E36 M3 OR E30 M3

[MPOWERBULLA]

Right i need help,having sold my my pride and joy(E36 3L M3) over a year ago to buy my first house i am finally goin to buy another Mpower in the next month or so and have a budget of 8-9K and have always fancyd an E30 M3 but cant help thinking that im gonna get so much more car for the money if i stick to what i know and buy another E36 M3.

[maxfield]

E30 M3 everyone will be biased here.

E36 looks boring IMO and to many around still a nice car tho

[m3ben05]

Totally different cars mate, test drive an e30 M3 and decide for yourself. E36 is a better everyday car but it wont ut a smile on your face like an e30 will.

[Herrity]

A tricky subject this, obviously the answer is an E30 M3 but it depends on your needs, I've got a Merc 190 2.5 to tool about in whilst looking for a nice clean M3 but if you want a useable every day car rain sleet or snow then get an E36 M3 an unbeatable car and comfortable and 30mpg at 100mph (I had one I know) if you want something to trash and leave you proper smiling without all the driving aids and power assisted blah blah stability sytems then spend your cash on a nice clean E30 M3 with a few tasteful DTM mods done if you can find one, guaranteed to turn more heads than an E36 IMO

[zaust]

I think it's against the rules to ask a question like that. lol.

[Widge]

Z3 M coupe!

E36 M3, boring looking, quick, practical, and economical by the sounds of things, and not as cherished.
On the other hand E30 M3, not as quick, good looking, well handling.

[Simon]

E36 M3 is a very good car, and along with the E36 touring is the only shape E36 I'd look at, and with current prices is a very very good buy at the moment.

For me, it's got to be E30 though, they are just more involved, have character, and they've got the history, plus prices are going nowhere but up!

[andrewe30m3]

E36 M3 is a very good car, and along with the E36 touring is the only shape E36 I'd look at, and with current prices is a very very good buy at the moment.

Do you realise that they made the E36 M3 in both Saloon and Coupe... Inc the Evos!

I'd go for the E30 I think... have been on the lookout for one again for a while, My e36 is nice car but lacks the appeal of the E30.

Go and drive both I say then make your mind up... E36 wins easily on performance...

[E46ACS]

For me, it's got to be E30 though, they are just more involved, have character, and they've got the history, plus prices are going nowhere but up!

I agree!!!!!!

When I started looking for my E30 M3, I also had the E36 M3 as a possible. But, the E30 won hands down. And, after 3 months of ownership, I am still grinning like an idiot.

[Simon]

E36 M3 is a very good car, and along with the E36 touring is the only shape E36 I'd look at, and with current prices is a very very good buy at the moment.

Do you realise that they made the E36 M3 in both Saloon and Coupe... Inc the Evos!

I'd go for the E30 I think... have been on the lookout for one again for a while, My e36 is nice car but lacks the appeal of the E30.

Go and drive both I say then make your mind up... E36 wins easily on performance...

Yes, 4 door, don't look right in my opinion.

[maxfield]

Go and drive both I say then make your mind up... E36 wins easily on performance...

E36 will win in a straight line but will not be much faster. But an E30 will out handle the E36 easily

[jamo]

How about an e34 alpina b10?

[Adammcf]

This is the same question im considering for my next car as well. I love both and would really love an E30 M3 but I just dont fancy having to rebuild another old car. The E36 M3 will still be pretty fresh in comparison and hopefully wont need any major work every month.

[c76jon]

two completely different breeds of the same species as has already been said

you have already owned the best e36 m3 that being the 3ltr.

the e30 m3 is far more rewarding and far more motorsport orientated
both do things very differently and are each better at some things than the other

you do really have to drive an e30 to get the feel of what they are about

and yes prices are certainly on the up

john

[m3ben05]

A decent e30 m3 will last better than an e36, most e30s are owned by enthusiasts but a lot of e36 m3s are used as motorway runners and everyday cars.

Also the vanos units are suspect and dont forget that a lot of them are now over 10 years old so will still require the same sort of work.

[MPOWERBULLA]

Im getting E30 FEVER bigtime,
I have a cheap runner around for work to, so next car will be for weekend use only

[iil325i]

there is a lot of chavs and drug dealers in E36's, so if you get one, you will need to get a white cap and wear it back to front, lol

as for the E30, i would say go test drive 1, its no good going in the passenger seat, you need to drive it, then you will see, dont worry about the LHD thing, it will only take you 5mins to get used to, and it adds to the fun, lol

iv been thinking hhhhuuummmmm i wish i got a e36 m3, then i see the e30 and i just see why i got it,
the only thing with the e36 is that people know what it is and they look more smart and the e30 looks more racey.

[Simon]

If you go for the E30 M3, prepare for the stupid questions...

"What bodykit is it?"

"What's the top speed?"

"325i is it?"

And then there's the people that know more than you, and remain adamant that they have 6 cylinders not 4.

