Advice needed...thanks

[mattlar24]

Hey everyone,

I just joined this forum. I now believe i am a member everywhere. Anyways i had a couple of questions for you guys. Right now im driving an 06 acura rsx type s. Bottom its lack of torque is problem. I am looking to get out of it. There are 3 cars that i am debating. 2004 r32 2000-2002 Audi S4 and an e36 m3. All being manauls. Although the r32 is a little out of my price range at the moment being greater then 20k for a decent one. Anyways I would like the opinion of you guys on what would be the best for me. I need it as a daily driver and i live in NY so weather is an influence at times for RWD. I do love those e36s tho and by looking at this forum i can tell everyone else who owns one does too. Any input would be greatly apreciated. I believe i am leaning towards a bmw since i am posting this here and not on the VW or audi site. If anyone knows someone selling a 97-99 e36 m3 coupe 5 speed in good condition let me know. I cant seem to find any in good condition with low mileage around me. Sorry for the book i just made you read but I thank you for taking the time to help me out!

Thanks,
Matt

[typeS4]

Well I love Audi's but the 2.7t S4's are something I'd stay clear of. The maintenance is higher than an E36 M3 and a R32. With winter tires and driving safely the M3 will be fine in the winter so long as it's not insane conditions. I think you should stay away from FWD because that's what you are coming from. Personally I'd say the M3 however the interior will be lacking to the S4 for sure and the R32 is newest so it has that edge.

Test drive them all then tell us what you liked and disliked.

[ZoomZoom951]

Where you from in NY?

[trickcruiser]

I was also between the S4 2.7t and the E36M. After much reading the S4 had many advantages that I did like the there were a few problems that I KNEW I WOULD FIND... Maintenance is higher but the bigger issue I had was that if I found one it would be modded ASAP. The stock turbos are known to die from what I understand around 100,000 miles and sooner depending on the amount of mods. Now while this first made me think :buttrock bigger turbos! I then found out that this is not a simple swap. The motor has to be lifter and is a BIG cost at the end of the day... Either way I think you would be very happy with any of the three choices though.
Good luck and have fun!

[Nik1703]

R32 does NOT have the edge on interior. R32 is also not as quick as the E36 M3, and it looks like my sisters car. it's too girly.

Any S4 that you can afford would be the V6 2x turbo. anything with two turbos means you have three times the maintenance. avoid at all costs!

[mattlar24]

Where you from in NY?

Im currently living in two locations, the bronx and putnam county. Where are you?


Thank you all for your repsonses it seems as if the decision is between the r32 and e36, the e36 being considerable less expensive and faster is making it the better choice for me.

Anyways keep them coming, i love reading more and more about what people have to say.

Thanks guys

[ZoomZoom951]

Oh ok cause i seen a few m3/4s recently round Westchester and the bx and was just curious if one was yours. BTW im from Westchester but work in the bronx on occasion.

[ptldM3]

After owning a vokswagon years ago i will never come near one again. I would literly replace something on a weekly basis that was on my 95 don't know how reliably the newer ones are but for the best bang for your buck i would go with the M3. Of course newer is better but if you could find an M3 with low miles i would jump all over it.

[houstonm3]

I would personally take RWD over AWD any day......
i think rwd is more alive and if the person knows how to drive you can have a lot of fun with rwd as compared to awd, awd is too forgiving, too boring, too safe, and not fun.
a car that would not skid or slide on a track when you want it to skid or slide is just boring.
Rwd is a pain to drive in snow but NY doesn't get that much snow anymore, you may not even need winter tires.
I'm defiantly biased in my views but i'd take an M car over an Audi anyday unless its an RS4, in which case i'd get an M6 or an M5 for a lil' bit more.
Maintenance is also a bitch with Audi's and they're more problem prune as compared to bemers.

[mattlar24]

Oh ok cause i seen a few m3/4s recently round Westchester and the bx and was just curious if one was yours. BTW im from Westchester but work in the bronx on occasion.


You know of anyone selling a nice e36 in the area? I cant seem to find one. Where in the bronx do you work. I go to school down there an work up at IBM in fishkill.

[roriii]

Okay, it is really funny because I took a serious look at all three of these cars.

