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General => General discussion => Topic started by: tweed on 07 December 2012, 18:27

Title: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 07 December 2012, 18:27
I'm temped to sell my golfs and buy a m3. Really want a e36 3.2 m3 as I like the that old style of car and also think it will become a classic and will go up in value.

But the e46 aren't much more money and are more modern with the likes of comfort. Plus faster.


Who's drove both and what did you prefer?

Cheers
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: topher on 07 December 2012, 18:36
e46 drives nicer, e36 looks cooler.. i'd pick an e30 over both though :grin:

Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Ginge 35Edition on 07 December 2012, 18:44
E36 EVO all the way, but finding a good one will be a challenge.
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 07 December 2012, 19:56
Seen a couple evo's but same price as a e46

Can't afford a e30 m3  :grin:
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: R32UK on 07 December 2012, 21:24
e46 drives nicer, e36 looks cooler.. i'd pick an e30 over both though :grin:

i wouldnt..... although you may want to put some pennies aside for any repairs  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: mcgee9t2 on 08 December 2012, 00:04
Why buy one evo when you can buy two http://www.4starclassics.com/BMW-M3-Sport-Evolutions-For-Sale/
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 08 December 2012, 06:47
 :shocked: if I had the money I would
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Seanl on 08 December 2012, 15:34
Personally I don't think the e36 will ever reach the hights of "classic" status. It is a great looking car imo, but there were far too many, and far too many have been "chavved" to death to be appealing to me or to be a classic. I'm not a BMW fan though tbh, so take my input with a pinch of salt.  :grin:
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 08 December 2012, 16:52
 :grin: was going to say hardly any about  :huh:
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: danny_p on 08 December 2012, 17:37
may or maynot become a classic     depends what the world decides it likes at some futcher point.

cars don't go in value ether,  you may sell it for more than you payed for it but how much have you spent keeping uptogether till the point you sell it.

i don't get on with e46 engines allways seem to kill them somehow
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Seanl on 08 December 2012, 18:22
:grin: was going to say hardly any about  :huh:

Maybe your right actually!  :grin: I've not seen many about lately tbf, but its been a few months since I've been to any meets. There used to be loads turn up to the VAG meets in the South West (possibly ex VAG enthusiasts but not entirely sure.) Sure enough there were some decent ones, but most were rusted wrecks sitting on the floor, with DIY rolled arches and hand painted wheels in stupid colours with stupid stretched tyres or camber. Not a good look imo..............
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 08 December 2012, 20:12
Sounds sh!t  :grin: and hopefully 318's with m3 kit
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Wayne on 08 December 2012, 20:22
E46 is the better choice, newer and a lot better bet, just make sure it has had the running in service @ 1000miles as missing it can lead to engine problems in the future.

E36's are ok but they rust and are getting long in the tooth now.

Both are megabucks to run as they are hand built supercars at the end of the day.
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: JC on 08 December 2012, 20:51
wayne giving car buying advice with that signature  :laugh:

 :lipsrsealed:

 :whistle:
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Jack3559 on 08 December 2012, 21:52
An E36 Evo would hold its value better than a similarly priced E46 M3.

I've got an E46 330D at the moment, I've had a couple and they are pretty uncomfortable compared to my old E36 325i, also WAY less reliable.

How they stack up to a proper M3 though I don't know.

If it were me, I'd go for an E36 because I like older junk when it comes to toys.
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: houston on 09 December 2012, 01:22
id say e36 is actually less prone to rust! my mates an m3 nut, driven them ever since hes passed his test and he always swears his e36 was his perfect car (till a thieving git burnt it out)

personally i think there over rated, great track handling but in real life on the streets, if your giving it some and hit a pot hole then there real heart stoppers, i hate them, even refuse to drive any bmw in rain/snow

buy a diesel unless your going to actually use it on a track! thats my advice
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 09 December 2012, 08:33
id say e36 is actually less prone to rust! my mates an m3 nut, driven them ever since hes passed his test and he always swears his e36 was his perfect car (till a thieving git burnt it out)

personally i think there over rated, great track handling but in real life on the streets, if your giving it some and hit a pot hole then there real heart stoppers, i hate them, even refuse to drive any bmw in rain/snow

buy a diesel unless your going to actually use it on a track! thats my advice

You need to man up or learn how to drive  :grin:

I bought a 528i for last winter and it was very good in the snow. Never got stuck and found it better in the snow than my fwd golf.

