Play devil's advocate on M's next car
- Thread starter ///M-Spec
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///M-Spec
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Originally posted by Goomba
So would you say the STi is better than the Evo? *gets ready to chalk another up for Subaru power*
Excellent choice if I do say so myself. It looks beautiful. Plan on racing this puppy too?
Hmm. Yea, between the two I'd probably get the STi. The Evo does two things better, and that is steering and on-the-limit balance. The STi is just a hairline behind the Evo there, but more than makes up for it in street-useability: the suspension and motor's low end torque + top end is simply amazing. The Evo simply asks you to put up with too much in order to get the advantages (punishing street ride).
The center-diff banging during fast upshifts on the STi is disconcerting, though. Even regular WRXs do that, don't they? I recall the '03 I drove did that too. Plus that and the hood scoop AND the rear wing shudder around in the breeze at 70+ mph. I dunno, when I spend 30k on a car, I'd rather not have the peices shake. Still.. super hot car though.
EDIT: Yep. Sure do. Once its out of break-in, I'll hit B-stock (and get owned by the S2000s
R-comps maybe over Christmas (we'll see what the CFO will approve) and probably a spring HPDE at Sebring with the BMWCCA gang.M
- 24,344
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- GTP_Duke
Scariest-fast car I've ever been in was a 1966 Corvair with a 455ci Olds Toronado drivetrain back there. Looked stock from 10 feet away.
Congratulations, ///M! I regret not being in a position to take the old one off your hands, but I'm glad you got a good number for it as a trade. I'm sure you'll love it!
Congratulations, ///M! I regret not being in a position to take the old one off your hands, but I'm glad you got a good number for it as a trade. I'm sure you'll love it!
. Would you care to describe the amount of force placed on your body as your accelerated in that beast?
What are you talkin' bout son? Like a twin engined car?
- 995
Originally posted by ///M-Spec
The center-diff banging during fast upshifts on the STi is disconcerting, though. Even regular WRXs do that, don't they? I recall the '03 I drove did that too. Plus that and the hood scoop AND the rear wing shudder around in the breeze at 70+ mph. I dunno, when I spend 30k on a car, I'd rather not have the peices shake. Still.. super hot car though.
EDIT: Yep. Sure do. Once its out of break-in, I'll hit B-stock (and get owned by the S2000s
M
Yeah, Subaru doesn't seem to spend a whole lot of time making things work smoothly and luxurious. But I would have to say it's one hell of a car for the price tag, WRX or STi.
Haha, yeah those damn S2000s sure are a pain in the rear. Did you hear the 2004s are in A-Stock?!
*searches around to make two more semi-worthwhile posts*
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- Small_Fryz
how bought a HSV ahha no your in US anyway id go with the BMW
///M-Spec
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No argument there. The car is hardcore. I am not.
And they sure as hell BELONG in A, with 23+ MORE whp than the 00-03s, SHORTER GEARING and fatter footprints all around. Let the C4 guys deal with those friggin bastages. I'm going to have trouble keeping up with the E36 M3s and Boxsters in my chubby open-diff limo.
M
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- Somebodyshootme
I know all about the missing of a good car. The ole Miata had nothing to help it out either. No power steering, traction control, nothing fancy, Two hands, a shifter and two feet. A constant battle driving that car, which was the best part of that car. You never had to go to the gym to work your upper or lower body out, just drive : )Originally posted by ///M-Spec
Hahaha. Yes, well that was a long time ago. Pre-marriage. Pre-baby.... ahh the good ole days. I miss that damn car.It didn't even have traction control. Just a 25% lock up and your right foot.
M
- 1,795
I would've went with a bare-bones Evo RS, I'm a big fan of sleepers. In fact I'd order up stock '02 Lancer red taillamps to further sleepertize it. But the 3-series (except the M) is pretty low-pro and, around here, is stained with the stigma of being a car all those layers and doctors drive who have no appreciation for what the car can deliver. It's better than having an SVT focus or Civic ect pull up at every stoplight and challengine you lol. Around here, most, let's say, 'agressive' drivers know exactly what an Evo or STi is, and they want a piece of it. Gets annoying when you want no part of it 
Yes, it's pretty stupid having a car that can smoke a Careera 4S (and prolly a few other more racy models on the 996 lineup) and at the same time have crank windows and no A/C or radio but that's the price you pay for what's basically a out-of-box autocrosser
That car's on my list of cars to buy if I win the lottery. Oh yeah, my dream car's a Mosler MT900R by the way. Lighter (like 2000 pounds without fuel) is better.
