I know this is E30 speific forum, but I want an E36

[91 318is]

So 96+ M3 is the way to go? Would like to have a M3 sometime in my life. How are the later model inline 6's? Not too sharp on e36's but I didn't go with a m3, would like a 6.

[ColdAccord]

I'm selling my rsII's if anyone is interested. 18x8.5 up front 18x10 in back. 5x120. pm for more info

[Jonathan M3]

If you're going to get an E36, get a '96+ M3 any body style, or don't bother. A 328 can be modded easily enough up to M3 performance, but its cheaper to buy the M3 with all the good parts already on it, plus M3s got the reinforced chassis points. The interior quality problems were solved in the OBDII cars, and there were some good updates to the rest of the car.

I still wish I hadn't sold mine, by far the best bang-for-the-buck car I've owned.

[scabzzzz]

Dont bother getting anything less powerful than a 2.8. With mods, the 2.8 can be extremely powerful (comparable to a stock S50). So yeah.
Also, the earlier model E36 you buy, the shittier the quality it is.
I feel my life has improved greatly since I've been driving an E36, and this is my second . But I do miss the little things with my E30.

[Jonny Cash]

I had a 95 M3 a few years back, it was bittersweet. I had some problems with the interior, it was faulty and basically fell apart on me. The car was more expensive to maintain than any other car I owned. Of course this was before I used the internet, so I had very litte resources for parts. Overall a great car, but a bigtime money pit.

Once I was turned on to e30's there was no turning back. For what I want in a weekend/track car, its better in every single aspect. Most importantly (for me anyway), the e30 is alot more fun to drive.

[Kovs]

Real M car's have ITB's.

So I guess the E12 M535i is also a "fake" M car? The ITB cars are all interesting in their own way - and some of them even have racing pedigree to stand behind their Motorsport badge - but that alone does not make them lesser or greater than other M cars. This is a reoccuring arguement that has little merit IMO.

[SamE30e]

Real M car's have ITB's.

[FredK]

drove an e36 m3 enough to know that even though it goes and turns faster than an e30, the fun while your doing it is half. the m3 would be a good daily, but i wouldn't even look twice at a non-m for any reason.

^ what this guy said.

I just sold my E36 328is. It drove smoothly, quietly, and best of all, could pull 31-32 mpg cruising on the highway. It is really easy to work on. I sold the car because quite frankly, it was rather boring, and I found the sport seats less comfortable than the E30 sport seats. The HK audio is leaps and bounds better than the E30 Premium Sound system.

A 96+ M3 has control arms that cost around $70 more per side than non-M control arms. The strut bearings are also more expensive since they are offset on the M.

It's a great DD.

[Kovs]

I think the expensive part is(/was) getting into one compared to an E30. When I bought my M3 3-4 years ago it was ~$10k. My E30 was ~$1k about the same time. Both were, maintenance wise, in about the same condition and required around $1k in tires and suspension components to safely roll around.

E36 M3 prices have dropped noticeably in the last 12 months. Nice ones can be found for around $7K... $6K if you're persistent and lucky. I bought my 4 door for $7K this time last year but probably put around $3K into it overhauling the cooling system, brakes, RSMs, rear shocks, flushed all fluids, new tires, used OEM wheels, etc. Although it needed some big ticket upfront maintenance items, its been dead reliable and the only thing it will need in the future is front shocks.

I know I'm going to get flamed for saying this, and it is my wife's car (really!), but the automatic is a very under-rated DD. Unlike the GM slushboxes in lesser E36s, the ZF 5 speed is a pretty stout unit.

I would say if you want an E36 M3, shop carefully, beware of the maintenance items, and buy it!

[rThor432]

The only thing that I can think of that costs more to repair/maintain on an M3 compared to a standard E36 is the brakes. Not having a real M motor helps.. Actually, other than the brakes, maintaining the E36 M3 hasnt really cost any more than maintaining the E30. I've done basically the same amount of work on both, and the difference nothing to even worry about.

I think the expensive part is(/was) getting into one compared to an E30. When I bought my M3 3-4 years ago it was ~$10k. My E30 was ~$1k about the same time. Both were, maintenance wise, in about the same condition and required around $1k in tires and suspension components to safely roll around.

[91 318is]

sweet my thread got moved...

Anywho, yeah I mean I love my E30 to death, but E36's have just grown on me, at first, I hated them because everyone had one, but if modded tastefully, they look sexy.

I would definitely love a E36 //M, but I just don't have the money to repair it, as I expect everything on an //M car to be pretty pricey.

A few weeks ago another local car message forum had a 96 M3, 115k, lightly modded for 6k, which was a killer price I think.

If I did anything, I'd trade my E30 straight up for an E36, and if I wanted the E36 enough, I'd put a little cash on top.

[formula driver]

aww that baby intake manifold is cute

hahaha....

Good stuff! I actually have 2 m50 mani's sittin around. I have an extra s52 with 60k miles on it sittin in storage, thats getting cams, obd1 and the works. So thats my excuse for having an anorexic IM. This motor is coming out entirely.

lol

I agree with you guys 100% though, my first car was an e30 325is, w/ GC's and konis and and it was sooooo much fun, quite a bit more so than the e36.

[straight6pwr]

drove an e36 m3 enough to know that even though it goes and turns faster than an e30, the fun while your doing it is half. the m3 would be a good daily, but i wouldn't even look twice at a non-m for any reason.

[Jon325i]

A couple of things working in your favor if you're scouting an E36:

1) The newest one is 10 years old....depreciation has set in, even on really clean & well maintained examples

2) Absolutely insane amount of aftermarket options with the E36

I think the best advice to follow is the saying I've read in Excellence magazine (Porsche rag), and this is - "buy the newest and best condition example your budget will allow". M3 prices are all over the map; some can be had for dirt cheap (i.e. ratted out / neglected) while others are nice garage queens. Thankfully BMW made lots of 'em....so you can be picky.

BimmerForums is probably the most popular site for E36ers....just be prepared to sift through a lot of BS and jackassery.


Jon

[lennon]

I fell in love with my e36 M3, its everything wraped in one. Trust me, the car performs well in every category. Its a very comfortable car to drive...

aww that baby intake manifold is cute