e36 m3 opinions?

[320ise]

torn between a few cars this is one would it be good as a daily driver that i can abuse every so often when the mood takes not really into doing track days but want somthing fast and ///M! thanks

[320ise]

sorry put in wrong section can any one move please?

[mikekean]

good quick well handling cars, there reliable comfy. but there a 90's car so a bit bland. will be a few years yet till there retro like the e30. if i bought and e36 you'd allways be pissed off when you saw the e46 m3.

[michealewk]

if your buying an evo make sure to get the two vanos checked very expenceive to fix

[Sharabi]

The E36 M3 is a great car, and certainly is realiable, comfy and quick.
as MikeKean has said its a 90's car, but for the money i think they offer outstanding value.

Good ones are getting rare. to be honest i think too much is made of the EVO vanos issues, as i have only heard on two instances from members of e36coupe.com where the vanos has gone. and they seemed to occur on cars that were not driven all that much.

If you want to avoid the vanos issues then look for the non Evo M3's.

The one thing to bear in mind is to make sure that you can afford the running costs on one of these cars, as many people buy without realising the true cost of looking after one.

A nicely modified e36 M3 for me anyway gets my attention more than a e46 M3, that and the fact i know of some e36 M3's that are e46 M3 Killers

Try looking at e36coupe.com forum as theres a lot of infomation on the site regarding those vehicles.

[baur320]

I've had an Evo for three years now, and it's been fine. Mine's also got SMG so it's supposed to be even more fragile, but apart from tyres and brakes, its needed nothing. When I got it, it did seem a bit bland at first, but it's grown on me. I used to prefer the E30 for it's character, but I've had a year of problems with it (not the car's fault) and patience is wearing thin.

Agree with Sharabi's comments about Vanos - it can suffer from one of two failures - either the retaining bolts fail and you loose your oil in a second therefore wrecking the engine, or there's some sort of internal failure. The later models have strengthenend bolts so if you get an early one, it's as well to change them. The internal failure can be prevented by changing the Vanos filter and washer regularly (cost about a fiver) and also not thrashing it with a cold motor.

The Vanos on the 3.0 can still be suspect but at least there's only one to go - didn't the project car that BMW Car mag have a while back also have problems?

Every car has a weakness somewhere - whether its rust or mechanical - its just a case of can you live with the cost of it failing?

I had an E46 M3 as a courtesy car last year and although it had slightly better perfomance, I prefered the E36 for being more basic and having no driver aids.

HTH

Mick

[Jeepster]

Vanos failure is overrated, however not uncommon, just look at all the classifieds and see how many are advertised with new vanos units. One thing to consider with this is that a new vanos is not always a guarantee of good working order, it has been known that the worn vanos gears can wear the cam gears, changing the vanos alone means putting new vanos gears into worn cam gears and I am sure that you can see thats a problem in the sense that its a temporary fix. The problem is not entirely related to the evo, i have known a few vanos's fail on the 3.0's, as such I have a spare in my garage. The big problem with the vanos is a typically British one, we have more replacement units than anyone else, the reason for this is that BMW didn't strip them down in the uk, if theres a fault, they just order a replacement part, these units can be stripped down and you can often find that the failure is related to a few simple (and cheap) parts. There is a chap in Houndslow who is very skilled with these parts and will be able to fix most for a much cheaper price than replacing the whole unit.

One of the main concerns when buying an e36 M3 is the fact that you will more than likely have to factor in new suspension and brakes, its quite common to see people have had expensive bills in this area in the first few months on ownership. Not a problem if you want to change it all anyway, but from your original post I would think that you don't, so look carefully.

If you buy a 3.0 then any gear box wear issues should be pretty cheap, they share the same box as the 328 (possibly a different final gear ratio, but thats all) which means there are plenty about. The evo's 6 speed box is imho not as good as the 5 speed, yes you get better fuel economy on a run, but the ones I have been in just don't feel as nice and tight, plus your going to have to pay more to get a replacement. Clutches are a big factor also, if the clutch is worn then your more than likely in for a flywheel as well, the are known for canning the fly as soon as the clutch wears, again not a massive issue as with the current exchange rate light weight fly's and clutches can be had for easy money from the states.

