[pnirenstein]

As a current E39 M5 owner, going out to drive an e36 I was a bit skeptical about it not having enough power. Despite it being the US 240hp version I was still blown away. What a fun car to drive. It sounds great, has go-kartish handling and is well under $15,000. For anyone interested I filmed a review on the car, providing my thoughts. If you've never driven one, do your self a favor and do it!

[rjd598]

The car is amazing. It's amazing how much joy it gives me compared to the e90

[pnirenstein]

It was definitely more fun than my old e90 330i. But I'd personally rather have the e92 m3 over the e36. Looks like you have both, what a combo!

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by pnirenstein

It was definitely more fun than my old e90 330i. But I'd personally rather have the e92 m3 over the e36. Looks like you have both, what a combo!

I can't complain because I have the best of both worlds. I'm extremely lucky. Don't get me wrong I love the e90 in so many ways, but I think it's the rawness of the e36 that gets me and it's handling

[Neph]

The raw, connected handling and nanny-state free drive is something I always miss from it as well as others from that era!

[WCM3]

Love the E36. Have a 95 M3 turbo and it does feel like an overpowered go-kart. Enjoy it a tad more than my old e92 M3.

[roadmax]

BMW E36 M3, a timeless driving machine, the most decorated soldier....

[Jamesons Viggen]

I had wanted an Estoril '99 M3 for a decade.

When I had a DD that allowed me a toy car, I stumbled on the M Roadster while looking for M3s. I didn't need a backseat, shit I didn't need a roof either. Talk about raw and feedback, the E36/7 is like a mullet, E36 business in the front, E30 party in the back.

BUT I still love the lines of the E36 and might find an excuse to have one in my stable. Maybe with an LSx so it does not overlap my E36/7 drivetrain.

[Boland01]

My son has a 1996 328i with which we pulled the motor and put in E46 pistons and crank, as well as S50 cams and Ford 24 lb injectos. Add a custom tune, ZF 5 speed manual and 3.23 LSD his car is alot of fun. for not alot of money.

0-60 it's pretty quick too.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by Boland01

My son has a 1996 328i with which we pulled the motor and put in E46 pistons and crank, as well as S50 cams and Ford 24 lb injectos. Add a custom tune, ZF 5 speed manual and 3.23 LSD his car is alot of fun. for not alot of money.

0-60 it's pretty quick too.

Sounds like a lot of money lol should have just bought an m3

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by rjd598

Sounds like a lot of money lol should have just bought an m3

Not always.

M3s really hold their value.

My friend got an '99 328IS which has the OEM M3 front bumper, looks like an M3 for all intents and purposes. It came with a solid aftermarket suspension and under 100k miles for $3k. A similar M3 would be closer to $10k.

Since then he gets a lot of my left overs at a fair price like S52 cams. He has about an extra $1000 in the car and it basically has M3 power now and M3 Contours for wheels. He still has plenty of money left over before approaching M3 money and will add a blower for $2k and call it a day.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

Not always.

M3s really hold their value.

My friend got an '99 328IS which has the OEM M3 front bumper, looks like an M3 for all intents and purposes. It came with a solid aftermarket suspension and under 100k miles for $3k. A similar M3 would be closer to $10k.

Since then he gets a lot of my left overs at a fair price like S52 cams. He has about an extra $1000 in the car and it basically has M3 power now and M3 Contours for wheels. He still has plenty of money left over before approaching M3 money and will add a blower for $2k and call it a day.

Yea I know how cheap the non m can get. Just insane but not my cup of tea

[W///]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

I had wanted an Estoril '99 M3 for a decade.

When I had a DD that allowed me a toy car, I stumbled on the M Roadster while looking for M3s. I didn't need a backseat, shit I didn't need a roof either. Talk about raw and feedback, the E36/7 is like a mullet, E36 business in the front, E30 party in the back.

BUT I still love the lines of the E36 and might find an excuse to have one in my stable. Maybe with an LSx so it does not overlap my E36/7 drivetrain.

