1998 BMW M3 Sedan: The Oppositelock Review

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
03/06/2015 at 10:00 • Filed to: Steno's M3

The E36 BMW M3; the quintessential sports sedan of 90s. Here we have a "neutered" American version of Bavaria's ultimate, ultimate driving machine. Which, for being neutered, is still more than good. Better than any 17 year old car that had been abused for a portion of its life has the right to be.

(Full Disclosure: BMW wanted me to drive the M3 so bad they sold it to a woman named Peggy (information which I found in the service manual) who drove it for an undisclosed amount of time. She then sold/gave it to someone who riced it out and generally abused it for an undisclosed amount of time. They then sold it to a 17 year old kid who owned it for a week who then sold it to my parents to give to me (a 16 year old) as my second car to get my out of the beater 1994 GMC Safari on its last legs. No, I don't think they're clinically insane.)

This example has 167,xxx miles, an automatic transmission, and a few other options and toys I'll get into later in the review.

Exterior: 6/10

I'll admit, the E36 isn't the most attractive car in the world. It's a bit boxy and is starting to show its age, but it certainly isn't ugly. I'm also not a huge fan of silver cars, but the black trim, wheels, and roof help break up the silver. The M-Tech body kit and spoiler liven up the affair a bit as well. Mine has a few blemishes on it, but that's to be expected on a 17 year old car.

Interior: 6/10

The interior in mine is in decent condition. There is a tear in the driver's seat bottom and the headliner is sagging a bit. But, my glove box doesn't sag, and all the computers and readouts have fully functioning displays that don't have a single LCD out, two very rare things in E36 BMWs.

As for the interior in general, the E36's interior is a bit of a let down from a luxury standpoint. There's a lot of plastic and there's nothing but black in it. The only splashes of color are the M stripes on the seats and the red gauge lights. But, from a comfort and driving standpoint, it's not half bad. The seats are comfortable and hold me in place while throwing the car through corners. The steering wheel is thick rimmed and feels nice in my hand. The driver-oriented center stack is nice too.

My model has the standard sport seats and steering wheel. I'd eventually like to upgrade to Vader seats and the nicer looking 3-spoke wheel, but what I've got certainly works for now.

Acceleration: 9/10

Power comes from a 3.2L I6 with the internal BMW code of S52. The engine produces 240 horsepower and 240 ft-lbs of torque. This is enough to move the car to 60 in 6.38 seconds, which for a car from 1998 with 167,000 miles on it, is blisteringly quick. That actually makes it the quickest car at the house by far. That also makes it about 8 seconds faster to 60 than my old van took.

Outside of 0-60, the car accelerates effortlessly. Quarter throttle at 70 and I'll be approaching 90 in no time, something I'm still getting used to coming from a car I had to keep a quarter throttle just to maintain highway speed.

Braking: 7/10

The brakes are decent. They stop the car in a very timely manner and have a very progressive pedal behind them. Initial bite is a bit lacking, but once you press down a little more they'll shove you forward in the seat. They aren't as good as the brakes on my mom's Fusion, but they're very close.

Also, yes, I painted the calipers red, whatsitoya?

Ride: 4/10

That score comes down to us being in the middle of refreshing the suspension more than anything. Right now it rides terribly over bumps. Bounces around more than any other car I've ridden in.

We've already done the back shocks and will soon (likely next week) be doing the front struts and springs and mounts all around. Hopefully that fixes the ride and I can pull the score up a bit.

Handling: 10/10

Oh. My. God. I understand why BMW coined the term "Ultimate Driving Machine" now.

Even with needing new front shocks, this thing handles like nothing else I've ever driven. Even between lesser models (comparing to a '97 328i with Sport Pack) this thing is night and day. I've taken corners at speeds that would probably send other cars understeering or falling into ditches. It's absolutely perfect.

Gearbox: 7/10

*Gasp*

An automatic M3?!?!

Yes, an automatic M3. I've bought a sports sedan, a BMW M sports sedan, with an automatic.

This specific generation of M3 uses a 5-speed ZF automatic. This is an America-only transmission I do believe, as Europe got the option of a 6-speed SMG instead.

