| Author | Message | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
New member Username: Artherd Post Number: 34 Registered: 6-2002 |
I've always loved the 8-series. Tough call though, DOHC 4-valve V8, or SOHC 2-valve V-12?! The V12 pulls like a frieght train with all that torque, and sounds absolutely awesome (like a ferrari on 'mute' with the right exhaust) And it was the only 8-er available in the us with a stick, decision made :D) Be prepared to turn your own wrenches, or else the dealer maintinence will give you heart attacks. (ok, maybe not to f-chaters, just those booring 'normal' :p) Best! Ben. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 2494 Registered: 5-2001 |
BMW engines blowing up? YOu have any doubts that is happening call Juan P. Montoya or Ralf Schumacher they have extensive knowledge on this subject  | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1111 Registered: 9-2001 |
Thanks Frank - aka "dino man"  | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 1137 Registered: 9-2001 |
the exx on bimmers indicate which body style the car is. The current M3 is an e46. The previous M3 was an e36. The current M5 is an e39 with the previous M5 being an e34. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1108 Registered: 9-2001 |
sorry guys what does e36 eXX mean for the m series - sorry not a big BMW guy yet | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 1135 Registered: 9-2001 |
Any engine can blow up. But, over all the M3 powerplant is as solid as a rock. I put over 60k miles on my e36 M3 including 15-20 track events with no problems whatsoever. I had a Jim Blair chip, K&N conical filter and a few more minor mods. It ran great, sounded great, required very little maintenance and retained its value at resale pretty well. I do prefer my current e39 M5 though for the extra room as a daily driver. | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Junior Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 102 Registered: 3-2002 |
Lou, I know someone who blew the engine on their S2000 with about 5 thousand miles on it | ||
| Lou B (Toby91)
Junior Member Username: Toby91 Post Number: 64 Registered: 4-2001 |
Before you guys start overloving M3 reliability, check out www.members.roadfly.org/m3engines.htm 64 Engine failures ie blow ups! My brothers M3 blew itself apart last year: got a new engine but what modern car today blows up engines? | ||
| chris cummings (Entelechy)
Junior Member Username: Entelechy Post Number: 98 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thanks for all the great advice everyone. My initial reaction to all the feedback is to avoid the 8 series and go for an M3, but I'll do a little more research (thanks for the links Doody). I'd like to save the huge maintenance fund for the Ferrari when the time comes. Interesting that TomD mentioned the Audi S4. Three of my friends have them and they love them, although when I showed one of them the feedback here, he said he'd have to agree. They're more on the luxury side and he said you'd have to chip it and stiffen the suspension to get near the M3 feel, but they all love the feel of the Quattro. Thanks again everyone, and for any further postings. ~C | ||
| Mark Rockcastle (Mrockcastle)
New member Username: Mrockcastle Post Number: 7 Registered: 5-2001 |
I have an 97 540i sport BLK/BLK. It is one of the best cars I have ever owned. 4 doors (for business meetings) a throaty V8 (to get me there faster) and a manual 6spd (for me). They come stock with wider sport rims and some other nice extras. you can find a 50-60k mile car for around 30k, some with extended warranties to 100k I looked at an 850 before I bought my 540 and was warned about the higher maintenence cost and the faster depreciation. But I have to say that if you are stuck on an 8 series, the 850 with a stick (if you can find it) is a lot of ride for the money. They were over 100k new | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member Username: Mw360 Post Number: 487 Registered: 5-2001 |
Chris, Wouldn't touch the 8 series.Had a '74 3.0 cs-great car but doesn't compare with the E 36 or E 46.(had 2 E36 and now an e 46) traded in the S4 for the 01 M3- no comparison in performance (250 hp vs 333 hp,turbo boosted vs normally aspirated).handling,steering etc.If your budget is in the 20's go for the E 36. | ||
| Greg Rodgers (Joechristmas)
Member Username: Joechristmas Post Number: 408 Registered: 3-2001 |
The 12 cylinder engine isn't like the 325 engine. When the 750 debuted in 88' it was top of the line with many differences even to the 735i. The 750 has power rear seats that make even changing the battery a challenge. Lots of extra sensors etc. Many believe the 88' to be a fairly troublesome year more so than the 90's models. It really depends on how much you want to work on it yourself too. For example, the 88' has an exciter wire that connects to the alt. If you battery warning light isn't functional then the exciter will not allow the alt. to charge. The bulb actually completes the circuit. Now in the later models BMW installed a resistor so if the bulb went the alt. would still charge. Most first year cars aren't flawless neither are the later models but there are improvements. For someone who pays to have this bulb replaced it can be an expensive bill including troubleshooting but if you DIY it is much more reasonable. I personally enjoy the 750s and 850s as IMO they are very special cars and my favorite that BMW has ever made. I like the M1 too though. Are you planning on using this as a daily driver? | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1098 Registered: 9-2001 |
thanks for the info - I have had a A4 and audi 90. I loved them both - though I do not like the styling of the new A4s. I see quite a few S4 around and like the fact they come with quattro where the Ms are rear wheel. damn snow | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 1127 Registered: 9-2001 |