I agree with the comments about them being a good value car, I personally don't find them to be a bland 90's type car, I have never thought that I should have bought an e46 either (although the csl does keep calling me) and other than the looks they perform better than the e30 M3 in all areas other than the handling. This is the one area that you will find boring. The car needs its neck rung to get the most out of it, but to counter that fact BMW set them up to be understeery, not the best move. However there are quite a few things you can do to sort that out. You can go for pretty much adjustable everything like I have and set it up to your own driving style or you can do a few cheaper things. If your not wishing to spend loads then its model specific. The evo's have slightly different geometry to the 3.0, so with the evo you can change the tyre sizes to 235/40's all round and swap the front top mounts over (ie left on right and right on left) this will give you some negative camber on the front and coupled with the change in tyre size you should feel some real benefits. Another interesting mod is the lower cross brace from a vert, these have a stronger x type brace fitted to them and getting one from a breakers (new from bm is about £100 for the brace and all bolts) and bolting it onto a coupe or loon will tighten up the front nicely. The 3.0 is slightly different as your not able to swap the top mounts over (you can use evo ones though), I opted for adjustable ones and went down that route. Tyre sizes should be 235/40 all round on the standard rims so thats a good start and the fitting of a cross brace will help in the same way.

All in all they are great cars (I would say that), comfortable, nippy and good fun once you get used to them. They do need some getting used to though, my old man took mine out for a spin and commented that he was surprised, it didn't feel nippy at all, however he then said he didn't go over 4500 rpm. They have to be ragged, much like the 318is and the e30 M3 all the power is at the top end of the rev range.

When looking around get the car with the most options, obviously condition is a factor as well, but I have noticed that as there are so many around the ones that are selling easily are either individuals or highly spec'd models. Mileage is not a real problem if the cars has been well looked after, but as with any car there will be issues selling it on.

[dickster]

I've not long had my E36 3.0 M3, A 90s car and therefore a bit bland? weren't most cars then? (some would suggest they still are) I bought mine because I needed a car that I could rely on to use for long European journeys that didn't cost a fortune and I have a soft spot for a BMW, I was able to borrow mine for the weekend before buying it so I could be sure it was for me and I had plenty of time to play with it.

Although often slated when compared to the E30 M3 or an E46 M3 it still is a vastly underated car, it still feels solid compared to most cars made in the 90s and although part of me was slightly disappointed by the performance (straight line speed) its easy to think a car is slower than it actually is because of the way it delivers its power to the road. I was suprised by the amount of rear grip it has though-considering it has no traction control I find the back end has plenty of grip.

Generally as Jeepster says they are really designed to thrive on revs-redline is 7k. There are many arguments about which is the better car-the 3.0 or the 3.2, most mags say go for the 3.0 for an easy life and one BMW mag writer owned both at the same time and ended up keeping the 3.0, for me it was just a case of being offered a 3.0 at a fair price and liking it. You might not find a massive difference in performance between the 3.0 & 3.2 to justify the extra insurance premium.

The E36 is currently going through the same sort of stage as the E30 did ten years ago-there were some horrendous looking modified E30s going about then just like there are are alot of awfull looking E36s about today-when all the gash looking ones have gone one day people will suddenly think hmmm you know they actually look quite nice when the mods are kept to a minimum rather than the 20" Alloy drug dealer look.

Overall the only real issues that I'm not keen on are the creaky seats/armrest and inner door panels-I did drive a late Evo recently and it felt like a brand new car. The previous owner of my car didn't like to spend any more than he had to and really I should have run a mile but I know he had it serviced and the parts I need to replace are general wear-and-tear items like brakes and suspension bits that could go on any car-its just that they're more expensive than a VW Golf and its worth remembering that on a car of that age there will be parts that will need replacing through age apart from the normal service items. Generally I'm very pleased with it. Its reliable, still good looking, handles great and generally built very well. the things that need doing to mine won't keep it off the road so I can do everything bit-by-bit.

I'm not convinced much else could touch it for the money.

[capri_rob]

Awesome car - drove a P Plate Evo when they first came out - unforgettable.

If I had the means to buy one I would go to a specialist dealer and pay good money for an unabused one. You can get a council one for a few grand but you're just buying someone elses hassle. Better to pay the extra £Â£ and know you're getting a good one. An M3 is definately not a car to take a punt on.

[old_skool]

Great cars. More recently maligned.

Buy one.

[dickster]

Yeah would agree with not buying a council one-there is a difference between an enthusiasts pride and joy thats had all the attention it needs and a glorified council sh*t-box on 20" bling-blings and a wop-wop-wop fruity gaylord exhaust. Standard wheels are a good sign for me and they look nicer too-a glance at the tyres would tell you much about the owner-four matching good-name tyres in good condition with even wear is obviously telling you more about the owners attitude to the vehicle's maintainance than mis-matched shonky nankang/barum/korean budget crapola tyres with wear on the inside or cracks on the sidewalls.

I know he has a pic of a capri in his avatar but capri_rob speaks sense . I took a punt on mine because it just felt and looked right but like any nice car its easy to fall into the money-pit trap-just don't do it with an M3!

