Okey dokey peeps, I'm getting a bit depressed with the power output of my Furby, not to mention the handling, so I'm beginning to look elsewhere.

I've looked at Porsche 944S's quite a bit recently as the 188bhp RWD layout is extremely tempting. Someone then prompted me into thinking about a 1996-ish BMW 328i. Usually I am almost the reverse of snobbish about BMW's, partly due to their prestige and partly due to the typical driving habits of those who have them, but after doing some detailed research they actually seem quite good.

I can get insured on one for just £60 more than it's currently costing on the Furby (with mods declared). Seeing as I'm getting RWD and another 50bhp, seems rather good . . . . .

They seem to have a good reliability record (cheaper parts than the 944 for sure!) and I can cope with mid 20's mpg (although Parkers reckon 30mpg on the combined cycle hmmmm, from nearly 3 litres and 6 cylinders:rolleyes: ).

Does anyone here know much about these cars, reliability, parts costs etc.? No comments about BMW image etc. etc. , I'm looking to buy the car as a driver, I'm not overly bothered about appearance. From what I've heard they're comfortable, quick and fun!

Cheers.

just try to get the best spec you can for the money you've got , leather , cd changer , M series trim/suspension etc , do they have forums for bmw , i'd try and see what owners have to say about them

dude, I came up my local bypass behind a newish 328i, and he was really trying not to get beaten by a skoda, but the performance was almost the same, with me gaining just a bit on him, now, I've followed you and the performance of your furby is comparable to mine, so I don't think you'd be getting noticable quicker acceleration with the BMW, you may get a better chassis, but I think you'd be dissapointed seeing as you started the tread with "dissapointed with my power.." ect....

now the porsche, I don't know so much about, I do like the look of 'em, you may want to watch the running costs though.....

I had a Z3 3.0i (5 speed steptronic) and I can assure you 30mpg is going to be a myth unless you are on a motorway doing about 65!

I used to get about 24-25 MPG over a mix of driving, and I'd imagine the 3 series weighs a bit more than the (1290kg) Z3.

You might get a couple MPG more with a manual gbox though

Old Porsches really can be big money pits, even new ones have problems:

Mates of mine have a 2001 Boxster and a 2002 Boxster S. Both have had numerous things go wrong, the 02 has a warranty so not sure of costs but he's had the cooling fan solenoid replaced & the central locking repaired. The 2001 Boxster is out of warranty and the following has gone wrong in the last 12 months - alternator, cost $1400 fitted, new ignition barrel, $400 for the part, plus labor.

Both cars have 40000 miles on them, roughly.

You boys keeping up with 328i's are doing well, I guess there probably isn't much in it especially if the BMW is an automatic with the old 4 speed box.

I am looking at a 328i manual. 190bhp, 1395kg . . . Dave, no disrespect but I suspect he wasn't trying or it was an auto. They have 280Nm of torque too. I've had a 323i estate pull away quite easily on a duel carriageway, maybe I wasn't slaughtering the gearbox enough. :confused:

I know what you are saying about the Porsches, the 944's aren't anywhere near as expensive as the 911's but I'm still being cautious at this stage.

Insurance is quite cheap on the 328, and you've still got German engineering. I guess I'll have to play with one in the flesh.

Does anyone know a good forum for Beemers of this age?

your best comparison is gonna be if you drive an example of your prospective cars... see if you can find an example you could buy, then go ask for a test drive, thats the best way to decide...

I used to post on here:

http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/

But it's mostly US based (certainly for the Z3 bit anyway)

The 328 is a pretty nice car. I have a mate with a 328 coupe, it's fairly quick and probably quicker than my standard Fabia, but not by much. The handling is better though.

As for fuel economy, he can get mid to high thirties driving like a pussy, but spirited runs (similar to you on the C&F recce ) produces mid to low teens. Be carefull with the economy on your long run to work, it may be cheaper to stretch yourself with a bigger loan for a VRS rather than take the weekly increase in fuel spend.