eary BMW v-12s had some problems. the later ones were vastly improved though. | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Member Username: Doody Post Number: 317 Registered: 11-2001 |
TomD - i have an A4, which is a fine car. i've driven the S4 on a couple of occassions and i wasn't terribly impressed. road feel isn't great. steering is way too light. the S guys at audi have some work to do to meet the M guys at bmw. the e36 m3 are just great cars. you can't go wrong there. doody. | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 365 Registered: 2-2002 |
Whart is correct. BMW built the v-12 for Mc Laren. | ||
| Mitchell L. Davidson (Jussumfastgi)
Junior Member Username: Jussumfastgi Post Number: 152 Registered: 4-2002 |
You are thinking of Mercedes | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 411 Registered: 12-2001 |
Why is it that BMW's 12 cyl. engines have been problematic? Didn't they make the engine for the McClaren ? | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1097 Registered: 9-2001 |
yeah I remember you trying to sell that thing Martin. As an alternative to the M3 what do you guys think of the Audi S4?? | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 2492 Registered: 5-2001 |
Chris, as having owned a 840Ci for 3 1/2 years I think I can best judge the 8-series first hand. It truely is the most expensive car I have ever owned. I must have spend a 308 worth of service on my car and then took a $10,000 loss when selling it. The car is a very nice car. The nicest BMW to date if you ask me, next to the original Z1, which I have also owned and which had cost me another 308 in parts and service. I personally think you are better of buying a 308 direct instead of spending it in service costs. The 850 is much more expensive to maintain BTW, because of the 12cyl. The very early ones (850s) had some major issues including cracked heads and some other mechanical and electrical probelms. STAY AWAY !!! | ||
| Mitchell Minh Le (Yelcab1)
Junior Member Username: Yelcab1 Post Number: 247 Registered: 11-2001 |
I own a 98M3 and it is the best performing most reliable car I have ever driven, including my wife's lexus. I heard that the 850 is one of the most expensive BMW to own that does not deliver the BMW experience. But I do not own one so do not know. I prefer the 3 series over the 8 any day but just my opinion. The 840 CSi is supposed to be a nice sporting car, the 850 with the 12 cylinder is a bucket of problems, and the 4.0 liter with the wrong cylinder liner is just a time bomb waiting to explode. Summary: Get the M3 | ||
| Chris Pounds (Eggman)
New member Username: Eggman Post Number: 36 Registered: 3-2002 |
I hope you keep the Z! Chris. | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 345 Registered: 12-2001 |
I'm with Whart on this one. The 3.0 CS is one of the prettiest cars BMW has made next to the 6 series. | ||
| Greg Rodgers (Joechristmas)
Member Username: Joechristmas Post Number: 405 Registered: 3-2001 |
I think they are great cars. My family has 3 750ils and they are great cars and IMHO very reliable. Very good bang for your $$$. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 410 Registered: 12-2001 |
What about a restored 3.0 CS, or if you really want to spend some money on parts, an unrestored 6.3 Mercedes sedan? On second thought, buy the M-3. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 1120 Registered: 9-2001 |
The 850CSi is a great car. The e36 M3s are wonderful cars as well. I had a 1995 e36 M3 as my daily driver and loved it. The e28 M5s are nice as well. I have a e39 M5 now as my daily driver and consider it one of the best cars made. Either way you go you just can't go wrong with a Bimmer. i would recommend you get a manual rather than an auto no matter which series you decide on. | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Member Username: Doody Post Number: 316 Registered: 11-2001 |
the 8X0 cars have always been a fave of mine. they have not held their value, but i don't know that you're going to find a solid daily-driver specimen in the "low 20s" - especially if you're concerned with the cost of parts (ie: it might need some work). you might check out: http://www.e31.net/english.html http://www.clube31.com/ good luck though and keep us posted! every now and then i think about picking up an 850.... doody. | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 344 Registered: 12-2001 |
Get the M3. Much more reliable. I have had several friends with 850s who had more expensive repairs than if they would have just bought F-cars. | ||
| chris cummings (Entelechy)
Junior Member Username: Entelechy Post Number: 97 Registered: 5-2001 |
While I love Ferrari first and foremost, I've come up with a plan. At the end of this next film, I'd like to find a better daily driver first - something in the low 20's, and am thinking about a BMW 840 or 850 (the only BMW whose lines I really like), or possibly an M3 (don't care for the lines, and they are pretty much every 10th vehicle on the road in LA, but hear they're GREAT cars). In this range, I'm seeing some early nineties 8-series, and plenty of mid to 97/98 M3's on the market. I have no qualms about buying a used car if it's been taken care of and the mileage isn't too high (say, over 100,000). An 850 or 840 would be my first choice, but a friend who owns one says that parts are getting hard to find - he had a rock break his windshield and said he had to call all over North America and was lucky to come up with a new one. Phase 2 of my plan is if I can raise the financing for a film project I'm producing and directing, my reward to myself upon the project's completion will finally be my long coveted dream of a 308 QV (by the way, if Bill is reading this - yours personifies what I'm dreaming of! What a stunner - congrats!) Anyways, thanks in advance for any Bimmer advice and input. Best, ~Chris |