Vtec,

The s2k has no peers if you want a combination of handling, screaming good fun, reliability, value, and sex appeal. However, it is a car that certainly will not appeal to the masses given its method of power delivery, ride, room, and refinement.

A 330 Ci is too refined. Bimmerheads everywhere balked at the E36 cars, and seem to be repulsed by the combination of weight and refinement of the E46 cars.

Any E36 M3 would be a good purchase, particularly certified pre-owned cars from a bmw dealer, which carry a 100k mile warranty. If you want to tune an M3, go with an OBDI 95, since it is the easiest to get extra hp from. (96+ cars had OBDII) If you have no interest, get a 97+.

A 98 will cost about 30k in the summer, maybe 31 or so.

All E36 M3's make great commuter cars, although they have no tilt wheel, and some people complain of road noise (in contrast, they drive like a caddy compared to an s2000). However, they will not be as reliable as a Honda or Toyota. That said, the drivetrain is incredibly robust, as are the base mechanicals. If you are the type to get your panties in a bunch over getting nickle and dimed over minor repairs, this car is not for you. Cost of ownership is clearly not trivial, like my buddy's Lexus ES 300.

The M-contour wheels rule.

If you get a 95-96, be sure the water pump impeller has been replaced. Go to bimmer.org, and search around for M3 faq's for more info on the breed (don't have the url handy).

[This message has been edited by frayed (edited November 28, 2000).]

 

E36 M3s seem to be pretty durable... (motorwise).

the 95 was a 3.0, the rest are 3.2s, and the sedan was only available in 97-98...

I'm actually considering one to replace my S2000 in the spring if my insurance company decides to give me grief

I might even do it just to do it. The ragtop is great in the summer, but the NW winters leave me a little bummed (it rains a lot!)...

I might enjoy the M3 a bit more, but I cant say til I go for a ride in one.

 

I'll probably go for a '97 M3. I want the 3.2L engine.

frayed, so you recommend buying a BMW certified M3?

i'm worried about guys revving the hell out of this thing and selling it off. i'm no car expert either so i wouldn't be able to tell by looking at the engine myself.

I'd love to find a silver M3 coupe '97 with the M contour wheels for around $27K by mid to late summer!

 

vtec,

The CPO route takes alot of the guessing out of the transaction, as dealers will not CPO questionable cars. Be sure you check each body panel to ensure they are original. Original panels have the vin on them (all matching numbers).

I drove my last bimmer out to 150k miles, purchased 3 years old with 44k on the odo. It burned about 1/2 quart every 3k miles, and was still a fun car to drive after three major accidents (don't ask, but I will say none were my fault and each involved a drunk texan in a truck).

My present ride is a 97 M3 Sedan, 5sp, cosmos (black), on-board computer, 32k miles, original panels, power seats. Purchased one month ago CPO for 30k even. It's not as fun as the s2k, but I'll buy one those again (when my wife lets me).

peace.

 

Well your buddy needs to drive one/both cars and decide for himself what he wants. They are very very very different.

My wife has an E46 323i and I an S2000. I like them both for very different reasons. The E46 is heavy and lumbering and offers a quite detached feel. You really feel like you are riding on the car. It's quiet and comforatable and has all the ammenities that a luxury car should and it handles OK too. Of course the cheezie little engine of the 323 is totally gutless but sufficient for long commutes. The clutch is heavy and the shifter sloppy (compared to what I'm used to) and is much less comfortable in traffic than the S2K. Like I said it's nice, as a luxury car. I think the 330ci spiffs up the handling a bit and offers more power but I suspect the feel will be similar.

The S2K is, well, different, much different.

 

the bmw understeers too much, for my taster, also I find the 330ci a little ***** car, just my opinion.

 

Funny you mention that. A buddy of mine now has a E36 328is, but before that he had a modded up E30 325is. (stroked to 2.7, cam, header).

He was telling me the same thing abou the E46 being softer and heavier than the E36. He too lives in Austin (I did, moved away, visiting for 10 days in December!).

Whats the insurance like on the M3 vs an S2000? Any ideas?

 

S2K_CLS, you are in for a shock if you plan on picking up an E36 M3 for insurance reasons. When I went from my '97 E36 M3 to 99 C5 Vette convertible my insurance went down... almost $100... a MONTH, he, he. The parts/cars come from Germany, need special/skilled/certified technicians to work on/repair (aka expensive) and get stolen a lot. I can promises you the M3 will cost more to insure

[This message has been edited by Silver S2K (edited November 29, 2000).]

 

DOH!

ok, thats it... I'm getting an SUV j/k

I wonder if a regular 3 series has high insurance too?

I'm calling my insurance company to get a quote...

thanks for the heads up though


[QUOTE]Originally posted by Silver S2K:
[B]S2K_CLS, you are in for a shock if you plan on picking up an E36 M3 for insurance reasons. When I went from my '97 E36 M3 to 99 C5 Vette convertible my insurance went down... almost $100... a MONTH, he, he. The parts/cars come from Germany, need special/skilled/certified technicians to work on/repair (aka expensive) and get stolen a lot. I can promises you the M3 will cost more to insure

 

if this is his first car, like you say....umm... maybe a used crown vic???

I personally don't think either of those cars makes for a good first car, unless you want it to look like this....