BMW 325i E30 vs Porsche 911 3,2 (old school)

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78dude
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:23 am

This is two fantastic German icons, I just wonder what gives you most value for the money and what of those is your cup of tea?

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vs
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Ziggy
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:08 am

The E30's probably better 'value', but anyone who says they'd rather have a 325i than a 911 needs their head looking at! :mad:
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hartgefan
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:27 am

thats a strange question for an e30 forum :screwy:
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:38 am

911 any day, but in the real world/ running costs & purchase the beemer would have it

but drop in a healthy M50 or M30 lump and it would keep on the heels of a 911 of the same vintage no problem
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:48 am

911 any day of the week thats my all time favourite car winkeye
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:54 am

Perhaps a comparison to a 944 would be closer? I suspect the E30 would take that one fairly easily though, on this forum anyway! :)
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:34 am

At least get a pic of a 911 to :drool: over
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:37 am

If you copy the link in the original post, you can see the pic from pistonheads that he tried to post - you just can't hotlink from there.
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:40 am

Rosc0PColtrane wrote:At least get a pic of a 911 to :drool: over
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:41 am

:drool::drool::drool::drool::drool::drool:

More pics!!
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:47 am

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Porsche every time (if budget allows)
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Ric_Vezza
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:08 pm

I have to agree.......... :drool: :drool:
911 all the way fellas,
one day i will have one .....i will ......i will.......!!lol
still plenty of space in my heart for the 325i...but as previously stated, not really a fair comparison, but two iconic cars all the same.
value for money....E30 everytime
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:09 pm

I'd rather have a sport and im not even joking!!!
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ste
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:11 pm

Ziggy wrote:Perhaps a comparison to a 944 would be closer? I suspect the E30 would take that one fairly easily though, on this forum anyway! :)
Depends on the 944. I had a Turbo that was only slightly modified. 300bhp, 300lb/ft, big brakes, LSD etc I doubt there's many, if any cars on this forum that would come close to catching it.

Back to the original Q though, an E30 325 or a 911... not a hard choice that one is it. :mad:

What you need in your garage is something practical like an E30 tourer (with a 24V engine) for collecting wardrobes, going for picnics and doing the shopping, and a 911 for weekends. 2 slices of 80s, German, round headlight, 6 cylinder, old school cool right there.

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winkeye
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:13 pm

I really like 944's - a nice late S2 'bridge' model would do me.

I also wouldn't mind a 968CS - more in line price-wise with a good 911.

But Ste's pic of that silver 911 is bordering on porn. It's awesome!

Okay... it IS porn. (saving that pic for later when I'm on my own... lol)
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ste
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:24 pm

968 CS - now there's an interesting car, especially when examples like this are now at less than £10k:

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http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/269688.htm

8)
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:35 pm

Exactly what I mean! :cool:

High miles, and looks like it's been round the 'ring (giveaway sticker) but it's from a dealer, so should come with a warranty of some kind...
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:46 pm

That's fooking lovely
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G524
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:37 pm

325i. I can only afford 1 car and whilst i LOVE old 911's, it is of minimal use to me.
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G524
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:43 pm

I dont like that Grey 911 that Ste posted. Too low making it look 'clapped out', silly seats, and a silly climbing frame in it. Please start hurling abuse now....
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:45 pm

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Tue Nov 06, 2007 2:44 pm

As the lucky owner of both its an interesting topic. If the 911 hit every button for me then I wouldnt have bought the 325. The trouble with the 911 (for me) is that I am always aware of how expensive its going to be if it all goes horribly wrong. I spun the car on a slippery roundabout a month ago (my fault)and 'gently' hit one lower quarter of the rear bumper on a fence. all that happened was some very small cracks to a small bit of the lower bumper but the repair bill from porsche is over £1k.

In a normal car like the E30 everything is very cheap to replace, hell you can get a choice of complete (and decent) cars for around £1k just on our sales section here.

And here's the funny thing, the day after I got my cab we took it for a spin (nice sunny day) and it put a huge smile on my face the whole time I was out. Thing is, when i was a kid I wanted a Motorsport cab, never thought about getting a 911 as i didnt think it would ever happen so the Motorsport IS my dream car :D

One thing you will notice about a 911 when you drive one is how skittish the front end is, it worried me so much I took mine back the dealership to get the suspension/tracking/wheels checked out and they took it out for a spin and said ''no sir, thats how its meant to be..''

For normal day to day plus moments of insanity you are much better off with an E46 M3, these cars are performance bargain of the decade as far as I am concerned. I had a little race down a dual carraigeway with a friend of mine in the 911 and me in the M3 and whilst the 911 pulled away, it didnt exactly leave me for dead. Also have to say the M3 makes everything easy, you really can be a driving/drifting hero in one of these with little real ability whereas the 911 is a less easy car to tame though ultimately more satisfying when you do. Thing is though, to get either car out of shape you need to be doing something stupid and illegal.

