Should I buy an E36 M3?

[ZenkiOwns]

Yes, once again the discussion of E30 vs E36 arises. I know, I know, it's been asked a thousand times, but I feel I am asking from a different perspective than most.

I have a family; me, my wife and our 8 month old son. My e30 has no AC, (I believe the compressor has died) no real back seat, and let's all face it, will always need parts or repairs every few months.

I have owned an E36, albeit not the most spritely candidate (318is) but I still feel it may have been a better daily driver. It had more room, the AC blew cold no matter if the temperature was 110 (OBC reading -37 of course) or if you were stopped in traffic.

The idea I have had running around in my head was to either sell my e30 and buy an e36 m3 or try for a trade plus cash for the same outcome. Unfortunately I would not be able to keep both. For a better idea of what I'm giving up here's the sacrifice:

1991 325i
150,xxx miles
2.7i stroker
Hawk HP+
Ground Control 440/660
Bilstein Sports
e36 rear shock reinforcements
Castro stud conversion
Borbet Type BS 16x9
speakers and such

the only pic I have with the new wheels. Getting towed to perform the 5-speed swap.





I know the e30 is lighter, more responsive, and gives more feedback, but the e36 has more luxury options, is OBDII (a plus in my book when you're trying to diagnose an issue on the road) has more room (albeit not that much more) and obviously would be faster.

I've been running this idea through my head for a few weeks now and I wanted to know what you guys thought. I'd really like to hear from parties that have owned both and used them in more real life scenarios. I don't think hearing about your stripped out track slut is a pain to go through a drive-thru, or how "U gunna keep yo e30 4 lyfe! lol

[dougie30]

damn you have a good point but that is a very nicely done e30, if it were me i would fix the ac and keep the e30

[chadthestampede]

Yes getting rid of a car impractical for a family and getting one that is equally impractical makes perfect sense. Do your family a favor and get an e34 or e39 if you insist on sticking with BMW.

[ZenkiOwns]

Yes getting rid of a car impractical for a family and getting one that is equally impractical makes perfect sense. Do your family a favor and get an e34 or e39 if you insist on sticking with BMW.

We have a ZX-5 Focus for daily duty. My son hasn't ridden in the e30, but I would like to be able to take him somewhere if the wife takes the Focus somewhere suddenly.

I don't plan to stash a stroller, bike, go-cart or Radio Flyer in the back seat. lol

[Rook12V]

I've had two E36 m3s. Infact I've owned my e30 through both of them.

I will say if my last e36 hadn't been taken from me (rear end total), I would still have it and be modifying it more than I am the E30. It really is a fantastic car, great on power, brakes, comfort, luxury, ease to drive, and looks.

Now, I love my E30, and I'm about to swap an M52 into the car, but it won't ever be as nice of a car as the E36 is.

I think if I was putting a baby in it, I'd probably have an E36.

[e30trooper]

I ended up selling my vert so I could buy a coupe. My son is 13 months. Ive had no issues.

[CrusherCurtis]

I've had 3 e36's do yourself a favor get an e46 if going coupe, 01+ e39 if going sedan

[ZenkiOwns]

One thing that really bothers me about the e30 is the rear cabin area. Have you guys ever seem one without the panels? It pretty much just sheet metal. I worry about a side impact really doing some damage.

I was also contemplating an e46 4 door as well, but I don't know if I want to go quite that "cushy" haha

I'm looking at adding 2k-3k or so on top of my e30 so that should be an "okay" price range. I'm not expecting a sub 130,000 mile m3 for that.

I know the s50/ s52 are on the more reliable side of things, but how about the e46? Do they still suffer from the weak cooling systems as well? I know they do have the weak shock mounts in common.

Thanks for the discussion and lack or argueing.

[sinep]

I know the s50/ s52 are on the more reliable side of things, but how about the e46? Do they still suffer from the weak cooling systems as well? I know they do have the weak shock mounts in common.

Thanks for the discussion and lack or argueing.

Early e46's come with plastic water pump impellers, and all year e46's have radiator expansion tanks that fail and thermostats that fail, along with the usual electric fan failing every now and then. E46/e36 = same reliability.

I'm not sure on the CCV's on the S5X engines, but I know the M52tuv/M54 have issues with the CCV's failing and the CCV lines breaking because of how brittle they are.

[e30lov]

In short, yes you should get an e36 m3.

I own one, and it's a great daily driver. 25+ mpg highway, ice cold ac, handles equal if not better then an e30, and they are just as easy to work on as an e30.. sometimes.

[N2MYE30]

If I werent so attached to my e30 coupe, id prolly be driving a M3/4/5. The creature comforts are a plus on a e36 as I have found out recently. Im putting together a 98 cabrio that has all the goodies, including air. Sure is a nice daily and you will feel safer with the fam inside of it. But it does lack the soul of the e30. For short stints, my 2 fit just fine in the back of my e30 coupe with no real issues. On the highways, or crazy traffic, they went in one of my safer cars. They still rather drive the coupe than any other car on my driveway. ;)

[mikeedler]

these threads are rediculous...... kids did grow up in the back seats of e30s when they were newer why not now.
and an E36 isn't a very new car either, and will probably need just as much if not more work than your e30. fixing a few small things on an e30 is alot cheaper than starting new on getting n e36 M back up to par. And why would an e36 hold more kids crap than an e30?

I'm not hating on E36s here, by all means if you want one then get one, but I think it is just dumb to think it is going to be more reliable than an e30.

[ILoveMPower]

E34

[InuFaye]

E36 is a more reliable car than the e30 can be without a swap.

Plus the AC is better.

[Zeemz]

We have a ZX-5 Focus for daily duty. My son hasn't ridden in the e30, but I would like to be able to take him somewhere if the wife takes the Focus somewhere suddenly.

I don't plan to stash a stroller, bike, go-cart or Radio Flyer in the back seat. lol

My daughter loves to go for rides in the E30. Picked up the Recaro Prosport on amazon for a really good price (plus free shipping through Prime). http://www.amazon.com/RECARO-ProSPOR...eywords=recaro

Long trips we take her in my wife's Toyota Sequoia. But for short trips around town, or if I have to take her somewhere when the wife is gone it is no problem in the E30.

I will note that it would be pretty difficult to do rear facing in the E30 at least in the coupe. So it might not be an option until your son is at least 1 year old, as I am pretty sure in all 50 states a child must be 1 to no longer sit rear facing (it is now recommend until 2 years of age) So she didn't ride in my car until she was almost 14 months. She is still rear facing in my wife's and will be until she is at least 2 as it is significantly safer and that is the car she rides in daily.

My wife took this of her smiling and laughing. She loves driving with the windows down.