Mid to high 30s MPG out of a 2.8 6 cylinder? Every credit to him if he does!

Really, I don't think I ever saw much over 25MPG on my Z3 trip computer, even resetting it at 60MPH on the motorway it would only hit about 34-35MPG foot off the throttle...Ok, that's 40MPG in UK gallons but even so!

I am toying with a Dodge Ram V8 petrol at the moment (pic) as I am between cars, it is returning about 16MPG urban and 22MPG on the motorway. I will take a pic of the MPG readout later on the panel.

Mid to high 30s MPG out of a 2.8 6 cylinder? Every credit to him if he does!

I've been in the car and seen the display, mind you it's so steady to get that kind of economy you could die of boredom before getting to your destination.

No idea on the Beemers other than the 3-series I've been out in was well built, quiet comfortable and surprisingly chuckable, but what do you want from a car - we may be able to suggest some other alternatives

Chris

hhmmm other alternatives, when I was in your position, I bought a Lancia Thema Turbo (215bhp 2 litre turbo from the intergrale, counterbalance shafts ect) Genuine 150 mph, alcantara seats , electronic climate, one of the first cars with ABS ect.. I loved it, and it only cost me £1,250 BUT it was group 19 insurance, and I doubt you'd wanna swallow that!

^ Fantastic choice. I remember looking at those with my dad in the late 80s as the LX Turbo was within his company car price range. The spec level on those cars was pretty much unmatched, although the Accords were always well equipped, nowhere near as much fun to drive as the Lancia though.

Now what about a Thema 8.32?

Now what about a Thema 8.32?

Oh yes, Ferrari power in a mafia staff car

Rich, job change looming which will make work much closer to home.

I know its probably not your bag at all.

But my MR2 is so much fun its unreal. A proper drivers car.

Sorry I can't help on the BMW issue, personally I like BMW's though

I used to like the BMW too, but a friend of mine has totally screwed up a 323i Coupe. It's a shed now, with lexus style lights, ugly bits on it etc etc etc.... spoils the whole thing.

I've driven a few bmw's over the last few years (525i, 520i, 320d, 116) for varying lengths of time (3 weeks to a weekend loaner) and while they do handle well, I've found the power delivery to be a bit :gay:

Don't get me wrong, it's there, but it just seemed to take an eternity to move, just didn't feel fast.

And I think from your post of the power outputs of the Beemer, i can see the problem....

280nm torque.

That's a pathetic 206 lb/ft. A mildly breathed on PD130 unit (a la Furby vRS) easily eclipses that with about 300lb/ft. Which is over 400nm....now that does feel fast.....

280nm torque.

That's a pathetic 206 lb/ft. A mildly breathed on PD130 unit (a la Furby vRS) easily eclipses that with about 300lb/ft. Which is over 400nm....now that does feel fast.....

So it depends whether you want to feel like you're going fast, or actually going fast I'd take the 6-cylinder RWD car myself

Chris

Gwilo, I know where you're coming from - the shove in the back is nice with a turbodiesel. I'll have to see what happens after a few tests.

In reality, you do get a huge shove from a diesel, but it comes in big lumps, whenas a n/a petrol will go onto a rolling boil with the power just keeping on coming. It's at that point the tdi changes gear and suddenly drops back.

I'll see, I've got a few other cars in mind too, all of which will be subjected to intense examination and testing.

The 944 would be 188bhp when new - you can pretty much guarantee an older one won't be producing that amount. I'd have a seriously long test drive and a full inspection before you touch one.

Much as I personally don't like them something like a newer Celica 190 might suit you better - very CTR in terms of the engine but quick if you can be bothered to work it hard - reliable too.

Personally, I'd go for a mid-90s Skyline over a 328 - quick, relaible and the image is much better. Plus they'll tune up to rediculous amounts...

I'd go for a 944 Turbo or S2 cab

Dont suppose something like a Celica GT-Four would suit? 250bhp four wheel drive, looking at them myself at the minute (amongst many others, depending on what Autotrader has to offer)...