was just wondering..
would like some feedbacks on what you think of the e36 M3. Is it a wise choice to consider a used e36 M3 these days ?

 

Yep. Awesome car. I still miss mine terribly. Look for wear in the Rear Shock Mounts, as they are prone to premature failure and can lead to unstable handling at the limit. On the plus side they can be easily and cheaply replaced with longer lasting parts (i.e. Ground Control units). Check service records to be sure Inspection 1 and 2 have been performed as they can be quite costly. Also, it's a good idea to find an independant BMW service shop that you can trust. Some of the BMW dealerships around here are known to charge for unnecessary repairs. Once you find a good shop take any prospective cars there for a "used car inspection". That will tell you a lot about the condition of the car, and any hidden costs that may be involved in getting it into prime shape.. Good luck, IMO they were one of the best models ever produced by BMW...

 

Excellent ownership experience input on cravnpup's part.

From the enthusiast perspective, for whatever it's worth, the E36 M3 coupe is one of my favorites. Although not flashy by any means, it definitely gets my head turning whenever I see one. Simply put, it looks good stock (a rare thing for my eyes).

You will find excellent examples from '97-'99. I know the '95s respond better to mods, but for me, I'd leave this already factory-tweaked car alone save for the exhaust and maybe an intake for sportier noise. Most will have your typical 50K miles on them, but there are a few gems, but you will have to pay a premium for those. In this market, however, who really knows.

The OEM M spoiler is a must have. Some guys stick on the sedan spoiler, but it just doesn't look right. The 99s also have the great looking M steering wheel that freshens up the dated interior considerably.

The E36 M3 is probably one car that I consider to be a rival to the S2000 in terms of pure feel of the car. The chassis and suspension feels softer than the Honda, but the steering feedback makes up for it. The engine is slower to react than the F20C, but you'll just get used to that and the bump up in torque.

It's a fun, pratical, and reliable sports car.

Enjoy,

 

After having driven Boxsters, Carrera's (of the last 3 body styles), the GT3, E46, S2000, etc... the E36 is still one of the most fun cars I have ever driven. The level of feedback is not as high as the S2000 but it seems just as accurate, and it is muted just enough that you don't focus on it, you just react naturally, and you are right every time. It is the car I will buy when my truck is paid off.

 

Very safe car near the limits; very high limits to begin with. Room for 4 or even 5 in a pinch.

I have driven a few (including Cravnpups), ranging from lightweight caged examples on the track to street driven 2 and 4 door varients. I particularly like the 4 door version given the added versatility.

Bimmerforums.com or bimmer.org are two sites worth reading if you are in the market.

 

I've always wanted to pick up a used one to accompany my s2k in the garage.

I'd just put an intake and exhaust on there and a nice OEM spoiler and enjoy it.

Karim

 

Modders prefer to buy the original 3.0 L version (later became 3.2 L).

 

Another little factoid is that the 4 door's body is actually stiffer than the 2 door model because of the sedan's B pillar.

 

Actually you can get around 320hp out of the 3.2 liter without FI. Yes the 3.0 responds better to the basic mods because of the OBDI system, but you can get the same if not more power from the 3.2... If I were buying another one, which I might some day, I'd probably choose a 97-99 model...

 

My former 4-door E36 was also more convenient to enter in back, and the 4 windows could be quickly powered down to provide lots of ventilation (along with the power roof). By contrast, the coupe's rear windows could only be partially swung out manually (the new E46 has electrified this now).

You probably wouldn't approve of the 5-speed automatic my former M3 had, but it was pretty responsive when the sport mode was switched on (and the anti-skid control switched off).

Owning the stiffer sedan version made test driving the flexy convertible version seem even worse.