E36: M3 vs 328i v 318is
Discussion
To be honest the main differace will be the speed and running costs.
The M3 will be heavy on fuel with high running costs but fast and fun.
328i wont be too bad on fuel, around 25-30 mpg, similar running costs to the 318i and reasonably nippy.
318i will be fairly frugal, around 35 mpg, but not very fast.
All would make a good everyday car, it just depends on whether you have the money to run the m3.
The M3 will be heavy on fuel with high running costs but fast and fun.
328i wont be too bad on fuel, around 25-30 mpg, similar running costs to the 318i and reasonably nippy.
318i will be fairly frugal, around 35 mpg, but not very fast.
All would make a good everyday car, it just depends on whether you have the money to run the m3.
currently own an m3 evolution, had a 328i before it. for normal daily commuting/driving the 328i is one of the best value all rounders out there. nothing else competes with it in the 2 door manual rwd NA stakes for the price imho.
bought my m3 and for the first few weeks wasn't too fussed with it, you have to keep the engine busy to really get the "M" performance from it. once you suss where the power and balance of it sits tho it's a completely different car, very fast.
running costs are pretty high tho, relative to the image of the car.
bought my m3 and for the first few weeks wasn't too fussed with it, you have to keep the engine busy to really get the "M" performance from it. once you suss where the power and balance of it sits tho it's a completely different car, very fast.
running costs are pretty high tho, relative to the image of the car.
Y282, I'm so glad you just posted that, I thought I was going mad! I've just bought an M3 evolution & My 328i feels a lot lighter & more 'nippy' & lively compared to the M3. ILike you say, you have to work the M3 to get any performance, whilst the 328 just goes. But when you do get the M going it's a different animal all together 
As great BMWs go I don't quite think the E36 is a classic - but I must declare I've had a soft-spot for the E36 328iCoupe since my 'ever-working-offshore' uncle turned up in a new one pretty much on the day of model release all those years ago (white, with purple interior and deep-dish alloys since you're asking...) . Stonking engine in a chassis that was a great match.
These days, the 328iC is still what I'd look for - a model that slips under the 'M3 must-own/feck' bunch of idiots, so it sells for bobbins - you can pick the very best that comes along. A good'un will still be good for 140mph+/great soundtrack/That Six/and you can easily/cheaply change the intake manifold for the '325' one and remap for 220+ honest BHP + and better economy. And not suffer 'm3'' insurance loading.
Recommended!
These days, the 328iC is still what I'd look for - a model that slips under the 'M3 must-own/feck' bunch of idiots, so it sells for bobbins - you can pick the very best that comes along. A good'un will still be good for 140mph+/great soundtrack/That Six/and you can easily/cheaply change the intake manifold for the '325' one and remap for 220+ honest BHP + and better economy. And not suffer 'm3'' insurance loading.
Recommended!
2thumbs said:
Y282, I'm so glad you just posted that, I thought I was going mad! I've just bought an M3 evolution & My 328i feels a lot lighter & more 'nippy' & lively compared to the M3. ILike you say, you have to work the M3 to get any performance, whilst the 328 just goes. But when you do get the M going it's a different animal all together
went through exactly this as my 328i was a really healthy, quick one albeit standard. it took me a few months to really bond properly with the m3 evo, not least of all because the 328i was arctic silver and the evo is estoril (which i'm still not sure about). i think as with a lot of cars, the difference between 200bhp and 300bhp (for round figures) is only really noticeable above 70-80mph. 200 builds whereas 300 still properly accelerates. the other big difference obvious from day one was the handling. the M really has it over the 328i, but there have been quite a few times when i've had to ask myself it it was actually worth making the jump on a real world basis.
ghibbett said:
To those that are not noticing a big difference in performance between 328i and M3, have you checked the throttle cable? It stretches over time meaning, even when your foot is hard down, you only getting ~80% throttle (for example).
Thanks for the tip, my cable was indeed very slack. I've just this minute been & adjusted it so next time I take it out Ill let you know how it goes!Y282 said:
went through exactly this as my 328i was a really healthy, quick one albeit standard. it took me a few months to really bond properly with the m3 evo, not least of all because the 328i was arctic silver and the evo is estoril (which i'm still not sure about).
i think as with a lot of cars, the difference between 200bhp and 300bhp (for round figures) is only really noticeable above 70-80mph. 200 builds whereas 300 still properly accelerates. the other big difference obvious from day one was the handling. the M really has it over the 328i, but there have been quite a few times when i've had to ask myself it it was actually worth making the jump on a real world basis.
I think my problem Is I came from a 900kg car with a 220bhp turbo motor, & as you can imagine It put you back in your seat when accelerating. The M3 is more progressive. It does fly though, just higher up the rev range.i think as with a lot of cars, the difference between 200bhp and 300bhp (for round figures) is only really noticeable above 70-80mph. 200 builds whereas 300 still properly accelerates. the other big difference obvious from day one was the handling. the M really has it over the 328i, but there have been quite a few times when i've had to ask myself it it was actually worth making the jump on a real world basis.
Edited by 2thumbs on Saturday 4th June 20:39
2thumbs said:
Y282 said:
went through exactly this as my 328i was a really healthy, quick one albeit standard. it took me a few months to really bond properly with the m3 evo, not least of all because the 328i was arctic silver and the evo is estoril (which i'm still not sure about).
i think as with a lot of cars, the difference between 200bhp and 300bhp (for round figures) is only really noticeable above 70-80mph. 200 builds whereas 300 still properly accelerates. the other big difference obvious from day one was the handling. the M really has it over the 328i, but there have been quite a few times when i've had to ask myself it it was actually worth making the jump on a real world basis.
I think my problem Is I came from a 900kg car with a 220bhp turbo motor, & as you can imagine It put you back in your seat when accelerating. The M3 is more progressive. It does fly though, just higher up the rev range.i think as with a lot of cars, the difference between 200bhp and 300bhp (for round figures) is only really noticeable above 70-80mph. 200 builds whereas 300 still properly accelerates. the other big difference obvious from day one was the handling. the M really has it over the 328i, but there have been quite a few times when i've had to ask myself it it was actually worth making the jump on a real world basis.
Jellymonster said:
Y282 said:
in the real world, the convertible feels 4 up all the time whereas the evo feels empty.
er.. do you mean it feels like it is carrying 4 people? is the handling better in the evo?Huff said:
PS chassis-wise, the real difference was/ is braking. E36-M3s only use E34 540 front disc/calipers; so thats an easy and cheap bolt-on for anyone who fancies running any E36 hard.
Not according to Realoem!, different part No.s, different sizes, different prices:The M3's front discs (315x25mm) are quoted for a left and right hand side with different part No.s, so they are directional.
The 540i's discs (302x28mm) are quoted as one part No. for both sides and so are not directional.
Also, the price quoted for the M3 discs is pretty much double that of the 540i's.
The callipers are are also completely different part No.s and the M3's are quoted as being more expensive.
And you cant just bolt M3 brake discs onto any E36, you have to change the entire front strut assembly!.
Y282 said:
Jellymonster said:
Y282 said:
in the real world, the convertible feels 4 up all the time whereas the evo feels empty.
er.. do you mean it feels like it is carrying 4 people? is the handling better in the evo?Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff