968cs vs BMW E30 M3
Discussion
I'm thinking of getting a 968CS or an E30 M£ to use as a fun weekend car & trackdays. Does anyone have opinions on choosing between these 2 cars?
Has anyone checked over the CS @ 911virgin? If they have could they please email me their opinins as it is a good 4 hour drive for me to see it
Thanks
Has anyone checked over the CS @ 911virgin? If they have could they please email me their opinins as it is a good 4 hour drive for me to see it
Thanks
Hi,
I have owned 2 E30 M3s as below:
www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?carId=3170
www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?carId=965
I think the contest between the E30 M3 and 968 CS is close. For a start, E30 M3s are cheaper (for non-Sport Evos). They handle more sweetly (I have driven a 968 Sport so I know). They look cooler in my view. The E30 M3 is the most successful touring car racer of all time. If you can remember the great days of touring car racing (E30 M3 v Sierra Cosworth) then this counts for a lot. You can get your track rubber in the E30 M3 as well. I used to get 3 15" wheels in the boot and one behind the passenger seat, shod with Dunlop Formula R rubber. Try that in your 968 CS.
The E30 M3 has weak spots. It isn't that fast as standard (although my tuned Sport Evo was more powerful than a 968 CS). It lacks torque. The brakes need upgrading for track use. You need a short shifter.
But I'll take nothing away from the 968 CS, it's probably a better all rounder out the box. But my tuned Sport Evo was just briliant.
And it died at the Ring. What a way to go.
I have owned 2 E30 M3s as below:
www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?carId=3170
www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?carId=965
I think the contest between the E30 M3 and 968 CS is close. For a start, E30 M3s are cheaper (for non-Sport Evos). They handle more sweetly (I have driven a 968 Sport so I know). They look cooler in my view. The E30 M3 is the most successful touring car racer of all time. If you can remember the great days of touring car racing (E30 M3 v Sierra Cosworth) then this counts for a lot. You can get your track rubber in the E30 M3 as well. I used to get 3 15" wheels in the boot and one behind the passenger seat, shod with Dunlop Formula R rubber. Try that in your 968 CS.
The E30 M3 has weak spots. It isn't that fast as standard (although my tuned Sport Evo was more powerful than a 968 CS). It lacks torque. The brakes need upgrading for track use. You need a short shifter.
But I'll take nothing away from the 968 CS, it's probably a better all rounder out the box. But my tuned Sport Evo was just briliant.
And it died at the Ring. What a way to go.
Johnny Senna said:
You can get your track rubber in the E30 M3 as well. I used to get 3 15" wheels in the boot and one behind the passenger seat, shod with Dunlop Formula R rubber. Try that in your 968 CS.
It's no problem getting 4 x 17" 225s & 255s in a CS, even with a cage and passenger - done it many times.
Paul
>> Edited by Paul968 on Tuesday 28th March 00:30
Had 968 CS and 944T and driven the BMW (but not hard)
Agree 4 tpres will fit in either of the Porsches. I found a suprising degree of difference between the handling on the 944t and 968, but mine was an early 944 and I believe a later MO30 car would be much more similar to the 968. A well set up 944t will be much faster, but I didn't really like the character of the engine, much preferred the 968, though it could do with another 50 hp.
Suprised it is said earlier that the BMW handled better. My 968 was so benign it was untrue.
>> Edited by james s on Tuesday 28th March 08:43
Agree 4 tpres will fit in either of the Porsches. I found a suprising degree of difference between the handling on the 944t and 968, but mine was an early 944 and I believe a later MO30 car would be much more similar to the 968. A well set up 944t will be much faster, but I didn't really like the character of the engine, much preferred the 968, though it could do with another 50 hp.
Suprised it is said earlier that the BMW handled better. My 968 was so benign it was untrue.
>> Edited by james s on Tuesday 28th March 08:43
I used to have an E30 M3 (Evo II) which/is a superb car, however I now have a 968 & much prefer it's torquier engine which makes it a nicer drive in that you don't have to rev the engine continually to keep it moving.
Either one is a very fine car indeed & personal preference will be a big factor in which you go for...
Either one is a very fine car indeed & personal preference will be a big factor in which you go for...
Paul968 said:
You can get your track rubber in the E30 M3 as well. I used to get 3 15" wheels in the boot and one behind the passenger seat, shod with Dunlop Formula R rubber. Try that in your 968 CS.
It's no problem getting 4 x 17" 225s & 255s in a CS, even with a cage and passenger - done it many times.
