E46 or E36, which M3 cab for me?

[markcoopers]

Evening collective wisdom,

New here, but need a bit of advice ( hopes it is this easy). I have searched and read lots of posts, but want to ask which M3 is the right one for me?

I have a BMW company car, I have a Westfield selfish toy, but with two kids (5 and 7) and wife (trophy in case she is reading this), I want a 4 seat convertible fun car, that is fast to a point comfortable to a point, makes an exotic noise and has a reasonable degree of reliability. It will not be tracked, or driven with balls out commitment (kids in car and on the road), so an M3 cab ticks these boxes, but I don't want to spend much. Don't get me wrong, I will pay for the servicing and up keep and understand that it will not cost micra money to keep on the road, but really is an E46 worth double over an E36?

Kind regards,

Mark

[rash_decision]

Yes, and E46 is a better car and worth the money, in my opinion. I think the E46 is a far more modern car, and nicer to drive, without the horrendous scuttle shake that the E36 suffered from. However, and this may not help, I do like a late, Estoril Blue, E36 Cab, and has to be a manual gearbox!! You should go and see a few of both, and see which one you prefer.

[markcoopers]

And that is my concern. On any other rational basis you would always pay for the best as lets not beat around the bush here, scuttle shake is not desired. But in truth using it to cruise around with the occasional tinkle on the valve springs, will it really be that much of an issue?

[Swoxy]

Considering you want it for a family car, the E36's NCAP rating is awful (not that it bothers me).

[markcoopers]

I say family, we are talking about hi days and holidays, a weekend toy. So true I take the point about safety and had not considered that, but the other short list cars were also Mk1 Golf GTi cabs. Set against this I would imagine it to be similar no worst + proper rear belts

[thegreengoblet]

I went from an e36 M3 Evo saloon to an E46 M3 Conv. The E46 is just better in every area. I have 3 young kids and a wife so as well as my daily commute, it's a second family car as we can't all fit in due to 4 seats. But if I'm 1 kid or the wife short, then it gets used. They all love it too. The only thing I would say is that the back isn't that roomy. So for long journeys only small folk would be comfortable in the back.

[Luke.]

thegreengoblet said:

I went from an e36 M3 Evo saloon to an E46 M3 Conv. The E46 is just better in every area. I have 3 young kids and a wife so as well as my daily commute, it's a second family car as we can't all fit in due to 4 seats. But if I'm 1 kid or the wife short, then it gets used. They all love it too. The only thing I would say is that the back isn't that roomy. So for long journeys only small folk would be comfortable in the back.

Do you used baby seats in the back? If so, how do you find getting the kids in and out of them?

[andye30m3]

I've owned an E36 M3 evo and now a CSL.

The evo was one of the least reliable cars I've owned and on that basis I'd go for the E46, improved vanos and more reliable bottom end it also the more modern and nicer driving on the car.

The E46 also has traction control which if it's an everyday family car with the kids in is probably a good idea.

Running the E46 will be sightly more expensive as the consumables like brakes and tyres will cost more but I think servicing is much about the same

[Crackie]

E46 every time ~ the E36 M3 cab still looks the part but it shakes, rattles and rolls far too much. Not BMW's finest engineering hour.

Edited by Crackie on Wednesday 7th September 14:19

[thegreengoblet]

Luke. said:

Do you used baby seats in the back? If so, how do you find getting the kids in and out of them?

Easier with the roof and windows down!

My 7 and 5 year old (both nearly 8 and 6) are ok with just booster seats and can put the belts on themselves. In fact, the oldest is also fine in the front on a booster. The (only just) 4 year old needs a full seat and her belt fixing in place. I don't find this too bad as the belts are located in the centre and fix on the outside i.e. opposite to most cars. She normally starts the belt off and passes it to me to click in. Not too bad even for a large bloke like me and even when the roof is up - although getting the full seat in in the first place becomes a pain. When not in use, the boot's big enough to hold 1 booster and 1 normal seat (with detachable booster). The family bus has it's own set of child seats to save swapping things over for the odd times we use my car.

[Luke.]

thegreengoblet said:

Easier with the roof and windows down!

My 7 and 5 year old (both nearly 8 and 6) are ok with just booster seats and can put the belts on themselves. In fact, the oldest is also fine in the front on a booster. The (only just) 4 year old needs a full seat and her belt fixing in place. I don't find this too bad as the belts are located in the centre and fix on the outside i.e. opposite to most cars. She normally starts the belt off and passes it to me to click in. Not too bad even for a large bloke like me and even when the roof is up - although getting the full seat in in the first place becomes a pain. When not in use, the boot's big enough to hold 1 booster and 1 normal seat (with detachable booster). The family bus has it's own set of child seats to save swapping things over for the odd times we use my car.

Thanks. All good to know.

[markcoopers]

I don't think I would argue against the e46 being a better car, I suppose what I am asking is if the e36 is so poor would i hate it. After all this is not going to be a daily car or a family hack or a track day car, just a nice car to cruise in instead of a daily tin tops.

