BMW E36 present/past owners chime in please.

Please don't take offense, but if you will need to finance the difference in the value between your Miata and a $6k-$8k BMW M3, I recommend that you keep the Miata. Just one thing can go wrong with an M3 and you could face a bill more that the $4k offer you've got on your Miata. What would you do then?

 

I've owned 4 E36 M3s. Fantastic cars. I'm actively looking to add a 95 M3 in avus blue with sub 50k miles to my collection.

As for financing, I'd look into PenFed. However, as mentioned before, if you need to float 4k to get into a BMW, you are in the wrong league.

Those cars need occasional big services which can easily cost $800-$2,500.

Keep the miata, or sell the leopard daytona.

Or, stop trolling FChat with your nonsense.

 

I've owned two E36 M3 sedans. The first was a '97 Byzanz (long gone) the current one is a '98 Avus (BMW Individual color--the only one in the country as far as I know--Avus was only a factory option in '95). My current E36 has about 33K miles--definitely a sweetheart of a car. Tastefully modded, and my "go to" mellow track car.

As many may know, in the E36 series the coupes and sedans were equal in performance. I think the E36 M3 is the easiest car I've owned to both drive fast on the street, as well as on the track. Parts can be expensive. Good performance alignments tend to eat tires. Happy to answer any questions.

BTW, my reference (for loving the E36) includes the following I've owned--Cayman S, Maserati Spyder, 360x2, 430, E46, and Exige 240 S. Of all of those, I still have the Exige.

 

best bang for the buck......

 

So some things to look for. The rear sway bar mounts can crack, as well as the mounting area for the upper shock tower(s) in the rear. The factory plastic end cap radiator will eventually fail, and the stock water pump impeller has issues. The cracking issues are more prevalent in cars that have been tracked/driven hard, but the cooling system issues arise with time.

The steering wheel does not adjust, though it is possible to grind off the securing bolts and lower it should that suit you. I replaced the stock steering wheel with a smaller diameter aftermarket one (that also has an airbag).

The car, stock, understeers some and the easiest fix is a larger front sway bar (should you care). Folding rear seats were available (but I'm not sure standard) on the sedans, and they increase the day to day utility.

 

I had a TechnoViolet '98 sedan. Very fun car to drive. I wish I had it back.

 

I had a '95 325i. Great car until I started having electronic components and sensors fail. I don't miss it but one day I may pick up an E46 or E92 M3. Expect little things to break a lot on an E36.

 

I had a 97 M3 and will echo everyone else. Fantastic car. One of my favorites.

 

As a chassis technician I can tell you that adding a larger front bar will only contribute to understeer. You would want a larger REAR bar to attempt to minimize understeer.

Just say'n

I have modified a 1995 Avis blue M3 with all the bells & whistles with a longtime pal. Its pretty neat. I thought my 328i was an appalling car to own though.

 

Jeez--what a moron I am. Michael is correct. I added a bigger front sway bar, but it is adjustable, and with the stock staggered tire set up I put it on the softest setting (which is softer then stock). I then took to running a non-staggered set-up on the street (to mirror my track set up) and I was able to stiffen it up some. My goal was to dial out some of the understeer. (To be fair, thought, I also changed the rear bar, the shocks, the springs, the mounts, the A arms, the alignment, etc, to set it up how I like it on the track.)

 

You acknowledge he's right (and he is) but ask for more info to aid your "learning curve".

So does that mean your attitude is "I'm going to blow it on cars and who cares if I can't make the rent" or is your attitude "it's all hypothetical anyway so answer my question and pretend the time spent answering is useful when it isn't?"

I don't know, it seem he's got a good memory and can connect the dots. Maybe + IQ points is more realistic.

 

Agree with all that dreamer said. I had an E36 M3/4 for my daily driver for the last ten year before I sold it and got a 335 sedan. They are great cars but at this point they will cost you some money to get into driving shape.
Also depends on how you are going to use it...

 

Depends. If you buy a $6k 318 it should be a very nice car, economical and ready to roll. A $6k M3 however is a sarlacc waiting for a victim.

My daily driver is a '98 M3 convertible and I paid a premium for an excellent low-mileage car. It has been absolutely perfect and a blast to drive for 14k miles so far, with ZERO work required. I have done a few things just because I like to. But...I paid a LOT more than $6k for it.

Oh and financing two grand is silly. Seriously silly.

 

Sold my 97 M3/4/5 with 99k for $9700 this past winter.
The new owner already has put about 2k into it.
Great cars but 16 yrs old now and not Miata reliable

 

I would say 10-12k can get you a very nice e36 m3. If you are handy with a wrench it should not be a big deal to own.

 

I had an early M3, A wonderful car to drive but highly tuned. This is how they got the power out of a small motor. Three years after new I had to replace the plug wires. Which in the day were $720. Who knows today.

At 10,000 miles my head craked which I was told was normal for that car. I dumped the car.

This poster gave good advice. If you have to have a ports car buy a vette at least you have a chance, because basically they are very reliable cars.

Good luck whatever you buy

Lee

 

I hope you find the car you want and it treats you well. at about 4 years the recent M3s begin to have el3ectrical problems. They can be fixed by allmost any import repair place.

I love the older BMW cars. Good luck and safe driving.

Lee

 

e30 or e36? Sounds like you are describing the s14. The s50b30 and s52b32 are bored and stroked m50/52s. We didnt get the real motor here

 

the m3 is the best option to go for but if purchasing the E36 model then definitely go for the 3.2 EVO, the 3.0 Litre is to slow