I think my record is about a month and a half, and I'm getting sick of it! I've had the car for over a year now.

I guess this is what happens though when you modify a car and push it beyond the original spec. I'm only making about 290 RWHP but my car is continually getting boost leaks. The car only has 42k miles.

Each time I drop the car off to be worked on (by a VERY competent mechanic, btw) I'm looking at a few weeks while new parts are ordered etc. It's getting so bad that at one time I considered buying a dolly to tow the car to the shop with.

At this rate I'm thinking of getting an M3 and being done with it all. Someone tell me that a relatively midly modded FD can go 3 months or more between issues!!

 

When my car was completely stock, I went years without a single issue other than wearing through tires. I keep telling people that if you want a (relatively) problem free FD, leave it stock.

 

single turbo, haltech, AI FD here...and have gone as long as two years with no mechanical problems...just recently my TO bearing failed. Usually my car is down when I take it down.

 

No problem for almost 2-3 years except for a boost leak last year.

 

DIDDO!

the more you mess with it, the less reliable your car is. it is the nature of the beast

 

Probably about 1 min. In one shop, out, and directly to another. This went on for over a year and half.

 

Yep. It took me a couple years after buying my car to get the bugs worked out but I beat on my car constantly now and have few problems that are anything other than flat wearing something out quickly from so much racing.

I think my last ouright failure was an ABS computer committing hari kari.

 

havent had any problems since 2000 that when all the Modding starting to take place. Car was bought brand new in 93, single owner, 76,700 miles to date.

 

bought the fd about 4 month ago... had a few boost leaks, and after i upgraded somethings(rad., ic, intake,etc...) and fixed the leaks ...really havn't had a problem for about month and a half now...i really dont drive it unless its on the weekend or its nice out...and even then its no more then 15-25 miles...

 

I've owned the car for 3 years now and got most of the bugs worked out, but its been a long expensive ride. but thats what you get when you buy used!. anyway its a love hate relationship with these cars and only the strong survive (LOL)... relax and take a break for a while and get a cheep daily driver.
Jeff

 

I've owned mine for nearly two years, and the only problem I've had is a split IC coupler about 8 months ago. It's been modded most of that time too.

 

It's the repetetive delays that kill me. Every time I take it in I'm told it will be ready by a certain day, and on average that day gets pushed back at least 4 times. I just called again now and after being told it would be ready on Monday and then Wednesday I was now told Friday. I just can't take it any more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So how 'bout them M3's eh? 2002's go for 35k. I think they weigh like 3,600lbs though =(

 

I haven't had any problems with my car since January. But then again, I couldn't legally drive it due to emissions until last week so I am not sure if that counts. :-)

 

Ya..and my FD eats em up for a snack too. Just stick it through man.

 

There are very few parts that should require a 2-week wait. In fact, most parts should be available within a day or two.

If you fixed the boost leaks properly, you would not keep having them. These are older sports cars, you are going to have to replace a lot of things at this vintage. Once they are replaced, you should be good to go for quite a while.

 

I have measured my mechanical failures in minutes since I started racing. But I think most of the bugs are worked out now. The only major failure has been the clutch.

 

Over the last 7 years the only issues I've had with my FD was a high idle, a sticking sun roof switch and a bit of clutch slippage under load in 5th gear.

 

They are 3400lbs (for the coupe), however they are surprising easy to drive on a track for a 4-seater. If you were needing a dual purpose car (daily and track), the M3 is a great choice. However, it is expensive to maintain (more so than the RX-7). Problems don't happen as often as an RX-7 but when they do, they cost a lot more to take care of....

You can pick up a 2002 for around $30k now. Since the 335i has been released, the prices of the older years are coming down.

 

In 5 years, I have had almost no problems. Last problem was about 2 years ago. Bad clutch line.

Oh yeah, the oil leak doesn't count

 

Mine has been great - the only problem that's kept the car down was a heater hose going. Went on a Sunday, ordered a new one overnight on Monday, replaced it Tuesday night. That was my fault for not catching it earlier.

IMHO, most of the reliability problems FD's have is from sloppy workmanship and people using junky or makeshift parts. Do it right with quality parts, and you'll be in good shape.

Dale

 

I don't track my cars, just spirited canyon driving. How does the power/ handling feel compared to an RX-7?

My delays have not so much been from parts as chasing down boost leaks, of which I have had at least 8.

 

I'm going on three years with zero mechanical problems, this at over 400 rwhp. Oddly enough, 3 years ago I ported and built my motor, had my tranny rebuilt, purchased new turbos, and installed a new engine wiring harness among other things.

My dad's FD has been operating at the 290 rwhp level with zero problems for around 45,000 miles now.

Edit: If you've had that many boost leaks, why not invest in some hard pipes and quality couplers (samco, hose techniques) and t-bolt clamps? I've had zero boost leaks running 17 psi for many years.........

 

Its a completely different car than an RX-7 so you can't really compare them. The 333'ish hp is no slouch but it doesn't take too many mods on other cars to be faster. IMO, the M3 is a car you just have to be happy with "as it is" because of the costs for mods.

It is a more practical car for daily driving. It is a performance "sedan" so it has a lot of "comfy" features. You just need to decide on the type of car that is right for you.

http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/ho...5_01/M3_03.jpg

Taking a student around:
http://www.darylsphotos.com/2006-6-1...dWar%20056.htm

My M3 does not replace my RX-7. I use them for two different purposes. If its something you are interested in, I would recommend you go drive one and see if it fills your needs.

 

Have you considered that it might be your mechanic? I know of one shop in particular that has serious delays in delivering the car for one excuse or another.

How long have you owned it and what preventative maintenance have you done? Any car this old is going to have issues. With the FD in particular its kinda hard to rely upon shops. If you don't have a good mechanic, You really have to understand and assess the state of your car and either get someone to do the work preventatively or do it yourself.

I've gone over a year w/o a problem driving about 10k miles and multiple cross state trips.

My 95 BMW 325is purchased as a pre-owned with 18k miles on it on the other hand was in the shop every 2 months wracking up repair bills of $8k in 2 years. Left me stranded on the highway 4 times. Thank god for warranties... I dumped it as soon as the mileage/warranty was about to expire. Fun, competent car but not a true sports car and definitely not as fun as the FD.

 

Agreed. The far majority of problems seen around here are self inflicted.