Maybe if you know how to handle a rear wheel drive you will be fine.

Just remember where the car is made and how much snow they have  :wink:

I will do tracks days of course. I race karts once a month and its not enough  :grin:

Thanks for the input guys. I've made my mind up. E36 3.2 evo  :evil: now just to sell everything  :cry:
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: leigh_harty on 09 December 2012, 09:52
E36 m3s look like 318s

E46 m3 all panels are unique to the m3 and shares nothing (or nothing much) to its lesser power models

E46 m3s sound like evil 2strokes  :evil:
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: leigh_harty on 09 December 2012, 09:57
Also... theirs always 325s or 328s with a slap of FI on ebay....  :whistle:
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: houston on 09 December 2012, 17:18
id say e36 is actually less prone to rust! my mates an m3 nut, driven them ever since hes passed his test and he always swears his e36 was his perfect car (till a thieving git burnt it out)

personally i think there over rated, great track handling but in real life on the streets, if your giving it some and hit a pot hole then there real heart stoppers, i hate them, even refuse to drive any bmw in rain/snow

buy a diesel unless your going to actually use it on a track! thats my advice



You need to man up or learn how to drive  :grin:

I bought a 528i for last winter and it was very good in the snow. Never got stuck and found it better in the snow than my fwd golf.

Maybe if you know how to handle a rear wheel drive you will be fine.

Just remember where the car is made and how much snow they have  :wink:

I will do tracks days of course. I race karts once a month and its not enough  :grin:

Thanks for the input guys. I've made my mind up. E36 3.2 evo  :evil: now just to sell everything  :cry:

My old sierra 2.8 was rwd and awesome in the snow and behaved at speed, every BMW I've ever driven felt twitchy as if the back end was gonna come round any second. Also I'm a bus driver having to handle 6.5 ton in the snow and have no problems compared to bmws. Mercs are just as bad with traction control keeping on clicking away

If your doing track days then I'd recommend e36 all the way. They feel a lot less bloated and would prob be more fun on the track. Just don't fit lowering springs or it really spoils the handling IMO
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Winso on 09 December 2012, 17:41
E36 is the way to go but I'd say that as I own one! Only a 328 Sport rather than an M3 but 210bhp rear wheel drive is enough to sh*t you right up sometimes in that chassis.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8193816550_5b5148179c_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49048065@N07/8193816550/)
The German (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49048065@N07/8193816550/) by Chris Winsor AutoMotive (http://www.flickr.com/people/49048065@N07/), on Flickr

Going to be looking for a E36 M3 Evo after winter but it's going to be a hard and expensive search....
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 09 December 2012, 18:04
E36 is the way to go but I'd say that as I own one! Only a 328 Sport rather than an M3 but 210bhp rear wheel drive is enough to sh*t you right up sometimes in that chassis.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8193816550_5b5148179c_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49048065@N07/8193816550/)
The German (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49048065@N07/8193816550/) by Chris Winsor AutoMotive (http://www.flickr.com/people/49048065@N07/), on Flickr

Going to be looking for a E36 M3 Evo after winter but it's going to be a hard and expensive search....

Nice!
But have you got a LSD? That makes a huge difference in handling when sideways.
I've found a couple for £5000. I thought that was good?
The e36 3.0 m3's are about £3500 but I know i won't be happy with that
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Mr Blue on 09 December 2012, 18:20
We had a late 328iS. It had the m3 suspension components and an LSD from factory.

The e36 shape is a tad dated now and can be classed as the chav spec bmw.
I'm all for the classic E30 M3 (top money) or the E46 M3 but heard bad things about the SMG gearbox.
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: F17BAD on 09 December 2012, 18:48

E46 m3 all panels are unique to the m3 and shares nothing (or nothing much) to its lesser power models



So true been here had the T shirt

deep pockets to own one of these
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 09 December 2012, 19:56

E46 m3 all panels are unique to the m3 and shares nothing (or nothing much) to its lesser power models



So true been here had the T shirt

deep pockets to own one of these

So what do you think of them?

