bmw/mb recommendations

**vwturbo** · September 8th, 2004 03:42 PM

stepping up so to speak, been around audi's & vw's for a while but wanting to try the bimmers & mb's, looking for pre 2000 models, m3's?, c280-240?, looking for small-to-medium size, rear wheel drive, v6, manual trans, with a lot of oomp potential, malamang m3's pero ganda rin nung mga mb 280's pero kadalasan ng mga nakikita ko eh automatic, looking at 3 series, ano yung mga pinagkaiba nung mga 3 series flavor?, 328i, 325, natatakot akong bumili ng earlier m3's, balewala ba ang high mileage with this type of cars?, what to look for?, maintenance?.

**woodfire** · September 8th, 2004 06:22 PM

BMW M3"s:

A. 1986 to 1990 - E30 M3 - Php 800t to Php 950t. Very rare, since only 17,800 were manufactured by BMW Motorsport. This is by far the rawest, baddest, and most neutral (handling-wise) M3 ever!
Engine - 2.3 liter and 2.5 liter inline 4 S14 series (200bhp and 225bhp respectively). Sold my E30M3 baby very recently at Php 950thousand fully restored.

B. 1991 to 1999 - E36 M3 - Php 1.5 million to Php 1.7 million. More accessible to buyers versus the E30M3 series since BMW manufactured 60,000 of this series. Engine is the S52 inline 6 3-liter and 3.2 liter engines which generates 286bhp and 300bhp respectively.

C. mid1999 to present- E46M3 - brand new is Php 4.5million plus depending on the options in the car you get.

The venerable M3 in whatever series, is considered a badass ride and will not fail to turn heads whenever you passby!

**empy** · September 9th, 2004 07:53 AM

if you want a manual, cross all MB's off your list immediately - Mercedes hasn't sold a manual in the states for at least 10 years, i think.

one slight correction to woodfire's write-up on the M3, since i notice you're stateside - we got a lesser version of the S52 which made about 240 hp (the european Evo versions made 321!), which is still good for 0-60 times in the mid-5's, regardless.

the e36 M3 is pretty reliable - the most common defects being the water pump and the rear shock mounts. not that big a deal. however, maintenance is very expensive for either bmw or benz (although having a vw you're probably used to expensive parts).

the s52's are also very tunable and can take forced induction without breaking. Active Autowerke of Miami has a bunch of turbo M3's running around here with 400 hp...

if you are looking for a pre-2000's euro, at a price of, let's say, $25-30,000...my choices would be:

uncompromised fun/performance - bmw m roadster or m coupe

most fun/performance with some utility - e36 m3

if you absolutely have to have a benz - c36/c43

best performance value - e36 m3 (you can get a '95 for about $15k)

best blend of luxury and power - e39 540i (this might be more than $30k)

least expensive new car - benz c230 coupe

i also like the '90's MB sl300/500, the BMW e30 m3, and the '90's MB 500e.

finally, are you sure you won't consider another Audi? the biturbo S4 is absolutely badass, and you can get up to 100 hp more with basic performance mods

**hens** · September 9th, 2004 10:55 AM

sir vwturbo,
kung medyo aggressive driver kayo...BMW na!

mabibitin lang kayo sa MBs..pero kung pasok sa budget ninyo mga AMGs lineup..pwede na rin C32/E55/SL55 :drool:

**vwturbo** · September 9th, 2004 11:05 AM

kaya pala wala akong makitang mb na manual, anyway I'm leaning towards the m3, or 3series, I like the e36 m3's, dati eh nag hahanap ako ng sedan 4 door version pero hirap, I saw this 1996 m3 from a local dealer for $16,950

Mileage 87,713 Engine 6 Cylinders
Body Style Coupe Transmission 5 SPD MANUAL
Wheelbase 106" Drive Train RWD
Doors 2 Stock # 04213
Exterior Color BLUE VIN WBSBG9323TEY72274
Interior Color Grey

Standard Features: Power sun/moon roof, Power Steering, 4 wheel standard Anti-lock Brakes, 192 Cubic Inch Displacement, Pass key Security System, Dual front air bags/active belts, Power Windows, 6 Cylinders, 5 speed manual Transmission, AM/FM Cassette, Air Conditioning, Power Brakes, 17 inch Rim Size

I'll check it out tommorow, but I will have to return my 1.8T jetta to stock form to trade it in.

gusto ko parin ng mga audi, like that new S4, 344 bhp V8 engine
pero I would go for the vw R32 any day though for the price of $28,000 I would rather buy a used m3, iba parin kasi talaga dating ng bmw's although it would hurt my wallet more.

kuya ko nga pala binenta yung a4 nya tapos kumuha ng honda civic, he went for reliability

ayoko ng bagong mk5 gti or but I like the new jetta gli or the r32

R32

**theveed** · September 9th, 2004 11:52 AM

I'd go for a E39 540i Sport :D 400hp yum

**kyle618** · September 9th, 2004 12:08 PM

E39 540i Sport 400hp yum

d ba un M5 un may 400bhp?

**woodfire** · September 9th, 2004 04:28 PM

btw, the E36M3 has a four door sedan version but rare though. I did not notice that you're based in the U.S. pala as pointed out by M54. Yup, bimmers there in the U.S. are restricted by catalytic converters hence the lower hp ratings.

Like all E36 cars (316-328, and M3), all have weak water pumps and rear sub-frame. You can easily deal with this if you buy an uprated water pump with metal impellers and aftermarket support parts for the rear sub-frame.

Good Luck with your search!!!