On the Miata, my first car might be an old early 90's Miata, you never know. I plan to buy something that can get me around, is pretty much not a 'trouble starter' (prime example: a bright-colored Eclipse), is reliable, and has its own racing class. (Spec Miata) The Miata seems perfect
Or a pre-'86 Celica, heard those were a ball to drive, too bad they're a tough catch, and '86 normally means in excess of 100,000 miles
Yes, it's pretty stupid having a car that can smoke a Careera 4S (and prolly a few other more racy models on the 996 lineup) and at the same time have crank windows and no A/C or radio but that's the price you pay for what's basically a out-of-box autocrosser
That car's on my list of cars to buy if I win the lottery. Oh yeah, my dream car's a Mosler MT900R by the way. Lighter (like 2000 pounds without fuel) is better.
On the Miata, my first car might be an old early 90's Miata, you never know. I plan to buy something that can get me around, is pretty much not a 'trouble starter' (prime example: a bright-colored Eclipse), is reliable, and has its own racing class. (Spec Miata) The Miata seems perfect
Or a pre-'86 Celica, heard those were a ball to drive, too bad they're a tough catch, and '86 normally means in excess of 100,000 miles
///M-Spec
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Thank you, Victor, but I'm not looking for an out of the box autocrosser. I was deeply impressed with the Evo as well as the STi, but I don't need or want 110% go-fast, damn everything else kind of car. Also, I'm frankly unfazed by the stigma surrounding BMWs; after 4, I've gotten used to it.
M
M
- 1,271
///M what you need to do is cut all this mess with these fancy dancy go nowhere cars and get your self a '90 IROC with T-Tops, throw new low compresstion 350 in that bad boy, and then finish it off with a bolt on Holley 144 Powercharger and T-56 six speed. Oh and some suspension. Then you'll be set with a 1/4 of the money you would spend on these other fancy dancy yankee cars!!!!!!
YEEEEHAWWWW!
YEEEEHAWWWW!
///M-Spec
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For '93, you're talkin E36 body style, basically with two motors. The 6 cylinder M50TU in the 325i/is (189hp) and the wheezy 4 banger M42 in the 318i/is (~142hp if I remember right). I'd advise against the M42 unless you had some cash for a blower.
i = 4 door sedan. is= 2 door coupe in E36 land.
E36s are great. They're proven, popular and there is a pretty good aftermarket for them. Lots of cheap parts around. Not too hard to make 'em decently quick. Mechanically strong car with a few very well documented issues that's a no brainer to solve if you're mechanically inclined (like I know you are). Easy to bolt on parts from the M3 and even the 5 series.
Anything in particular you want to know?
M
///M-Spec
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I'm more partial to an LS1 M6 with a hot cam package, 4.10 rear, LS6 intake, SLP airbox, long tube headers w hi-flo cats and dynomax ultraflows. Screw the handling. But if I had my 'druthers, I'd get a bone stock Z06 and be quite happy.Unfortunately, I'm locked into responsible family sedans that cosset my old and tired behind.
M
///M-Spec
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E36 body itself is strong. Rust maybe an issue at 150k + if it lives in the snow belt. Electrical might be problematic at that age too.. you ARE talking about an 11-12 year old car.
You can probably get by on a 100k E36 suspension, but it will feel a little tired and you may wonder what all this "Ultimate Driving Machine" fuss is all about. Expect general mushiness and poor body control because the shocks will be dead.
If you want to restore the car into its former glory, you should look at tie rods, lower control arms in the front end. Trailing arm bushings and shock mounts in the rear (both very important). Shocks, possibly springs all the way around. Upgrade to M3 parts when price allows.. (most of it is a direct replacement except for sway bars).. or go aftermarket because it is just as good or better than the factory M parts.
M
///M-Spec
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Originally posted by 87chevy
ah, okay, well at least you know what a real car is. yeah, no 4 door Z06's. Maybe they will finally make the Imala or Monte' back to what they are supposed to be. FR V-8's! yeah right! GM do that? HA ... bastards! DAMN THEM!!
Well, I appreciate a good American car, but trust me I don't really find the BMWs lacking. Would it surprise you to learn that my E36 M3 can keep up quite well with an LT1 Z28 and leave it behind when the road turns twisty? Yes, the LS1s kill me, but only after 100... after which its go directly to jail time, so what's the point?
There's a lot more to a car than haulin' butt. Truth is, I LIKE fancy dancy yankee cars. I like quality interiors with nice textures. I like closing a door and have it slam shut like a bank vault closing. I like cars with a high degree of handling feedback, precision and driver involvement as well as speed.
I could have easily picked up a '02 Camaro SS or '03 Evolution, but I think I'm over these types of cars for now. Maybe when I hit my mid-life crisis, I'll revisit them.
M