Paul
>> Edited by Paul968 on Tuesday 28th March 00:30
Seriously? I didn't think that would be possible! That's good. Still miles more room in an E30 M3 though
About 3 years ago I had my heart set on an E30 to track instead of the 996.....I spent a couple of months researching,prices, faults..etc.....
After driving a few more or less standard cars I was still keen, but not blown away....Then as I was a Porsche nut anyway I tested a 968CS.....Ended up buying a rhd sub 50k miles 968CS for the same price as the E30 M3 I was looking at.........I have since sold the 68 and have driven other E30...as far as I am concerned I made the right choice.
After driving a few more or less standard cars I was still keen, but not blown away....Then as I was a Porsche nut anyway I tested a 968CS.....Ended up buying a rhd sub 50k miles 968CS for the same price as the E30 M3 I was looking at.........I have since sold the 68 and have driven other E30...as far as I am concerned I made the right choice.
Johnny Senna said:
Seriously? I didn't think that would be possible! That's good. Still miles more room in an E30 M3 though
If my memory serves me correctly, I've had all four wheels from your current car with slicks fitted in the back of my Sport (helping James out to get them to Brands). Btw, he might have something to add to this as he had a Sport Evo before the Club Sport that he runs now.
Not sure it's fair to compare a Sport Evo with a 968 Sport. An M030 CS would be a more realistic comparison.
Paul
>> Edited by Paul968 on Tuesday 28th March 09:37
james s said:
Had 968 CS and 944T and driven the BMW (but not hard)
Agree 4 tpres will fit in either of the Porsches. I found a suprising degree of difference between the handling on the 944t and 968, but mine was an early 944 and I believe a later MO30 car would be much more similar to the 968. A well set up 944t will be much faster, but I didn't really like the character of the engine, much preferred the 968, though it could do with another 50 hp.
Suprised it is said earlier that the BMW handled better. My 968 was so benign it was untrue.
>> Edited by james s on Tuesday 28th March 08:43
You can bolt on the 968 suspension (KW seems to be the current favourite) the late turbos all have an LSD and big brakes (very rare on the CS) my car has almost 100 bhp more than the CS and still feels easily able to handle more. Getting it back to full health improved the drivability further mods have made it better still. It doesn't have the smooth delivery of a 968 but it does have Booost
Finding a good one might be hard and a bad one can get expensive quickly.
Tony
Oh and 4 wheels and tyres do fit but it is easier if you remove the rear wiper (which has no wash anyway so fairly useless)
I agree with Clubsport... between E30 M3 and 968CS, 968CS just pips it. Just feels a bit more special; interior a bit more modern, seems a tad better built, equally benign and exploitable handling... and no dog leg first, although that could be a plus if you like character in cars
As for the 944T, they are very able cars but they just lack that X factor... they're not so easy to balance on the throttle with the on/off turbo torque... especially in the wet. Look a bit more dated, too. Bit of a bargain tho' and punchier performance than a 968CS.
My choice: yellow 968CS with m030, half cage, harnesses and big reds.
As for the 944T, they are very able cars but they just lack that X factor... they're not so easy to balance on the throttle with the on/off turbo torque... especially in the wet. Look a bit more dated, too. Bit of a bargain tho' and punchier performance than a 968CS.
My choice: yellow 968CS with m030, half cage, harnesses and big reds.
Iceboy said:
I understand the comparision being made because of the purchase decision of one or the other. Surely the 968 should be compared to the E36 M3 ? (Age, power, prices etc)
Just my 2p worth.
Theoretically, yes, but in practice, no. The 968CS is much more track focussed in character, like the earlier E30 M3. These are brothers in arms.
An E36 M3 would compete spiritually against a 968 Sport (not CS) perhaps, or even a 993 Carrera.
Paul968 said:
Seriously? I didn't think that would be possible! That's good. Still miles more room in an E30 M3 though
If my memory serves me correctly, I've had all four wheels from your current car with slicks fitted in the back of my Sport (helping James out to get them to Brands). Btw, he might have something to add to this as he had a Sport Evo before the Club Sport that he runs now.
Not sure it's fair to compare a Sport Evo with a 968 Sport. An M030 CS would be a more realistic comparison.
Paul
>> Edited by Paul968 on Tuesday 28th March 09:37
That's interesting. The rear 18s from my car seem massive when you are trying to carry them about!
Another advantage of the 968 is the ability to supercharge it for 5 grand. This would be the Ring car of choice in my view.
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