I REALLY Want an E36 M3, anyone with experience?

by "Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
Published 02/10/2017 at 22:16

Tags: BMW ; E36 ; M3 ; Sedan ; Car Shopping
STARS: 2

There’s some Techno Violet just for clicking!

Hey all, so I’m thinking of replacing my Miata as my daily driver, so that that my Miata will be an unregistered and uninsured race car. Towing the Miata will be taken care of, I can always borrow a truck or Jeep.

The thing is, I’m really into both Japanese car and German cars.. A Porsche 911 was the first car I ever truly loved, and I always thought BMW’s were awesome; but i was also a fan of Mazdas and Nissans and Toyotas.

After some careful thinking, I believe it’s a better idea for me to wait it out a few years and buy a car directly from Japan once the 25 year rule import hype has settled down. Likely an S13, Soarer, or by then I’ll change my mind to something different like a GT-R.

So rambling aside, Any E36 M3 owners out there? The only thing I know is to avoid 1995, the first year of OBDII. Other than that, I’m clueless. I’m looking for a sedan for a bit of extra practically, and all the coupes in my area are trashed anyway. I plan on buying a well-kept example with high miles because I’m still poor, preferably as close to stock as possible since I plan on keeping it as close to stock as possible... Except wheels of course! The Miata will be the crazy modified car.

In other words, I’d love to hear from anyone who has any kind of experience with E36 M3's!

Replies (18)

"CB" (jrcb)
02/10/2017 at 22:18, STARS: 0

I believe Logansteno had one. Hopefully he’ll show up.

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
02/10/2017 at 22:34, STARS: 1

DOOOO IT.

I loved mine so much and regret selling it pretty much every single day. They’re generally reliable (given you purchase a decently well taken care of example), pretty easy to work on, and an absolute blast to drive. Just look out for rust and questionable maintenance history, two things mine had.

It didn’t look this decent when I first got my hands on it, that’s for damn sure.

"MM54" (mm54mk2)
02/10/2017 at 22:48, STARS: 0

I was going to get one, then decided to hold off, and prices started going up. What was a $7k car was suddenly listed for 11 - not okay.

I still don’t have one, would love technoviolet over dove though.

I have driven a friend’s e36 325iS and it was a good time - the chassis is worth looking in to, even if you don’t go for the M-car.

"Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition" (realasabass)
02/10/2017 at 22:50, STARS: 0

I have experience with Euro E36 M3 mechanicals (drivetrain, front suspension) in an E30, does that count? Seriously the E36 are underrated in my book, at least here in the US. If I had the means I probably would find a good sedan. The euro engine is probably worth the cost, it’s a night and day difference. You could always just throw a small turbo setup on it.....

"Under_Score" (tomtheatum)
02/10/2017 at 22:52, STARS: 0

No, but I do have experience with a 2012 Toyota RAV4 Limited.

"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
02/10/2017 at 23:12, STARS: 1

TELL ME MORE.

"Under_Score" (tomtheatum)
02/10/2017 at 23:18, STARS: 0

Last year of the third gen. The Limited gives you a different front end, leather seats, a power driver’s seat, smart key access, heated front seats, push button start, automatic A/C (buttons instead of knobs), all on top of features standard on previous trims. Most of them have backup cameras, and some have Entune. AWD and V6 are also options. They also have Bluetooth, so you can listen to something other than Adele and The Bert Show all day.

"BLCKSTRM" (BLCKSTRM)
02/10/2017 at 23:22, STARS: 2

We should talk.

My story is the first one on this page:

  http://jalopnik.com/tell-us-your-bmw-story-1763381624

Also, I just wrote this tonight - should interest you.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/who-is-ptg-racing-and-why-does-their-bmw-connection-mat-1792247182

You should be careful, though. You’ll want to track it instead of the Miata.

"BLCKSTRM" (BLCKSTRM)
02/10/2017 at 23:26, STARS: 1

Go for the M car.

