E36 M3 too much trouble? Should I go for S3 or 330ci????
Discussion
Hi all please help if you have had experience of these cars, I'd appreciate your opinions.
I had a e36 325i coupe loved it, wanted a e46 M3 but not enough cash, around 8K to play with.
Looked for a E36 M3 EVO but seems a minefield out there of tired examples that will end up costing me far too much to enjoy the ownership. I nearly bought one in Yorkshire on this site but after a RAC check found almost everything on its way out even though it looked in fabulous cond.
Im split between the E46 330ci and Audi S3(225). However, although the S3 had plenty of poke at the higher end of the rev range it left me a little numb compared to my E36 driving experience.
Is a E36 M3 wise considering their age? Iv'e always wanted one, can I get a mint troublefree one for 8K?
Or is it best to go for an S3 or 330ci m sport?
Any thoughts appreciated!!!
I had a e36 325i coupe loved it, wanted a e46 M3 but not enough cash, around 8K to play with.
Looked for a E36 M3 EVO but seems a minefield out there of tired examples that will end up costing me far too much to enjoy the ownership. I nearly bought one in Yorkshire on this site but after a RAC check found almost everything on its way out even though it looked in fabulous cond.
Im split between the E46 330ci and Audi S3(225). However, although the S3 had plenty of poke at the higher end of the rev range it left me a little numb compared to my E36 driving experience.
Is a E36 M3 wise considering their age? Iv'e always wanted one, can I get a mint troublefree one for 8K?
Or is it best to go for an S3 or 330ci m sport?
Any thoughts appreciated!!!
In my opinion have a look at a few of the e36, if you get a nice one for say £7k you've got £1k to play with if anything does need replacing. Check the last few years bills and receipts to see what's been replaced, usual things that need doing as have done on mine also are wishbones, bushes, rear brake lines. Have you actually physically gone to view one? If so have a look at a couple more.
I paid 7.5k for my E36 M3 evo 5 years ago, I used it as my company car doing loads of miles in it and its now done 170k... its now turned into my track day mule and is still yet to cost me any real money... most expensive in all these years and miles has been the inspection 2 serviceing.
In all hounestly there is plenty to go wrong with most modern cars but my expereince of my M3 is that its built to last... There are some known issues to look out for (weak suspension, bushes, Vanos which can now be fixed under £400)... find a nice one for 4-5k and spend 1-2k on suspension and a few choice mods and youd have an absolutelly awsome car unbeatable for the money IMO
In all hounestly there is plenty to go wrong with most modern cars but my expereince of my M3 is that its built to last... There are some known issues to look out for (weak suspension, bushes, Vanos which can now be fixed under £400)... find a nice one for 4-5k and spend 1-2k on suspension and a few choice mods and youd have an absolutelly awsome car unbeatable for the money IMO
Re your other post OP, from one who has owned an M3 evo, I would go for the 330ci, it's plenty quick enough, far more refined, better equipment levels, 3 groups lower on insurance, better MPG, unless you have an itch to sort of course, in that case pick up a cheap early non-evo, use, abuse move it on, then get a nice 330, sport spec, widescreen tv from late 51 on, and trust me plenty enough power.
TARMUNCHER said:
Hi all please help if you have had experience of these cars, I'd appreciate your opinions.
I had a e36 325i coupe loved it, wanted a e46 M3 but not enough cash, around 8K to play with.
Looked for a E36 M3 EVO but seems a minefield out there of tired examples that will end up costing me far too much to enjoy the ownership. I nearly bought one in Yorkshire on this site but after a RAC check found almost everything on its way out even though it looked in fabulous cond.
Im split between the E46 330ci and Audi S3(225). However, although the S3 had plenty of poke at the higher end of the rev range it left me a little numb compared to my E36 driving experience.
Is a E36 M3 wise considering their age? Iv'e always wanted one, can I get a mint troublefree one for 8K?
Or is it best to go for an S3 or 330ci m sport?
Any thoughts appreciated!!!
8K for a e36 m3 is a very healthy budgetI had a e36 325i coupe loved it, wanted a e46 M3 but not enough cash, around 8K to play with.
Looked for a E36 M3 EVO but seems a minefield out there of tired examples that will end up costing me far too much to enjoy the ownership. I nearly bought one in Yorkshire on this site but after a RAC check found almost everything on its way out even though it looked in fabulous cond.
Im split between the E46 330ci and Audi S3(225). However, although the S3 had plenty of poke at the higher end of the rev range it left me a little numb compared to my E36 driving experience.
Is a E36 M3 wise considering their age? Iv'e always wanted one, can I get a mint troublefree one for 8K?
Or is it best to go for an S3 or 330ci m sport?
Any thoughts appreciated!!!
Bide your time and wait for the right one to come along
there was a low mileage 1 owner example for sale not long ago for about 7k, so just be patient
as for the e46, i do like them, but their no comparison when comparing it against the e36 M3 for raw power.
Only driven one once, and it felt a bit heavy and sluggish,and not a car that had 230 brake.Its a more refined car, and if i had one, i'd buy a vert so the wife would drive it.
E36 M3 can = endless pot of money, as once you have one, you might be throwing money at it, but its thats sort of car, a car you are prepared to spend money on, its kinda hard to describe, but i've got one, and i love it
For me E46 is a nice car, and i wouldnt say no to one, but if i bought a e46, i'd be buying the m3 version
TARMUNCHER said:
Hi all please help if you have had experience of these cars, I'd appreciate your opinions.
I had a e36 325i coupe loved it, wanted a e46 M3 but not enough cash, around 8K to play with.
Looked for a E36 M3 EVO but seems a minefield out there of tired examples that will end up costing me far too much to enjoy the ownership. I nearly bought one in Yorkshire on this site but after a RAC check found almost everything on its way out even though it looked in fabulous cond.
Im split between the E46 330ci and Audi S3(225). However, although the S3 had plenty of poke at the higher end of the rev range it left me a little numb compared to my E36 driving experience.
Is a E36 M3 wise considering their age? Iv'e always wanted one, can I get a mint troublefree one for 8K?
Or is it best to go for an S3 or 330ci m sport?
Any thoughts appreciated!!!
£8K should get you into a top 5% EVO ~ either a very very low mileage example or one which has had big money keeping everything as new. Maybe even better than new if money's been spent on coilovers etc etc. Find a good one and I'm sure you won't regret it. I had a e36 325i coupe loved it, wanted a e46 M3 but not enough cash, around 8K to play with.
Looked for a E36 M3 EVO but seems a minefield out there of tired examples that will end up costing me far too much to enjoy the ownership. I nearly bought one in Yorkshire on this site but after a RAC check found almost everything on its way out even though it looked in fabulous cond.
Im split between the E46 330ci and Audi S3(225). However, although the S3 had plenty of poke at the higher end of the rev range it left me a little numb compared to my E36 driving experience.
Is a E36 M3 wise considering their age? Iv'e always wanted one, can I get a mint troublefree one for 8K?
Or is it best to go for an S3 or 330ci m sport?
Any thoughts appreciated!!!
Best thing is to drive a good example of each and then decide which is best for you.......IMHO E46 330ci is a very good car but just a bit sanitised and not that special. I don't think you'll feel like that after trying a properly sorted M3.
Edited by CRACKIE on Thursday 15th April 17:35
andygtt said:
I paid 7.5k for my E36 M3 evo 5 years ago, I used it as my company car doing loads of miles in it and its now done 170k... its now turned into my track day mule and is still yet to cost me any real money... most expensive in all these years and miles has been the inspection 2 serviceing.
In all hounestly there is plenty to go wrong with most modern cars but my expereince of my M3 is that its built to last... There are some known issues to look out for (weak suspension, bushes, Vanos which can now be fixed under £400)... find a nice one for 4-5k and spend 1-2k on suspension and a few choice mods and youd have an absolutelly awsome car unbeatable for the money IMO
Can you explain how to get the vanos fixed for under £400? The exhaust side cover blew off on mine and dumped all the oil so now looking for options. CheersIn all hounestly there is plenty to go wrong with most modern cars but my expereince of my M3 is that its built to last... There are some known issues to look out for (weak suspension, bushes, Vanos which can now be fixed under £400)... find a nice one for 4-5k and spend 1-2k on suspension and a few choice mods and youd have an absolutelly awsome car unbeatable for the money IMO
I have driven My brothers E36 M3GT and my mate who is selling his 330ci sport http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1501676.htm and I would say both are fantastic cars. The M3 is more raw as opposed to the 330ci.
Both have a beautiful sound track but the M3 is more focused if not a bit too hard. The 330ci is a bit more refined for everyday use imo.
Both are rapid and there is not much to chose from. Obviously the 330ci would come with more spec including DSC etc.
Both have a beautiful sound track but the M3 is more focused if not a bit too hard. The 330ci is a bit more refined for everyday use imo.
Both are rapid and there is not much to chose from. Obviously the 330ci would come with more spec including DSC etc.
garymorgan said:
I have driven My brothers E36 M3GT and my mate who is selling his 330ci sport http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1501676.htm and I would say both are fantastic cars. The M3 is more raw as opposed to the 330ci.
Both have a beautiful sound track but the M3 is more focused if not a bit too hard. The 330ci is a bit more refined for everyday use imo.
