Hey All- After 12 years of 360 Spider ownership, I am thinking its time to try something new. Has any one sold their F car and replaced it with a BMW 3.0 CS Coupe? They are so beautiful! If so, what was your experience with that car? Thanks for sharing your expience? -JL
Absolutely beautiful. There’s no bad angle to that car. Completely difference experience from a 360 I would imagine. However, if I was going to find something old that I needed to tinker with constantly, it would likely be a 308. That’s just me though. I feel like the 360 and CS are just too different to even compare.
A very, very nice toy. It depends on what criteria you value. The sound and performance (chassis, speed, etc.) of the E9 will disappoint you somewhat compared to your 360. In addition to the 360, ok. But as a replacement? They are too different for that. I had a 3.0csi a long time ago, but wouldn't want to trade my 360 for an E9 today.
Thanks guys for your replies and sharing your thoughts. Yeah, they sure are different cars. Both beauties standalone. I found a 71 CS with 50K miles that is perrfect and orginal, fresh spray, and zero rust. I do live in VT, and the vibe when driving around in the F car is not the same here as if you were in a nice suburb. Sometime thumbs up, sometimes really weird sideway looks like "who is this guy". Thast why maybe a cool old classic would make me happy without that VT stig when crusing around in F Car. Make sense?
This M6 is nice..... If I had the money and more importantly the garage space, I would be all over it https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/724093030?allListingType=all-cars&city=Newton&keywordPhrases=e9&makeCode=BMW&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fall-cars%2Fbmw%2Fnewton-ma%3FkeywordPhrases%3De9%26searchRadius%3D0%26zip%3D02458&searchRadius=0&state=MA&zip=02458&clickType=listing
Guess I think all BMWs are utilitarian looking and not very stylish (have owned 2) other than the 507 and Z8.....Z8 would be probably doable from a trade plus cash prospective.
Thanks for all the feedback guys. Much appreciated! Yeah, the CS will be much slower and a cruiser! We all know about the Spider and its Tubi! If I got the 3.0, I wqould put triple webers on it. they sound great!
3.0CS, and E9's are so classy and stylish. Absolutely love the look of them. Have you driven one yet? I'd think that would be your first step. From what I read up on them, and even speaking with others who have driven them, I understand they are cruisers/GT cars of their day. They are not a sports car, so make sure your expectations are aligned. May I suggest a look at a 60's or 70's Alfa Romeo GTV? Also beautiful to look at, a bit more light on it's feet, and of course Italian soul.
The only BMW I would consider (but still wouldn't) changing for is an E46 M3 CSL. That really is a great little car and is much more than the sum of its parts!
I’m a real BMW (M) enthusiast and really love the looks of the 3.0CS! However, wouldn’t you agree a Ferrari 612 would give you the same classy looks and stylish feel, accompanied by the real Ferrari heritage feeling?
I wouldn't discount the 280SL's also. Similar era and great looks to boot. Image Unavailable, Please Login However, if I was looking for something "along those lines" and didn't want to lose the 360 for fun days, you can move up a decade and get the 450 for amazing deals right now. Or, a proper two door gentleman's coupe from America, the 1970 Lincoln Continental. An underappreciated classic that's easy to find a mint condition one for $20k. Now that's a true luxury cruiser with room for two families and their shopping. Image Unavailable, Please Login
They are both awesome, but not really comparable in my mind. Its a strange comparison... Why not have both?
I despise most modern (post 2010's) vehicles, but I never understood the love for carbureted cars. Seems like everyone I know that has one is always either down fixing/tuning the carbs or it's running like crap because they need to be tuned. If you want 'vintage' BMW, sex appeal, and something MUCH slower than your 360, another vote for an E30 M3! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Ha! My dad just gifted me a 85 Euro 280SL with 30K ori miles! That could be my drop top cruiser! The old R107 Mercs are tanks and cool cars
The E30 is THE M3. Hands down. My father wanted a 633 M3 back in the day but got a 733i instead. I always regretted his compromise. I couldn't sell my 360 after 15 years of ownership. She's like spending time with an old friend.
I have had my 360 for four years and have driven my dads 2800cs e9 (Sahara over tan) extensively since he bought it in 2010 (I drove it daily while home for one summer in college). the e9 is a Sunday drive kind of car for me in that it doesn’t go that fast but you can roll down the windows, open the scoop triangle windows in the front, and you get a fun experience with the wood steering wheel and all the analog dials. It’s also as reliable as an old car can be. Sound is okay but not that great in my opinion. If I had to decide between the 360 and e9, I would keep the 360. I could see switching if you want something totally different.
Yeah, I hear you. And I think I am coming to the same conclusion. Should I go the E9 route, I would either buy a restomod, or build one. With an M5 S38 and 5 speed, brembo brakes, recaros, the whole enchilda. Then you get the cool E9 vibe with modern go fast parts to make you smile!
Ironically enough, I looked at swapping an M engine into it for that same reason, but it seemed like it could be an endless money pit doing that and at the time was honestly beyond my skill set (probably still is). Back then, there was at least one person I talked to who had successfully done it. I think he did use the s38 from an e34, but I really don't know older bmws that well and it's been like 15 years since I looked at it last. that could be a really fun project so I get what you are going for. I am planning to start the restoration of my dad's e9 this summer so he can sell it and use it to get him partially on the way to a db6.