The $10,000 rule applies to all E36s, and the difference in acquisition cost is minimal at this point.

It makes no sense in today’s market for an enthusiast to buy a 325 unless you’re doing an LS swap, and even then there are enough special parts I’d get the M3.

"MM54" (mm54mk2)
02/10/2017 at 23:30, STARS: 0

I’ve seen decent 325s going for <5k, a clean M3 will set you back 3x that.

"BLCKSTRM" (BLCKSTRM)
02/10/2017 at 23:34, STARS: 1

I see lots of good M3s going for less than $9k. I see not great (not too horrible - just neglected) M3s for less than $5k.

Point is, there’s a lot of overlap, and if you like rehabilitation or don’t mind miles (mine has 214k on the clock and I drive it every day) there’s not much gap.

"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
02/10/2017 at 23:44, STARS: 0

Interesting! We will have to chat! I’m going to read your stuff now

"Tazio, Count Fouroff" (tazio0625)
02/11/2017 at 04:17, STARS: 1

‘99 E36 M3 ‘vert, owner x 10 years; also owned/wrenched on other E36's even longer than that

Do all you can and pay as much as you’re able to get one that’s been maintained well...best of all “adult-owned” and not wrecked tracked or rusty.

This isn’t too hard, tho.

Besides pads, rotors (last a long time if not tracked), and shocks (ditto) wear items include cooling system, front suspension parts, driveline giubo and center support bearing, and RTABs. If these are due on your car when you get it, plan on taking care of them. Also there are a few known and documented quirks but not every car has every quirk and they’re well-DIY’d online anyway. If you do the stuff above when it’s time and keep up routine maintenance, you’re in for a great ownership experience and a very reliable ride.

If specific questions come up about a car you’re checking out I’m glad to be of help if I can. The advice is easily worth what it costs haha

Happy hunting and keep us updated

"Tazio, Count Fouroff" (tazio0625)
02/11/2017 at 04:27, STARS: 0

PS: Your post mentions high-milers? Totally *not* a problem *if* it’s been maintained well. Might be worth a PPI/compression test tho

"MM54" (mm54mk2)
02/11/2017 at 13:52, STARS: 0

Likely regional then - I’ll do all the mechanical work and deferred maintenance you can ask (which I’ve done on many cars in the past) - but up here what gets you is rust/rot. A $5k e36 M3 up here would get you 250k miles with missing trim, a wrecked interior, and no rockers/quarter panels. $9k would get you that mileage but in decent shape with only a couple little bubbles in the paint.

"BLCKSTRM" (BLCKSTRM)
02/11/2017 at 22:36, STARS: 1

Wow - several on craigslist down here (Austin) with 150k or so and lots of deferred maintenance, but not rust buckets.

I’m sure you’re right - I read about a lot of Texas cars shipped out to other parts of the country.

"MM54" (mm54mk2)
02/11/2017 at 22:39, STARS: 0

I need to befriend someone in texas so I can spend a weekend car shopping there!

"pizzaman09" (pizzaman09)
10/16/2019 at 21:43, STARS: 0

I am a few years late to the discussion, I know. Figured I would share anyway.

I purchased a 99 M3, cheap with some rust. It was cheap enough to have all the rust fixed professionally and other bits sorted and still be a good deal.

Anyway, it’s an amazing car, I love it and never want to get rid of it. I replaced a very hot R56 Mini S with the M3 and it was totally worth it. The way the e36 wraps around you and you become one with the car is just amazing. Keep, in mind it is no rocket, they are quick but a new V6 Toyota will make it look slow. Before the Mini, I dailies an e39 M5, an equally wonderful car for different reasons. However for day to day upkeep and driving, the e36 M3 is the way to go. Quite reliable and cheap to repair when things do go wrong, qualities that the Mini nor M5 had.

If you haven’t bought one, do it! Prices are going up, but the smile it will put on your face never will go away.