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e21Mark
1,744 posts
42 months
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The black, high mileage one I saw (link is a few pages back) was a really nice car and had all the worrying bits taken care of, such a VANOS. These engines manage big mileages and should present no problems, so long as well maintained. I hesitated, so missed this one. I still plan to get one though, but am simply waiting for the right car. I guess it's like anything, just buy the best you can afford, but they are out there for the sort of money you mention.
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AMH82
89 posts
50 months
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That one did look pretty good, despite 170k. As mentioned, if his advert was half decent he might have had more interest!!
I've been looking around and there is a lot of choice for around £4k. Some looking like reasonable examples.
Do we reckon the market has hit rock bottom for these (prices have been low for a few years), I doubt a cheap one would appreciate in the short term, but at least if it's in good condition, it ought to hold it's value - no?
Next hurdle will be insurance quote, now I've hit 30 I can't be doing with ridiculous quotes, my 182 is nice & cheap, the Eunos less so, but that's down to the mods. Still annoys me though!!
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M3John
5,597 posts
88 months
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RemyMartin said: VinceFox said: OP, whereabouts are you based? Maybe someone on here with an evo could take you out in theirs? Bagshot, Surrey OP, if you like you are more than welcome to come have a look at mine and we'll go for a run out if you like as I'm in Canary Wharf so not a million miles from you. RemyMartin said: sulli said: My E36 Evo was as quick as an E46 on the road - the E46 M3 is still classed as a fast car, so the Evo is too. I think mine was putting out close to the claimed 320bhp, it was a low miler and well maintained.
Great car, great engine and for £3k well worth it! These are the sort of things I like to read  Very positive. Also what this chap above says is spot on. I bought mine off a friend who went out and bought a brand new e46 M3. We compared them and honestly there was nothing in it performance wise - the cars are very evenly matched. I've a good mate of mine here on PH who goes by the name of Cactussed who's had 2 e36 M3's. He's now also got a 355 so can verify this, your initial question is "are they still fast?". Would you call a 355 fast? If so then you'll be surprised to know that there is honestly very little (practically nothing) in the way of performance between these two until you get deep in 3 figure speeds. Bang for your buck, you'd be very hard pressed (nigh on impossible) to get a better performing, all round motor car for the money than an e36 M3.
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nonuts
15,522 posts
98 months
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M3John said: Bang for your buck, you'd be very hard pressed (nigh on impossible) to get a better performing, all round motor car for the money than an e36 M3. Good summary of the 15 pages so far there John! 
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M3John
5,597 posts
88 months
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nonuts said: M3John said: Bang for your buck, you'd be very hard pressed (nigh on impossible) to get a better performing, all round motor car for the money than an e36 M3. Good summary of the 15 pages so far there John! Cheers Ben. Was a bit late in finding this topic. Been away from PH for a good bit recently so only just skimmed through it all. Slightly off topic but, you out Saturday?
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nonuts
15,522 posts
98 months
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M3John said: Slightly off topic but, you out Saturday? Sure am, can't wait, think it's going to be hilarious! 
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M3John
5,597 posts
88 months
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nonuts said: M3John said: Slightly off topic but, you out Saturday? Sure am, can't wait, think it's going to be hilarious! It should be a good evening for sure. 
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clarkey328is
2,069 posts
43 months
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Even a 328i is pretty quick, even by today's standards. M3s have an extra 100bhp. Enough said!
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DB5 FRANK
5 posts
39 months
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M3John said: Bang for your buck, you'd be very hard pressed (nigh on impossible) to get a better performing, all round motor car for the money than an e36 M3. Not sure I agree with that M3J, my associate has just purchased a cheap run around - A 1998 WRX STI 2.5L. He only paid £2K for it, and it has better performance stats than the e36 M3. I feel the old M3 looks dated, and the STI is still looking modern. Sorry 
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VinceFox
14,099 posts
41 months
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DB5 FRANK said: M3John said: Bang for your buck, you'd be very hard pressed (nigh on impossible) to get a better performing, all round motor car for the money than an e36 M3. Not sure I agree with that M3J, my associate has just purchased a cheap run around - A 1998 WRX STI 2.5L. He only paid £2K for it, and it has better performance stats than the e36 M3. I feel the old M3 looks dated, and the STI is still looking modern. Sorry Down to personal taste, this one. The M3 and the impreza are very, very different cars. I chose the m3 personally, but then i'd look ridiculous in cheap sports casual clothing.
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flatline84
1,060 posts
26 months
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4-pot gook turbo s  tbox with a biodegradable interior, or a NA german straight 6 with 100 bhp/litre.... hmmm , tough one!
