E36 M3 - Which one?

[Calcifer]

My understanding is that the E36 M3 is a brilliant car to drive, I've never driven one.

Looking around. It appears there are a number of variants.

M3 GT
M3 Evo

Then there's;

M3B - 5 Speed
M3B - 6 Speed
M3C - 6 Speed

SMG

Has anyone tested more than one and thoughts?

Thanks

[Webdunk]

I owned a GT Individual and drove an M3 Evo. 5sp vs 6sp. 286bhp vs 321bhp. Great car to own / drive. Evo was faster at the top end but not a huge gulf between them. These days, buy on condition/history more than anything else although the variants have their foibles and particular points to pay attention too. Prices are on the up and good ones don't hang around so be prepared to move fast. Huge amounts written about them and loads of buying guides so get your research done and happy hunting!

[Calcifer]

Thanks for your time.

I have been offered a LHD (I am looking for a LHD)

1998 Model S50 engined with 53000 KM (33000 Miles). Full history with Vanos etc replaced in 2016.
The seller says there are pixelated screens which were apparently a problem in these.

It's in very good condition with unmarked interior and 6 speed manual.

Price is £26000.

[iguana]

Prefer 3.0 5 speeders personally.

£26k is insane.

[Calcifer]

Is that the general consensus that the 3.0, 5 Speed is the preferred choice.

Paid £8000 for the E30 M3 in 2007 and where has that now gone or is going... who knows.

[Webdunk]

Calcifer said:

Is that the general consensus that the 3.0, 5 Speed is the preferred choice.

Paid £8000 for the E30 M3 in 2007 and where has that now gone or is going... who knows.

Not sure that would be a consensus but there are those who would argue that a 5sp 3l has the stronger box and the engine unaffected by potential double vanos issues

Do you mean you've been offered an M3 GT at that money or a standard 3l?

[outnumbered]

You would have to REALLY want an E36 M3 to pay 26 grand for one, when you could get an E92 for less ? I know prices for "modern classics" have gone a bit nuts, but even so...

What I do know is that SMG in the E36 was awful and should be avoided.

[sim16v]

I might be being a bit thick but what do you mean by

M3B - 5 Speed
M3B - 6 Speed
M3C - 6 Speed


Anyway, as others have said, go on condition rather than the specific model.

I ended up with a 3.0L saloon and a 3.2 Coupe.

The 3.2 Coupe was an absolute missile, very quick and great fun, but had absolutely rotten bodywork.

I sold it to a chap in Norway as a donor car, then the bloody head gasket went on the saloon.

I'll get it fixed one day....





Also, £26k is mental money, there is no need to pay anywhere near that for a car, unless you really want a GT or GTII, but even then I personally think over £20k for one of those is too much.

[Calcifer]

The car is a standard 1998 model coupe, 3.2L. Just that it has fantastic bodywork, exceptionally clean beneath, no rust.

[Calcifer]

Thanks for your messages. It's a 6 speed 3.2L.

[MGR]

In my opinion the 3.2 is the one to get. Vanos can be fixed cheaply now and is no longer the huge expense it once was. The 3.2 has a better engine, and although people say the 5 speed gearbox is stronger there is no problem with the 6 speed. I'd say the shift is marginally better on the 5 speed but given the age of these now condition will matter more.

The 3.2 has quite a few updates including the steering and suspension, engine gearbox etc quite an upgrade really. In addition to this the 3.2 will be newer although condition is more important now they are getting to this age.

A gt2 model is just an evo run out special with lots of options as standard and a slightly modified bodykit. Not really worth a premium in my opinion. When I bought mine there wasn't a premium on the gt2 and I went for a plain evofor the same money as I didn't like the gt2 interior.

The Lhd gt models are based on the 3.0 have more extensive upgrades, the rhd gt models have a few of these but are more cosmetic than mechanical.

[andymc]

26k?????

[Calcifer]

Thanks for the input MGR, useful information.

£26000, I was searching for a while and when you start discounting high mileage cars from low mileage with minimal usage to the interior and unmarked body. There are very few cars. This one has done less than 35000 miles and the owner says the rear seats have never ever been used.

In Europe some people are asking for £40K.

I believe the LHD ones are much more expensive than the RHD models. Just like the CSL.

In all, whilst it may appear expensive now. I feel it will easily fill into its price of £26000 in the very near future.

E30 M3's are out of most people's budget. As is the Z3 M Coupe (sold my first one for £15k and still have an S54 model). I paid £8000 for my E30 M3 and it was about the right price at the time.

CSL's out of budget for most too. This leaves a place for the E36 M3. All in my amateur opinion.

[evojam]

Had a 3.2 Evo for 8 years and spent a fortune getting it upto spec,great cars with a proper N/A M-Power engine.Alot of high mileage crusty stuff about,they look ok up top then get them up on a ramp and the horrors start.Low mileage rust free E36 M3's now very rare and always worth the money,26K sounds about right if it's a genuine car with all the paperwork,buy it and look after it and don't add to many miles.

[Output Flange]

LHD does not command a price premium over RHD unless you're talking about a bona fide LHD GT.

[Calcifer]

Judging by the classifieds and people that were offering me cars for sale before i made a deal, the LHD were above the price of a similar RHD. Also, not many good condition RHD around.