[iil325i]

If you go for the E30 M3, prepare for the stupid questions...

"What bodykit is it?"

"What's the top speed?"

"325i is it?"

And then there's the people that know more than you, and remain adamant that they have 6 cylinders not 4.

so so true, but f**k em,

[bootyman]

And be prepared to pop your bonnet every 5 minutes too cause people dont believe that it's a real M3

[eun]

And be prepared to pop your bonnet every 5 minutes too cause people dont believe that it's a real M3

but thats the beauty of it

[MPOWERBULLA]

[quote="iil325i"]there is a lot of chavs and drug dealers in E36's, so if you get one, you will need to get a white cap and wear it back to front, lol

I agree and this is another reason i let my e36 m3 go a year ago,too many e36 m3 wannabes on the road.

Sh*t im even talkin myself in to an e30 now

[Rich_W]

I agree and this is another reason i let my e36 m3 go a year ago,too many e36 m3 wannabes on the road.

Sh*t im even talkin myself in to an e30 now

Why do you care what other people have or drive? You'll find most people don't give an E30 a second look, they just see a H reg BMW and not a sportscar. You'll get loads of questions about them. "Its a 6 cylinder aint it" seems to be the most popular followed by "What size is the engine"

Personally M3 aside, I prefer the shape of the E36 to the E30. I think they look more modern, despite being well over 10 years old now. And theres something to be said for the fairly discrete nature of an E36.

Also, consider if you intend to modify the car, theres relatively few things for E30 as opposed to E36. Which may impact on your decision. And that any spares or accessories for the E30 are ALWAYS order for the next day. Never actually in stock at a dealer. I tried for a set of Samcos and they are 6 weeks away!

Don't get me wrong, the E30 is a good car. And Im glad Ive owned one. But I would advise you not to build it up in your mind to be some sort of wonder thing. Until you've driven or at least ridden in one. And I would also advise you to go in with your eyes open to the realities of living with one on a day to day basis.

[brettski]

i've had four m3 e36's and i personally love them i've had a 3.0 3.2 evo 3.2 evo convertible and now a 3.2 evo ac schnitzer coupe which handles even better than the normal m3's i've had and its in total bmw next month if anyones interested.... its also for sale if your interested mate!

[Cov]

I'm lucky enough to have an E30 M3 evo II at the mo and i have a E36 3.0 M3 and they are two very different cars, the E30 is just a buzz to drive and just wants to be driven on, where as the E36 is very much more relaxed to drive but is still a stormer. If you can get away wit just using the car for weekend use 100% the E30 but if you plain to use it more than that it have to be the E36. Just my opinoin mate.

[Lordschleife]

I'm lucky enough to have an E30 M3 evo II.

Very lucky - Evo IIs my dream car!

[Kos]

how about you buy an mint e30 m3 with a "fucked" engine for 5G and buy the s50 and get it fitted for 3G and some money on proper supension another 1G and it will cost you 9G in total!!! food for thought maybe??

[Pal318is]

E30 M3 - No Questions...

[Conan]

Z3 M coupe!

Definatly the best compromise imo. Speed of the e36 with the cult status of the e30.

Looks mean as well

[M5pilot]

I had a ride in both e30 m3 and an E36 M3 at silverstone.

Both were modified lightly - there wasnt much in it on the straights but the E36 had superior low end grunt. A standard M3 wouldnt be able to touch an E36 m3 on the straights.

Handling wise the E30 m3 is in a different league altogether, The E36 simply cannot come close round the really tight bends.

The e36, was stripped out and still didnt feel as much of a race car as a non stripped E30.

An E30 M3 can be made into one hell of a fantastic machine with good modifications like 2.5 engine and Coilovers.

The E36 is a brilliant brilliant car none the less but not as exciting - it may well be too over the top for some people.

I'd like to own both and I couldnt give a shit about what people think on the road.

[nasir325ic]

two completely different breeds of the same species as has already been said

you have already owned the best e36 m3 that being the 3ltr.

the e30 m3 is far more rewarding and far more motorsport orientated
both do things very differently and are each better at some things than the other

you do really have to drive an e30 to get the feel of what they are about

and yes prices are certainly on the up

john

E30 WITHOUT A DOUBT

IVE HAD DREAMS WITH THIS ONE

[CaesarBob]

Z3 M coupe!

Definatly the best compromise imo. Speed of the e36 with the cult status of the e30.

Looks mean as well

Trouble is you'd be lucky to find a Z3M for Ԛ£8-9k and if you did, i wouldn't touch it with yours.

[m3ben05]

An M coupe is probably the only car id consider changing my cecotto for, i love em! Doubt you would get one for 9k tho

[Widge]

More like 14-15k, worth the loan though.
Although they can go for more!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/65368.htm

[Lordschleife]

If you do decide to go for an e36, I've a friend whos selling his m3 evo if you're interested