Both are rapid and there is not much to chose from. Obviously the 330ci would come with more spec including DSC etc.
Hmm, not much to choose from?Both have a beautiful sound track but the M3 is more focused if not a bit too hard. The 330ci is a bit more refined for everyday use imo.
Both are rapid and there is not much to chose from. Obviously the 330ci would come with more spec including DSC etc.
Then i'd say the e36 is lacking power maybe and has a problem, or the 330 has been modded
These 2 cars should be way apart
joshG said:
andygtt said:
I paid 7.5k for my E36 M3 evo 5 years ago, I used it as my company car doing loads of miles in it and its now done 170k... its now turned into my track day mule and is still yet to cost me any real money... most expensive in all these years and miles has been the inspection 2 serviceing.
In all hounestly there is plenty to go wrong with most modern cars but my expereince of my M3 is that its built to last... There are some known issues to look out for (weak suspension, bushes, Vanos which can now be fixed under £400)... find a nice one for 4-5k and spend 1-2k on suspension and a few choice mods and youd have an absolutelly awsome car unbeatable for the money IMO
Can you explain how to get the vanos fixed for under £400? The exhaust side cover blew off on mine and dumped all the oil so now looking for options. CheersIn all hounestly there is plenty to go wrong with most modern cars but my expereince of my M3 is that its built to last... There are some known issues to look out for (weak suspension, bushes, Vanos which can now be fixed under £400)... find a nice one for 4-5k and spend 1-2k on suspension and a few choice mods and youd have an absolutelly awsome car unbeatable for the money IMO
check this out, go to
http://www.mrvanos.com/index.htm
HarryH said:
garymorgan said:
I have driven My brothers E36 M3GT and my mate who is selling his 330ci sport http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1501676.htm and I would say both are fantastic cars. The M3 is more raw as opposed to the 330ci.
Both have a beautiful sound track but the M3 is more focused if not a bit too hard. The 330ci is a bit more refined for everyday use imo.
Both are rapid and there is not much to chose from. Obviously the 330ci would come with more spec including DSC etc.
Hmm, not much to choose from?Both have a beautiful sound track but the M3 is more focused if not a bit too hard. The 330ci is a bit more refined for everyday use imo.
Both are rapid and there is not much to chose from. Obviously the 330ci would come with more spec including DSC etc.
Then i'd say the e36 is lacking power maybe and has a problem, or the 330 has been modded
These 2 cars should be way apart
Performance wise, yes I agree they are worlds apart
ive got a facelift e46 330ci and a mate of mine had a track prepped e36 m3 (non evo)
imo the facelift 330ci has aged alot better than the e36 range, so most people will prefer its looks, the interior is much nicer aswell and the whole car just feels more modern and very solid.
performance is good and effortless, decent low down grunt making everyday driving all abit lazy.engine pulls well and very strongly up to the redline, sounds good too.
i get around 30mpg on a cold engine and around 35mpg once warmed up on a gentle run using v power
now to my mates m3, when i went for a spin in it, it was in the process of being stripped and track prepped, with a quaiffe(spelling) LSD fitted and can only describe this car as manic.
below 3k it felt very much like my 330 but press on and the engine comes to life and the acceleration changes from good to aggressive very quickly.
both engines on cam the m3 pulls much stronger and the m3 will happily get its arse out.
oh and he bought it on 146k, used it to get to work everyday and used it on track days aswell and it never missed a beat, ok he worked at a bmw indy garage but still....
get the 330 if you want a newer car thats still fast, or the m3 if your not as fussed on age or looks knowing thats what under the bonnet will always put a smile on your face
imo the facelift 330ci has aged alot better than the e36 range, so most people will prefer its looks, the interior is much nicer aswell and the whole car just feels more modern and very solid.
performance is good and effortless, decent low down grunt making everyday driving all abit lazy.engine pulls well and very strongly up to the redline, sounds good too.
i get around 30mpg on a cold engine and around 35mpg once warmed up on a gentle run using v power
now to my mates m3, when i went for a spin in it, it was in the process of being stripped and track prepped, with a quaiffe(spelling) LSD fitted and can only describe this car as manic.
below 3k it felt very much like my 330 but press on and the engine comes to life and the acceleration changes from good to aggressive very quickly.
both engines on cam the m3 pulls much stronger and the m3 will happily get its arse out.
oh and he bought it on 146k, used it to get to work everyday and used it on track days aswell and it never missed a beat, ok he worked at a bmw indy garage but still....
get the 330 if you want a newer car thats still fast, or the m3 if your not as fussed on age or looks knowing thats what under the bonnet will always put a smile on your face
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