Reliability of C5 Vettes, and E46 M3's

"McChiken116 - Patrick H." (mcchiken116)
02/05/2015 at 16:55 • Filed to: None

So, it seems like my 944 love might have to wait until I have more money for maintenance. So, now, it looks like I could either get some good old american V8 love, or maybe join my father in getting an E46 M3. Now, my dad's car has been super reliable considering how high the miles are, but has anyone else had major problems with them? And are their any C5 issues that the average person wouldn't know about?

DISCUSSION (20)

bob and john > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
02/05/2015 at 16:58

C4's make cool buggies

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
02/05/2015 at 17:00

E46 M3: VANOS system is a "not if but when item." The rear Subframe is another known issue, more catastrophic than the VANOS but much more rare.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
02/05/2015 at 17:00

If you can afford a C5 or an E46 M3, you can afford to maintain a 944.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/05/2015 at 17:11

So much of this. Plus I doubt it costs anymore to maintain the 944 or fix it when it breaks, than an M3.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
02/05/2015 at 17:12

Amen. 944 parts are as cheap, if not cheaper than, VW parts.

crowmolly > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
02/05/2015 at 17:14

97-98 LS1 engines have unique ECMs and are said to have weaker rod bolts.

I would not go older than 2002, personally.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/05/2015 at 17:14

That all depends if you know where to look.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
02/05/2015 at 17:15

You just have to shop around, as any smart consumer should be doing.

CPT Speedbump > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
02/05/2015 at 19:16

The C5 is a Corvette...so it's not going to be unreliable really, and it is one of the best track cars for the money right now...but if you get one, the issue is your still driving a Corvette at the end of the day, and on the track you'll be pointing by much slower cars as you spin off the track.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/05/2015 at 20:24

I've been waved away from 944's by PCA friends. It's not so much that I couldn't afford to maintain it, I just wouldn't want to deal with it.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > crowmolly
02/05/2015 at 20:25

Ahh thanks!

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
02/05/2015 at 20:25

Also, I kinda want something more than a four banger this time

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > CPT Speedbump
02/05/2015 at 20:26

Eh, I mean, I dealt with the far more hairy S2000 for a while without any incident.

crowmolly > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
02/05/2015 at 20:28

If you get very serious I can drop a lot more info, but I would want to fact check it to be DAMN SURE I'm giving correct info.

With f-bodies you got an LS6 manifold (and some LS6 blocks) in 2001-2002 so I would assume vettes did too, and there were camshaft changes in between years as well.

CPT Speedbump > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
02/05/2015 at 20:29

C5's are a bit quicker then S2k's if you put the money in the right spots, haha

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > crowmolly
02/05/2015 at 20:44

Thank you so much dude. I will have to do more research

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > CPT Speedbump
02/05/2015 at 20:44

That is very true. Plus 4 more cylinders

CPT Speedbump > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
02/05/2015 at 21:02

Indeed, lol. Not sure how much rubber you can fit on either of them either..seem to recall S2K's having more room for rubber then I thought but no idea on C5's. Just know my Z has a lot of room ;)

JasonStern911 > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
02/05/2015 at 23:59

Your budget makes zero sense. A well maintained E46 M3 is high teens, which is not only enough to maintain a 944, but enough to swap in a LSx motor and upgrade the suspension and brakes.

If you cannot afford a Porsche 944, then stay far, far away from the M3 version of the E46. It's not even that they're that unreliable given what they are, but the cost of parts and the cost of labor for the tasks you cannot perform...

The Corvettes are similar reliability-wise, but at least it's domestic so the parts are cheap and you can find cheap labor if you need it.

If you want reliable, look for a well maintained 350Z or if you want something a bit more upscale a G35 Coupe.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
02/10/2015 at 10:53

I'm late to this party.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/k-rolls-944-ly…