e36 M3 what goes wrong?

[320ise]

3.0 litre in question. would not be interested in evo as only heard bad things! what brakes on these beasts? (i know about vanos, can this be prevented?)

[Dan318-is]

Insurance

[pete_e30]

its a e36 for a start

[pete_e30]

its a e36 for a start

[320ise]

lol still a great car though and for the £ better value even though i admit there not as cool! classic insurance?

[BMJG]

loads of people on here hate the e36 but i drive one as my daily drive(328 i coupe) e30 for sunday bast so to speak also helps with wear and tear

[dano0]

all i no is that they can suffer from vanos probs

[adit]

ive got an e36 iS and, obviously, an e30 iS. the e36 does feel much more modern(because it is i suppose ) but i just love driving the e30 and to be honest always have a smile on my face when i get out, unlike with the e36

[Chief_Misfire]

They chew up bushes and springs quite often apparently. That series M/S 50+ engines are prone to overheating if coolant system isn't regularly looked after too.

But to be fair, E36's are pretty solid.

Don't get the banana yellow one.

[e36boy]

They chew up bushes and springs quite often apparently. That series M/S 50+ engines are prone to overheating if coolant system isn't regularly looked after too.

But to be fair, E36's are pretty solid.

Don't get the banana yellow one.

Dakar Yellow is the best colour !

[adit]

estoril blue (with silver leather) is the best!

[320ise]

would like black silver or blue, can the vanos be prevented from falure?

[BMJG]

it is not as big an issue as people make out get one that is looked after etc and all will be fine just like any other sports car

[Karan]

quick cars

[Chief_Misfire]

Get the Macao Blue paint but make sure it's on an E30 M3.

[baur320]

Vanos failure can be prevented by changing the filter and washer regularly. Costs about a fiver.

[DRIFTBOY]

quick cars

I agree, an E36 M3 is a quick car.

But after I was a passenger in one I was left a little disappointed by it.

Sure, the speedo needle moves around the dial impressively, but it just didn't excite me very much! Not really sure why, because it should have done!

There are a lot of tatty ones about, but some of the nice ones out there are a true performance car bargain!

I'll be sticking with older BMWs for now, thanks!


I've also read many stories of vanos failure, on models fitted with it, and huge cost to correct it.

I've also read many people say that the five speed gearbox is much nicer to use than the six speed.
I've not driven either so I can't vouch for that.

[zimmerbimmer1]

can the vanos be prevented from failure?

If the car has any history you need to make sure the vanos filter screw was replaced every inspection.

[hubble]

I'm not that keen on the E36's shape and plenty of dags about. Although the M3 / EVO Models especially in blue look

[bigpimpin]

3.0 has single vanos which has much less (reported) problems than the 3.2's Dual Vanos.

Brakes wise 315mm discs with single pot calipers.

[Andyboy]

3 litre M3's are really good cars. Right now they are so cheap it's not worth buying a crap one (£3000) when a really tidy one is £4500. Saloons are cheaper than Coupes and values are still dropping. Front shocks only seem to do 70k but they are easy enough to change, cosmetic rust on rear arches (they don't really rot as such). E36's seem to be coming out of the chav phase now because the E46 is becoming the wankerchariot. E36 Coupe.com has some really nicely modified cars.

A nice M3 saloon or a 325i Sport for £4000? That's a tough choice.....

[Jon_Bmw]

Andy what suspension does the saloon have. Is it the same as the Coupe as i heard it that it may not be?

The prices of Evo saloons is very low at the moment and very tempting. The things from a buyers point of view I guess is: More door, non vadar leather, possibility of lesser suspension?

The only killer is insurance is astronomical on these. You really do need to be above 25 to make one seem like a logical choice if you are doing it on a budget.

[Andyboy]

I think the springs are different but iirc the shocks and anti roll bars are the same on saloons and Coupes.

[Ian_M]

Yep, insurance is a problem..

I was going to grab one of these but then an (imported) Integra Type R is the same-ish price wise but less insurance better on the petrol.. almost as quick (I think? 6.2 - 60) and a lot of people have reported what an amazing ride it is.

I wouldn't just look at BMWs, a lot of other decent cars with similar performance at a similar price.

[320ise]

impretza? lol they do seem cheap but at this stage of the game turbo bills? would prefer somthing N/A the type R is an awesome machine! my mate had one and it revved for a full year in each cog! and the over 5k fake turbo is amazing! vtec is a force to be messed with! a type R engined e30 would be some awesome fun like an i.s on steroids!

[Ian_M]

Try buying a Type R engine : / I had a look at them and they fetch like 2.5k for a fully working one.

Well I wouldn't bother with an Impretza, n/a tuning is the way to go. But M3 speeds and more of a wow factor for less running costs and less petrol, insurance etc.. I know where my money would go.

/duck

[320ise]

good call.