e36 M3 - 4 door v 3 door

[wildman0609]

I've been looking for a project car and noticed that M3's are now in my price range (around £3500). The plan is to strip it, dip it then cage it and race it.

I prefer the look of the 4 door but understand the 3 door probably has higher torsional rigidity so may be better suited to racing.
is there anything else i should know about the differences between the 2 shapes that may influence my decision?

also is there any other cars i should be considering?

I'm thinking about Type R's and 190e cosworths.

any help will be much appreciated, thanks

[Pig Skill]

E36 M3's, Merc 190e Cosworths....So who's been watching the Top Gear re-run last Sunday

What about a Sapphire Cosworth?

[vinnie83]

The 4 doors supposedly have a stiffer chassis due to the saloon boot offering more strength.

This is what I recall reading very often when I had my E36 M3 (saloon also)

[MitchT]

Not sure why the saloon boot would be a factor, but yes, I have also heard that the saloon version is the stiffest of the E36 M3 variants. I would have thought the more robust 'B' pillar was the reason.

Edited by MitchT on Tuesday 9th August 21:01

[sparks_E39]

It would have to be the coupe for me.

[Herman Toothrot]

How strong or not are E36 M3's of the 1994 L reg vintage? I maybe getting one given to me soon if I want it as its been in the family since new and the current keeper is thinking of giving up his licence due to old age. Its probably got under 40,000 miles since new, last time I saw it about a year ago the rear arches were starting to rust, it'll have had full BMW servicing up until about 5 years ago and then regular services but at a local non-specialist garage.

I'm wondering if it may end up a money pit?

[wackojacko]

M3 all day long, 190's are crap ! I speek from personally driving one Cruising they are fine, push it and they are like a boat !


I personally like the 4door purely because it's that bit different but make sure you get a good one otherwise it may get a little expensive.

[wildman0609]

from the stuff I've been reading this evening i think that its going to be marginal either way. yes the 4 door is stiffer but think there is more availability of body parts in FG or CF for the coupe.

I think I'll be happy either way to be honest, but what alternatives are there to the M3?

[The_Burg]

3 door M3? Sounds useful. where can i find these?

[Welshbeef]

Herman Toothrot said:

How strong or not are E36 M3's of the 1994 L reg vintage? I maybe getting one given to me soon if I want it as its been in the family since new and the current keeper is thinking of giving up his licence due to old age. Its probably got under 40,000 miles since new, last time I saw it about a year ago the rear arches were starting to rust, it'll have had full BMW servicing up until about 5 years ago and then regular services but at a local non-specialist garage.

I'm wondering if it may end up a money pit?

Sorting out the rust will not be too expensive and get it done properly. It will make the car notably improved.

The rest? It's a car at the end of the day - what needs doing to it/when were the big jobs last done?
Also as it's been in the family from new and it's free ... How can you lose? Unless he treated it like muck.

[Herman Toothrot]

Welshbeef said:

Sorting out the rust will not be too expensive and get it done properly. It will make the car notably improved.

The rest? It's a car at the end of the day - what needs doing to it/when were the big jobs last done?
Also as it's been in the family from new and it's free ... How can you lose? Unless he treated it like muck.

Suppose not, but I'd not like to accept it, track it and have then engine fail for example (I just tracked my MR2 and had the engine fail, hence the M3 got mentioned to me).

[rallycross]

Show me a 3 'door M3.

What are you going to dip it in before you race it? Sounds interesting, not tried that with any of my racing cars will it make it faster or just taste better?

[Turbo Harry]

The_Burg said:

3 door M3? Sounds useful. where can i find these?

Here?

[vinnie83]

MitchT said:

Not sure why the saloon boot would be a factor, but yes, I have also heard that the saloon version is the stiffest of the E36 M3 variants. I would have thought the more robust 'B' pillar was the reason.

Edited by MitchT on Tuesday 9th August 21:01

From what I remember, the fact there's a metal plate behind the rear seats. I may be talking outta my ass though - just regurgitating what I remember reading.

[icepop]

As you're going racing, it might be relevent that if/when you get a "bump" on the rear quarter, it'll be a new door perhaps to repair it, on the 4 door. On the 3 door, anything behind the drivers door, is a big single piece of metal.

Another vote here, for the 4 door being more stiff. Although the 3 door on the road is alot nicer looking.

[obscene]

Turbo Harry said:

The_Burg said:

3 door M3? Sounds useful. where can i find these?

Here?

[Mr Sparkle]

Wouldn't a rear strut brace stiffen the up coupe or do these not really have much effect? Since you are planing to put a cage in perhaps the torsional rigidity is not such an issue(?) as this will add strength.

I would expect there to be a slight weight/centre of gravity penalty with the 4 door.

[B16JUS]

I like the look of the 4 door when all caged up etc

Why not weld the doors from the inside to increase strength ?

either way with a proper cage i would think the car would be much better than most trackday drivers

[wildman0609]

rallycross said:

Show me a 3 'door M3.

What are you going to dip it in before you race it? Sounds interesting, not tried that with any of my racing cars will it make it faster or just taste better?

acid dip to get rid of all the under seal and any nvh that i cant remove in an effort to reduce weight. metal body panels that have been properly striped of under seal tend to weight about the same as FG ones.

[Welshbeef]

Half sized radiator and half sized screen wash bottle will save quite a few kgs