E36 M3- Wallet rapage?

[andye30m3]

I had an M3 evo. if you pick a good one and with a little luck they can be run without spending a fortune, even return reasonable MPG.

I wasn't all that lucky and mine was one of the most unreliable car's I've ever owned suffering 2 bottom end failures, a vanos failure in the time I owned it.

If I was to buy another (which I may well do for a track car) I'd definitely have the modified bottom end bolts fitted.

I also didn't like the standard suspension, changed the springs for eibach and this helped, H&R coilovers made the car so much better.

[monthefish]

SuperVM said:

jdw1234 said:

What a superb conversion.

The E36 M3 is dating really well in my eyes having now gone through its council estate phase.

Indeed, I loved the look of my Estoril coupe on the standard sunflowers. It reminds me of BTCC heights.

I saw an E36 cab the other day and concluded that it still looks really good.

[5lab]

would a 944 (s2 or turbo) be a sensible alternative with slightly cheaper running costs?

[Output Flange]

From friends who have had 944s, I don't think you'll get much cheaper running costs than an M3.

[rallycross]

Output Flange said:

From friends who have had 944s, I don't think you'll get much cheaper running costs than an M3.

Having owned a few of both (944T, M3) the 944's were cheaper to run, the history folders had less high bills than the M3's - dealers seem to see ££££ signs when you book an M3 in for a service.

BUT the 944T is now old so you will have old age issues that an E36 wont (youngest 944T is a 92-K, oldest M3 evo is 96-N).

[2thumbs]

carreauchompeur said:

What are people's thoughts on this one? It's definitely towards the lower end price-wise. I think given the comments so far I definitely want an Evolution, and am leaning away from the convertible due to the comments about scuttle shake and my own concerns about attracting the wrong kind of attention!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3354381.htm

Re the scuttle shake, go out & try one, you may be pleasantly surprised. They are not as bad as some people say they are. They do shake but I only ever notice it on rough surfaces & lets face it all cars shake a bit on them. They are smooth as silk on a decent road.