M3 EVO - Brilliant
Discussion
F355 is in the shop right now so have been using the E36 EVO more lately. Happily, I've rediscovered just what a brilliant car it is. It really gets up and shifts when you bury it, and the handling it just SO benign. I've been powersliding around all weekend and its SO much fun. HEAPS more controlable then the Fezza.
Seriously, seriously underrated car. Just a joy to own and drive.
EFA
Seriously, seriously underrated car. Just a joy to own and drive.
EFA
Edited by Cactussed on Sunday 14th December 23:20
That is very positive feedback given the poise and fun factor of the F355.
In for the cambelt service by any chance? It's probably of little consolation now but I know of somewhere that does this service for a very reasonable price and are well worth a long drive.
I remember when the E36 M3 was first released and it was slated for being too heavy then the E36 M3 Evo was awarded "best handling car for any price" in 1997.
Don't think it will ever get classic status as it is very underrated. Even the 135i/335i of today can't quite match its straight line performance and they won't even see which way an E36 M3 went when it a few bends are thrown in.
"Don't think it will ever get classic status as it is very underrated"
I see what you mean, but there & again - it might. Classic status takes many forms, "unattainable but desirable when new" may well be enough to make the difference. For example, I tend to get knowledgable youngsters commenting on mine, even though they weren't old enough to drive back when I bought it. I guess at the time, the know-all journos comments would have washed over them, so they just see it for what they think it is or was - a very fast practical stealth car, & maybe the "ultimate" in e36 desirability. So, pretty much the same reasons why I loved (& still do!) the original e21 323i, for example, even though I could never afford one at the time; their "reputation" for wayward handling didn't bother me one jot, can't say I noticed or cared! I also find myself strangely drawn to Mk3 Cortina's -just like my dads - cars trigger an emotional response, rather than a practical one...witness "Life on Mars" etc.
For what it's worth, Classic & Sportscar have already featured the e36 M3 - it was even an Evo saloon!
Forgot to mention - mine's not for sale - too busy
!!
I see what you mean, but there & again - it might. Classic status takes many forms, "unattainable but desirable when new" may well be enough to make the difference. For example, I tend to get knowledgable youngsters commenting on mine, even though they weren't old enough to drive back when I bought it. I guess at the time, the know-all journos comments would have washed over them, so they just see it for what they think it is or was - a very fast practical stealth car, & maybe the "ultimate" in e36 desirability. So, pretty much the same reasons why I loved (& still do!) the original e21 323i, for example, even though I could never afford one at the time; their "reputation" for wayward handling didn't bother me one jot, can't say I noticed or cared! I also find myself strangely drawn to Mk3 Cortina's -just like my dads - cars trigger an emotional response, rather than a practical one...witness "Life on Mars" etc.
For what it's worth, Classic & Sportscar have already featured the e36 M3 - it was even an Evo saloon!
Forgot to mention - mine's not for sale - too busy
!!Edited by MarkwG on Tuesday 16th December 18:39
shamrock said:
That is very positive feedback given the poise and fun factor of the F355.
In for the cambelt service by any chance? It's probably of little consolation now but I know of somewhere that does this service for a very reasonable price and are well worth a long drive.
No, just in to get some minor niggles sorted. But curious to know your recommendation on garage...In for the cambelt service by any chance? It's probably of little consolation now but I know of somewhere that does this service for a very reasonable price and are well worth a long drive.
As for the M3, It really is just great. It doesn't have the sense of occasion the 355 has, granted, but as a bang for buck ownership proposition, there's precious little else that comes close I think.
ETA: In terms of performance vs fuel economy, its also amazing. I get well over 30mpg on the motorway and decent mileage around town, for performance not far from the Fezza, which incidentally seems to have a hole in the tank as otherwise, I can't see where it all goes. I swear the needle moves perceptibly when idling in traffic!
Edited by Cactussed on Wednesday 17th December 16:08
Hey guys,
I've a 996 C4S and a 96 E36 M3 Evo. The Evo is standard apart from some new Eibach coil overs and some lovely tyres, but it handles amazingly, but the Porker revs faster, handles slightly sharper and brakes a little more responsivly. But... The Evo can be pushed right to the limit and you feel every movement. What it lacks (only just) to the porker it makes up for in pushing factor. Crash a £4k M3 at the nurburgring and you just have to worry about the armco. Crash the £40k porker and sod the armco...
Basically the M3 is awesome. It goes to Tesco and back as easily as it goes flat out.
I've a 996 C4S and a 96 E36 M3 Evo. The Evo is standard apart from some new Eibach coil overs and some lovely tyres, but it handles amazingly, but the Porker revs faster, handles slightly sharper and brakes a little more responsivly. But... The Evo can be pushed right to the limit and you feel every movement. What it lacks (only just) to the porker it makes up for in pushing factor. Crash a £4k M3 at the nurburgring and you just have to worry about the armco. Crash the £40k porker and sod the armco...
Basically the M3 is awesome. It goes to Tesco and back as easily as it goes flat out.
shinobi675 said:
Basically the M3 is awesome. It goes to Tesco and back as easily as it goes flat out.
precisely. 4 good seats and a decent boot. Cruises at 30+ mpg and can be a hooligan when required. Wonderful car. I de-wrapped mine from the orange General M3 livery with the intention to sell but have now changed my mind. Got a clean bill of health from my mechanic who has just given it a full inspection 2 - he said it's the best, smoothest, quietest evo engine he's come across (
) so I am fitting that GT front splitter I was threatening to sell and am going to upgrade the handling in the new year with full coilovers, arbs, bushes, topmounts etc then we're off to the 'ring again for Easter. I loved my non-EVO E36 M3, and I'm currently saving up for an E46. The E46 will have to be part funded with my bank managers help ..... I'm finding it hard to resist "just" getting a really late nice E36 Evo, and forgetting the monthly cost of a loan.
