Edcase

Seriously considering one of these as my 'fun' car when the scoob goes to make way for a diesel company car.

A mint 50-60k miler with FSH can be had for around 15k if you hunt around.

Anyone have any thoughts on this, specs, things to look for etc??

I wanted to go back to a lighter rwd car for b-roads and the odd trackday / trip to the ring, with fair reliability, not too silly running costs and no more than 15k to buy.

Senior_AP

968 is ideal, if not a e30 M3 for about 10k for an absolute corker.

My 944 Turbo cost 10k and its reliabilty personified. A 968 will cost money on things going wrong. Just silly little things.

944 turbo ios good cos they handle as a 968 but are tuneable to over 400bhp!!

Senior_AP

Oh, look for a 968 sport. Save 4k, get aircon and you can do the suspension yourself using Leda coilovers.

RESSE

iTrader: (1)

Porsche and 911 World magazine did an article (I think in Decemeber 03 or January 04) comparing the Cabrio, 968, 968 CS and the other model (cannot remember what it was called).

I am afraid I did not keep the magazine, but I do remember that the 968 came highly recommended.

The classifieds always have some very nice examples for sale - godd strong solid cars.

You will enjoy

PS There is a 25,000 mile Sport Evolution M3 for sale in the back of Classic Cars (July 2004) - good place to look for one, but cost an arm and leg if they break (I am speaking from experience - DOH).

PPS Have you got "Track Day Warriors" from Duke?

There is a big section on the front engined Porsches - great DVD/Video.

Richard

Senior_AP

e30 M3 are expensive to maintain?? - oh, I thought they were fairly cheap. What problems did you have as my brother is considering one for a Ring weapon/track car....

Edcase

Thanks for the information. We'll look out for that DVD.

Presumably the difference between the sport and club sport is suspension and weight?

Presumably the club sport will hold its value better, longer?

Also was not available in special edition colours?

RESSE

iTrader: (1)

Did the Club Sport come with lightweight seats + less trim?

Senior_AP

You can get the Sport in any colour. Difference is slightlyt lighter, no aircon, sport generally won't have M030 suspension or the bucket seats.

A Sport is a better buy and hold their value as well as the CS. Get a 944 Turbo and p!ss them both off !!!

CraigH

Depends where you go. Somewhere like ML will rip your arm off as soon as you turn your back - find a good specialist like Ajec and it's acceptable. £280 for full service including filters, plugs etc etc. Companies can take the pi55 when it comes to maintaining E30 M3s but they're not that bad considering what a special car they are.

£15k would get you a 2.5 Sport EVO I'd have thought which would be lovely. I can't think of any other better cars tbh - personally would prefer a 944 turbo over a 968cs - they look nicer and imo you get more for your money. Where exactly does a 968 improve over a 944 except the interior?

RESSE

iTrader: (1)

For a "performance car" the E30 Me is not expensive to look after, as long as it is properly maintained - but I suppose that applies to most cars.

I bought a 80,000 mile 1989 car, and had to have the timing chain changed and the cost was about £2,000.

The timing chain change is recommended before the car gets to 90,000/100,000 miles as if not done before, and it breaks, you could be in for BIG bills.

Thing to remember with the E30 M3 is that the panels are almost impossible to replace if you bend them (or on a Trackday someone else bends them for you).

Stunning cars though...........and if I could justify to the wife and Bank manager I would have a 968 and an M3 E30 in the garage.

CraigH

Not wishing to argue, but that is the sort of comment I'd expect from ML. If the car is serviced properly these chains can go on for 200k. BMW have never said these have a service life on them, it was companies like ML who scaremongered and that "knowledge" became gospel. There are obvious signs when it needs doing and there have been some unscrupulous dealers who have replaced the chain when all it need was a change of oil (wrong stuff used). A lot won't pass up the opportuninty to quote for a £2k cam chain when it's such a "well known" problem. Ajec, fyi, charge about £1k to do this. Still expensive but a lot more reasonable.
Problem with the E30s was when they were cheap at one stage, people got hold of them and a lot really weren't looked after/serviced properly. They're specialist cars and need specialist attention - and that doesn't mean expensive.
Panels aren't impossible to replace, there isa good supply, but they're hardly cheap as you'd expect.

