible to get them to handle very well with little outlay. They do handle very well and the balance and handling inspires confidence and flatters you into thinking you are a better driver than you are, driving one is always a pleasure apart from in heavy traffic. The engine is strong but it will never have the sound track of the BMW six. Finding a good one won’t be easy as time and rust are attacking numbers, in the right colour they are a good looking car. I have an E46 M3 as my road car, and it is a very complete car, a different generation from the S2, an E36 will also feel more modern than a S2, and the engine is very different, six pots are better than four. On a daily basis I imagine the E36 will be an easier car to live with, but it isn’t IMO as good looking as the S2, it probably won’t have the same sense of occasion every time you get in it. A good thing about an E36 is a visit to a BMW dealer for parts, won't leave you feeling as ripped off as you do when you leave a Porsche dealer. In my experience BMW dealers are not disappearing up their own backsides like Porsche ones are, (but that’s another customer experience story)
The two cars will both give a lot of pleasure as long as you find good ones, I think as a long term keeper, I would probably go with the S2, but as a daily driver M3.
The two cars will both give a lot of pleasure as long as you find good ones, I think as a long term keeper, I would probably go with the S2, but as a daily driver M3.
I have an S2 cab, love it, not had the pleasure of the E36 but would imagine its quite a bit faster, I woukd say drive both.
One thing the 944 does have is rarity, people seem to react well to it, the BMW I think is due to come out of its wilderness years, the scrotes have moved on to the poor E46 but for now, image wise the BMW, outside of those in the know is a bit of a baz mobile.
A straight one in Boston green for me, might try one at some point, the 944 will go away into storage, despite it not being that fast, a bit rattly and a bit whiffy, I think I would miss it massively.
One thing the 944 does have is rarity, people seem to react well to it, the BMW I think is due to come out of its wilderness years, the scrotes have moved on to the poor E46 but for now, image wise the BMW, outside of those in the know is a bit of a baz mobile.
A straight one in Boston green for me, might try one at some point, the 944 will go away into storage, despite it not being that fast, a bit rattly and a bit whiffy, I think I would miss it massively.
S2. I made exactly the same choice, but was looking for an only car that would be driven probably 5 days a week. And I live in London.
944 is a much sweeter car to drive, and beats the M3 in every area apart from the engine (which is pretty boring in every 944 ever made.) I'd dispute the comment about the M3 being more modern-feeling, although the BMW would be better in traffic. However the main reason I chose the 944 was image; suffice it to say that I live in an area of London where the older 3-series is the object of desire of a certain demographic, and they seem incapable of owning one without trying to pretend it's an M3.
A good 944 (of any model) is a delight on a good road and there is little to beat it in terms of driving pleasure. I do not know what I will replace my S2 with when it dies, although that day is a long, long way off. At 175k miles it still pulls like a train and is a cheap car to run (check my profile.)
It also does not suffer in the slightest from a poor image - quite the contrary in fact; people very regularly ask you about it, comment on how nice it is, ask if they can sit in it and what not. Kids LOVE the pop-up lights (so do I!) and I am fairly regularly asked whether I would consider selling it (I won't.)
Oli.
944 is a much sweeter car to drive, and beats the M3 in every area apart from the engine (which is pretty boring in every 944 ever made.) I'd dispute the comment about the M3 being more modern-feeling, although the BMW would be better in traffic. However the main reason I chose the 944 was image; suffice it to say that I live in an area of London where the older 3-series is the object of desire of a certain demographic, and they seem incapable of owning one without trying to pretend it's an M3.
A good 944 (of any model) is a delight on a good road and there is little to beat it in terms of driving pleasure. I do not know what I will replace my S2 with when it dies, although that day is a long, long way off. At 175k miles it still pulls like a train and is a cheap car to run (check my profile.)
It also does not suffer in the slightest from a poor image - quite the contrary in fact; people very regularly ask you about it, comment on how nice it is, ask if they can sit in it and what not. Kids LOVE the pop-up lights (so do I!) and I am fairly regularly asked whether I would consider selling it (I won't.)
OlberJ said:
Wouldn't be a daily driver, get the train to work. High days, holidays, hoons and possibly a tow car for a very light track car.
Cost of running each, any experience?
Definitely a 944, given the requirements. Cost of running each, any experience?
Oli.
OlberJ said:
Cheers for the input, nice to see both sides.
Wouldn't be a daily driver, get the train to work. High days, holidays, hoons and possibly a tow car for a very light track car.
Cost of running each, any experience?
I quite like the e36 M3 and wonder if it's longer term residuals will follow the e30 (to a certain extent). Not sure on how well it does the high days and hoons only category though. Yeah it's fast and handles well, but it's still a saloon car and looks fairly mundane. For sheer thrills I'd have thought you could far more grin factor for your money.Wouldn't be a daily driver, get the train to work. High days, holidays, hoons and possibly a tow car for a very light track car.
Cost of running each, any experience?
TheLordJohn said:
I'd take the Porsche - I'd like to be able to say I own a Porsche over a BMW.
An E36 Evo in good nick could begin appreciating in a handful of years time.
Hmm I've thought about this before and decided being able to say I own a Porsche and then having to explain, when people who know nothing about cars see me in it would be more hassle than it's worth. An E36 Evo in good nick could begin appreciating in a handful of years time.
"Yes, I know it stinks and smokes and is a bit rusty but it's still a porsche mate" Great.
That's the thing, it doesn't have to be brilliant for the hoonage, more adequate. I'll have other toys for dry hoons.
I've singled it down to these 2 as a mix of practicality, depreciation, attractiveness and fun when you want it.
Wouldn't get the other half in an exo/open kit car, that'll be kept for track and solo hoons. This would be my practical car that we can take for a trip for the weekend without thinking twice about it.
If i was going 1 car set up it would be something different.
I've singled it down to these 2 as a mix of practicality, depreciation, attractiveness and fun when you want it.
Wouldn't get the other half in an exo/open kit car, that'll be kept for track and solo hoons. This would be my practical car that we can take for a trip for the weekend without thinking twice about it.
If i was going 1 car set up it would be something different.
300bhp/ton said:
I quite like the e36 M3 and wonder if it's longer term residuals will follow the e30 (to a certain extent).
I very much doubt it will. The e36 lacks the rarity, heritage and focus of the e30.Also, with prices of e46 M3s continuing to fall, and the e46 really being a gentle improvement in almost every respect on the e36 (rather than a completely different car), I can't see e36 prices firming up any time soon.
944s, on the other hand, look set to firm up and perhaps even increase if you can find a good'un.
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