Edited by markcoopers on Wednesday 7th September 18:58

[2thumbs]

I have an E36 M3 convertible as a toy & It's fantastic fun. I would hate to have to use it every day though.
It does suffer from scuttle shake on rougher roads, & it is a little heavy to drive. My main concern would be bodywork deterioration as they are getting on a bit, not really an issue for me as it is a garaged toy that only sees nice days. This wouldn't be an issue with the newer e46. I've not driven an E46 but I'd imagine it's a more refined drive too.

I LOVE how mine looks though, a clean & tidy E36 will always turn my head more so than the newer E46.

Edited by 2thumbs on Wednesday 7th September 21:42

[thegreengoblet]

markcoopers said:

I don't think I would argue against the e46 being a better car, I suppose what I am asking is if the e36 is so poor would i hate it. After all this is not going to be a daily car or a family hack or a track day car, just a nice car to cruise in instead of a daily tin tops.

Edited by markcoopers on Wednesday 7th September 18:58

The e36 is not poor by any means. You asked which is better - which is the e46, no doubts. I loved my e36, but the dreaded wheel arch rust had started to come through and I felt like I needed to change. I actually took my e36 in as a part exchange when I sold my TVR Cerbera with a view to move it on straight away. I eventually sold it 3 years later! 70% of the fun for 10% of the cost. Other than usual servicing and consumables, she cost me nothing in all that time. And I only lost £900 in depreciation over the 3 years. I couldn't say the say about the Cerbera! (£14k over 2 years for all servicing, repairs, and depreciation) The e36 Evo is a great car. But the E46 has moved the game along in all areas. I think it's a great all rounder, especially in convertible and SMG form. I don't intend to get rid of mine for at least a few years.

[markcoopers]

If it did not come accros then sorry, but I was asking what was better for me, not purely better. To this end, if an e36 was considered to be unreliable or drove in a manor as a very dated classic, while not deflamitry to the car, it would be unfit for me. The earlier post about safely did make me think though...... That had not really been a consideration thus far. Rust is the other consideration, I have had plenty of rot boxes and restoration jobs over the years, I really do ot have the time for another.

I'll away for some more thought and as advised try a few of both.....then either get it spent of keep saving for an e46.

Thanks so far.

[Swoxy]

I use my E36 convertible (admittedly a 318iA) in lots of different ways and it works best when it's me, or me plus one - it's a nice car to drive alone or enjoy with someone else. However, when I use it as a family car it's shortcomings become apparent - rear legroom is a little tight for anyone that isn't a child, although the boot's a reasonable size. I think the E36 is fine for occasional use as a family car, but the E46 would be better for more regular use as such due to it's increased space, better safety, higher quality interior and glass rear windscreen.

E36s aren't really depreciating, so why don't you pick one up for a reasonable price as autumn begins, run it for a few months and if it's not right for you, trade up to a E46 early next year?

Edited by Swoxy on Thursday 8th September 01:24

[custardkid]

Having just bought a e36 M3 3.0 saloon

Both look smart, and the e46 will be more refined / have more toys

But I'd go e36

they seem pretty simple to work on. fairly robust
wheel arch rust seems to be mostly cosmetic, but check the boot floor
328s don’t attract ///M tax on parts, so are cheap to run.
if something lets go there seem to be a few good breakers with parts readily available

at the moment the tread the line between young enough not to be rotten
old enough to be out of fashion / plenty of cheap parts about

the only thing that would worry me is how water tight is the roof (same for older e46) if left outside all winter
no stability control etc with the family on board / wife driving

have a look at e36coupe forum - some pretty pristine examples there, seem to sell regularly

Custard

[HarryH]

rash_decision said:

Yes, and E46 is a better car and worth the money, in my opinion. I think the E46 is a far more modern car, and nicer to drive, without the horrendous scuttle shake that the E36 suffered from. However, and this may not help, I do like a late, Estoril Blue, E36 Cab, and has to be a manual gearbox!! You should go and see a few of both, and see which one you prefer.

horrendous scuttle shake?

dont put buyers off with such nonsense, for what you are wanting from it, dont let that put you off, unless your driving like a complete maniac, you wont even notice, if you didnt know what it was, you'd be asking whats everyone on about, There are a lot of things about the E36 you will read about the EVO,most are not factually true, everyone gets scared by the dreaded twin vanos.... you wont find many that have gone bang, mine has been fine in 3 years of ownership

e46 is a better car, but it hasnt got the pure rawness of the e36 evo
no difference really in performance either
I have owed mine for 3 years now, and i cherish it, never really gone wrong
Having said that, if i had a choice right now, i'd get a E46, i just cant bring myself to selling mine,as its totally immaculate
A clean nice example of a E36 turns more heads than E46
you can have mine for £7000 lmao

Edited by HarryH on Thursday 8th September 19:52

Edited by HarryH on Thursday 8th September 19:57

[markcoopers]

Going to look at a few over the weekend and next week, so let's see.

I like the idea of starting at E36, and trading up to E46 if it goes well. Also if I go E36 route I can keep the Westfield as well, so happy days

[thegreengoblet]

You should at least try a few E46s for comparison as well.