Nineteen89
New member
Hello,
I'm a college student in the midst of researching for my next car, I've narrowed it down to either a Porsche Boxster S, e46 330Ci, e46 M3 or a Z4.
I say I come over from the dark side because I was pretty set on the Porsche but as aforementioned, I am a college student and to put it bluntly I can't take a gamble on the M96 engine in 986 & 966 Porsche's due to their rear main seal, intermediate-shaft and 'D-Chunk' problems which like to cause catostrophic engine failure, it probabaly happens in about 1% of them and as much as I like Porsche and would like for it not to be true, it's a possibility and a $12,000 replacement engine doesn't come easily for a college kid...
So I've set my sights on an BMW, I've always liked BMW, in fact it's what I was originally going to get before I got into the whole Porsche thing, but here I am again, like a crack addict that can't stay away from a good thing haha, I will begin my research here and hopefully don't uncover any nasty things like I did for the 986 model boxsters in Porsche, I've heard of exploding cooling tanks and things of the like, I realize M3's are expensive but I trust either that or a 330Ci will be more 'bullet-proof' than the Boxster, and won't have a nice little 12,000 dollar surprise on a random day.... the M3 I realize will also be expensive to maintain but I can handle a $2,000 or even $3,000repair a lot more easier than a $12,000 one
Update: I'm basically set on the Z4 because I can get one in warranty from BMW for pretty reasonable prices, and it still maintains the roadster quality I really want!
It would make it a heck of a lot easier for me, bringing up some of the more common or major failures if any, and it would be greatly appreciated!
I'm a college student in the midst of researching for my next car, I've narrowed it down to either a Porsche Boxster S, e46 330Ci, e46 M3 or a Z4.
I say I come over from the dark side because I was pretty set on the Porsche but as aforementioned, I am a college student and to put it bluntly I can't take a gamble on the M96 engine in 986 & 966 Porsche's due to their rear main seal, intermediate-shaft and 'D-Chunk' problems which like to cause catostrophic engine failure, it probabaly happens in about 1% of them and as much as I like Porsche and would like for it not to be true, it's a possibility and a $12,000 replacement engine doesn't come easily for a college kid...
So I've set my sights on an BMW, I've always liked BMW, in fact it's what I was originally going to get before I got into the whole Porsche thing, but here I am again, like a crack addict that can't stay away from a good thing haha, I will begin my research here and hopefully don't uncover any nasty things like I did for the 986 model boxsters in Porsche, I've heard of exploding cooling tanks and things of the like, I realize M3's are expensive but I trust either that or a 330Ci will be more 'bullet-proof' than the Boxster, and won't have a nice little 12,000 dollar surprise on a random day.... the M3 I realize will also be expensive to maintain but I can handle a $2,000 or even $3,000repair a lot more easier than a $12,000 one
Update: I'm basically set on the Z4 because I can get one in warranty from BMW for pretty reasonable prices, and it still maintains the roadster quality I really want!
It would make it a heck of a lot easier for me, bringing up some of the more common or major failures if any, and it would be greatly appreciated!
I've owned four BMWs so far and they've all been exceptional and reliable vehicles 
except for the odd O2 sensor to be replaced. 
