Midmotorsteve

brett avoid the 'revision1 cars' these are 1989 -1992 as they have smaller discs, high suspension, narrow rear track, weaker gearboxs etc, revision 2 1992 -1993 have all these things sorted but same engine 220bhp stock, 1993 on have even more suspension adjustments (some have said they actually make it to tame) but has a better engine 245 bhp stock.

bobstar

I had an e30 325i sport a couple of years ago, best car i have ever had.
even better than my v4 sti i'd say.
at the time, i was really into beemers, and even now i'd love to have an e30 m3 as a sunday/trackday car.
from what i can remember, the m3 wasn't a great everyday car, cos you really had to put your all into it, but the 325i sport was the better of the 2 for everyday use.
that straight six engine note still sends a shiver up my spine...

simon325isport

Did you see the pearlescent white one with just over 100k on the clock I think it was....mmmmm you know it makes sense!!

simon325isport

Yes it is a very sweet soundtrack...just watch out for cracked cylinder heads...grrrr!

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

Cracking fun thanks

falkster

Got to be an E30 M3 everyday!!! The Grale will be unreliable.....and no I havent owned one but I know of a few friends that have had bad experiences hence me buying my M3.

Cant fault the car, it fails to bring a massive grin to my face each time I drive it. For 7k you should be able to get a very good late spec 215bhp model and with a Miltek pipe this will free up a few more HP but its the brakes and handling that really make the car a pleasure to drive. In the 18 months Ive had mine I have not spent a penny (touch wood) on replacing anything other than wear and tear.

The timing chain myth is just that, its just certain companies scare mongering people into parting with £1200 to replace a part because they think the other option is a massive bill when it fails!!!

If I knew how to post a pic then Id show you mine oooooer misses.

Chris

BrettC

Thanks guys.

After even more research and chatting to people its gonna be....drum roll......

Saab 900i

Just kidding! Its gotta be the E30 M3 or if funds become a problem a 325i sport.

Thanks all.

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

I think you're making the right decision

dome

Fair enough. Don't let this influence your decision.

www.quattroforum.com

http://www.quattroownersclub.com/cla...eds-aug-04.htm

Oh and you can get a quattro on classic insurance too. I'm 26 and was quoted £280 for mine for a year....

Not to knock the M3 at all, i'd love one. I'm just biased.

tizard99

For a minute there I thought i'd surfed on to the M3 owners club BBS ...
Whats all this M3, Integrale, Audi, etc, get and Impreza!! just because there's plenty around shouldn't put you off, just means your get one cheap, pick one up for £5000, spend £2000 on brakes and wheels (a must!), exhaust
, etc and enjoy every drive. Or get a sorted STi now days for £7000.

Just for my two cents...
M3 - nice rear wheel drive fun, goodbye in the wet.
Integrale - had HF turbo (blew up gearbox, 2nd hand £700), have two friends who have integrales, both paid top money and one's had rust and waterleaks plus other bits, others had rust and timing belt tensioner disintegrate and take engine with it, cost to repair over £3000!
Audi - nice cars, bit old, probably need new suspension.
Impreza - nice four wheel drive slidder, hello in wet, not the cheapest to run (I've had two) but who cares when they are this quick and fun......

best thing to do is take the advice on here and drive them all

CraigH

E30 M3s are a little fruity in the wet considering they're not that powerful. Great cars though - regret selling mine, when I've got the money I'll probably look for another.

Best car I ever had.

A proper car.....

http://deadscoob.fotopic.net/p4034599.html

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

Been there, done that, had the belt then snap after repair due to a total w@nker doing the repair for me using the original belt even though I supplied all the parts I then re-built it myself Nightmare!

BrettC

Thanks guys again for comments.

Once funds are available I will test them all on my list (Some I have already driven, hence having problems deciding ). An I appreciate everbody's comments to help me decide.

Dome, I love the audi so despite choosing the M3 'on paper' whos knows what it will be that actually persuades me to part with my hard earned!

Tizard99, I agree mate that the scoob can never be off the list and after a quick AT search I found a couple of STIs well within budget...How could I ignore them?? burble burble.

CraigH. Nice looking m3 mate. I am really new to them as you can tell but the front spoiler looks the same as that of the Evo variant??

