I have a good indy at hand who gives me good advice and by their reckoning, the E9X generation of M3 should be cheaper to run than a 996.
But it's a car that's nearly 10 years newer, so that's not a big surprise. And if I calculate that doing rod bearings as preventive maintenance will cost about 1.5-2k, I'd say that's more reasonable than a full Hartech rebuild. OK, an IMS replacement would set you back about the same, so perhaps it's a moot point.
But from my experience and inspections, in the 16-19k price bracket you'll need to spend 2-3k at the very least to get a 996 up to scratch (one 997 I had checked would have needed closer to 8k) , whereas I doubt it would be that much on an M3.
It's a bit of a 'get in and go' rather than a 'rolling restoration', which I can't afford.
I'm actually looking to get an M3 sedan/saloon and I found it pretty damn quick. Yes, it needed revs, but so does a 996/997.
What it lacks is a sense of occasion. The minute I get into a 996/7 cockpit it feels intimate and 'right', whereas in the M3, you need to hit the loud pedal to remind yourself that it's something special. Although the view with the bulge in the bonnet helps.
That's something I'll have to live with I guess. But it could be worse. I could be driving a diesel :floor:
But it's a car that's nearly 10 years newer, so that's not a big surprise. And if I calculate that doing rod bearings as preventive maintenance will cost about 1.5-2k, I'd say that's more reasonable than a full Hartech rebuild. OK, an IMS replacement would set you back about the same, so perhaps it's a moot point.
But from my experience and inspections, in the 16-19k price bracket you'll need to spend 2-3k at the very least to get a 996 up to scratch (one 997 I had checked would have needed closer to 8k) , whereas I doubt it would be that much on an M3.
It's a bit of a 'get in and go' rather than a 'rolling restoration', which I can't afford.
I'm actually looking to get an M3 sedan/saloon and I found it pretty damn quick. Yes, it needed revs, but so does a 996/997.
What it lacks is a sense of occasion. The minute I get into a 996/7 cockpit it feels intimate and 'right', whereas in the M3, you need to hit the loud pedal to remind yourself that it's something special. Although the view with the bulge in the bonnet helps.
That's something I'll have to live with I guess. But it could be worse. I could be driving a diesel :floor:
