E30 M3 or E36 M3

[echo46]

All

To the point, I am selling my E36 325i with my sights on a coveted M. Because I already own the baddest of bad E46s, I am looking at an E36 or the benchmark E30. I've been looking for about three weeks and I am starting to lean toward the E36 m3. Car and driver said it is arguable the best driving car ever made. I think that is an overstatement but there is just something about an E36. That being said, the E30 is the E30, the car we all lusted after so hard locked away in out bedrooms when we were young:)

So, what say all you, my learned BMW brethren?

[nike001]

Since you haven't provided two cars that you're deciding between, I can't really say. If I were to pick an e36 m3, it'd have to be in near perfect condition with the right color combo and low miles. Color combo wouldn't bother me as much on the e30 m3 because... well.. it's gods chariot. Any color combo is good.

[midlandtech]

e30 m3 because... well.. it's gods chariot.


This

[nike001]

Here's a thought:

E30 M3 ---> Give it a new heart.. AKA S50. Boom. Done.

[Dave_B]

Depends on how much your going to drive it and budget.

On the assumption of a drivers car and not a garage queen, I'd lean towards the E36. If your going to use as a sunny weather only and spending more then the E30.

[Avetiso]

I'm not a fan of the E36. I'd go with the E30.

[Hornung418]

E30 N20 swap. Fastest car evar!

From a GS3, this was sent.

[echo46]

Boy, the e30 m3 is much more expensive than the E36. The E30s seem to be scarce and getting more and more popular. Thanks for the input all, still feeling my way around.

[Torxuvin]

A nice e30 m3 is going to keep going up in value. It's certainly the way to go if you can afford it.

[Torxuvin]

Here's a thought:

E30 M3 ---> Give it a new heart.. AKA S50. Boom. Done.

Don't do this unless the engine is already blown. It will kill the value. If you want to do an engine swap, you are better off just picking up a non-M e30.

[Hermes]

I know where to get a black on grey E30 M3 with 300k miles, $15k

[EmDeeAr]

Contrary to many others, I don't really care too much about the E30 M3's "classicness." It definitely is has more pedigree than any other ///M car (perhaps any other sports car, for that matter), but, in reality, it's kind of slow. I would totally enjoy having an E30 M3 for it's "originalness," but the performance of the E36 M3 means more to me, honestly. Mint for mint, an E36 M3 will be cheaper as well!

[mcaden]

Unless you have driven them both already - you need to. Compared to the E30 -- the E36 M3 is much more refined, heavier, and feels closer to driving a ZHP in some respects. The E30 is more minimal, light, and balanced (and a little more raw). The 4 cylinder S14 engine is really nice in the upper revs. The E30 is obviously more collectable (at least right now) vs. the E36... and you will need a good PPI to buy wisely/safely. An engine rebuild would be extremely costly on either car.

Personally, I would also consider looking at the ZHP of E30's -- 325is (LSD, Sport Seats, M tech wheel, exhaust, front/rear spoiler pkg, etc.). It is only about a half second slower than the E30 M3 (0-60) and a well sorted one can have many E30 M3 suspension parts applied for performance. The M20 6 cylinder is a great engine (170 hp in a 2800 lb car) and parts are readily available for less $$. A good E30 325is will be 1/3 of the price of a good M3 ($7-10k vs. $25-30k). Just throwing it out there. Even if you don't like the way an E30 looks, if you drive one... there is no turning back.

[Hermes]

if you have $35k burning a hole in your pocket I can give you contact info

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/sightings/IMG_4689.jpg

[nk_zhp]

I have owned my E30 M3 for 8 years now. I picked it up with 56K miles in 2005. The car was in great shape in a sense of abuse, but needed some common components replaced as a result of aging.

Here's the spreadsheet of all the work. I am not trying to scare you away, just be prepared to face ongoing maintenance.

http://www.zhpregistry.net/dist/Maintenance_1991-M3.xls

p.s. Engine transplant in E30 M3 is sacrilege.

[zhpnsnv]

Great call above with the lightweight e36. These are two totally different ventures. Drive 'em both and see which one haunts your dreams.

For me? E30 all the way and ten times on Sunday. EXCEPT in the case of the e36 lightweight as pictured above. That would make me consider the e36 over the e30.