Paul: Ouch!!

JBONDO1

Just noticed this thread and the old Integrale being unreliable chestnut mmm. I've owned both Scooby's and I've settled on Lancia Integrale about 2.5 years ago mine being the Evolution. Fantastic car point to point not much between that and the Scooby, but as for Driver involvement you'll be hard pushed to find a car particularly a 4WD car as involving. When you drive a Grale hard you know you've had a work out! Your hands are sweaty and you have that buzz from chucking a small hatch with fantastic handling around some B roads! As for reliability apart from the normal stuff it's been fine if you treat the cars with common sense there fine it's never left me stranded like the Scooby and to be honest servicing there's probably not much between them. Turbo's, Clutches, etc. are about the same cost and rebuilt engines can be bought and fitted for £1300+1500.
I fancied the M3 E30, gorgeous looking car and always hear nothing but good things about its handling, but servicing on these cars don't justify the performance. But this is not to say that I wouldn't have one as they are well built and a lovely thought of having 215bhp N/A rear wheel drive mmm LOL.Tony

DazW

iTrader: (1)

Had a gralé EVO ...great car, but wouldnt have another!

reliable yes ...well built, err no ...constant electrical 'niggles' ...side skirt fell off ...bits of the interior fell off & it chewed through suspension bushes every 10K

rb5_336

push the boat out and buy a sport evo. I change my car every year as there are soo many to get through.

So last year i was just about to buy a mint E30 M3 then i came across a real legend.

Rest is history and now its up for sale here
Sean

Senior_AP

Porsche 951 ??

awd wrx

it has to be an M3 , with Prodrive WR1 wheels

BrettC

HI guys

Thanks for the further suggestions.
A hiccup with the finances so no decision yet.

Senior AP. 951? Thats a 944 Turbo right?

Senior_AP

Yes exactly.

Chris96wrx

You can't go wrong with these 3 IMHO, and I haven't driven the beemer, but I own:

1990 16v Grale
1996 Impreza WRX wagon.

The grale is chipped to give around 260 with everything else standard.
I'm the first UK driver of the scooby, it's standard JDM AFAIK.

They are both great, but in terms of performance, individuality and looks, the Grale has it for me. The torque is just massive and the driver feedback and buzz is so addictive. Yes you have to drive a good distance to a decent specialist, but they are worth it IMHO. Reliability hasn't been a problem at all, and it runs on 95ron.

Impreza is the more sensible of the 2 for me right now due to new baby. And so the grale is sadly for sale. the Impreza feels like a more grown up car, but also feels less connected to the road somehow.

In the Grale I had a little fun with an E30 M3 alpina a while back, and in a straight line there was virtually nothing in it - from around 130 - 225kmh.

http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/prod...nue/acd93/16v/
Chris

wadsy69

iTrader: (1)

Depends on the type of driving you want to do.
If you want a car you can use every day and take on track and learn basic skills then an M3 is a good bet. You may find that after a while you want more power.
The 'grale is a better a-b car, once you learn how to drive it (do John Whaleys Integrale masterclass) It will cost you more to run as the servicing costs are high, belts need to be done every 20k or so. About 2k+ roughly should be budgetted as an annual running cost. However, insurance and fuel will cost you less than a Scoob. (esp import)
Having experienced all 3, Im now on my second STi as I feel it's the best all-rounder. If money wasn't as much of an issue I'd like another 'grale (Performance Car Icon of Icons!), but realistically they aren't getting any younger and the STi is expensive enough!
Test drive all 3 if you can, for about 7k I'd look at an STi 3 IMHO!
Cheers.

m

Had an Integrale and a WRX. The Integrale is a better handling car but it always felt fragile and an old design inside. The WRX was quicker in a straightline but nowhere near as rewarding on the twisties, all it did was understeer - my Integrale would only do this in extreme circumstances. Reliability wasn't a probelm with either car and both were 60k milers when I took delivery and I ran them for a couple of years.
All exciting choices.....good luck.

BrettC

Hi guys

thanks again for more great info. I knew scoobynet was the right place to post something like this.


As soon as this financial hiccup has been resolved im gonna have to make a decision. And a pretty tough one its going to be.

Cheers

Brett