It's a pretty good transmission actually. Shifts are seamless while cruising and crisp when going at full throttle. It holds gears if you hit the button under the throttle and has "sport" and economy" modes, as well as manual shifting, which is mostly used for inclement weather more than rowing you own.

Audio: 9/10

My model has the optional Harman/Kardon stereo system. I only had the chance to use the stereo once or twice before we removed the haphazardly wired and ugly aftermarket head unit from the car, awaiting replacement with an OEM unit. In those couple times though I learned the speakers were actually pretty good. It's a 10 speaker system and it puts full use to each speaker, giving off good sound quality. Not just for a 90s stereo, but even for now.

The engine sounds amazing to say the least. Quiet and conformed during normal driving, but screams a nice, smooth tenor note above 5k. It's quite addicting to hear.

Toys: 7/10

So many toys for a car from the late 90s. The list includes:

- 18 button On-Board Computer that can tell you your average speed, average gas mileage, fuel range, external temperature, time reminders, time it takes to arrive at a destination given your current speed, a speed limiter that will beep at you upon exceeding the set limit, as well as a few more things I can remember

- Power, heated driver and passenger seat

- Automatic dual zone climate control

- Active stability control + traction (ASC+T)

- HiFi system

- Transmission with sport and economy modes that actually do something

- Auto up/down windows

- Convenience close function that will close windows and sunroof if you hold the key in the lock position for more than a few seconds

I have all that nifty stuff, yet I have no tilt steering wheel or remote unlock/lock. Two things my 1994 GMC had. We'll be adding the remote start/unlock eventually though.

Value: 9/10

We paid $3,300 for the car and had put about $700 into it to get it road legal. After we refresh the suspension, replace the water pump, and get me a radio it will be good to go for a while at a grand total of probably about $4,800. Which, for an M3 in good visual and mechanical condition outside of the suspension and water pump, is actually very good I think.

Score: 74/100

Engine: 3.2L I6 S52B32

Power: 240 horsepower @ 6,000RPM/240 ft-lbs of torque @ 3800RPM

Transmission: 5-speed automatic with Sport/Economy modes

0-60 Time: 6.38 seconds

Top Speed: Unknown

Drivetrain: RWD

Curb Weight: ~3200lbs

Seating: 5-people (more like 3)

MPG: Up to 20 city/28 highway

MSRP: Unknown

Photo Credits: Me, Google Images

DISCUSSION (31)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 10:06

Kinja'd!!!

I love this.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 10:08

Well done, sir.

Kinja'd!!!

http://oppositeblog.kinja.com/

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/06/2015 at 10:09

Why thank you!

dogisbadob > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 10:18

I love the E36 M3 4-door. It's a shame that the E46 was never offered as a sedan or wagon.

I'm glad we never got the SMG in the E36 because supposedly it's TERRIBLE. Like worse than the already-awful E46'ds.

75% of E36 M3 sedans were automatic.

The S52 is better as a daily all-around car, and the S54 is very high maintenance and not that much faster anyway (I think only a half-second 0-60 difference; there's more of a difference between automatic and manual than there is between S52 and S54)

daender > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 10:26

Nice ride but I gotta ask, how much shit have you said? Anyway, enjoy your ultimate daily driver machine!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > daender
03/06/2015 at 10:29

I was just shown that yesterday!

So far only I wish I could tilt my wheel and where is that noise coming from. Oh yeah, and Contours are the shit!

Manuél Ferrari > dogisbadob
03/06/2015 at 10:31

Y U say my car is awful ;(

WhiskeyGolf > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 10:36

That's a pretty sweet level of toys/equipment for something from 1998.

dogisbadob > Manuél Ferrari
03/06/2015 at 10:45

haha whoops sorry!

I'm guessing you have an E46 SMG then? I mean, the extra doors would help, right?

Sn210 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 11:04

the e36 m3 is definitely a bucket list car for me. It might even replace my aw11 when I've had enough fun with it. Thank you for saving this one!

Ps original MSRP for the base sedan was $39,700 according to Cars.com

Rico > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 11:16

Kinja'd!!!

