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les3002
309 posts
66 months
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L100NYY said: My old 3.0 was a fantastic machine and I really couldn't fault it in any way other than the slow steering rack.  Hmmm, looks like I might need to try a 3.0, unless of course my Evo improves with a new throttle cable/sensor. I'm running a five speed box too so in theory it shouldn't feel all that much different to a 3.0 in terms of refinement.
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varsas
3,102 posts
71 months
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les3002 said: ferrisbueller said: Not just you. I prefer a good 328 to an Evo. I don't know whether the boggo M3 is the happy medium, never had the pleasure. Dammit, not the answer I was looking for! I've never driven a 3.0 either, although I was a passenger in one and it seemed OK, none of the jerkiness mine seems to have at low speed. I think maybe I need to try a few before letting the 328 go. A supercharged 328 might be the answer! Could it be because in an M3 you are openning 6 individual throttle bodies? Perhaps one or more are stictioney and the mechanism needs cleaning out?
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Gaz.
47,166 posts
120 months
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varsas said: Could it be because in an M3 you are openning 6 individual throttle bodies? Perhaps one or more are stictioney and the mechanism needs cleaning out? I've driven loads of Evo's, the throttle always feels stiff. I prefer a free breathing 328i over any other E36 although the lighter 318iS is even nicer to hoon aong a B-road but let down by the weedy engine once the roads open up. 318Ti's are aways a giggle too for that matter, especially when it rains. 328i is easily the pick of the bunch though.
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Gravy
1,650 posts
103 months
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Gaz. said: .........although the lighter 318iS is even nicer to hoon aong a B-road but let down by the weedy engine once the roads open up.......... This. My 'iS is just so good at being a genuine all-rounder that I'm finding it very difficult to give it up as the daily driver. I know it takes a good bashing for being slow but the engine itself is a real peach and just refuses to die even though I have technically neglected it a little bit. It gets an Italian tune up most days and just laps it up like a puppy dog. The best thing I notice about it when I've been away from it for a while is the low slung driving position together with how close you are to the windscreen, it makes it feel like it was designed with a very keen eye on the driver. It has an extremely peppy gearchange which is a pleasure to use, has a very chuckable chassis, returns good economy and is very well screwed together so it manages to feel light on it's feet but well engineered. It's also a complete doddle to work on, with pretty cheap and extensive parts availability. Mine is now worth about 50p so I just can't see the point of chopping it even though I am coming under external company pressure to drive something smarter with enough space to carry passengers and luggage in comfort. I reluctantly agree that this is what lets the car down these days although it is suprising just how much you can stuff in to an E36 coupe! I would imagine that with a few more ponies it would be even better, but I know the M44 is pointless to tune unless you go the route of FI. Given all the above, I struggle to see why anyone would look past one as a reliable, cheap, but fun runaround.
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cmoose
18,654 posts
98 months
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les3002 said: A supercharged 328 might be the answer! Depending on exactly what sort of car you are after, eg whether you need rear seats etc, a 328i with some weight taken out (70 to 80kgs is very doable without spoiling the car and on a modest budget, more if you're spending) and perhaps the M50 induction mod, might well be the car you're looking for. Outside of exotics and really specialist kit, a really sorted 328i still one of the very best driver's cars I've experienced.
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olly22n
11,781 posts
75 months
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ferrisbueller said: I am going to declare that perfect. Love it.
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Output Flange
12,315 posts
80 months
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olly22n said: ferrisbueller said: I am going to declare that perfect. Love it. Bulls  t in the advert puts me off, though: advert said: The 3.0 L engine and 5 speed gearbox with LSD are the best combination for track use
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Output Flange
12,315 posts
80 months
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cmoose said: Nice.
Decided I don't like the new 981....It's not a proper 911 I'll certainly agree with you on that 
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s m
8,110 posts
72 months
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L100NYY said: My old 3.0 was a fantastic machine and I really couldn't fault it in any way other than the slow steering rack.Steering is easily sorted - the 3 litres had the 'odd' rack - they came back to the normal E36 rack for the EVO, albeit with limiters on so many people think it's 'quicker' ( the travel is restricted ). A Z3 rack or E46 Compact/post 2001 E46 rack will give a nicer response
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Output Flange
12,315 posts
80 months
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les3002 said: So to those of you who've owned both, is it just my M3 that can't be driven smoothly or are they all like that? Never had a problem with either of mine. The throttle is definitely lighter on the 328i, and as you mention that's most likely because it isn't opening 6 throttle bodies. However, I never had a problem driving mine around town (well, as long as you've got a braided clutch line). I'm in the other camp - I'd take an Evo over a 28i every day of the week. The S50 engine is an absolute peach, the 6 speed box is nowehere near as bad as people make out (in fact, it's a decent box) and it's just as happy pottering around in traffic as thrashing down a country lane. For me, the M3 is the 328i plus 50% but without any significant downsides. That's my pick of the E36 range.
