E36 M3 OR E46 M3 - looking to keep for a while ???

E36 M3 OR E46 M3 - looking to keep for a while ???

Author
Discussion

JimmyRb5Pro

Original Poster:

16 posts

121 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Guys what are your thought ? Will look for low mileage (ish ) - few owners - budget 6-9k ? Which might retain its value better ?

Cheers smile

TheLordJohn

5,746 posts

145 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Retain value - I'd imagine a stunning, full history, excellent provenance etc E36 would be the most likely to appreciate first.

TAHodgson

875 posts

170 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
I'd prefer to be sat in the E46 95% of the time, try both, see what you like!

gaz1234

5,233 posts

218 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Z3

Eighteeteewhy

7,259 posts

167 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Your budget will get you a nice E46 or a stunning E36.

E46 is a nicer place to be and a great engine.

E36 is a better driving experience, just. A bit more raw and focused.

E46 prices are still going slowly down, mint E36s are on the rise.

All IMO

billzeebub

3,862 posts

198 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
With that budget you will get a top notch E36, that would be my choice. There are still pampered low-owner cars out there amongst all the chaved up tat. Get a good one and it will seem so much better than diluted modern cars. I miss owning an E36. Just make sure you get a manual, the SMG is truly woeful and very problematic

Matt UK

17,649 posts

199 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
e36 because you can get an uber-cool 4-door saloon version cool

LP670

819 posts

125 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
wouldn't buy an e46 due to the cracking of the rear floor, don't think you get that problem on the e36s so that would be where my money would go. having said that the e46 is a much better looking car IMO both inside and out.

jonah35

3,940 posts

156 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
To answer your question, a mint, low miles, original, non modified, low owners, fsh e36 m3 in Estoril blue.

gaz1234

5,233 posts

218 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
LP670 said:
wouldn't buy an e46 due to the cracking of the rear floor, don't think you get that problem on the e36s so that would be where my money would go. having said that the e46 is a much better looking car IMO both inside and out.
They all go

BUG4LIFE

2,007 posts

217 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Is the rear floor really a big issue on the E46...there are a a number of ways of getting it sorted if you were unlucky?

J4CKO

41,287 posts

199 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
BUG4LIFE said:
Is the rear floor really a big issue on the E46...there are a a number of ways of getting it sorted if you were unlucky?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvyfSpHpx6A

It can be sorted, seem to remember £1500 to sort it, it put me off to be honest, the Vanos thing did as well though neither are reputedly as prevalent as internet lore would imply, was that, and the number of dodgy looking ones that put me off more, I would say dont buyt the first one you see, be prepared to travel.

aeropilot

34,300 posts

226 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
I'd vote for the E36 as well.


dave123456

1,846 posts

146 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
J4CKO said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvyfSpHpx6A

It can be sorted, seem to remember £1500 to sort it, it put me off to be honest, the Vanos thing did as well though neither are reputedly as prevalent as internet lore would imply, was that, and the number of dodgy looking ones that put me off more, I would say dont buyt the first one you see, be prepared to travel.
that one was supercharged....

BUG4LIFE

2,007 posts

217 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
J4CKO said:
BUG4LIFE said:
Is the rear floor really a big issue on the E46...there are a a number of ways of getting it sorted if you were unlucky?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvyfSpHpx6A

It can be sorted, seem to remember £1500 to sort it, it put me off to be honest, the Vanos thing did as well though neither are reputedly as prevalent as internet lore would imply, was that, and the number of dodgy looking ones that put me off more, I would say dont buyt the first one you see, be prepared to travel.
I've heard these guys mentioned a lot - http://www.redish-motorsport.com/E46M3FloorSubfram...

gaz1234

5,233 posts

218 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
BUG4LIFE said:
I've heard these guys mentioned a lot - http://www.redish-motorsport.com/E46M3FloorSubfram...
James is very good. WIll use them soon.

JimmyRb5Pro

Original Poster:

16 posts

121 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
So any good low mileage e36's out n about then - manual - read an article that stated if you find a good 2000 reg e46 it ought to be good ? smile

aeropilot

34,300 posts

226 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
JimmyRb5Pro said:
So any good low mileage e36's out n about then - manual -
The PH classified are a good start........... wink

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?CarTypeFF=C...



JimmyRb5Pro

Original Poster:

16 posts

121 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
Cheers - already looked at them - hence the question as they are mostly high mileage - word of mouth often the best way smile

aeropilot

34,300 posts

226 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
JimmyRb5Pro said:
Cheers - already looked at them - hence the question as they are mostly high mileage - word of mouth often the best way smile
High mileage.......!!

I'd say a lot of them on there are below average tbh.

What are you seriously expecting from a 15+ year old BMW.....??