E30 --> e36

[JTDay]

After several years without, I've picked up another BMW for weekend duty. The daily is a mazda lol. My E30 got used for parts and turned into a metal chunk. It was definitely its time as it needed a lot more money to make it driveable than it was worth.

After driving several e30s and e46s, the e36 is defintely closer to the e30 in terms of feel, but has some nicer amenities like heated seats.

Anyways, on to some pics.

[Tisoc]

Inb4 e36’s are only good for parts. That M3 looks mint, how many miles?

[JTDay]

Inb4 e36’s are only good for parts. That M3 looks mint, how many miles?

Thanks! It's quite high actually. About 140k. It's just been taken care of pretty well.

[Stanley Rockafella]

After driving several e30s and e46s, the e36 is defintely close to the e30 in terms of feel, but has some nicer amenities like heated seats.

FYI e30's have heated seats too.

[roguetoaster]

140k as high mileage, funny! But seriously, an E36 M3 and an E30 drive like the completely different cars that they are, and I see limited parallels beyond the very basic drive train configuration. Glad you got back in to a BMW that you enjoy in any case.

[Tisoc]

It def shows. Enjoy it man, she’s a stunner!

[rturbo 930]

Looks nice! It'll make a good parts car some day.

[Tisoc]

Looks nice! It'll make a good parts car some day.

Whoomp there it is

[JTDay]

140k as high mileage, funny! But seriously, an E36 M3 and an E30 drive like the completely different cars that they are, and I see limited parallels beyond the very basic drive train configuration. Glad you got back in to a BMW that you enjoy in any case.

I was confused about the comment but I made a typo in the OP! Should have read closer* and not "close". They are very different, bur I still feel it's closer to an e30 around town. I imagine that gap closes on a track.

Looks nice! It'll make a good parts car some day.

Lol, who knows what will eventually happen to this thing. I anticipate it will make room for a other upgrade at some point in the future.

[roguetoaster]

Lol, who knows what will eventually happen to this thing. I anticipate it will make room for a other upgrade at some point in the future.

Almost always happens, just a matter of time.

[MR E30 325is]

Always been a big E36 M3 fan. Congrats on the purchase.

[JTDay]

Always been a big E36 M3 fan. Congrats on the purchase.

Thanks! It needs some little things here and there before I do any mods, but it made the 14 hour drive back to OKC without a hiccup. Very happy with it so far.

[Melon]

I keep eyeing clean E36 M3's
I love the lines on them, always have.

Was that car on Autotrader?

[MR E30 325is]

I keep eyeing clean E36 M3's
I love the lines on them, always have.

Was that car on Autotrader?

Same. They look absolutely fantastic to me.

[Javier h]

Stunning

Love it. With that mileage, you have years and years of driving.


The one thing, I would do, is go through the cooling system. I mean replace the radiator etc....its about $900 in parts. Dont cheap out or think twice.



I am sure, its been done already. I would do at 70k intervals or just make sure you flush the coolant every other year, if you want to postpone til 80k.


I really ignored my E36 for 10 years until finally the headgasket blew.


Just keep the head cool and you wont regret it. The job isnt that expensive but you'll find yourself doing lots of preventive maintenance while your in there and the tabs will double or even triple.