HELP ME! 328iC or M3 Convertible

[mnvrice]

I really need some help! I am looking at BMW's for the first time and are looking at either a 1999 328iC or a 1998 M3 Convertible. Mostly I am curious if the repair costs are more on the M3.

HELP!

If you can afford the M3, there is no reason not to get it. Parts wont be that much more expensive (if any)...and the M3 is an awsome ride! Good luck

[AZ325Ci]

if i had a choice, i would go with the M3

[Ski]

Welcome mnvrice!! Repair costs should not be an option..either one should be sweet, but rather what's the price difference, mileage, pics, carfax history, etc..fill us in on a little more info between the two rides!!

[BlackTape]

M3........ For every reason in the world

Better looks
Bigger Engine
Better CAR

[MrM3]

the E36 328 and M3 basically have the same exact engine, just different displacement 2.8-3.2 so reliability isnt really different between the two, the M3 has slightly better looks, much better performance, and a better interior. it makes more sense to go for the M3 price wise aswell.

[donutchow]

are they both manual? post prices and mileage......

Originally posted by donutchow@Jun 22 2003, 03:01 PM
are they both manual? post prices and mileage......

i think he was looking in general, at least that is what i understood from the question

[L337E46]

Originally posted by MrM3@Jun 21 2003, 07:40 PM
the E36 328 and M3 basically have the same exact engine, just different displacement 2.8-3.2 so reliability isnt really different between the two, the M3 has slightly better looks, much better performance, and a better interior. it makes more sense to go for the M3 price wise aswell.

I'm confused... Not to be off topic but does that mean that my e46 3er with the 2.5 liter M52TU with dual Vanos shares the same characteristics as the ///M engine? I think the 328 (E46 not E36) has the M54TU. I dunno anything about engines except for the fact that dual Vanos Pwnz...

Originally posted by MrM3@Jun 21 2003, 11:40 PM
the E36 328 and M3 basically have the same exact engine, just different displacement 2.8-3.2 so reliability isnt really different between the two, the M3 has slightly better looks, much better performance, and a better interior. it makes more sense to go for the M3 price wise aswell.

mrm3, i dont think so.....the current 3.0 is a massaged version of the 2.5/2.8, where as my engine is based on a completely different block. Id suspect the same would be for the e36 M since it had cast iron block.....and e36's were all aluminum correct

[MrM3]

Originally posted by SpeedsterBMW+Jun 23 2003, 05:39 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (SpeedsterBMW @ Jun 23 2003, 05:39 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-MrM3@Jun 21 2003, 11:40 PM
the E36 328 and M3 basically have the same exact engine, just different displacement 2.8-3.2 so reliability isnt really different between the two, the M3 has slightly better looks, much better performance, and a better interior. it makes more sense to go for the M3 price wise aswell.

mrm3, i dont think so.....the current 3.0 is a massaged version of the 2.5/2.8, where as my engine is based on a completely different block. Id suspect the same would be for the e36 M since it had cast iron block.....and e36's were all aluminum correct [/b][/quote]
speedster your right about the E46 S54, but for the E36's both the M3 and 328 engines were M52's with single-vanos. europe got a new engine, we got a bored out M52. the M54's didnt come around till 2001 with the new 2.5 and 3.0. where as the old 2.8's and 2.5's remained M52's even tho they got double vanos in 1999.

Originally posted by MrM3+Jun 23 2003, 11:27 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (MrM3 @ Jun 23 2003, 11:27 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

mrm3, i dont think so.....the current 3.0 is a massaged version of the 2.5/2.8, where as my engine is based on a completely different block. Id suspect the same would be for the e36 M since it had cast iron block.....and e36's were all aluminum correct

speedster your right about the E46 S54, but for the E36's both the M3 and 328 engines were M52's with single-vanos. europe got a new engine, we got a bored out M52. the M54's didnt come around till 2001 with the new 2.5 and 3.0. where as the old 2.8's and 2.5's remained M52's even tho they got double vanos in 1999. [/b][/quote]
did the 328 have a cast iron block? cause i know the m3 engine did

[MrM3]

Originally posted by SpeedsterBMW+Jun 23 2003, 08:41 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (SpeedsterBMW @ Jun 23 2003, 08:41 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

speedster your right about the E46 S54, but for the E36's both the M3 and 328 engines were M52's with single-vanos. europe got a new engine, we got a bored out M52. the M54's didnt come around till 2001 with the new 2.5 and 3.0. where as the old 2.8's and 2.5's remained M52's even tho they got double vanos in 1999.

did the 328 have a cast iron block? cause i know the m3 engine did [/b][/quote]
not sure, i know the Z3 2.8L had a aluminum block . i didnt mean they were exactly the same, but all and all the US M3 is basically a 3.2L M52 where as the real S52 was the euro spec. not to make the M3 sound weak or anything, cuz i'm sure BMW M made some changes here and there, i was just trying to make a point that the M3 is just as reliable as the 328 even tho its a higher performance engine.

Originally posted by MrM3+Jun 23 2003, 11:52 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (MrM3 @ Jun 23 2003, 11:52 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

did the 328 have a cast iron block? cause i know the m3 engine did

not sure, i know the Z3 2.8L had a aluminum block . i didnt mean they were exactly the same, but all and all the US M3 is basically a 3.2L M52 where as the real S52 was the euro spec. not to make the M3 sound weak or anything, cuz i'm sure BMW M made some changes here and there, i was just trying to make a point that the M3 is just as reliable as the 328 even tho its a higher performance engine. [/b][/quote]
yea no doubt about that! If it was treated well, that M will last forever! Too bad i cant say the same about my E46 M3.....at least i got a 6 year warrenty out of the deal!

[FruityOne]

i heard from a bmw expert that all the e36 engine blocks are the same...everything else is different...but the blocks themselves are identical in size and material...bore and everything else is different i think