1) 2000-2002 Audi S4- This is an incredibly fun car. There are a lot of them with mid-to-high mileage for slightly more than an e36 m3. A good S4 I would say goes for $14-18 thousand dollars. The S4 is practical in the sense of having four doors and quattro, but maintenance is more expensive due to the turbos. If you decide to go the S4 route, go with a 2002 year model. From what I hear, this year model has the least amount of problems. Quattro is good in bad weather, and also provides impressive handling when driven correctly.

2) 1995-1999 BMW M3- This is the most fun car to drive in my opinion. Torque seems readily available at almost any rpm, and there are a lot of modification options. It won the award "Best Handling Car at Any Price." This car is quick, fairly reliable, and safe. However, 2 doors and rear wheel drive present problems for some drivers (there are 4 door m3s though). This is also the least expensive car. High mileage M3s tend to cost 10-12 thousand dollars, while low and mid mileage M3s are generally around 13-17 thousand dollars in price. The M3 is an all around fascinating car.

3) 2004 Volkswagen R32- This is one cool, unique car. The R32 is widely accepted for its sporty looks, tight handling, incredible exhaust note, and its fun engine. The R32 features awesome, heavily bolstered Recaro seats, with aluminum interior trim. A 4-motion all wheel drive system provides sounds road holding ability, and good traction in poor weather. The power is similar to an e36 M3 with slightly more peak torque. The transmission is a precise, short-throw six speed, rather than the 5 speed in the Audi and the BMW. R32s are more expensive, generally in the 20-24 thousand dollar range. The R32 is a special car with a place in my heart, whether I own one or not.

I obviously show some bias in this writeup. Look how much longer my descriptions of the M3 and the R32 are compared to the S4. For you, I personally think you should wait a little bit longer, save a little more money, and get the R32. Although the styling is not as clean as the M3, and it doesn't have 4 doors like the S4, it is a sweet car. You will be happy with AWD in New York. The power is awesome, and maintenance is not through the roof (N/A>FI). This is just my view on things, it is ultimately your choice which car you go with. I hope this helps you out. Welcome to BFC.
Richard

[ZoomZoom951]

I work in pelham bay right by the end of the 6 train, but at the moment i dont know anybody gettin rid of a e36 right now... sorry mattlar24

[genesismachine]

I'd take the M3. It just has that X-factor that you can't put your finger on. It's just a hunk of metal and bits, but it feels like it's somehow more than that.

Oh, and as far as RWD goes, with good snow tires, you'll be fine in any weather. I drove through a snowstorm on Mount Hood (~30mph winds, couldn't see more than 10 feet ahead of you) just fine. No uncontrolled slides, no holding up traffic, perfectly safe. Now, ASC was going crazy half the time because the wind was literally blowing the car around a little bit on the snow/ice, but that's a long ways from unsafe.

[mattlar24]

Thanks again for all your posts. you guys have been a big help. im going to continue to look for the right car. hopefully ill be patient, i just need out of this damm rsx type s. pos japanese car. haha thanks guys

[Duct tape]

Here's my recommendation.

S4 = Buy extended warranty
M3 = If you're a DIY'er

[joe91985]

Just to throw my opinion out there.... The S4 sucks!, I have driven a ton of Audi's and they all feel like tin cans driving down the road. If you want a VW with nice leather then go for it, but they are a waste of money, the r32 is fun to drive and the all wheel drive in that thing really makes it a rocket ship..... but your on the e36 forum so I gotta keep it real and say get the M I love my car, I wash it every week and it never gets old. The car treats me really well and when it time to show some punk what having an M is all about, it never disappoints me. Buy the M and smile :)

[roriii]

Just to throw my opinion out there.... The S4 sucks!, I have driven a ton of Audi's and they all feel like tin cans driving down the road. If you want a VW with nice leather then go for it, but they are a waste of money, the r32 is fun to drive and the all wheel drive in that thing really makes it a rocket ship..... but your on the e36 forum so I gotta keep it real and say get the M I love my car, I wash it every week and it never gets old. The car treats me really well and when it time to show some punk what having an M is all about, it never disappoints me. Buy the M and smile :)

+1
I still recommend the r32 for you though.