[terraphantm]

Actual driving / performance, E36 (especially Euro) > E30

Coolness factor, E30 >>>>> E36

IMO

[Johnmadd]

Unless you have driven them both already - you need to. Compared to the E30 -- the E36 M3 is much more refined, heavier, and feels closer to driving a ZHP in some respects. The E30 is more minimal, light, and balanced (and a little more raw). The 4 cylinder S14 engine is really nice in the upper revs. The E30 is obviously more collectable (at least right now) vs. the E36... and you will need a good PPI to buy wisely/safely. An engine rebuild would be extremely costly on either car.

Personally, I would also consider looking at the ZHP of E30's -- 325is (LSD, Sport Seats, M tech wheel, exhaust, front/rear spoiler pkg, etc.). It is only about a half second slower than the E30 M3 (0-60) and a well sorted one can have many E30 M3 suspension parts applied for performance. The M20 6 cylinder is a great engine (170 hp in a 2800 lb car) and parts are readily available for less $$. A good E30 325is will be 1/3 of the price of a good M3 ($7-10k vs. $25-30k). Just throwing it out there. Even if you don't like the way an E30 looks, if you drive one... there is no turning back.

+1 You have to drive an e30 to know that it has a great driver fun factor and driver connection to the road, definitely a different feel than a e36 or e46... you keep up with the wheel and it does what you want.

[Hermes]

if you're interested...

Ryan is likely selling the other M-Tech 325i vert, also diamond black but it has black leather, not M-Tech fabric (5MT)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/BE306B74-8B6E-4A90-8644-1266C4312D88-12617-000011034DB20E4D.jpg

[johnrando]

Oh man, I wish I had extra fund-age. No reason for me to buy that car but I would love to have one.

[echo46]

I would be interested in learning the specifics about the M-tech 325i. Price? also, wifey chimed in and is pushing hard for a auto vert. I know, I know, have to keep peace on the home front. Check this one out. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M3-Base-Convertible-2-Door-One-Owner-Garage-Kept-WITH-NO-RESERVE-/300874961432?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item460d8b9218#ht_500wt_1021.

[danewilson77]

Dunno about E36 ///M3 auto longevity, but that is a fine looking whip.

I would imagine mpg is low 20's?

[echo46]

Yea, not great miliage per gal but I liked the fact that it is a one owner vert and looks clean. Spoke to the guy selling it and he swears its super clean. As far as the slush box, I am confident if I keep the tranny fluid and filters changed every 30,000 miles I can get another 100,000. Not so sure about the color. You know I'm a blue or black guy. What do you guys think of the price. Is 9,000 too much?

[Torxuvin]

That's pretty low mileage for an e36 m3. I wouldn't go higher than 9k. I think 8k is more reasonable. I've seen others go much higher with that mileage, but auto and vert aren't exactly the most sought after options.

[alexandre]

It looks super clean. If you're fine with an auto and it checks out........ go for it :thumbsup

[johnrando]

I have no idea about the price but it sure looks good. I didn't know they had auto M3s. I would think that combo (w/vert) would sell quick here in SoCal or other sunny climes.

[Hermes]

I would be interested in learning the specifics about the M-tech 325i. Price? also, wifey chimed in and is pushing hard for a auto vert. I know, I know, have to keep peace on the home front.

I'll call him later. Funny you mention auto vert, cause that's exactly what the one in the pic next to my car is. Im trying to convince him to do a swap but he's not ready yet.

As for the other car, I think he wants $5k for it but not sure. Both cars are Canadian spec as that color apparently was never sold in the US

[echo46]

Thanks Hermes. Let me know. If anyone sees anything else--E30 or E36 M3 let me know.

[aurelius]

E36 M3 vert on ebay: a lot of car for under $10k. Black leather being the only deal-killer in my world. Looks good but I'm in TX.

E30 M3 with S50/52 swap: can be found on ebay regularly. No need to reinvent the wheel.

E30 M3 original: best investment option but as noted above, price of entry is by far the highest among the options discussed.

E30 325is: not easy to find with low miles but well sorted and maintained examples are out there. I have an '87 with 140k on the clock. With the right suspension upgrades, they drive extremely well. The "is" version having the sport seats and an LSD. But you would not want one with an automatic. Easy manual conversion tho.

