E36 M3....are they still fast?
Discussion
e21Mark said:
Since this thread started I've been looking for an M3 with a budget of just over £3k. The only one's out there, for that money, (so far anyway) are way past their best. Not sure if the OP has found the same??
Depends really, there are the occasional bargains at that price, mainly early 3.0 coupes, but you have to be lucky!I agree that there is something a little "impure" about the convertibles, and it's more difficult to find one that hasn't been barried. I'm a little :| about the added weight too. However, I only have space for one car, and a recent open-topped hoon across Dorset confirmed to me that I love convertibles, especially ones with an ///M on the bootlid. No, not a re-badged 316 
E30 v E36?
I had my E30 for 5 years and loved it. It was my everyday car and went on track too. The E36 I have had for about a year now and I am really fond of it. It is an excellent car and performs the same functions as the E30.
Similarities are they both have red needles. They are both fun to drive and they are both involving to drive.
Differences are that the E30 has bags more feel at the front end and a bit, but not a lot, more grip. Power delivery is obviously different but both like to rev and encourage you to do so.
Neither is tail happy despite what people will say.
Neither is cheap to run. The E36 currently stands me at around its purchase price although that does include a set of tyres and sorting the rear arches. Mine has a full service history and the previous owner had looked after it but they are old performance cars and things need to be kept on top of.
Buy one and enjoy it.
I had my E30 for 5 years and loved it. It was my everyday car and went on track too. The E36 I have had for about a year now and I am really fond of it. It is an excellent car and performs the same functions as the E30.
Similarities are they both have red needles. They are both fun to drive and they are both involving to drive.
Differences are that the E30 has bags more feel at the front end and a bit, but not a lot, more grip. Power delivery is obviously different but both like to rev and encourage you to do so.
Neither is tail happy despite what people will say.
Neither is cheap to run. The E36 currently stands me at around its purchase price although that does include a set of tyres and sorting the rear arches. Mine has a full service history and the previous owner had looked after it but they are old performance cars and things need to be kept on top of.
Buy one and enjoy it.
RemyMartin said:
icepop said:
Good God, this whole thread makes me weep !
Barrie Island
Guy makes elitist remark, regarding said car.Barrie Island
Goes to check profile......No cars listed in profile....thought as much.
Obvious troll is obvious.
icepop said:
I'm on my 1st Leon, after 4 years of the the eq. VW offering.
2lt tdi engine is a step backwards from the 1.9, laggy, and not so good on the economy.
The Leon, is cheap as chips to run, vs the VW, local dealer, very good.
2lt tdi engine is a step backwards from the 1.9, laggy, and not so good on the economy.
The Leon, is cheap as chips to run, vs the VW, local dealer, very good.
Paul_M3 said:
I've had an e36 M3 Evo and an e46 M3.
I've been on track with both of them. I have 'raced' with an e46 in the e36 and vice versa.
I can say for certain that there is virtually no straight line performance difference between a good M3 Evo and an e46 M3.
So in answer to the original question, yes, they are most definitely still fast.
For your info, here's a video taken from my e46 M3 with an e36 in front of me. He was holding me up through the bends, but as you can see the straightline performance meant I couldn't even attempt to overtake until he pulled over and let me past: (see 2:20 for the drag race as we pull onto the start straight)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8h4ugO3sho
Just shows the extra weight of the E46 SMG version is enough to nearly negate the extra power I've been on track with both of them. I have 'raced' with an e46 in the e36 and vice versa.
I can say for certain that there is virtually no straight line performance difference between a good M3 Evo and an e46 M3.
So in answer to the original question, yes, they are most definitely still fast.
For your info, here's a video taken from my e46 M3 with an e36 in front of me. He was holding me up through the bends, but as you can see the straightline performance meant I couldn't even attempt to overtake until he pulled over and let me past: (see 2:20 for the drag race as we pull onto the start straight)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8h4ugO3sho
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