Enjoy your E30's and then when you want to move on, get a nice E46 M3 would be my call.

Cheers

Tim
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 2:57 pm

I'm kinda thinking that your 911 is a little out of most peoples price bracket on here, mine included. But surely with it being a late model 911, it's a much more refined and comfortable car than your E30... right?

I understand what you're saying though, and the comments all relate to earlier 911's, but yours is no 911/964 model, is it? :wink:

I'd have to say I'd prefer an S4 or an M3 to a more expensive later model 911. The 964's have always been my favourite.

This is a personal choice, and please don't think I was taking a dig at your lovely Porsche. Far from it.
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:09 pm

Geeman wrote:I'm kinda thinking that your 911 is a little out of most peoples price bracket on here, mine included. But surely with it being a late model 911, it's a much more refined and comfortable car than your E30... right?

I understand what you're saying though, and the comments all relate to earlier 911's, but yours is no 911/964 model, is it? :wink:

I'd have to say I'd prefer an S4 or an M3 to a more expensive later model 911. The 964's have always been my favourite.

This is a personal choice, and please don't think I was taking a dig at your lovely Porsche. Far from it.
You are correct that its a comfortable car (as far as sports coupes go) my post was more about the 'fun factor'. For me the Porsche is more serious, the E30 (or an M3 for that), more fun. If i was tracking it then things would look different but they only get road use these days.

I also think, that in its own way, a nice E30 is just as good looking and is aging just as gracefully.

I have a rule about buying cars and thats that it needs to put a smile on my face (if its bought for fun as opposed to function), I really need to catch myself grinning inanely when driving it or its not worth it, the 911 gives me an adreneline rush for sure but the E30 is giving me more smiles :D


Tim

ps My first proper hot hatch, many years ago, was a renault 5Gt Turbo, if i could find a truly mint one i'd buy it because that thing was hilariously funny and seemed to me, at the time, to be SO fast
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:25 pm

Geeman wrote: The 964's have always been my favourite.
mine too 8)

couple of friends have these now - one a C2, the other a C4. old 911s just feel so special compared to normal cars.

i'll get a 964 as soon as i can afford one :cool:
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ste
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:48 pm

Same here - 964 FTW. 8)
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:06 pm

Yep, I'll have one too please! C2 would do nicely, but I wouldn't say no to an RS... :drool:
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:15 pm

Porka's have never really done it for me, love their interiors, but thats about it..

Would rather a TVR (depsite the lack of reliability)
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:27 pm

TVR... had a 4.2 Chimera... great sound. Quick acceleration. Went very light at the front above 80mph... not very safe at all!

Went rotten.
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:34 pm

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I think, if you can, you should. :D
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:45 pm

TomTom - I've just messed my pants at that white one! :drool:

Porsche 911 is a subject close to my heart.

When I was about thirteen I hung around my local Porsche dealer and eventually blagged a ride with a salesman in a 3.2 Carrera when it was new, and that was a real pleasure.

I've also driven a 997 Carrera and a 996 Turbo and was totally smitten.
They feel so solidly built and well sorted as well as being easy to drive quickly.
I'd love to try some older models, and I would walk past ANY E30 to jump in a 911! :cool:

As has been mentioned though, the running costs are the only scary thing. :?
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da4x4turbo wrote:I raced a vivaro on the motorway once in a 318is.... and lost!!!
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:07 pm

Thats were I'm heading next once I sell the 'is, I took a 996 for a test drive a few weeks back and I loved it, even the girlfriend liked it, which makes a nice change!
TBH its one of the best RWD cars I've driven, Such an incredible all rounder, I'm sold! winkeye
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:07 pm

DRIFTBOY wrote:TomTom - I've just messed my pants at that white one! :drool:

Porsche 911 is a subject close to my heart.

When I was about thirteen I hung around my local Porsche dealer and eventually blagged a ride with a salesman in a 3.2 Carrera when it was new, and that was a real pleasure.

I've also driven a 997 Carrera and a 996 Turbo and was totally smitten.
They feel so solidly built and well sorted as well as being easy to drive quickly.
I'd love to try some older models, and I would walk past ANY E30 to jump in a 911! :cool:

As has been mentioned though, the running costs are the only scary thing. :?
Well, if you like it that much, I had best give you the url! winkeye

More German Beauties!

Oddly enough, it's a Japanese company (Rauh-Welt) that specialise in Porsches.
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:14 pm

Thanks! :thumb:

That's my working day effectively finished! :D

There's some serious 911 porn for me in there, might not be to everyone's taste though.
Jeremy Clarkson wrote:...but it drives the front wheels. Theee wrooong wheels!
da4x4turbo wrote:I raced a vivaro on the motorway once in a 318is.... and lost!!!
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Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:14 pm

I would take the 911 too though it would have to be a right hooker. what would be interesting would be a price comparison between a c2 2.7 and a base 911 for say 1988 I bet they were closer than you might think in price and performance.
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