[echo46]

Thanks guys, great stuff.

[Mike V]

I have no idea about the price but it sure looks good. I didn't know they had auto M3s. I would think that combo (w/vert) would sell quick here in SoCal or other sunny climes.

The auto was available in convertibles, 95 coupe, and 97-98 sedans. All 96-99 coupes are manual. I had a 95 auto for a daily driver and the auto isn't too bad for an old slushbox. Shifts were crisp and there were multiple modes to select from. In 'normal' mode, the trans would shift at 5500 rpm even at full throttle so I suppose you could say the autos are good for engine longevity since most auto drivers wouldn't bother switching to sport mode for more revs.


Yea, not great miliage per gal but I liked the fact that it is a one owner vert and looks clean. Spoke to the guy selling it and he swears its super clean. As far as the slush box, I am confident if I keep the tranny fluid and filters changed every 30,000 miles I can get another 100,000. Not so sure about the color. You know I'm a blue or black guy. What do you guys think of the price. Is 9,000 too much?

That is a very nice vert and $9k isn't bad. The autos don't command as much money as the manual 'verts, but I still don't think that's a bad price. A manual 'vert in that condition would go for $11k+. If you don't like to do your own work, that finnicky top mechanism can get costly though. Read up on E36 convertible top issues before pulling the trigger on one. If your wife doesn't care about performance, it might be wiser to find an E46 non-M vert instead.

[echo46]

Thanks MikeV, I actually just sold my 1995 e36 vert. Know a lot about that damn top. Oh, by the way, wifey wants the e36 M3. She's no fool. The one on eBay I was looking at sold last night for 9,800. I bid up to 9,500. The search continues. If anyone see a clean, clean e36 m3 vert for 9,000 to 10,000 let me know. Looking at black, blue or white.

[echo46]

OK boys and gals, honing in on a 1999 Imola Red/Magma M3 Vert. From what i understand, may be the only one ever produced in that particular color combination. I know, i know it doesnt make it worth anymore but it's still cool to be able to say it. Has about 50,000 miles and comes with a hardtop. K&N cold Air filter, pre cat o2 sensors, belts, tranny fluid and filter service, rear diff service and other things recently done. Getting lots of pictures this weekend after the owner takes the hard top off.

Today, a guy from Indiana came out to Long Island by train to pick up my 1995 325i montreal blau on blau vert. He got a pretty good deal as I pretty much refreshed everything on her. It was a bit emotional as I watched her pull out onto the Long Island Expressway and dissappear into the brutal traffic. Good Bye, good friend...Now onto the M3:)

[zhpnsnv]

They made E36 M3s in Imola, or is this an Individual order? Can't wait for pics!

[Dave_B]

Congrats on the sale and GL with your M3 search!

[echo46]

You are correct they did make the Imola Red on the M3 E36 from 98 to 99. However, they only made one Imola Red on Magma in the Auto vert for the US market.

Here:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=production%20numbers%3A%20usa%20convertible%20w% 2F%20automatic%20transmissions&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.m3forum.net%2Fm3forum%2Fshowt hread.php%3Ft%3D427857&ei=1IFUUemcOqm50AGpy4HoDA&usg=AFQjCNE2mLuRx9xPTswuk_eBMKaTdARjcg

[danewilson77]

Awesome.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=95035&endYear=1999&modelCode1=M3&showcaseOwnerId=86474&startYear=1997&makeCode1=BMW&transmissionCode=AUT&sellerTypes=b&transmissionCodes=AUT&searchRadius=0&bodyStyleCodes=CONVERT&mmt=%5BBMW%5BM3%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=326901430&Log=0

[zhpnsnv]

That makes me moist.

[echo46]

Nice job sleuthing Dane, that's the one. I struck a deal with the guy pending some pictures of the soft top. I will put a good word in for you with the Bureau, we need good men like you:)

[Mike V]

I saw that car a few days ago on AutoTrader (or maybe CL) but didn't even realize it was Imola. :) That's a rare bird in that color. Do you need someone to lay eyes on this before you throw money at him? I need to go up that way anyway to get rid of a Kohl's card that I've had since Christmas.

[echo46]

That would be great, PMed you.