Is a BRZ what I want?

[Darkone]

Originally Posted by King Tut

Cool story bro. Not sure I should reply since I am apparantly generally a rich jerk:

1. Yes. Expensive is relative, but they are considerably cheaper than M3 parts.
2. I am sure the service manuals are available for purchase. I have a couple versions in electronic form. I am not sure why you weren't able to find one for the M3
3. The downside of the boxer motor is anything having to do with the heads since they are so close to the frame rails. It makes spark plug and coil changes more difficult and the engine needs to be removed to pull the heads, but everything else is easier than your more traditional engine formats.
4. I believe the engine is reliable, but if you have fallen for the "sky is falling" approach over the S65 rod bearings, then you probably won't agree. I have a thread that has compiled the blown forced induction motors. Generally tuning is the cause.
5. You don't need to go internal on these motors. They are knock limited, but you can easily run over 300 whp and 250 ft/lbs and run low 13s or high 12s in the 1/4 mile on a stock 12.5:1 compression FA20 on 93 octane fuel. You can go much higher on power and torque with E85.
6. I can't think of any real negatives. I sold mine to get back in an E92 M3 though.

Thanks for the information, haven't "fallen" for anything, I am just not a BMW fan boy who is not willing to see the truth. Honestly, what you can do from a build stand point with this car is just more fun than an M3. U=I do all the mechanical myself, so I don't want to drop it off and have someone do it for me. Honestly, I don't want to work on a 25k engine with issues... at half the cost and half the risk. I am not interested as much in pure performance as the M3 is in a class by itself however this car appears to be more fun....