I have a hankering for a E36 M3

[wheelsmith]

In the process of selling me CSL and really fancy a old E36 M3, obviously it will not compare to a CSL, but for a very little money, say 3.5K these seem like a bargain.
I had a little run against one and was impressed at the speed in a straight line at least. Thinking of picking up a slightly modded one, with suspension upgrade and zorst maybe.
Just worried about potential Vanos issues, should I be?

Anyone else bought one of these as a run-around?

[Alpinestars]

I have a 3.0 as a runaround and think it's brilliant fun. I Have changed the back box (necessity) and the shocks to Koni. I don't think the 3.0 has the same potential engine issues as a 3.2 (evo).

It feels agricultural compared to a CSL, but it's a great daily driver.

[Biggriff]

Just bought a 3.0 coupe as the 997 just isnt really a track car (being a cabriolet). Agree thats it doesnt feel modern, but surprised at how useable and how quick.

Upgraded brakes, suspension and tyres so far.

[wheelsmith]

What about Vanos issues, is it internet cobblers?

[Crackie]

wheelsmith said:

What about Vanos issues, is it internet cobblers?

They do go, more frequently on the Evos; but the issue is exaggerated lot on the forums. Taking more care than usual when warming up is a good plan
http://www.mrvanos.com/E36-M3-Evo--Z3M-S50-Vanos(1... in Darlington has a good reputation for sorting out E36 Vanos units, for sensible money, on the off chance it does misbehave.

[TEKNOPUG]

It's hardly the end of the world if you do have Vanos issues, it can be fixed for the price of a set of tyres. It's certainly not a reason to discount an Evo. For all the talk of vanos woes and weaker gearbox, an Evo is still a better proposition than a 3.0.

[pitbull turbo]

you drive a csl and your worried about vanos on a e36 evo? a new csl engine is 16k unfitted and its not like i haven't seen them go! I have a very good bmw garage that will do the whole vanos on a e36 for about £500! i needed a new exhaust soilnoid and its going to cost about £200.
i used to have a e46 m3 and now a e36 evo. not a csl but i would still take my e36 for fun factor everytime over the e46!

[Funk]

I've just acquired an E36 328i and I'm thinking how good the M3 must be. Probably my next car.

[andygtt]

wheelsmith said:

What about Vanos issues, is it internet cobblers?

My evo has done 165k and never had a vanos issue...

[carreauchompeur]

VANOS is not a big scare, to echo the others. The solenoids on mine were going and it was noisy, Mr. VANOS fitted a completely recon unit for £850. Since I was doing an Insp.2 the next week it also knocked a bit of work off that.

The Evo gearbox is alright but not necessarily the smoothest, especially when cold.


They are an absolute hoot to drive, handle beautifully if you get a good one and the straight line pace is still very respectable.

Even good ones cost though..

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/members/showcar.asp?c...

[andye30m3]

As others have said the vanos can brake but it's not the £2k fix that it once was now that people are rebuilding them.

From personnel experience I'd put the upgraded bottom end bolt in an evo if ever bought another

[BullyB]

I have an Evo and don't use it much on the road. It is fantastic fun on the track however.
So easy and cheap to modify (or expensive if you want).
Mine has a VANOS rebuild by Mr.VANOS and it runs like a dream now.
I'm now addicted to track days!

There are loads of threads on these cars but here is mine if interested: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[evobob]

Epic cars, i wouldnt swap mine for a gold pig.

[pat_y]

evobob said:

i wouldnt swap mine for a gold pig.

LOL, top quote.
I miss my old evo, was a fool to sell it. Finding really good well cared for examples is getting harder, i still look every week in the classifieds to see what's around. Prices seem to be slowly climbing (for the right models and condition), it's about time these cars got the kudos they rightly deserve.
I would swap my 330 clubsport for a good evo coupe in a heartbeat, if i could find a good one at the right price....

[BriC175]

I've had my Techno Violet M3 Evo for two months after selling my E39 M5 (wanted something a bit cheaper to run, but still fun). Absolutely love mine, it's not as comfortable and refined as the M5, but it feels more sporty and it's by no means uncomfortable or unpleasant.

I can seriously see me keeping mine for a long time; I love it!

[RWDKurt]

Well worth considering - one of the performance car bargains of the moment. I'd agree that Vanos issues are exaggerated.

A suspension upgrade will bring it much closer to your CSL, and with an e36 you have the option of a manual gearbox again...

[carreauchompeur]

I've fallen back in love with mine after a spirited 100 mile hoon across Wiltshire.

Good lord, once you get into "hoon mode" with it and keep it about 5000 revs, jeez does it fly/handle. Even the scuttle shakey pansy convertible ones...

[BullyB]

wheelsmith said:

In the process of selling me CSL and really fancy a old E36 M3, obviously it will not compare to a CSL, but for a very little money, say 3.5K these seem like a bargain.
I had a little run against one and was impressed at the speed in a straight line at least. Thinking of picking up a slightly modded one, with suspension upgrade and zorst maybe.
Just worried about potential Vanos issues, should I be?

Anyone else bought one of these as a run-around?

So, you getting one then?

[mark morris]

I had an e36 3.0 before my e46 smg, for less than a 1/9 of the price it was brilliant fun
Mark

[Embryonic]

I often wish I'd not sold my M3 Evo. As someone else also said earlier in the thread, I'm regularly in the classifieds looking at what's available.

I'd love to have this on my drive (although a spoilerless Dakar Yellow coupe would be my preferred choice): http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...