BMW forum suggestions? What do you drive to satisfy speed cravings?

[scottjal]

Could someone point me to a decent bimer forum? Maybe even something without the yuppie or loud muffler street mod crowd? I want to know all about the dirty laundry for the 3 series, sort of what this board does for rovers.

I want to sell my motorcycle and get a nice handling quick car, I am just sick of spending all winter driving the rover with zero handling and sucky acceleration.

At the moment I think a Miata and a 3 series are at the top of my list, mostly for handling/driving experience reasons. I care nothing about convertibles and the PRHT Miata is a little too new for my checkbook (despise auto loans).

Budget is either $15k for something used or about $33 if I feel I have to go new/almost new and get a loan.

 

[Big Papa]

go to www.bimmerfest.com

We are selling my wife's 2003 330CI with 41K if you are interested? Always garage kept, very clean, and runs great.

 

[JackW]

Having owned quite a few BMW's myself I'd suggest picking up a really nice 325is from the 1989-91 era - the E-30 BMW is one of the best BMW's ever built and you can get an exceptional one for around $5000. There are all sorts of upgrades you can do to these cars and turn them into great track day and commuter machines. A friend of mine has put a big turbo and intercooler on his - it makes over 320 HP at the rear wheels in a 2700 lb car - very entertaining. He's got coilovers, big brakes and a roll bar in his and has less than $15K in the whole thing - he says its faster and handles better than his 993 Porsche.

These old E-30 cars are known for running well past the 350,000 mile mark and will get over 30 mpg on the highway - I used to routinely get 32 mpg with mine. Its one of the best bangs for the buck in BMW world.

 

[Aaron98Disco]

Also try bimmerforums.com, r3vlimited, & roadfly. X2 on the e30.. Great cars! They last forever.

 

[Finn]

X3 on the E30 (but I'm biased - I have one myself!)

Try http://www.maxbimmer.com/ and http://www.e30tech.com/

Both great forums!

 

[itdnwiwbp]

I often find myself drooling over e30 M3s...maybe someday despite the fact that nice ones are getting harder to come by for a price anywhere near decent.

 

[ptschram]

If I feel the need for speed, I get into my SIII 109. That usually slows me down.

After getting arrested three times in 62 days in 1984 for various offenses, including reckless driving at an unreasonably high rate of speed, I don't drive fast any more.

The $2606/yr for assigned risk insurance sucked as well-for seven years! Being on probation for five years with the threat of a minimum of six months in state prison was another strong disincentive for me to go the speed limit.

It is very rare for me to go over the speed limit, although I do love driving the 'Bahn!

 

[rovercanus]

Bimmerforums at the time I left was starting to be taken over by the dyed bang yo boys an "tunerz". It was the LRO of BMW forums. It had a lot of dis-information so you had to be careful of the information you received.

 

[Azdiscovery]

For the speed thrills I ride my GSXR around.

If I wanted a car for 'handling' I would get:

Possibly a Porsche boxster -great handling car. Little bit pricey on the maint. though.

A Miata as you mentioned

mid 80's 911

BMW Z3 M
-BMW M3

VW GTI

Porsche 944 S (or Turbo if can be had) 1985 + though, pref 1987

MINI Cooper S (a lot of fun little club races to do/and scca autocross is a blast with them-same as miata and boxster though)
----------------------------------
For Speed:

1996+ M5

Audi S4

Mazda RX-7 R1 -probably going to be closer to 22-25 k though (if you can find one)

Keep in mind that finding a BMW without a lot of miles for that price may be tricky sometimes; they are great cars and people drive the hell out of them.

Good Luck!

 

[scottjal]

Thanks for the tips, I have some real reading to do now. Unfortunately for where I live in the northeast anything from 1989-91 is going to be a rust bucket and I would have to import from the south which is something I really don't want to do (buy long range with no inspection). I would love to do M3 but money holds me back obviously. Considering three to five year old 325 or 330 XI AWD but not really sure that will be necessary as I will keep the DII.

PT, I can identify. Back in 1995 I had a 1994 mustang (first year of new fox5 chassi, or was it fox6? meh). I got a ticket for 91 in a 55, which was good as I was doing ~110 when the detector went full bore on me and in CA anything over 100 is instant arrest I think. About six months later I totaled that car in an end for end flip. Speed related and instigated by a large dog running into the street (which I damn well should have hit). From there I went through some big cars to slow me down. A 1978 Buick LeSaber, a 1974 GMC Jimmy, a 1988 Lincoln Town Car, several Ford Rangers etc. About four years ago I'm hitting 30 with a little more self control so I go motorcycle, which I have a lot of respect for as I can instakill myself on a bike.


PS, anyone in the market for a 1993 Kawasaki Concours euro style Sport Touring bike? Beast of all trades, basically a full dress Ninja capable of twisties, multi state long range trips or even grocery shopping with two huge factory hard cases. Pretty modified sweet machine.
http://scottjal.ath.cx:85/Concours.htm

 

[Asolo3j]

I've been looking and in the market and trying to find an e28. I was originally looking for an e30 325is but that crowd has become very young and ricey for a bimmer. The e28 is just a perfect balance of power and sport, they're a true driver. I really want an e28 535is or M535i and of course I would love an e28M5, but too much $$.

 

[huck1974]

I'll have to stick with the 700hp supercharged C6 vette. Handling and raw power plus 27mph last road trip. Paid 40k new. Did my own work for another 7k. As far as BMWs, I have a long time love for the 2002Tii and will have one someday.

 

[scottjal]

Good suggestions Roger, I had a lot of the same thoughts.

I discarded the Audi S4, VW GLI from my hunt just as you mentioned about Porsche as I just keep hearing bad things about their longer term reliability very high maint cost etc.

A WRX is on my possible list too. My brother has had one for three years now, loves it, trouble free and damn popular here in new england. Actually I think I need to look a lot closer at one of these.

Speed6 ended last year, pretty rare used too. I think the 09/10 after the redesign we will see them come back though. Bad timing on my part.

1994 RX-7. Holy S*** would I love one of these, love just about everything about it. RX-8 oh my lord I want to barf over the hideous styling, inside AND out. Still like the car underneath, call me when there is a drastic redesign.

 

[Blue]

did someone say need for speed?

 

[gmookher]

get a 911...


..turbo

 

[Big Papa]

I'll have to stick with the 700hp supercharged C6 vette. Handling and raw power plus 27mph last road trip. Paid 40k new. Did my own work for another 7k. As far as BMWs, I have a long time love for the 2002Tii and will have one someday.

How much boost ya running? Type of blower?

 

[crolison]

my rental car is a toyota carolla for this week, its fast compared to my rig.

my dad used to drive a 91 318is, great gas mileage and you can still have some fun with it.

but both these cars are nowhere near fast

 

[Zebra]

01 M3 laguna blue just what u need its on Craigslist
Check Richmond Va
BMW owners a different breed

 

[huck1974]

How much boost ya running? Type of blower?

ATI 7psi bolas mad and my own radiator mod. 7,000 on car now. Third one I have built. Porsche turbo and bimmer can eat my dust as well as lambo.....etc. I still have a love for bimmers. My first car was a 320i.
Bang for buck, no one can touch the fun of this car except my (several of us) motorcycle. It would be easy to forge and step up the boost, but the tires break loose at will up to 100mph as it is.

 

[Paratrooper]

My skate board