Thinking of buying an E36 M3

[jdl1981]

Hi guy's,

I currently own a TVR Chimaera 400 and i'm thinking of getting an late E36 M3. I can't stretch to an E46. I've always liked M power cars and i've had enough of the TVR. The extra seats will come in handy as will the potential for better reliability.

Apart from the vanos issues, is there anything else i should look for? I take it the chassis won't be a problem as it is on TVR's? My TVR costs approx £2000 a year just to keep it on the road, should i expect the same from the M3?

Any info will be greatly appreciated

[Mtomlin]

I bought M Roadster, sold if for TVR Tuscan , lost 10k on a Tuscan in 9 months so bought another M Roadster for 3/4 of what i lost on the TVR.

TVR great car, but never worked and was terrible for reliability. BMW - Awesome car, reliable , relatively cheap to run in realtion for the power and fun factor.

The only thing you will miss is the Noise as its like nothing else.

In terms of costs, other than a good inspection 1 / 2 service about 700 per year + any repairs which are standard like brakes, bushes etc you should not have any problems. Obviously make sure the vanos is fine - get it checked out before you buy.

Also ensure the shim / valves have been adjusted throughout its life.

There are plenty about, get your self a good one and you will enjoy it. Power is good enough and to be honest I drive my M alot quicker than ever did the TVR. ++ it starts every time!

Good luck!

[duff]

It will depend on how lucky you are and also how fussy but as a reasonable allowance I would say £2k in the first year and £1k per year after.

Suspension rebuild is very desirable as it will be past it's best.
Brakes are expensive - use OEM discs only.
Air con can play up.
Exhaust flexi joint leak.
Rusty rear arches

There are numerous other issues that can get expensive very quickly so try to find one that has lots of bills. Also there are not that many around, taking coupes - there are <20 on Autotrader and a few of them are either overpriced, mega miles or SMG, so finding a good one will not be easy. Good luck though

[htid]

I would try and get a six speed manual, again less to repair if anything goes wrong.

[torquenstein]

htid said:

I would try and get a six speed manual, again less to repair if anything goes wrong.

Tosh. The 6sp is the more fragile unit and cannot be rebuilt if it goes bang.

Nevertheless, the 3.2 Evo (with the 6sp) is the better car and is the one to go for.

Boot big enough for stashing bodies etc.

[M5Dave]

torquenstein said:

htid said:

I would try and get a six speed manual, again less to repair if anything goes wrong.

Tosh. The 6sp is the more fragile unit and cannot be rebuilt if it goes bang.

Nevertheless, the 3.2 Evo (with the 6sp) is the better car and is the one to go for.

Boot big enough for stashing bodies etc.

I think he's talking six speed manual rather than SMG, which is notorious for going wrong in the E36.

[French]

A few interesting time's here taken from a thread where tony soper tests a few M cars around the track, the Evo spanks the non Evo ?!
01: E46 M3 CSL (1.20.09)
03: E46 M3 Coupe (1.24.50)
04: M Coupe (1.26.09)
02: E39 M5 (1.26.77)
06: E46 M3 Cabrio (1.26.94)
11: E36 M3 Evo Coupe (1.28.62)
12: E36 M3 Evo Saloon (1.29.06)
14: Z3 M Roadster (1.31.36)
08: E34 M5 3.8 (1.31.59)
17: E36 M3 Evo Cabrio (1.31.71)
16: E36 M3 Coupe (1.31.95)
09: E34 M5 Touring (1.32.49)
15: E28 M5 (1.33.87)
10: M635 CSi (1.34.99)
13: E30 M3 Sport Evo (1.36.08)
07: M1 (1.38.21)
18: E30 M3 Cabrio (1.39.99)
05: E28 M535i (1.41.87)
19: E12 M535i (1.48.26)
20: 3.0 CSL (1.54.18)
This may help hopefully = EVO

http://www.compucars.co.uk/car-reviews/bmw/review/...

Edited as link did not work

Edited by French on Friday 24th April 23:25

Edited by French on Friday 24th April 23:39

[Gizmo!]

French said:

http://www.compucars.co.uk/car-reviews/bmw/review/...

Wow. When that was written the E46 M3s were a touch under £20k. Now, a touch over £10k for the earliest and rattiest...

[French]

Well the Tony soper was a clue as he was the "original" TG presenter before JC.
Please dont ask who Tony Soper is or you'll be asked to leave via the back door.

[asbo]

French said:

A few interesting time's here taken from a thread where tony soper tests a few M cars around the track, the Evo spanks the non Evo ?!
01: E46 M3 CSL (1.20.09)
03: E46 M3 Coupe (1.24.50)
04: M Coupe (1.26.09)
02: E39 M5 (1.26.77)
06: E46 M3 Cabrio (1.26.94)
11: E36 M3 Evo Coupe (1.28.62)
12: E36 M3 Evo Saloon (1.29.06)
14: Z3 M Roadster (1.31.36)
08: E34 M5 3.8 (1.31.59)
17: E36 M3 Evo Cabrio (1.31.71)
16: E36 M3 Coupe (1.31.95)
09: E34 M5 Touring (1.32.49)
15: E28 M5 (1.33.87)
10: M635 CSi (1.34.99)
13: E30 M3 Sport Evo (1.36.08)
07: M1 (1.38.21)
18: E30 M3 Cabrio (1.39.99)
05: E28 M535i (1.41.87)
19: E12 M535i (1.48.26)
20: 3.0 CSL (1.54.18)
This may help hopefully = EVO

http://www.compucars.co.uk/car-reviews/bmw/review/...

Edited as link did not work

Edited by French on Friday 24th April 23:25

Edited by French on Friday 24th April 23:39

That figures.

Despite those who continue to proclaim that the 3.0 really is just as quick "in the real world" as the 3.2, the answer is an emphatic no it isn't; the Evo is by far the quicker car. Both are excellent and now incredibly good VFM, but IME the later car is worth the extra outlay.

[daz05]

I agree with that Asbo, I found that the 3.0 lacked low end grunt and that it was slow to rev up.

[mat205125]

Out of interest, what track were those times posted around?

[RWDKurt]

From memory I think the times were posted at Bedford Autodrome, although I could be wrong.

I'd endorse your decision to buy one, and whilst I can't comment on the 3.0 cars, the 3.2 Evos are superb machines. Fettle the suspension and put on a decent exhaust and you'll miss the TVR less than you think. The TVR is a great weekend summer car, the M3 is a great car full stop. I'm lucky enough to have both, and if I had to sell one it would be the Bavaria 1, Blackpool 0.....