practicality of an m3

[M3 Ryan]

I blew the motor in the first month, swapped it out and blew the second engine after another 15k miles and 1 year. Then I built a 2.5L because I needed a new crank and pistons anyhow. See where I am going with this?

It sounds to me like you're saying the S14 is an unreliable piece of shit.

Peice of shit? NO
Unreliable? YES
I love the S14. I have had several opertunities to swap it out for another newer/different motor, but the sound/feel of the S14 is something I didn't want to give up in the process.
I had my share of engine problems and in turn I spent a lot of time/money on repairs to them. An S14 is a 100k mile motor. After that you are just using bandaids to slow down the inevitable break-down of the engine. The timing chain guides are worn past usable stages after 100k miles, thats why the chain gets noisy on cold starts. Then you add an E36 tensioner which stresses them even more but makes them quiet so you think you did good to the motor but you just stressed it even more. Its a never ending battle until you stop and spend $5k+ for a rebuild (stock, or 8k+ for something more fun.). Thats all I have to say for now.

[armeN]

sounds to me like the car is a pos. im not trying to compare the car to a honda or anything by my dad drives a 86 accord every day for 100+ miles a day. The thing has 200k+ miles on it and it RARELY brakes down. I find it ridicolous that a car that is soooo highly praised of breaks down so often. I dunno I mean I love the car and I really want it, but I'm scared hearing all these stories about maintanance.

[parkerbink]

Comparing an Accord to an M3 is like comparing a passenger jet to a fighter.

The M3 is a toned down race car made to be street usable/legal.

I suggest a 318 if you want a 4banger and mod it to the teeth. It will run reliably for a very long time and is fun to drive.

[Digitalwave]

sounds to me like the car is a pos. im not trying to compare the car to a honda or anything by my dad drives a 86 accord every day for 100+ miles a day. The thing has 200k+ miles on it and it RARELY brakes down. I find it ridicolous that a car that is soooo highly praised of breaks down so often. I dunno I mean I love the car and I really want it, but I'm scared hearing all these stories about maintanance.

Honda Accord = bullet proof economy commuter car

E30 M3 = race car homologation, high strung sports car

How dare you even compare the two?

[KenC]

I find it ridicolous that a car that is soooo highly praised of breaks down so often. I dunno I mean I love the car and I really want it, but I'm scared hearing all these stories about maintanance.

They were never made to be daily drivers. They were originally designed as race cars and then toned down a bit and sold to the public.

[parkerbink]

sounds to me like the car is a pos. im not trying to compare the car to a honda or anything by my dad drives a 86 accord every day for 100+ miles a day. The thing has 200k+ miles on it and it RARELY brakes down. I find it ridicolous that a car that is soooo highly praised of breaks down so often. I dunno I mean I love the car and I really want it, but I'm scared hearing all these stories about maintanance.

Honda Accord = bullet proof economy commuter car

E30 M3 = race car homologation, high strung sports car

How dare you even compare the two?

That's what I said (in different words) :)

[Digitalwave]

sounds to me like the car is a pos. im not trying to compare the car to a honda or anything by my dad drives a 86 accord every day for 100+ miles a day. The thing has 200k+ miles on it and it RARELY brakes down. I find it ridicolous that a car that is soooo highly praised of breaks down so often. I dunno I mean I love the car and I really want it, but I'm scared hearing all these stories about maintanance.

Honda Accord = bullet proof economy commuter car

E30 M3 = race car homologation, high strung sports car

How dare you even compare the two?

That's what I said (in different words) :)

Notice we posted at exactly the same time.

[parkerbink]

Yes I did.


:D

[armeN]

I wasn't making a comparison I was just bringing about the fact that these cars break down so much. I was under the impression that it was a very sturdy and strong car. I'm not looking for a pos daily driver. I'm looking for a fast yet reliable good looking daily driver and I've pinned it down between this m3 and an srt4

[parkerbink]

srt4
1) front wheel drive
2) Dodge pos
3) Dodge pos

New Dodges break down and suffer more defects as a new car more than any major brand.

Not to mention while this car has a potent motor it is still at the end of the day a Neon designed to be a small family sedan not a sports car.

I could go on but why?

[Digitalwave]

I guess if you can stand driving a Dodge Neon then the SRT-4 is a great choice for you. It's a practically brand new car and is going to be extremely reliable, and a much better DD than an M3.

[armeN]

I'd beg to differ but the topic isn't about an srt4 it's about e30 m3s.

[armeN]

I guess if you can stand driving a Dodge Neon then the SRT-4 is a great choice for you. It's a practically brand new car and is going to be extremely reliable, and a much better DD than an M3.

The car gets bashed a lot because it is a neon on steroids but it's a sick ass car. Looks and sounds mean off the lot. 238 WHP bone stock. But like I said this is a topic about m3s and I'm just trying to get enough feedback to make the right decision.

[Digitalwave]

Well if you are between an SRT-4 and an M3 then whats wrong with debating the two?

I have never driven or ridden in an SRT-4, and I am sure they are fun little cars. But they are ass-ugly and yes they are a 4 door Neon with a lot of power.

[armeN]

I like em. I think what it comes down to is having somebody who knows a lot about the cars checking out that m3 for me and I'll make the decision off of that.