Re: '94 Q45 / '89 200q comparison...

[MSV96 <MSV96@aol.com>]

In a message dated 3/19/98 "Matt & Jenai" <matjen@xsite.net> writes:

<< almost every BMW is faster than the competing Audi, does better on
the skid pad and slalom, and brakes better.  Moreover, BMWs offer the same
type of feel and attention to detail as Audi and Porsche. >>

In the US from a performance aspect you are pretty much correct. Though in the
low end I will say that an A4 1.8t is quicker than a 318ti (right Christian?).
As far as "same feel and attention to detail"? Uh uh...While I have no first
hand experience of owning a new model bimmer (haven't owned one for almost 10
years now...and that was a 68 2002), a life-long close friend has owned a
couple and I get to play with them. He bought a 318is when they were touted as
the second coming of the 2002tii. NOT! Huge POS!!!! It had the gasket failure
that seems to happen to all the 1800cc twin-cam from the early 90's at around
60k miles. This failure is well documented in wmb circles BTW. NO help from
wmb and the cost was several grand...after which the car was promptly sold and
replaced with a '95 M3. (Then again given the 2002 motor's propensity to crack
heads and/or need valve guides almost as often as valve adjustments...maybe it
was the second coming.) Said '95 M3 had interior parts falling off within the
first 20k miles. The owner is a fanatic and is German...care and maintenance
is not an issue here. Fit and finish is nice...certainly German, but I would
say a notch below the current build quality of Porsches and Audis. Given the
price, I would expect as good or better than Audi. We probably won't know what
the longevity of the M3 will be as it is up for sale and will be replaced with
an A4 q Avant. WMB's IMO do not have the same reputation for lasting forever
that P-cars and (to some degree) Audis have...but yes, they (wmb's) are fast,
no denying that. BTW, the stock M3 I drive on occasion is "very stiff and
fragile" and while not loud, isn't what I would call comfortable for long
distance travel. For the cost one can have a very nice older type 44 q for the
road and a tricked out 944t (which will easily run with an M3) for the track
and be $ ahead. 

Like everything there are trade offs I suppose. If I had a 40k car budget I
would not be looking at dumping it all into a single M-3. I guess a more fair
comparison would be what 1987 wmb can I buy for less than 3k (I paid 2950 for
my 5ktq) that can even come close to a 5ktq in any measure of performace? None
that I can think of...

Mike Veglia
87 5kcstq