Talk me down! Any previous E36 M3 owners here?

[Jon325i]

e30 simple, cheaper.
e36 faster, better as a daily out of the box.

it's a preference, but I wouldn't mind e36m3 as a daily and turn e30 more into a track/autox only type of car.

I'm totally with you on this - make my E36 M3 a 4-door for even greater practicality. My brother has a '98 M3 coupe with some mods and I find it a great car. Quick & capable, yes. Nimble & light like the E30, no. Its a completely different car with its own unique character. If you're the hooked on tuning type you'll have a lot more aftermarket choices with the E36 as well.

Jon

[S14E30]

e30 simple, cheaper.
e36 faster, better as a daily out of the box.

it's a preference, but I wouldn't mind e36m3 as a daily and turn e30 more into a track/autox only type of car.

I agree with this 100%.
Better watch out when buying an e36. seems like there are alot of beat e36M3s out there. Maybe e36 owners just don't love their cars like e30 owners.

I sold my 95M to get a E30M. Then I bought and sold another 97M3. I still have the e30!

[uofom3]

They just don't feel as good as the e30. If you're talking about it for a DD, fine. Maybe it's also the "poser" look that the e36 conveys based on most of the people who drive/modify/wreck them.

[smonkbmw]

Maybe it's also the "poser" look that the e36 conveys based on most of the people who drive/modify/wreck them.

true true, the quantity of ebay parts is massive and this is apparent when you see the majority of them on the street.

[fretburnr]

this is a switch i've been considering for a long time.

[TrackAddict]

LOL!

Mark, I've been checking out E36 M3s, too. I would love to own one but not as a daily driver. They are ten year old cars by now and many of them need a bunch of parts replaced. I'd probably sell my motorcycle and '88 325is to fund it.

So, what's a super clean alpine white '88 BMW 325is with Kosei K1s worth these days?

[turboeta]

My last car was a '97 328i with all of the bolt on stock M3 parts (injectors,full exhuast, cams etc) it would only get beat by M3s about 1/2 a car length.

Anyhow, I sold it for my '90 325i and couldn't be happier. E30 > E36

[turboeta]

They just don't feel as good as the e30. If you're talking about it for a DD, fine. Maybe it's also the "poser" look that the e36 conveys based on most of the people who drive/modify/wreck them.

QFT every asshole drives a E36

[Sean]

I've driven my dad's 95 E36 M3 and it's a fast fun car.

But, you know what? My e30 has never left a "blah" boring feeling in me. It ALWAYS puts a smile on my face. My dad's car got boring after a while...and I found myself wanting more power for excitement.

[NC325iC]

ive driven 2 and i really liked them, thats all i have to say

[Johnstone]

E36 does not have the go-cart feeling to it and most likely need things replaced but its not anything different from buying an 7-12 year old m3 and a 15-22 e30. They are both going to need the necessary maintenance. I've owned two e36's (currently a 96 m3) and one e30, I still love my e30 for be an e30. I love my e36's for being great cars but they lack that "it" factor the e30's have, even a e36 m3. But if you can get one at a great price, you are getting an amazing handling car and a pretty fast car.

i can't agree more.

e36s are a totally different beast than the e30s. i would never get rid of my e30 for an e36. you'll miss it. i have a couple friends that did that, i stuck with my e30, they wish they had kept theirs. ...e36s are almost reaching rock bottom... i bet their depreciation will finally stop once the 1 series is in it's 2nd or 3rd US shore year.

[MattE30]

I left my e30 for an e36 M3 back in May and I'm very happy with my choice. The e36 is better in almost every way. I know what you're saying about the "go kart" feeling. I don't get the same feeling with my M, but the added power and superior suspension (compared to what my e30 had) makes up for it.

I found one that was under warranty until 80k, was owned by 2 enthusiasts before me, and had a great suspension setup. It's WAY more comfortable than the e30 over long distances (I've put around 8k on it since I bought it). Parts are quite a bit more expensive, and you have to keep up with maintenance. It's not the car to own if you're a student who can't afford to give it proper care.

e30e, I don't understand what you mean by an e30 (non-m) having an "it" factor. Nobody thinks twice about them except us owners. They're not rare and will never be highly sought after.

That being said, I enjoyed my e30 for 5 years of ownership, and loved it for what it was.

[Prozak]

i had a e36 for the last 3 months but I just went back to an e30

e30 ftw
cheaper.