Damn it, now you guys are giving me crazy ideas about trying to find one haha. I'd want either EB, Techno or Hellred. But they are almost impossible to find in good condition for a decent price nowadays. I'd love something in my garage that gets over 18 mpg

Personally, I think the E36 M3 is the "worst" looking out of all the M3's, but it's the one that makes the most sense to add to the E9x (minus the new M3/4).

To autotrader I go.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by W///

Damn it, now you guys are giving me crazy ideas about trying to find one haha. I'd want either EB, Techno or Hellred. But they are almost impossible to find in good condition for a decent price nowadays. I'd love something in my garage that gets over 18 mpg

Personally, I think the E36 M3 is the "worst" looking out of all the M3's, but it's the one that makes the most sense to add to the E9x (minus the new M3/4).

To autotrader I go.

Yeah, looks of the E36-kind of a good and bad. It's so unassuming and not really unique compared to an E36 328is. But that makes it even better when you have 300-400-500-600whp.

Prices are high enough where I am seeing overlap between E46 and E36 M3s

There is a MINT local '01 E46 M3 vert(heavy for my taste) with a 6mt and 78k miles, BONE stock for $12k OBO.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

Yeah, looks of the E36-kind of a good and bad. It's so unassuming and not really unique compared to an E36 328is. But that makes it even better when you have 300-400-500-600whp.

Prices are high enough where I am seeing overlap between E46 and E36 M3s

There is a MINT local '01 E46 M3 vert(heavy for my taste) with a 6mt and 78k miles, BONE stock for $12k OBO.

Well, I spent lunch looking on Autotrader and came back pretty disappointed. Their values have gone way up and you really don't have much choice in terms of colors. Tons of black and silver. And like you said, the really good ones overlap E46 M3 prices which is crazy to me. And to be honest, I wouldn't mind an Imola Red E46 vert, but I have no interest in owning 2 maintenance hog M3's (more so the E46 than my E92) so I'm back to square one.

I gave up so I started looking at BMW wagons instead

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by W///

Well, I spent lunch looking on Autotrader and came back pretty disappointed. Their values have gone way up and you really don't have much choice in terms of colors. Tons of black and silver. And like you said, the really good ones overlap E46 M3 prices which is crazy to me. And to be honest, I wouldn't mind an Imola Red E46 vert, but I have no interest in owning 2 maintenance hog M3's (more so the E46 than my E92) so I'm back to square one.

I gave up so I started looking at BMW wagons instead

For maintenance costs, the E36 really is the best.

I would not bother with Autotrader for an E36.

Bimmerforums had dakar and estoril cars, the CCA classifieds and even Craigs are the best way of finding E36's for fair money.

[dogfish246]

I have never driven one, but now I will have to!!!

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

E36 is one of my favorite of the older generation. I always wanted to make one a project car.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

For maintenance costs, the E36 really is the best.

I would not bother with Autotrader for an E36.

Bimmerforums had dakar and estoril cars, the CCA classifieds and even Craigs are the best way of finding E36's for fair money.

Damn you were right about Bimmerforums. Way more choices on there for reasonable prices!

I think an M3/4/5 in a bright color would be a great addition. Must resist

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by W///

Damn you were right about Bimmerforums. Way more choices on there for reasonable prices!

I think an M3/4/5 in a bright color would be a great addition. Must resist

M3/4/5 is a great way to get the experience at discount as the sedan sells for a fair bit less than the coupes. Sedans might even be more torsionally rigid but I forget.

[KingOfJericho]

I think they were more rigid. They were only available in 1997-98 so you don't get the nice steering wheel update from 1999 and they were not available with the vader seats that the coupe had as an option. Many of them were also automatic.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I think they were more rigid. They were only available in 1997-98 so you don't get the nice steering wheel update from 1999 and they were not available with the vader seats that the coupe had as an option. Many of them were also automatic.

The vader seats are the only thing that makes me sad, lots of autos too as you noted. The steering wheel is ugly, but lots of good retro-fits available.

But you can get a nice M3/4/5 for under $10k, you need $2500 more for an equal coupe.