E30 M3 vs. E36 M3

[Davenotouring]

Chaps!

I know this is the E30zone but some unbiased opinions/facts would be appreciated.

As some of you know, I'm currently driving a powerhouse 316i SE (that's right Pete - SE).

My Civic track car, is great fun, as quick as a basic E30 M3, handles well, is light etc etc.

I am looking into getting something different at some point, finances allowing etc.

What do people think about E30 vs. E36 M3s?

They are similarly priced now, the E30 M3 being lighter, more basic, but less powerful. E36 has more power, is more complex, and heavier.

I imagine the E30 M3 is more chuckable, which I love, but will probably not be as quick as the E36 (3.0) M3. Does the handling/weight make up for this?

Just after some info!

I've driven a couple of E36 M3s, but they were both EVO Cabs. I wasn't impressed to be honest.

I had a go in Demlots car, and it feels really impressive.

Whatever car I have will be completely stripped (of course) and eventually will get proper suspension/brakes/cage etc.

Opinions/Fact/Ideas appreciated!

[Ant]

the E30 will talk to you in a way the e36 cant mate, regardless of money spent on mods, nothing can touch a sorted E30 M3 for feedback

E30= quick when driven 10/10ths

E36 quicker on 9/10ths, push it and the compromises start to show( still a damn fine chariot though dude !)

E46, yes please ! not tried a CSL though

[orangecurry]

IMHO the E36 is a very fast road car; designed and made as such.

the E30 M3 is a track car you can also use on the road.....

I know which I would choose

from a practical point, the E30 will depreciate less

[Davenotouring]

E46 - I can but dream (at the moment anyway! haha)

E46 CSL - A real wet dream for a while!

I understand what you guys are saying, and I think an E30 M3 is gonna suit me well. I like a light chuckable car...

[maxfield]

I'm sure a well sorted E30 M3 will eat an E36 on the track

M3ben has some experience he got the choice of an E36 M3 GT but he kept the M3 for various reasons.

[Demlotcrew]

Only problem with the E30 are the costs of getting more power from a S14 near to what the E36 3.2 (ie 300bhp) has.

Other parts are on par.

Andrew

[Theo]

Dave - I think the better car to choose would be the E30 M3. As you know, it's all about the twisty bits and the E30 M3 is famous for being one of the best handling cars made, I think you would regret it going for an E36 M3, even though the 3.0's cost less than the E30.

Either way, shotgun a passenger lap next year!!

[E30BeemerLad]

Integra Type R

[Davenotouring]

Andy, I know what you mean.....as you've explained.

What would be required for 250bhp? I think that'd do me!

Carbon Airbox/Alpha-N/Cams/Manifold+Exhaust?

Theo, whatever, even if it's still the Civic, you can have a passenger lap!

[maxfield]

you'd only get that if you started off with a really good engine to start with

[Davenotouring]

Integra Type R

My Civic is just as quick, and handles just as well with it's current setup. If the Integra was RWD I'd go for it, no question. But it's like going from Cheddar to Mature Cheddar, and I want some different cheese. RWD cheese.

Integra is a great car though!

[Simon13]

As per phone call for what u would use it for the E30 would suit the bill more

The E36 would be best as a daily/show/track slag all in one car if u ever decided to downsize the fleet to 1 chariot! Which i doubt

[78dude]

Sorry, but what about this?
http://www.ritzsite.net/Alfa_SZ-RZ/01_Alfa_SZ-RZ.htm

[Davenotouring]

They are pricey and fragile! Pretty cool though! SZ action. Some guy in a town near me has two of those.

Maxfield, I guess you're right, but Demlot is here to help!

Simon, nice picture of the Alpenis. Also, we can chat a bit more about this tomorrow night, just add beer.

[fuzzy]

im not speaking from experience but surely the e36 would be the more sensible option to those not wearing e30 tinted specs with way more power to start with and power upgrades easier and cheaper to achieve than the e30 m3.surely the e36 can be upgraded to handle just as well as the e30 with brake and suspension upgrades

[78dude]

The BM E30 M3 is an ikon like the E30 Zagato. Audi UR Quattro etc. An E36 BMW M3 is still a "modern" car with a six pot engine who make the caracter of the car diffrent. The E30 M3 to be honest with you I havent driven one, but I think its more a funny car then a E36 M3 who is quicker in the straits because of more bhp.
I would go for an E30, and use an AR ES30 Zagato in the weekends

[Simon13]

Good point on the E36, Dave remember that silver 3.0 one up at the pod, damm that was fast.

[Davenotouring]

Absolutely, I loved that car. Awesome.

The chuckability of the car is an important point though, which is one where I think the E30 would be a fair bit better.

A side note, the Civic is the car I've owned the longest out of any cars I've owned. (About 34!)

[E30BeemerLad]

MR2 Turbo

Hey, just realised this is a BMW forum, my skin seems to be turning yellow

[Davenotouring]

Hahaha!

Mid engine worries me a little. However, I'd be willing to try, my mate has one ~300bhp, I'd love to give it a go.

After driving my mates S14 with ~325bhp, I think it is awesome, but not what I'm looking for in a track car. It may have been the particular setup however.....

[Simon13]

MR2 Turbo

Hey, just realised this is a BMW forum, my skin seems to be turning yellow

like the bloke in your avatar

Dave who's S14 is 325bhp!

MR2 in the wet the N/A ones are bad enough!

[Davenotouring]

Sorry SimonThirteen....

Nissan Silvia S14....can you guess who's it is yet? Well people rate it between 300 and 350 so I guessed at 325!

Not E30 M3 S14!

[e36boy]

SAPHY COSSIE MATE

[Davenotouring]

I'd blow it up!

Although I have always wanted one!

[maxfield]

I'd blow it up!

Although I have always wanted one!

[Demlotcrew]

Dave you need to be prepared to throw really big money at a S14.

To get near the 300bhp mark with the engine in a state of tune that will last more than one track day you are looking at around £11k and that's just the engine

Then all the other parts on the car, suspension 2k brakes about the same then cage and wheels to match.

Soon starts to add up.

But if you are willing to stick with it and build up the car over several years you will end up with a serious weapon.

[maxfield]

To get near the 300bhp mark with the engine in a state of tune that will last more than one track day you are looking at around £11k and that's just the engine

what would be needed for 300hp?

[Simon13]

u mean a weapon to match the weapon who would be driving it?!

Ahh that will be Horners too fast too furious chariot!

[Davenotouring]

2 Fast 2 Chavvy!

Andy, how about 250bhp? I'd be happy with that!

[Demlotcrew]

A proper 2.5 conversion using high comp endurance
group N pistons (12+ depending on fuel used) lighter rods,
30.5mm head ports with bigger valves, cams,
Modern EMS running dry ignition and airbox.

A 2.3 can make 340bhp but will revv to 9600 and wont last as long as a 2.5 in the same power bracket.

Andrew

[Simon13]

240 would be poss with out shitting your pants at the cost!

[Demlotcrew]

What ever you do dave you need to make sure the engine you buy is a 215 model anything else will cost far too much to upgrade.

Andrew

[maxfield]

for a track car

292/284 cams or maybe 292/292
c/f airbox with alpha n
50/50 header and supersprint full exhaust

also try to get a a late car with 48mm tbs

[maxfield]

have a butchers on here for prices

www.e30shop.de

[Davenotouring]

Andy, where am I gonna find a 215bhp engine for £3-4k! haha! Never.

Leaning towards E36 with this tuning talk............