M3 Stablemates: What else do you have in the garage?

[M3fanatic580]

2012 BMW 128I with 88000km.

[I M Legend]

Honda

[///Marecki]

I have a soft spot for E31, it was always the one that caught my eye as a kid back in the day. But i do feel like it could've been a lot more than it ended up being. Had the potential to be a true bmw supercar. The widebody would have suited it imo.

Its almost blasphemy to say this but if somone can take a red csi and do the widebody on that with a more exotic engine like a s85 or something that would be nuts.

[TexaZ3]

Yeah, and Marv sold it a few months ago too.

He also has a E36 wagon with an S54 swap that I like more

https://www.motortrend.com/features/...arvin-fonacier

Nice pair! Honestly, very clean build, even though I'm usually not a fan of these types of projects.
E31 had so much potential, too bad BMW released it at a wrong time.

[9kracing]

Yeah, wasn't this the car that was at SEMA last year? Looks good, but I'm much more of a stock-look kinda guy.

Yeah, and Marv sold it a few months ago too.

He also has a E36 wagon with an S54 swap that I like more

https://www.motortrend.com/features/custom-sema-bmw-e36-wagon-e31-coupe-pandem-marvin-fonacier

[TexaZ3]

I'm not one for modding, but feel compelled to share this.

It just works for me.

Yeah, wasn't this the car that was at SEMA last year? Looks good, but I'm much more of a stock-look kinda guy.

[simon_c]

Simply put, the 4 adds additional and unnecessary weight and drive wheels. Both ruin the experience, though the wide body is better looking. And before anyone says GTS, it’s not worth the premium at today’s prices.

As for a 4.0 conversion, they’re great but also unnecessary as the 997 just hits the mark in stock form. If you haven’t driven one, you should. These aren’t M3s. They don’t “need” mods to be all they can be.

Not sure it gets better for 50k than a 7.2. Had I not bought my GT3 before they went crazy, I’d be in one now. Don’t let the power figures fool you. These things perform well above their data.

Really interesting take. Also, I feel like a clean 7.2 manual with ok miles is averaging more like $65K+ these days. Would love a GTS but they are $100K+ now it seems like. Going to get some seat time in one soon.

[LSB4Me]

Just curious why not on the 4 or 4S? Or did you mean something else. 997.2 with DFI is the goal but I'm not afraid of a later 997.1 with a good PPI to ensure there is no bore scoring. Would actually love a 997.1 with a 4.0L rebuild from Vision or LN.

Simply put, the 4 adds additional and unnecessary weight and drive wheels. Both ruin the experience, though the wide body is better looking. And before anyone says GTS, it’s not worth the premium at today’s prices.

As for a 4.0 conversion, they’re great but also unnecessary as the 997 just hits the mark in stock form. If you haven’t driven one, you should. These aren’t M3s. They don’t “need” mods to be all they can be.

Not sure it gets better for 50k than a 7.2. Had I not bought my GT3 before they went crazy, I’d be in one now. Don’t let the power figures fool you. These things perform well above their data.

[///Marecki]

Absolutely timeless design by Klaus Kapitza. What a car!

I'm not one for modding, but feel compelled to share this.

It just works for me.

[simon_c]

This.

The 997 is the sweetheart of the modern 911s. It was the end of an era and, no offense to those here with 991+ cars, the newer stuff comes with drawbacks. For example, in exchange for a more modern interior, you lose hydraulic steering. The list goes on.

If you are looking for a 911 to drive, look no further than the 997. It needs no mods to perform as a driver’s car should out of the box. Full stop.

Now for full disclosure—the 7.2 got DFI. You really want a 7.2 S if you can swing it. You do not, under any circumstances, want a 4.

Lastly, you can add CarPlay to the 997s in various ways whilst retaining the stock stereo unit, if that’s your thing. I don’t even know how the radio works in mine though. Window down; exhaust flap open … send it.

Just curious why not on the 4 or 4S? Or did you mean something else. 997.2 with DFI is the goal but I'm not afraid of a later 997.1 with a good PPI to ensure there is no bore scoring. Would actually love a 997.1 with a 4.0L rebuild from Vision or LN.

[fuddy]

Traded in my M340i for this amazing I4 M50. It’s a great daily driver with crazy power. So far I love it.

Same

[LSB4Me]

The general appearance of the 997 interior/dash is similar to 991. Cluster looks a bit dated, but you’ll probably forget about it when you’re busy enjoying the car. The only thing I’d like to add to mine is CarPlay and reverse camera, but aside from that I’m happy with the interior and tech.

This.

The 997 is the sweetheart of the modern 911s. It was the end of an era and, no offense to those here with 991+ cars, the newer stuff comes with drawbacks. For example, in exchange for a more modern interior, you lose hydraulic steering. The list goes on.

If you are looking for a 911 to drive, look no further than the 997. It needs no mods to perform as a driver’s car should out of the box. Full stop.

Now for full disclosure—the 7.2 got DFI. You really want a 7.2 S if you can swing it. You do not, under any circumstances, want a 4.

Lastly, you can add CarPlay to the 997s in various ways whilst retaining the stock stereo unit, if that’s your thing. I don’t even know how the radio works in mine though. Window down; exhaust flap open … send it.

[SQ13]

Tell me more 🙂. Last small, analog 911 with hydraulic steering sounds appealing. I feel like they might be become too expensive later down the road. Just trying to get some seat time in one first. I like the idea of the better (not super long) gearing of the 997. Seems much easier to work on too.

Interior seems a bit dated now for me but that’s ok

Join your local PCA Facebook group and ask. I’m sure someone would be willing to let you experience their 997—I got to drive a stranger’s $300k 997.1 GT3RS before I bought my GT3 (didn’t ask to drive it..he just offered).

The general appearance of the 997 interior/dash is similar to 991. Cluster looks a bit dated, but you’ll probably forget about it when you’re busy enjoying the car. The only thing I’d like to add to mine is CarPlay and reverse camera, but aside from that I’m happy with the interior and tech.

[Kipjames3]

Hell yea. I wanted to buy a 323i wagon in Germany a couple years ago before the prices went crazy. I get it, but my only gripe is the premium for the wagon shape is pretty hefty.

Yeah, I probably overpaid for this one a little because I bought it during COVID when the prices were a little higher, but I love it. I even sold my E36 M3 and put that money towards an E46 because of the wagon.

[Nate047]

323i manual. I've always wanted a techno wagon and found this one a couple of years ago. I wanted a 328 but they're hard to find, especially a solid example like this one. I also couldn't justify the extra couple thousands for a couple more horses for a car that's just going to be my grocery getting, family cruiser. It only had a few surface rust spots that I've taken care of, and I've had the interior reupholstered to OEM leather. In the process now of getting rid of the roof rack holes. I've always liked the look of a wagon without the rails especially in darker colors. Maybe somewhere down the line I'll be brave enough to do a M3 swap but these engines are pretty reliable, so it's nice to have something I can just hope in and enjoy.

Hell yea. I wanted to buy a 323i wagon in Germany a couple years ago before the prices went crazy. I get it, but my only gripe is the premium for the wagon shape is pretty hefty.