There is a really nice late Estoril Blue 55k mile car on Autotrader at the moment. It even has the "motorsport" wheels that I really like too.
There is a really nice late Estoril Blue 55k mile car on Autotrader at the moment. It even has the "motorsport" wheels that I really like too.
mat205125 said:
I loved my non-EVO E36 M3, and I'm currently saving up for an E46. The E46 will have to be part funded with my bank managers help ..... I'm finding it hard to resist "just" getting a really late nice E36 Evo, and forgetting the monthly cost of a loan.
There is a really nice late Estoril Blue 55k mile car on Autotrader at the moment. It even has the "motorsport" wheels that I really like too.
Every person I have met that has gone from 36m3 to 46m3 says the 36 is a better drive and there is virtually nothing in it performance-wise despite what stats might say. I've dragged several 46s at the 'pod and it's been absolutely neck and neck. I'd only replace mine with a 46CSLThere is a really nice late Estoril Blue 55k mile car on Autotrader at the moment. It even has the "motorsport" wheels that I really like too.
Edited by E36GUY on Thursday 18th December 20:58
french said:
Got to agree there, the E46 is not worth the price difference in relation to the performance .
I've driven a couple and agree in the main. Really struggling to justify the premium, other than asthetics and a sense of progression.I've been lucky enough to have a go in a CSL. Awesome bits of kit.
This is only 37 Autotrader miles from my house (i.e. about a 60 mile drive), with a bit of haggling with my px I have the funds in the bank, and I'm struggling to find a reason not to go shopping this afternoon.
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
I think I'll wait til xmas is out the way, and I've appeared before the magistrate in Jan (
) .... Maybe it'll be available still. There are plenty around, if not - that one just pushes all the right buttons.
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
I think I'll wait til xmas is out the way, and I've appeared before the magistrate in Jan (
) .... Maybe it'll be available still. There are plenty around, if not - that one just pushes all the right buttons.mat205125 said:
This is only 37 Autotrader miles from my house (i.e. about a 60 mile drive), with a bit of haggling with my px I have the funds in the bank, and I'm struggling to find a reason not to go shopping this afternoon.
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
I think I'll wait til xmas is out the way, and I've appeared before the magistrate in Jan ( ) .... Maybe it'll be available still. There are plenty around, if not - that one just pushes all the right buttons.
I've got a 99 (V plate) evo convertible, carbon black with modena, all the toys (Electric seats etc) and love every minute I get to drive it, it's got the Eibach prokit, poly bushes, scorpion exhaust and induction kit, but it's got to go,(Mail me if your interested) as I'm getting an E46, with very low mileshttp://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
I think I'll wait til xmas is out the way, and I've appeared before the magistrate in Jan (
) .... Maybe it'll be available still. There are plenty around, if not - that one just pushes all the right buttons.tjw110 said:
I've got a 99 (V plate) evo convertible, carbon black with modena, all the toys (Electric seats etc) and love every minute I get to drive it, it's got the Eibach prokit, poly bushes, scorpion exhaust and induction kit, but it's got to go,(Mail me if your interested) as I'm getting an E46, with very low miles
So have you bought an E46 then Tyrone?'Tis true, the E36 is a brilliant piece of kit.
I really, truly wish I hadn't sold mine now, but that's life (although I soon learnt that french owned one and that just wouldn't do
). I may well have another, but at the same time I fancy an Elise 
It was quite the sports scar - being the last practical BMW I can recall where you actually sit low enough for your legs to be almost horizontal with the Wilton. The E46 by comparison is a disappointment in this respect.
Who knows what will happen with the values. I think it's fair to say however that they will have bottomed out now, although I should think tired examples will sink into the depths of the unknown in much the same way the E34 (3.6) M5 has.
The only downer, was that the M3 lacked a little of the character that I love about the E34 M5 (the reason I sold my E36 and bought a 3.8 M5), but it was ultimately, a better car.
I really, truly wish I hadn't sold mine now, but that's life (although I soon learnt that french owned one and that just wouldn't do
). I may well have another, but at the same time I fancy an Elise It was quite the sports scar - being the last practical BMW I can recall where you actually sit low enough for your legs to be almost horizontal with the Wilton. The E46 by comparison is a disappointment in this respect.
Who knows what will happen with the values. I think it's fair to say however that they will have bottomed out now, although I should think tired examples will sink into the depths of the unknown in much the same way the E34 (3.6) M5 has.
The only downer, was that the M3 lacked a little of the character that I love about the E34 M5 (the reason I sold my E36 and bought a 3.8 M5), but it was ultimately, a better car.
thegreengoblet said:
tjw110 said:
I've got a 99 (V plate) evo convertible, carbon black with modena, all the toys (Electric seats etc) and love every minute I get to drive it, it's got the Eibach prokit, poly bushes, scorpion exhaust and induction kit, but it's got to go,(Mail me if your interested) as I'm getting an E46, with very low miles
So have you bought an E46 then Tyrone?
mat205125 said:
This is only 37 Autotrader miles from my house (i.e. about a 60 mile drive), with a bit of haggling with my px I have the funds in the bank, and I'm struggling to find a reason not to go shopping this afternoon.
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
I think I'll wait til xmas is out the way, and I've appeared before the magistrate in Jan ( ) .... Maybe it'll be available still. There are plenty around, if not - that one just pushes all the right buttons.
This is only round the corner from me if you want me to view it quickly? I have an EVO Saloon, so I know whats what! http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
I think I'll wait til xmas is out the way, and I've appeared before the magistrate in Jan (
) .... Maybe it'll be available still. There are plenty around, if not - that one just pushes all the right buttons.Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff