Decided on my new car...question about an e36 M3

Decided to get an e36 M3 next. My 97 Cobra will be paid off in about a year and as soon as that's over I want something a little more streetable as I've modded it to the point where it'll be a nice weekend toy, but daily driving just isn't as much fun anymore. Anyway, I know I want an e36 m3, but what years are the best to look at? What are the changes made over the model years? Thanks.

 

www.dtmpower.net

 

Depends - if you're looking to play with it, 95 obdI is generally considered easier and cheaper to hotrod - if you're just looking for a stalwart to enjoy as it sits, the 96+ are a little torquier but it's a little more to upgrade/reflash ecu, and many think there isn't as much to be gained in terms of performance. Either is a blast. Look for motor and tranny mounts to be bad, guibo (flex disk on driveshaft), rear shock mounts, floor panel separation/delam. other than that, pretty stout cars. One benefit of the 98+ is an updated water pump - some have said that all post 95 M3's have this, others say no, but it's not the hardest job to change out, and replacing the pump with a newer, non-plastic impeller isn't the worst possible scenario. Best part is, all the wear items (even clutch) are so ridiculously cheap in comparo to other european cars, and pretty darn easy to do yourself.
[edit] changes that I'm aware of are primarily 95 = 3.0L motor, OBD-I, 96-99 = 3.2L motor, OBD-II, some wheel changes on different cars through the years, I think touring vs regular will give non-staggered rims, and as I mentioned, water pump impeller update, but I don't think there was anything significantly different between 96-99 cars iirc...

 

Did you guys get the grey market '94 Euro spec M3's down in the US?

 

Very cool guys, thanks for the info. So far I've decided to go with the 3.2l OBD2 motor and that I do not like the "luxury package" that some came with that have different side skirts and wood trim on the console. Are there any decent websites? I looked at the dtmpower.net but ti was just a bunch of 18yo kids talking about blingy HID kits and crap. Thanks!

 

I have owned two E36's. Websites include roadfly.com, bimmerforums.com, and M3forum.net. All have good, specific E36 discussion boards. I would agree with the 96+ choice, though the info above about 95 engines being a bit easier to mod is true. There are some detail changes throughout the years (for example, side airbags on 98's and 99's, 3 spoke versus 4 spoke steering wheel on late 98 and 99 coupes). You also have to decide on coupe or sedan (these have identical weights, identical performance specs, etc.). There really weren't any performance options. You could order forged (lighter) wheels, and of course not getting options that are heavy (power seats, sunroof) may improve things marginally.

The usual advice applies. Get whatever car you are considering inspected. Use the websites to get familiar with issues (some, but not all, mentioned above) of the various years. With this car, spending an extra $1500 can get you a much better car (if only that were true with Ferraris). Feel free to PM me with specific questions.

Good luck--Scott

 

No, the closest we got in 1994 was the BMW 325is M-technic. It was essentially an M3 but without the M3's engine. It even had the sweet interior from the M3 Lightweight.

 

if I am not mistaken didn't the Euro Spec Engine come with 320hp and the US spec engine come with 240hp, would changing the ECU to euro spec give you the added power or do you have to chenge the engine entirley......thanks in advance

 

Go Lightweight!!!

Oh you wanted streetable.. (i guess you would want a radio etc...)
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I think the '94 Eurospec had 28X hp. There were only 45 brought into Canada, number 45 is for sale right now.

 

I would drive a lightweight if I could afford one! No need for a radio. Thanks for the links those sites are better than the other one. I need to get a test drive in one before i make my final decision though.

 

No, the differences between US and euro spec were much more significant - revised head design, independant throttle bodies, as well as the ecu were just parts of it. You need an entire Euro motor or a supercharger to get the 320HP out of an e36 here in the US. The side benefit, however, is that unlike the other M cars (e30, e34, etc) the motor is basically a regular 3 series motor, and parts are subsequently significantly cheaper, vs. the much less cross compatible M brand stuff from earlier and later cars.

 

Depending what you are used to, i am sure you will be very pleased.

I have ripped many twisties with both a 2-door and 4-door m3. B-E-A-utiful.


The 4-door......
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If you buy a 96-99 car, make sure you remove the CDV.

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_techtip/techtips/check_valve.htm

 

I'll second Nick, the first thing I did to my car was CDV delete. The second thing I did was add stiffer transmission mounts (prob. not necessary for the street, but huge for the track). There are literally hundreds of other mods--that is a cool thing about the E36--lotsa choices. Many huge arguments (which is stiffer--coupe or sedan, are hinged strut bars [like the Dinan above] worthless, etc.). Keeps things interesting.

 

the best odd2 e36 m3 is the mid 98 and 99 cars. mid 98 and late e36 m3 has 3-spoke steering wheels like the 99. earlier 98 cars have the regular 4-spoke.

I believe the luxo package is available up to 1998 only. luxo has wood trim like you said and the regular 328 side skirts, and the stripes front air dam, not the mesh one like the non-luxo.

staggered rims are available on 96-99..225 front and 245 rear

www.bimmerforums.com

this site has the fastest replies and has or used to have some knowledgeable guys there.

www.bimmerfest.com
this site is the most mature one although the replies might be slower

www.roadfly.com.
the e36 M3 section

http://www.m3forum.com/

http://www.maxbimmer.com/
mostly canadian bimmer folks.

 

I had a '97 M3/4. Get the 4 door, as was mentioned, no real performance difference, but the 4 door is much more usuable and probably cheaper. Stay away from the slushboxes, they're fun cars with a manual box.

 

Lux package '97 only (ask me how I know--I had a '97 Lux, and I now have a '98 non Lux--and I have the '98 factory brochure--lux is not an option). Also, no '98 sedans have 3 spoke wheels--that applies to the coupe only.

 

Just be sure to take a long test drive before you decide on this car.

I had a '97 4-door M3 several years ago and loved it. Since then I've been through a 2000 S4, a Subaru STi, a Subaru Legacy GT, and now a 2004 S4 V-8.

I sold my old supercharged Miata early this year, and bought a '99 M3 convertible (only 33K miles on it), thinking that would be the perfect open-top replacement, with room for my kids. I sold it a month later.

These days the E36 feels like what it is: an old car. Remember, the E36 came out in Europe FIFTEEN YEARS AGO. If you want a car with the feel of a classic, it's fine. But compared to a new car, it just feels old.

(Flame me if you want, but take that long test drive!)

 

I will take a nice long testdrive. But you also ahve to realize my first car was a 1990 ex-FHP Mustang that I turned into a drag car and then my current ride is a 97 Cobra that I've turned into an open-track car. So I'm used to older American cars. I'm sure the M3 is going to be a good step up in the comfort and ride department.

 

Are you on corner-carvers.com by any chance? There's a 10+ page thread dedicated to guys buying M3's and most of them are former Mustang racers.

///Michael.

 

As a matter of fact I am. I go by the same name on there. Guess I'll be another one of the converts in about a year, lol.

 

Make sure the car you find has the cooling system taken care of... radiatior, radiator neck, thermostat. They also tend to have some "bubbling" on the door panels. I'll sell you mine for 30K lol.
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Heh, small world, I go by Michael-Dallas there.

///Michael.

 

Here's what a euro 3.2 engine looks like with the double vanos and individual throttle body. I think the hp numbers are overhype on euro motors, sure doesn't feel like 321hp. Think you'll be fine with US version.
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