Which to keep? Turbo or E30 m3?

[Cyclone101]

That's a very tough call. It's like asking myself do I want to give up my left nut or my right nut.

Left nut for sure!!

[bob02]

who is the OP? anonymous post, no FAQ profile or account. no history or background on the question.

kinda like blindly throwing out the question "Ginger or MaryAnn?"

I can vouch for this guy...a friend of a friend who has very nice examples of both. Many would give both nuts for these. If it were me, i would find a way to keep both, regardless what the cost. Of course that's me, and i'm pretty illogical when it comes to these things.

O.P., post some pics!

Good luck!!

bob newman

[JackF]

I think your stated "fear factor" of driving the turbo answers your question. If you want to drive, the M3 is the car. I understand the concern in driving the Turbo, but from all the Turbo owners I've spoken with, they pretty much felt the same. Then again, even when you aren't driving it you can a pretty good feeling from just sitting in it in the garage.

[ahlem]

I think you are supposed to give the M3 to your son, at least that what's happening here. We just have a regular 2002 project car though and the M3 has 130k miles. Not as nice as yours by far.

[roundlite72]

Hi Jack, this is Sammy. how are you and how is life in CA? Where is your Turbo now? I have decided to sell the Turbo and probably find a Tii and stay in the 2002 family. We had conversations regarding the "fear factor" of driving the Turbo. I agree with you on the feeling of just staring at it in the garage, it feels good. I find myself driving the M3 a lot more, it is easier to take the family to car shows with the M3. I am going to miss the Turbo but it needs to be driven more often. Hope all is well with you!

[Anschauer]

who is the OP? anonymous post, no FAQ profile or account. no history or background on the question.

kinda like blindly throwing out the question "Ginger or MaryAnn?"

Ginger for sure, come on now.

Ginger in the Turbo, mmmmmmm...

[jgerock]

Reason for repaint was the famous Salmon Silver fade, it looked aged.

Is this your M3 color?

If so, I rarely see that shade.

I have a neat comparison article in an older Roundel between E30 M3 and 2002 Turbo - will try to locate it...

I would have a hard time parting with either car. The M3 was my first choice as BMW before I bought the tii.

[ifayeoh]

If you wont decide, put both up for sale and keep the one that does not sell.

EASY.

[golf73]

Hi Jack, this is Sammy. how are you and how is life in CA? Where is your Turbo now? I have decided to sell the Turbo and probably find a Tii and stay in the 2002 family. We had conversations regarding the "fear factor" of driving the Turbo. I agree with you on the feeling of just staring at it in the garage, it feels good. I find myself driving the M3 a lot more, it is easier to take the family to car shows with the M3. I am going to miss the Turbo but it needs to be driven more often. Hope all is well with you!

Why don't you drive the turbo more often, because of its rarity? How do you know you'd drive a tii more than your E30 M3? More "streetable"?

[JackF]

Sammy, good to hear from you. CA has been great. That said, we left much that we loved in the northeast. I will not be building a garage on the property until spring. Just starting bathroom and kitchen re-models in Nov, once permits are in place. So, the car is still at Matt's. I have no place for it currently and Matt has been kind enough to care for it while I get it together.

How long have you had your turbo Sammy? You had yours before I bought mine and I picked mine up in '01. I think the plan to get a tii is good.

As to the other posters question on why we don't drive them more...when I got my turbo I wanted to re-build it as a driver. I did so and it is a fantastic drive. After a professional resto, with what is now in it, to get the insurance I need on it, I can only drive it to "events" and such. So a fully restored turbo is worth a lot and you can't ignore, or I can't ignore the value issue. Too bad. It is the nicest car I've ever owned and it is a rocket. On those that are original and haven't been restored, it is difficult to get out of your mind that they are turbo charging from the dark ages and you worry about the motor. They called them the "whispering bomb" and you can't get the bomb part out of your mind. When I put that whispering bomb part in there I cannot describe how nice it is listening to that turbo spooling up and down while you drive. I won't put a radio in the turbo because it can't sing as well as the turbo. Damn, maybe we should drive them more;)