Do you like the mk3 golf more? I'm not talking your 20v mk3 here.

I'm starting to hate fwd
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: F17BAD on 09 December 2012, 20:45
think M3s are epic im a big fan, is a much better car than a MK3 (im not including my mule mk3 as i just cant do that with it been a one off)

Very expensive car to live with tho. but a big yes from me

Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 09 December 2012, 21:47
Its not to bad for me as I have a free van and free diesel. My cars are never a real daily.

I'm gonna wait for spring to sell my cars and bikes and then it will be m3 time  :evil:
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Toby on 10 December 2012, 12:05
My dad just got him self a e46 m3!!

I took it for a drive!! It didn't make me weak at the knees etc! Quick off the line etc! But I think I'm just used to big turbo monsters!! Nice car to have!!
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: F17BAD on 10 December 2012, 15:15
My dad just got him self a e46 m3!!

I took it for a drive!! It didn't make me weak at the knees etc! Quick off the line etc! But I think I'm just used to big turbo monsters!! Nice car to have!!


Agreed

Still a great car tho

 :cool:
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 10 December 2012, 16:18
I know what you mean. It's the way the they deliver the power. Turbos give you a kick and feel a lot faster than what they are.

My mate had a mapped 330 and it felt faster than his m3.
He said it's weird because down Santa pod the m3 feels slower than his diesel but almost a second faster down the strip.



 
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: R32UK on 11 December 2012, 09:07
I know what you mean. It's the way the they deliver the power. Turbos give you a kick and feel a lot faster than what they are.

My mate had a mapped 330 and it felt faster than his m3.
He said it's weird because down Santa pod the m3 feels slower than his diesel but almost a second faster down the strip.

I guess it boils down to if you like the little johnny mcdonalds style turbo boasting figures or the true performance given by a NA engine. The turbos certainly keep you hanging on before

The worrying fact is most people prefer turbos, simply because they have never evperienced the joys of a large NA engine.
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Winso on 11 December 2012, 13:52
There's no replacement for displacement!!
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Dolly on 13 December 2012, 19:28
Haven't read the thread but as sone one hugely experienced in this area.  E46 all day long. Must be manual.  Definitely not convertible
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Ant1981 on 13 December 2012, 19:43
I haven't read the whole thread, but it boils down to how much of a thingy you want to look. E36 right hand lane hogging tailgating thingy with less money than the one with an E46.
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 13 December 2012, 20:36
I haven't read the whole thread, but it boils down to how much of a thingy you want to look. E36 right hand lane hogging tailgating thingy with less money than the one with an E46.

 :huh:

You can pay more for a e36 3.2 evo than a e46 3.2

And ill rather be a thingy tailgating than some twit that's just sits in the right hand lane at 70mph in a mk4

Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Ant1981 on 13 December 2012, 20:43
I haven't read the whole thread, but it boils down to how much of a thingy you want to look. E36 right hand lane hogging tailgating thingy with less money than the one with an E46.

And ill rather be a thingy tailgating than some twit that's just sits in the right hand lane at 70mph in a mk4

That's apparent.
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 13 December 2012, 21:38
This is boring
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Ant1981 on 14 December 2012, 07:41
This is boring

Anything involving BMWs usually is.
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: tweed on 14 December 2012, 08:38
This is boring

Anything involving BMWs usually is.

You still going on?
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: JC on 14 December 2012, 18:33
This is boring

Anything involving BMWs usually is.

You still going on?

you keep feeding him  :tongue:
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: Ant1981 on 14 December 2012, 18:42
This is boring

Anything involving BMWs usually is.

You still going on?

you keep feeding him  :tongue:

With one pound fish...
Title: Re: E36 m3 or e46 m3?
Post by: VeeDubGTI16v on 16 December 2012, 15:55
the e46 looks a bit more classy imo, the e36 a bit chav  :lipsrsealed: