E36 M3 3.0 VS 3.2

[ETERNITY]

any feeback from people who have driven both.

advantages/disadvantages

[Andy325i]

B30's make nearer to the 286ps (or bhp) than the Evo's do to the 321ps (or bhp) that they are rated at ;)

[ETERNITY]

ok i think 3.0l is better for urban driving and 3.2l will be better motorway because of 6 speed.

am only using for urban driving so dont need 6 speed

[harry_p]

3.2 has more torque, improved suspension geometry and better brakes and wider rear wheels. Most 3.2 seem to make around 300bhp, which may not be as impressive as they're supposed to be, but it's still a handy bit more than the 285ish most 3.0 seem to make.

For the price difference between the two it seems pointless settling for second best ;)

[ETERNITY]

yes i agree but to be honest theres not much in it and any well maintained e36 m3 will be appreciated. i think the main thing is to find a maintained one and in fantastic condition

cosmos black looks awesome in the m3's

[Kos]

get onto to the coupe forum for some good feed back

there is not a lot in it to honest. just go for the best you can find.

[e21Jason]

I thought the brakes were the same the evo only got a lighter front disk, a couple of my mates run both e36 m3 3.o and 3.2 track day cars, the evo ony has the legs on the straight so not much in it unless you going flat out or want the extra mpg for motorway crusing

Jason

[harry_p]

They evos use floating disks which are lighter, run cooler and are more resistant to warping. Ok, so
It's not a massive difference, but BMW obviously thought it was worth bothering with. Also a good way to tell how well an evo has been looked after as the floating disks are pretty expensive.

[Blitz]

£142 front disk each for an Evo at ECP!

[Alex]

i want an e36 m3 while you can still get them cheap ish, when i'am 21 i think i may buy one

[ETERNITY]

ye now is defo a good time to buy. Price bracket is 3500-6k for good ones.i wreckon its going to be the only rated and appreciated e36 apart from the alpinas. the only real benefit is probably felt on motorways with the evo.i would only entertain a mint maintained,less than 145k milege one.i think the 3.0 would suit me fine. If it has vanos issues apparently it feels dead and sounds like a dog,so thats another downfall on the double vanos. So defo a good 3.0 would be good.

[Andyboy]

Nearer to 6k for one worth having as too many are thrashed and bodged rubbish. The Evo has better geometry, but the 3.0 can be fitted with a standard E36 6 cyl rack to make an improvement. The 3.0 5 speed box is much nicer to use and the Vanos is less growly. Evo Vanos units do go wrong, and neither engine will take kindly to being bouced off the rev limiter because it will break. The Evo has a stronger diff, not that the diff in the 3.0 was ever any trouble.
Evos do make 321 bhp as required by law in Germany, but need to be in A1 fettle with correct valve clearances, spot on compressions and most of all, the highest octane fuel you can get - you need 99 ideally. A so so example run on 95 or 97 will do high 200's