[old_skool]

I drove an Evo for the first time in 1998 with my Brother in law in the passenger seat (he is a closet Zoner too). I said at the time that if I was considering a bank job then I would have used that car for the getaway. What a damn tough car they are. It was such an eye opener of what a car could really do.

I agree with the above, there is still a choice of good cars there. Avoid the Kevin'd rubbish.

[Dunx]

Would love to get a 3.0 coupe one day

Miss my 2.8 and always wanted one - just went jap with the skyline instead... but one day I will have a 3.0

Wouldnt bother with the Evo - imo if the 3.0 was good enough with a few evo parts (such as the dual oil pick up) for the M3 GT then its good enough for me.... thinking avus blue and a half suede vader interior..... and another or 2.5 for a stripped out play thing.......

.... perhaps one day.......

[78dude]

I like the M3 E36 alot tbh!
It looks like you can get one for a fear price these days as well, and I would love to have one M3 GT in British Racing Green!

[low325icab]

you have to get one! i sold e30 325i cab for a e36 m3 evo, what a car! thats all i can say.

a few pics to tempt ya!









not bad for £6000 either with 83000 miles.

[old_skool]

Looks nice, number plate is a bit odd though.

[capri_rob]

Yeah would agree with not buying a council one-there is a difference between an enthusiasts pride and joy thats had all the attention it needs and a glorified council sh*t-box on 20" bling-blings and a wop-wop-wop fruity gaylord exhaust. Standard wheels are a good sign for me and they look nicer too-a glance at the tyres would tell you much about the owner-four matching good-name tyres in good condition with even wear is obviously telling you more about the owners attitude to the vehicle's maintainance than mis-matched shonky nankang/barum/korean budget crapola tyres with wear on the inside or cracks on the sidewalls.

I know he has a pic of a capri in his avatar but capri_rob speaks sense . I took a punt on mine because it just felt and looked right but like any nice car its easy to fall into the money-pit trap-just don't do it with an M3!

lmao - sorry but Capri's are my automotive weakness !

wop-wop-wop fruity gaylord exhaust - so well put !

dead right about looking for standard wheels and matched tyres - always a good sign that the car has been looked after.

[fuzzy]

i thought the performance was a little underwhelming . id go for an m5 before an m3.

[Tom-Tom]

i thought the performance was a little underwhelming . id go for an m5 before an m3.

Was this comparison before, or after you fitted the Cossie engine to your tourer? I think E36's look great with the Reiger Infinity II kit, gives that extra bit of presence that was otherwise missing.

I'd love one, but I want an E30 just that little bit more.

[M5pilot]

E36 M3 Evo's are fantastic cars when in good condition.

Most of the good bits have already been stated above by dickster and deepster.

[gBenM]

I wouldn't want one, too much of an image problem; everyone would think I was a chav who had half of halfords in the boot.

Which is a shame, because they're good cars.

[DieselMeister]

I wouldn't want one, too much of an image problem; everyone would think I was a chav who had half of halfords in the boot.

Which is a shame, because they're good cars.

I think that this is their only real problem. I bought an E46 330 instead to dodge the carpet baggers. I then had to sell that because it became flavour of the month with every twerp with a ticket once the E90s came out, heh.

Still the E36 M3s are great value compared to other M-cars, both to buy and to own, as well as superb cars in their own right.

[Jhonno]

I would love an Evo 'loon.. Will have one at some point

[Jeepster]

The image isn't great, but I would imagine that the e30 (probably not the M3 though) had the same type of image a few years ago, when the prices dropped. Basically the e36 is a very affordable car, which means people are buying them and covering them in rubbish. This time will pass I think, I always get a smile on my face when I see a mad body kit, huger spoiler or lexus lights on an e36, the more rubbish ones on the road the less good ones there are. I like to think that mine is part of the later.

Mine (clicky)

[d6dph]

you have to get one! i sold e30 325i cab for a e36 m3 evo, what a car! thats all i can say.

a few pics to tempt ya!

[img]Pictures%20of%20crappy%20E36[/img]

not bad for £6000 either with 83000 miles.

I quickly scrolled down the thread and saw the pictures, Thought to myself "That really looks like Ryans wagon"

I have to admit, I was a little concerned when Ryan said he was getting an E36, But it really is a stunning car. And if it puts up with the abuse he gives it it will last for ever!

[madaboutthe30]

Which models of the e36 came with the double VANOS as I have a friend with the e36 323i and he keeps boasting how he has double vanos???

[Jeepster]

Does he bollox, only the 3.2 came with twin vanos.

[madaboutthe30]

Oh that comes as a great suprise

[320ise]

Whats the better engine and why? m50 vs m50tu (vanos) 2.5 is the original the best?

[old_skool]