Classy as fuck

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Sn210
03/06/2015 at 11:18

It makes me supremely happy to say I'm driving one of my dream cars at the age of 16. She definitely needed some love, but she's almost back to good health!

signintoburnerlol > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 11:20

What shocks are you putting in the car?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > signintoburnerlol
03/06/2015 at 11:21

I don't know exact models, but they're Monroe units.

Manuél Ferrari > dogisbadob
03/06/2015 at 11:33

it's ok :) everyone hates it. It's like the Mondial. You gotta have an open mind to appreciate it.

I do with my E46 M3 had four doors. That would be awesome.

But SMG II isn't bad. You gotta learn how to drive it smoothly. Now I like it more than a DCT because it's more involving.

And I got lucky. I got the car used in 2013 and have never had a single issue. It's been bulletproof!!

Takuro Spirit > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 12:12

Nice write up. Enjoy that thing.

But not too much.

One of our other store's managers's kid bought a M3 that didn't move (bad clutch) but a couple grand in it (clutch, oil leaks, then the driveshaft that was bad after the clutch was in and it drove for the first time), it was silver, like yours, but a coupe.

A week after fixing all that he smashed it into a tree. :/

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Takuro Spirit
03/06/2015 at 12:17

That would be the most terrible thing in the world. I've already been in one E36 that was crashed into a tree, I never plan on being in another one. Especially mine with me behind the wheel.

FromCanadaWithLove > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 12:25

I think the silver is super slick on the E36, especially on the M3 sedan. Cool car.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > daender
03/06/2015 at 12:43

that was the greatest thing ive watched all week haha

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 12:44

damn you have one heck of a car for 5 grand. gr8 job m8

signintoburnerlol > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 13:15

You didn't buy the cheapest ones, did you?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > signintoburnerlol
03/06/2015 at 13:26

That's a good question. My dad ordered the so I doubt it. He's not one to go for the cheap option.

dogisbadob > Manuél Ferrari
03/06/2015 at 14:34

Ah, I see. Yeah I remember the SMG being panned when it first came out. Glad to hear yours has been reliable and trouble-free. How many miles on it?

Hell yeah the Mondial is awesome as fuck! Best Ferrari ever :)

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/06/2015 at 15:09

Great review.

Also, I believe they are paging you on the Jalopnik FP.

Manuél Ferrari > dogisbadob
03/06/2015 at 16:29

Not only SMG has been reliable - the whole car has been! It's never even had a minor hiccup.

It's weird - it has been way more reliable than my E90 M3, even though the E90 is supposed to be the more reliable car and mine is the last year of production.

The E46 has about 43,000 miles on it right now. The E90 has about 48,000.

The interesting thing about SMG is that my local independent BMW mechanic loves the E46 M3 and has had 4 of them himself. He DDs one now and he actually prefers buying used E46 M3s with SMG over the manual. Reason is because he can easily fix any SMG issues without tearing apart the transmission. But most used E46 M3s with manual transmissions have been beat up so the car shifts poorly. And you have to tear apart the transmission and know how to fix it if you want it to shift smoothly again. With SMG the driver can't injure the gears themselves.

I was just reading more about the Mondial right now. I learned some new stuff. One piece of info was so interesting that I am gonna make a post about it.

Manuél Ferrari > dogisbadob
03/06/2015 at 19:31

check it out!

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/gated-shifter-…

dogisbadob > Manuél Ferrari
03/06/2015 at 20:37

haha thanks! Never knew about the floppy drive!

Manuél Ferrari > dogisbadob
03/06/2015 at 20:38

you're welcome!

you gotta comment there and give the mondial some love :D

Party-vi > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/28/2015 at 12:01

I just found a 1998 3/4/5 in white at a local dealer. 85k miles and they want $12k for it. How’s yours for your daily commute?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Party-vi
08/28/2015 at 12:17

Now that my new shocks have broken in, rather good. Ride is firm but comfortable, great passing power, and I usually average 25-28 on the highway and an averaging a mix of 20. The sport seats are road trip comfortable. I can't comment on the manual, but I can't imagine it's anywhere close to bad.

Party-vi > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/28/2015 at 12:22

My E46 has the sport suspension so I would guess it’s fairly close. At that price it’s really tempting, too.