Not an 02, but should I sell my 1981 B7 and buy an e30 M3?

[inkatouring]

I have 3 projects going simultaneously: (1) 1972 2000 touring that I'm building as a "budget*" clone of my former FAUX A4 (sold several years ago); (2) 1982 Alpina C1 2.3; and (3) 1981 Alpina B7 turbo.

 

The touring project hasn't really started yet, the C1 2.3 is still in pieces (and has been for 5 years or so), but the B7 is running and at a crossroads in terms of the project. I've done almost everything outside of the engine compartment and undercarriage on the B7. If I keep the car, I know I'll eventually pull and stash away the original Alpina motor and build a M30 turbo that looks like the Alpina (sort of) but perform a lot better. It will be a lot of work and I'm not getting any younger.

 

I've come across an e30 M3 that ticks many of the boxes of my desired build for one of those cars. If I'm ever going to own one, now seems to be the time. It costs about the same as what I think I could get for the B7 and I don't have the space for another car so one would have to go. I'm not selling the touring. The C1 2.3 is not sellable in it's current state.

 

I know the B7 is much rarer than the e30 M3 but I like canyon-carving cars, like the e30 M3, more than highway cruisers, like the B7. Plus, well, e30 M3. On the other hand, part of me thinks the B7 is a difference experience than either of the other cars I own and an e30 M3 is too much like the Alpina C1 2.3 (which is kinda like the touring will be once completed). I'm torn.

 

Curious what the hive-mind thinks. Both cars are driver quality.....

 

 

 

* The FAUX A4 was chocked full of uber rare parts that would be ungodly expensive to replicate (from 2002 turbo seats to green dot struts to A4 injection) and this touring will have dual webers, recaros, and bilsteins in stock struts. Not cheap, but not an ungodly expensive project......

Edited July 7, 2021 by inkatouring

[Mike G]

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/forum/9-off-topic/

[NickVyse]

concentrate on getting either project finished and carve those canyons in either of them. Nice to have variety and the e12 is a pretty special car.

[adawil2002]

How many miles on the E30 M3?

Engine rebuilds are getting really expensive due to lack of available parts from what I've been told.

As you know, condition is everything.

 

May be nice to have a turnkey M3 instead of a project.

Just be careful the M3 doesn't become another project.

[JsnPpp]

I have come to love e30s and so to my mind more is better. ? 

 

However you may be surprised and the C1 would sell so that it is still a B7, an M3 (color, year?) and the touring car.

 

If the M3 is a good price and does not require rebuild then it could be a nice way to scratch an itch and if the market holds, sell.

 

I'm not helping. My answer is "all of them".

 

JasonP

[jgerock]

Finish what you start.  Sell what you don’t like.  Get something else you do like. Low mileage e30 M3’s typically haven’t been well maintained (if at all).

[Guest_anonymous]

I think Bimmerforums was good for this talk therapy. +1 for off topic

[TobyB]

I think it's kind of a personal decision.

 

I WOULD suggest driving the car you own, for fun, for a day or two.

 

If it's not really fun, might be M3 time.

If it's fun and you like it, stay where you are.

 

I keep wondering why I still have Jim P's ti, until I take it

to work.  Then I wonder why I don't drive it more.

 

t

what's the distinction between a collection, a hoard, and a horde?

 

[danco_]

9 posts and not a single photo. 

 

 

 

Weak. 

 

 

[inkatouring]

14 hours ago, TobyB said:

I think it's kind of a personal decision.

 

I WOULD suggest driving the car you own, for fun, for a day or two.

 

If it's not really fun, might be M3 time.

If it's fun and you like it, stay where you are.

 

I keep wondering why I still have Jim P's ti, until I take it

to work.  Then I wonder why I don't drive it more.

 

t

what's the distinction between a collection, a hoard, and a horde?

 

 

Every time I drive it, I think "this antiquated fuel injection is sub-optimal, continually falling out of tune and should be replaced with a modern EFI to really make this car fun to drive." So, I think that answers my question. Thanks.

[inkatouring]

14 hours ago, danco_ said:

9 posts and not a single photo. 

 

 

 

Weak. 

 

 

 

Here you go Ryan.

 

[Oldtimerfahrer]

I would keep the b7, I loved my E12 and while its not as nimble as an M3, it is a really satisfying drive with a sport gearbox and good suspension, not only at high speeds on a highway..and its comfy. I've been toying with buying an M3, Its almost getting to the point of early 911s', will you really drive it like its meant to be driven or drive it like the b7 anyway? I'm worried about leaving an m3 anywhere so not sure I would use it.

Andrew

[Lorin]

If an E30 M3 and your B7 passed by me at the same time, I wouldn’t even notice the M3 existed. 
 

 

[danco_]

I just grabbed an m3 a few months back. They are cool I guess. 
 

I’d take the Alpina over an m3. But I also understand the desire for something you don’t have or haven’t yet owned.