Awesome cars

Edcase

Hmmm, ok you are starting to tempt me now. Wasn't it LHD only?

Senior_AP

Yes. Any RHD examples generally have 320i sterring columns. Basically wanked them up. LHD is fine anyway. Nurburgring and track days it doesn't matter.

RESSE

iTrader: (1)

Bird's of Uxbridge carried out a few LHD to RHD convsersions in the early 90s.

CraigH

Don't touch a RHD E30 M3 with a barge pole. There are some very nice ones out there, you just have to look - 'cos theres a lot of dogs described as "immaculate".

If you wanted to blow all your budget, a Sport Evo would be great - but if you're gonna be doing loads of trackdays, maybe you should look at a nice, but not exceptional one, so if any bits are a bit tired, you can upgrade them.

RESSE

iTrader: (1)

I think I will stop giving my opinion on here - you only get critised if you give an opinion from a personal experience.

Freedom of speech my ****

CraigH

Wasn't criticising you - take a chill pill ffs. Didn't even see your post on RHD before I replied. All the things you've mentioned I researched before getting one and getting any work done.

Am giving my opinion based on personal experience and the information I'm giving is correct.

RB5320

Get yourself a copy of this month's 911 and Porsche World. There is a several page buying guide on the 968. Worth a read. Explains the various differences between the standard 968, Sport, Clubsport etc. And once you have finished that flick over to the article on the 422BHP 944 Turbo which happens to be for sale within your budget

Assuming the 944 doesnt tempt you, for serious trackday use you want to make sure you get a CS with the optional M030 suspension and LSD. Another very good source of info on the CS is the Porsche section of Pistonheads.

Steve

Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

968 CS
Fantastic Drive
Really liked it
Go for it
Steve

Senior_AP

RHD conversions are w&nk, agreed.

A decent G reg e30 (215bhp) with decent mileage (around the 70k - 110k) mark, FSH and in nice condition will prove an excellent buy. If the 944 Turbo didn't exist I'd have one of these I'd think.

CraigH

If the E30 M3 didn't exist, I'd have a 944 turbo I think

Still will one day hopefully.

Senior_AP

Cheeky fukku!!! lol.

I haven't driven one yet. Been in one - not driven one.

Dapster

Evo mag had an "affordable classics" type article a few months ago and compared a 968 CS, M6 and TVR Griff - the 968 they used was owned by the owners club chairman and had done around 150,000 miles with no major surgery.

I agree with a previous comment which is that for both the 968 and the M3, and absolute mint museum piece would be a waste if you're planning to hoon around the track and park it outside the pub. Best get a well used but original example and spend the saving on some Cup tyres and trackday tweeks (and maybe some professional driving tuition as that's what will give you the most enjoyment out of the car).

MarkCSC

Never driven a RHD conversion but I know someone who has (done by Birds). They say that is real world driving you don't notice that the steering rack is much slower (it comes from a 325). There are many specialist that do a quick rack for the 325 so you could upgrade it if you wanted.

Saying that the E30 M3 is the best car I have every driven and it was mainly down to the fabulous steering feel.

The best advice would be to try one if you come across it.

IanWatson

I've always wanted an E30 M3, but never had the chance to drive one.
I had a very tidy 325i Touring with sport suspension for a couple of years a while back - how do they compare as a driving experience?

Edcase

Thanks again for all your views.

One of the instructors I have used at Donno uses the M3 and he says its one of the best, most feelsome cars you can use to learn to drive fast and on the limit.

Re steering, I had the quickrack put on my bugeye wrx at great expense as I think its one of the most important aspects of driving, so I wouldn't want to bugger that up.

Have to say I am still erring on the side of the 968 CS. Off now to dig out the Evo article from the back issues

what would scooby do

Ed, a work mate ran a 968 CS and he says it was one of the best cars he ever owned, from crusing up and down the motorways and the doing trackdays, he went on to a v8 westfield, but still says the 968 was a better all round package. 968 CS was a dialy driver and a track car all in one

Senior_AP

Vastly different I would think......anyone know?

CraigH

No - although I've never heard anybody rave about any E30s other than M3s - steering, geometry, track, suspension, aerodynamics, weight distribution are all vastly different.

Quite fancy a 325 touring though- so may be able to comment sometime soon.

Boarder1

check out the following:

http://www.porsche968uk.co.uk

Mark