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Output Flange
12,315 posts
80 months
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s m said: L100NYY said: My old 3.0 was a fantastic machine and I really couldn't fault it in any way other than the slow steering rack.Steering is easily sorted - the 3 litres had the 'odd' rack - they came back to the normal E36 rack for the EVO, albeit with limiters on so many people think it's 'quicker' ( the travel is restricted ). A Z3 rack or E46 Compact/post 2001 E46 rack will give a nicer response The 3.0 rack is both the slowest and the quickest E36 rack. Just a shame it's not linear, which is what ruins it.
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Trommel
10,516 posts
128 months
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Not perfect and only a 5 litre, but might be worth a look before it appears at Mr Hunt's with an added zero: 
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s m
8,110 posts
72 months
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Output Flange said: s m said: L100NYY said: My old 3.0 was a fantastic machine and I really couldn't fault it in any way other than the slow steering rack.Steering is easily sorted - the 3 litres had the 'odd' rack - they came back to the normal E36 rack for the EVO, albeit with limiters on so many people think it's 'quicker' ( the travel is restricted ). A Z3 rack or E46 Compact/post 2001 E46 rack will give a nicer response The 3.0 rack is both the slowest and the quickest E36 rack. Just a shame it's not linear, which is what ruins it. Yes, it has the big centre dead spot. To help dial out as much high speed, straight line 'nervousness' of the geo as poss. Bit of a rethink for the EVO as they admitted it wasn't a total success
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ferrisbueller
14,698 posts
96 months
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olly22n said: I am going to declare that perfect.
Love it. I'm not brave enough for Dakar but the interior is so right. A bit of a haggle and that looks like a very nice daily.
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les3002
309 posts
66 months
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cmoose said: Depending on exactly what sort of car you are after, eg whether you need rear seats etc, a 328i with some weight taken out (70 to 80kgs is very doable without spoiling the car and on a modest budget, more if you're spending) and perhaps the M50 induction mod, might well be the car you're looking for.
Outside of exotics and really specialist kit, a really sorted 328i still one of the very best driver's cars I've experienced. I do need rear seats really so don't want to go down the stripped out route. Our current plan is to have an M3 Evo coupe as a weekend toy and either a 328 or 330 touring for daily duties. I think a 'charged 328 would be awesome but I don't think I could be doing with worrying about it melting or having to have 'specialist insurance', and still only having the performance of the M3. Output Flange said: Never had a problem with either of mine. The throttle is definitely lighter on the 328i, and as you mention that's most likely because it isn't opening 6 throttle bodies. However, I never had a problem driving mine around town (well, as long as you've got a braided clutch line).
I'm in the other camp - I'd take an Evo over a 28i every day of the week. The S50 engine is an absolute peach, the 6 speed box is nowehere near as bad as people make out (in fact, it's a decent box) and it's just as happy pottering around in traffic as thrashing down a country lane. For me, the M3 is the 328i plus 50% but without any significant downsides. That's my pick of the E36 range. This makes me feel a little better. Maybe with a new cable and TPS mine will be a bit nicer. Someone above mentioned cleaning the throttles. Been there: 
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Justayellowbadge
Original Poster
29,474 posts
111 months
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Trommel said: Not perfect and only a 5 litre, but might be worth a look before it appears at Mr Hunt's with an added zero: In fact, f k it Nick, I think I'll keep it.
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W00DY
7,848 posts
95 months
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Trommel said: Not perfect and only a 5 litre, but might be worth a look before it appears at Mr Hunt's with an added zero: Very appealing. Would make for an enjoyable mini-project.
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TimmD
195 posts
75 months
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W00DY said: Trommel said: Not perfect and only a 5 litre, but might be worth a look before it appears at Mr Hunt's with an added zero: Very appealing. Would make for an enjoyable mini-project. I can not say strongly enough that an Overfinch as a bit of a mini project is about the worst idea possible. I had a 5.7l that also had the injectors replace with carbs, but everything on them is bespoke and irreplaceable so most of them are slowly reverting to standard. Or worse. Mine cost me far far more than any M5 or almost anything else I've had. Although when it worked it was a very amusing, but a one trick pony. At the time I also had an e39 M5 so you can imagine the fuel bill Tim
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Trommel
10,516 posts
128 months
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As far as I've seen (and not from experience) there's very little that is genuinely bespoke that would be difficult to replicate - most of the problems I've heard of are to do with the shoddiness of the conversion in the first place (poor manifold design, later GEMS ECU etc.).
What was difficult to sort?
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S3_Graham
10,689 posts
68 months
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olly22n said: ferrisbueller said: I am going to declare that perfect. Love it. Need that in my life. If only the one I looked at hadn't needed work I may have bitten the bullet. Now I'm back in an E36 the love/want for E36 3L M is flooding back. Who says a cab isn't practical? 
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