Tell me why I shouldn't get rid of the 535i for a 911 ?

[Derek A.]

Thinking about a late 80's 911. Upgraded the Volvo so I have a solid daily hauler vehicle. Any reason to not pursue a 911 as a nice weather daily driver ?

[Paul in NZ]

if you can do without having four doors and are prepared to pay even more for parts....(at least in this part of the world)

[Bruno]

Thinking about a late 80's 911. Upgraded the Volvo so I have a solid daily hauler vehicle. Any reason to not pursue a 911 as a nice weather daily driver ?

I was thinking the same thing until I talked to some 911 owner... Oh my, get ready to open your wallet... WIDE.
An engine rebuilt is 10 000... and that is without any upgrades.
The rest of the parts aren't any better.

[632 Regal]

because you owe me 22 grand?


Thinking about a late 80's 911. Upgraded the Volvo so I have a solid daily hauler vehicle. Any reason to not pursue a 911 as a nice weather daily driver ?

[Ross]

Same as I have heard. More than usual it pays to buy quality here, no bargains to be had at all. Makes a sick E32 750 look like maintaining a Camry.

[winfred]

they are a royal bitch to get out of the shop, take it in for one thing and 6 other break while it is there and being touched, had one in (not sure why as we don't work on porsche) a while back and the bastard wouldn't go away, the last straw was when he came to pick it up the ****er wouldn't crank (came in with a sun roof problem and a oil change), out of the blue, i figure alarm so **** this and bump started it and let the grunt run it up front, nope no alarm and in the process of figuring out the electrical starting problem the key switch gives it up.....

[Incantation]

porsches are boring

[sneekens]

maintenance parts would cost like upgrades!!! and the "upgrades" never stop...

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

Buy it on the attitude of the owner,or try one from Kabul if you really want a gambol!

[attack eagle]

PITA to work on, upgrades to the engine, timing, oil system seem to never end.

If you want one as a DD a late 993 or 996 are better choices.

[schnell944]

I've also been thinking of trading my 535 for a Porsche. Every time I get close I end up appreciating my car more and keeping it. Came very close to buying a nice 996 last week. The manager took my car out for a drive (I was going to trade it) and couldn't stop talking about how great the car was. Another sales person there offered to buy it from me. I then realized that it wasn't worth it to spend 22k on the 996 when I had an awesome car I could fix myself (and the fact that I would only get 2k for it didn't help things). That said, when I have a little more $ to play with I *may* consider one, but will still run the 5 for as long as it will take me first...221,000mi and still running strong.

[Derek A.]

I am sure I would be hard pressed to get $2500 for my car. Its gonna need paint, fuel tank fixed and an oil pan gasket. I don't dislike the car by any means - I just get a kick out of those late 80's 911. The girlfriend had one in high school and I enjoyed it (and her) a lot.
http://www.opus45.com/pics/Porsche_911.jpg
I was also thinking M5, 540i 6 speed. Not a huge fan of the e39, can't get an e38 in a stick. And with gas prices were they are is it a good idea to get a daily driver with crappier gas mileage than my m30 powered e34?

[Paul in NZ]

I am sure I would be hard pressed to get $2500 for my car. Its gonna need paint, fuel tank fixed and an oil pan gasket. I don't dislike the car by any means - I just get a kick out of those late 80's 911. The girlfriend had one in high school and I enjoyed it (and her) a lot.
http://www.opus45.com/pics/Porsche_911.jpg
I was also thinking M5, 540i 6 speed. Not a huge fan of the e39, can't get an e38 in a stick. And with gas prices were they are is it a good idea to get a daily driver with crappier gas mileage than my m30 powered e34?

dont be surprised if an e34 540 i 6 actually get slightly BETTER mileage than your 535
you r dilema is the same as mine...want a newer car but cant for the life of me think what...an e 39 540 six speed or even a e39 m5 has crossed my mind,but reading e 39 m5 forums scare me(but so did what will break on e 34 .net!)An e39 530 manual would be nice but i have never seen one in this country

[Derek A.]

dont be surprised if an e34 540 i 6 actually get slightly BETTER mileage than your 535
you r dilema is the same as mine...want a newer car but cant for the life of me think what...an e 39 540 six speed or even a e39 m5 has crossed my mind,but reading e 39 m5 forums scare me(but so did what will break on e 34 .net!)An e39 530 manual would be nice but i have never seen one in this country

I have been shopping for 540i's but I think about do i want to go through all the repairs I have done my my e34 all over again (subframe bushings, driveshaft, headliner, stereo install,) The e39 cars have some serious suspension expenses along with the fact that everything needs to be coded. I have seen lots of modules puke and without the tools - you can't diagnose or repair them. I figured a 540 would get better mileage, I don't know if dumping a bunch of money into tuning elements like mass air are going to make much of a difference in economy.

Hate to say it - maybe its just time for something different. e30 325is? e36m3? e36 328ic?

[Bruno]

A turbocharger should help getting better gas mileage.. hehehe until you enjoy the dark side of a booster 535i.

Life is too short, I could buy a toyota echo and then hate it every day I am behind the wheel. I could also get a 318i... But I must say that I love the power of an inline 6. I also always loved the 80's 911, especially the twin turbo one and the big whale tail...
If money wasn't an issue... I would be driving a Porsche 965...
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3957/965turbo3602bi6.jpg

[joemiami1971]

As they say.... You only live once!
:)

Thinking about a late 80's 911. Upgraded the Volvo so I have a solid daily hauler vehicle. Any reason to not pursue a 911 as a nice weather daily driver ?

[Sam-Son]

Get the Porsche

[RockJock]

It's tough. I hear yah. I've been/being tempted by an 87 930 turbo...

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

Anyone under 50 should buy a porsche once to experience a leaking wallet, then settle for an E34 M5,then realise that its nearly as fast and will not let you down, Porsche`s can always be relied on for that! All the Porsche faults like an E34`s suspension,water system etc are well documented so buy one, a 911/965/993 on the care the previous owner has lavished on it.WALK away from a cheap 996 unles the engine has had new barrels and rear main crank seal/inter shaft.

[scott540]

I did it last summer. Got a '79 911 Targa SC. Use the 540 in the winter or rain and the 911 any other time. I work from my house so don't put many miles on either one. There's a great tech forum at Pelicanparts.com. From what I've done and heard. the older ones aren't all that hard to work on,

[Derek A.]

From what I have heard. If you stick to the non turbo motronic cars, particularly 87-89 they are the last of the breed. Best in quality and durability. CIS is a pain and the parts are getting hard to come by. Aside from leaks - what goes sideways on these cars? I sure know if I didn't do my own work on the BMW I wold never be able to afford it.

[Allen]

As an owner of both a 535i and a 911 I certainly understand your need. In general I would stick with the EFI P cars, 84+. The 87+ with the G50 tranny is nice too. I have a 91 C2 and really love the extra torque of the 3.6. Parts are not cheap but if can stay away from the dealer and go through one of the online suppliers it helps a lot.

Allen
92 535I
91 C2
02 S4 avant

[mattyb]

my neighbour sold his 911 on the weekend. lovely car and all but cost him a heap. got the money back but what a pain. not a daily driver like the E34!