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e21Mark
1,744 posts
42 months
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I love the noise the Subaru makes and without all the tupperware I think they can be made to look pretty good too. I'd never owned a 4x4 and my only experience of a turbo was a 1983 Gordini Turbo, which was fun but lacked real performance by todays standards. The Subaru seemed well priced too, so I set off to go see a couple I'd found. That's when things went wrong. That interior is bloody awful. The dash reminded me of the stereos Dixons used to sell in the 80's by Saisho. The rubbish seats I figured I could junk in favour of some decent Recaros or whatever, but the rest I'd be stuck with. The gearchange was severely lacking in feel and reminded me of a VW LT van to be honest. When it came to actually driving it, I wasn't keen either. I am a driver of typically average ability (although, like most of us, I think I'm better than I actually am) and I find 2 wheel, rear drive cars to be much more fun. Obviously, this is just my opinion but I just don't see them being comparable cars at all.
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StottyZr
4,071 posts
32 months
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flatline84 said: 4-pot gook turbo s tbox with a biodegradable interior, or a NA german straight 6 with 100 bhp/litre.... hmmm , tough one! Ahhhh, casual racism 
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BJT
1,415 posts
116 months
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VinceFox said: Down to personal taste, this one. The M3 and the impreza are very, very different cars. I chose the m3 personally, but then i'd look ridiculous in cheap sports casual clothing.
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M3John
5,597 posts
88 months
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VinceFox said: DB5 FRANK said: M3John said: Bang for your buck, you'd be very hard pressed (nigh on impossible) to get a better performing, all round motor car for the money than an e36 M3. Not sure I agree with that M3J, my associate has just purchased a cheap run around - A 1998 WRX STI 2.5L. He only paid £2K for it, and it has better performance stats than the e36 M3. I feel the old M3 looks dated, and the STI is still looking modern. Sorry Down to personal taste, this one. The M3 and the impreza are very, very different cars. Have a guy here at work that's into his Impreza's (he's on his 4th and i've driven 3 of them) and although they are very capable machines, for me, they just lack that bit of refinement that the M3 can offer. Performance wise if we're both honest there is very little between the two cars in the real world. That's why i said a better performing, all round motor car. In fact if i'm honest, the thought of doing best part of 1000mls in a day across the continent (which i do on a fairly regular basis) in an STI isn't one that i like the sound of. As for looks and being dated, i've owned the car now for 8 years (i'm 33) and if you look through my profile here i prefer something older with a bit more character. It is at the end of the day exactly how VinceFox has said above, horses for course's and purely down to personal preference. 
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carreauchompeur
10,573 posts
73 months
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M3John said: stuff Jeez, that's a comprehensive blog on your profile. I'm going for similar levels of honesty on mine and it's alarming how the bills mount up. E36 M3- Lovely, quick, handles brilliantly. Budget option? No. Having said that, as the tech remarked to me yesterday there aren't many minters left. Hopefully this should have a positive effect on residuals, anyway...
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M3John
5,597 posts
88 months
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carreauchompeur said: M3John said: stuff Jeez, that's a comprehensive blog on your profile. I'm going for similar levels of honesty on mine and it's alarming how the bills mount up. E36 M3- Lovely, quick, handles brilliantly. Budget option? No. Having said that, as the tech remarked to me yesterday there aren't many minters left. Hopefully this should have a positive effect on residuals, anyway... I do try to keep everything in order and honest. I think it's part of my CDO (yes CDO not OCD . We have PH`er Cactussed to thank for making me aware of that one.) If you do want to run one and keep in in tip top form then your right, they can be a little punchy to run - i suppose my blog is evidence of that. But, i stand by when i say that it's one of the better ones out there that isn't a show car. On reflection, the amount of fun i've had with the car over the years far out weighs the monetary cost and the Tardis - as it's become affectionately known amongst friends - will never be for sale.
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DB5 FRANK
5 posts
39 months
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flatline84 said: 4-pot gook turbo s tbox with a biodegradable interior, or a NA german straight 6 with 100 bhp/litre.... hmmm , tough one! Tough one?? Maybe the M3 has got more cylinders ...... but this is not top trumps! Ive seen many e36 M3's of that age with a biodegradable exterior!!! Thats why I would always buy a WRX over a M3!
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Fox-
9,952 posts
115 months
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M3John said: I do try to keep everything in order and honest. I think it's part of my CDO (yes CDO not OCD . We have PH`er Cactussed to thank for making me aware of that one.) If you do want to run one and keep in in tip top form then your right, they can be a little punchy to run - i suppose my blog is evidence of that. But, i stand by when i say that it's one of the better ones out there that isn't a show car. On reflection, the amount of fun i've had with the car over the years far out weighs the monetary cost and the Tardis - as it's become affectionateknown amongst friends - will never be Have to say it doesn't look that bad. Your cost per mile is very similar to mine and my car is far less special.
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carreauchompeur
10,573 posts
73 months
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