Ok so I test drove my first BMW
 

it was a 1993 320i 2 door. I always thought they looked sexy. First off if i was ever going to buy and import it would be one of these in a heartbeat. Much is left to be desired tho. When I opened the door the window had a pull on the weather strip which I didnt like. When you put the windows all the way to the top the door panel bulges out. There is hard plastic everywere much like GM interiors of the time. Build quaility in terms of gaps on outside panels is below the 1993 cadillac sts (which I looked at also). I like the gauges and the unique dials and fonts. The car rides great (could use more power) but it felt as though it was one with the road. Id also like to know whats up with the two holes punched into the side skirts. Overall this car was very nice for 240,000kms

If I was to buy an import it would be in the german market.

The holes in the side skirts is likely the jack positions. My wife's Jetta has something similar.

you're correct. :thumbsup:

However holes in the bumper (mercedes) are supposedly backing up alert sensors.

Yeah...Bmw's are crap. You should stick with IROC's Tony.

if your gonna buy a E36 BMW go for the 1996-1999 328i, 328is, 318i, 318is, 325, or M3 . thoes are pretty good.

IROC over an M3??!!
 

As a former owner of:

1978, 1979 & 1980 Z-28 and 1987, 1988 IROC Z (All 5.7L engines with bolt on mods and suspension upgrades, there is no comparison to the 1994 BMW Eurospec M3 I own now.

Firstly, the M3's structural integrity is vastly superior which translates to outstanding handling (Voted by Car & Driver in 1997 as best handling car beating out the C5 Corvette, Ferrari F355, Acura NSX, Porsche 911 etc.

Secondly, the brakes are much much bigger and are not far off from the best of today's cars. (60-0 mph in ~116 ft)

Finally, with 286hp stock and a curb weight of only 3200lbs she plenty fast too. According to a German Auto mag, 0-60 is accomplished in ~5.5secs and top speed of 163 mph.

So in response to getting an IROC Z instead of a BMW M3 (even a North American spec car with 240 hp) there is no way a true driving enthusiast would choose the IROC over the M3 based on overall performance.

May I suggest you test drive an E36 M3 and see for yourself.:dunno:

^ that is stating the obvious, M3 is in a seperate class

but he test drove the 320 which i must say is like below base model lol
Just because it wears the BMW badge doesnt make it a diamond its like comparing a base cavalier with a corvette.

i had a 328, it was amazing. it smoked type-r's, mustangs, and vr6's like a joke. it was also reliable and affordable.

^BWAHAHA

They're junk... glad I didn't buy a 3 Series.

try driving a new M3, M5 or M6....when i drove thoes it was like nothing else...they just pull like crazy:smilie_da

For the money they charge the 1996 I was looking at should have been perfectly fine.

It wasn't though. Niether was the 95 or the 94. I'm sure the new ones are nice though, but then again, they better be.

Too damn heavy , not that f-body isint. Ive read about SBC swaps in beemers and they are slower then the f-bodys cause the weight. Not to mention camaros are better looking.

if you cant afford 5 series and up bmw aint worth lookin at