Re: 325is Performance (archive)

I have serveral 944s and e30s, from my experience the BMW builds a not only better engineered car but a better built car than Porsche, maybe since Porsche is owned by VW that they aren't in control of the Quality Mangament. The 944 is a pain in the ass to work on compared to the e30 and parts seem to be higher as well. 944s metalurgy isn't to great either. I had a well maintained 944 with only 100k documented miles and had severe main and rod bearing failures along with blown head gasket and a cracked head, both CV axles shot, bad front wheel bearings, Fuel Inj. Compter died, alternator died, this is all within 16K miles after I got it. Another bad thing about the 944 is that the motor has to come out from underneath the car, and replacing the clutch insn't too fun either.
Also a stock 944 compared to a 325is has about the same performance specs, your handling will be better on the 944 but not by much, now compare the S2 944 with a M and your back in the same position with the S2 being slightly better at a few things.
If it were me and I had money to spend I would get a M or just trick out my 325is, but if you do get a 944 be sure it is a later model 85-up, previous years belong in the salvage yard.

Make sure it's 85 1/2 and up...the rounded out dash is the tell-tale sign it's a generation 2 model. Go with the BMW, it's a better ownership experience from all angles.

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