Ok so my car has been down for almost a year now (been riding the gsxr so i cant complain on mpg ). Anyway i am grabbing another 1uz this weekend or next week and swapping my old motor with a younger motor! Needless to say within a few weeks the sc400 should be back on the road.

Here is my delema (spelling?) I might be able to do a straight trade on a 1995 e36 bmw 325. The owner however has converted it to an m3 down to an m3 motor with authentic autowerk 20g turbo kit with a lil tune. Oh and its a 5speed!! Do yall think the bmw would be more bad *** than the sc400? How many of you would keep the sc400 or trade?

My sc400 has:
Slotted rotors
Injen Intake
Polished Valve covers, throttle body, upper intake manifold and intake
Supra seats
Supra struts/coils on BG 2" drop springs
Custom exhaust (not just mufflers)
18's staggered
Alpine stereo/tv
Rockford Fosgate sub and amp
Audi TT HID retrofits
alot of heart...lol

Im going to put up a poll too to vote and tell me your reason why por favor!

 

Most people will say SC over the e36 but... turbo inline 6??? Sounds like fun! I like the body style of the SC over the e36 but the fun factor of your current setup vs the e36.. I would say E36 hands down.

 

Depends what you are looking for. One of my best friends owns a E36 325 for the last few years.

This is what I can honestly say...

BMW revs faster, smoother. SC400 has more torque, feels like a stronger motor.
The SC400's common issues are cheaper, easier to replace than the BMW's.
Parts for Lexus are cheaper than the BMW parts.
Both have door panel issues
SC400 is engineered... BMW is over engineered.... making simple tasks difficult.
Motor wise, both have been reliable (hes at 170k)...
SC400 ecu's tend to go out due to capictors. BMW put the ECU in a location that can get flooded and short out.
BMW handling > SC400 handling

Which would I rather have? Hard decision, but there is a reason I have the SC not a E36 M3 like I wanted.

 

Man... guys I'm on the fence on this one. I like both cars.. I have both the SC and a E46, but RedPhoenix is exactly right on what he stated above. Both cars have alot of potential, and can be beast of machines.. Sounds like the E36 has done that already, but the SC is more luxury auto to drive for long journeys.

 

Bmw will have reliability problems, rear struts, cooling system, you name it... Especially with turbo kit. I would keep the Sc. In fact, I had two bmws, and moved from e46 to sc and never regret. Plus SC looks like exotic car, especially in profile with that long front end. e36 on the other hand, looks dated and just like every other car on the road.

 

before you put that engine in, build it and chuck in a little turbo + 5/6speed and youll be laughing..and struggling to keep the car straight

 

I'm on the fence...my personal favorite was always an e36. I honestly can't say which one I would rather have without driving both of them.

 

i'm with this guy...go turbo 1uz and know its done your way,so no weird suprizes later..

 

I love both cars and would like to have a e36 M3 one day, If is a trade I would go with the BMW since it has work to be done. If the M52 engine is not built the engine wont last long from my knowledge.

 

Unless he's willing to trade this one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE6pA...eature=related

 

depends on the m3's condition. my friend owned a 95 m3 for 5 years and had little to no problems. A vortech charger later, boom, problems left and right. Had to sell it as it was starting a very steady leak and trans is about to go as well. Hassle is not worth it if you are looking for more power, just go with the 400 and do a 5 speed swap and maybe do a turbo later on.

 

keep the sc

 

i love they the e36 looks but holy crap bmw interiors smells and sucks! Hmm i would probably trade if i were in your position.

 

isn't the m52 the 2.8L? the M3 3.0L is a S50

 

you really want a clone M3? I would keep the SC and build it right, then sell it later if needed and get a real M3...