E36 BMW becoming a classic?

[SidewaysSi]

How do people find the engine mass of the M3? I haven't driven an E36 but I found the front end quite heavy in the E46. Allied to usual dull standard steering and I didn't gel with the front end.

Perhaps it could be sorted with some Vibratechnics mounts?

[vsonix]

SidewaysSi said:

yonex said:

vsonix said:

How much did the Quaife set you back, if you don't mind me asking? I'd quite like to add LSD to my 2.8 touring eventually, but the lack of choice and strong prices on 20 year old used parts has put me off until now. I assume a new Quaife will probably cost the same as the rest of the car but I'm hoping to be proved wrong...

I think on it's own the Quaife was around £1200. You do find them popping up second hand and you'll always find a buyer should you need to sell...that was my thinking anyway!

Birds is quoting £766 for the part or £1254 fitted:

http://www.birdsauto.com/quaife/search?m=bmw&s...

766 is actually doable. 1254 fitted... expensive labour!

[fushion julz]

Bit late to this thread...

However, I currently have an e46 330i Touring and previously had an e36 328i Saloon and prior to that an e30 325i Saloon...all with manual 'boxes and all in SE trim. (I also own an e30 M3, btw)...

I've also owned: e28 525i, e34 530i (M30), e34 525iX touring, e30 320i touring a 2002 and an 1802.

The e46 is a better car than the e36..it has a better ride, better ergonomics and a better engine. However, the steering and throttle are not as good. The e46 also consumes suspension parts, bushes and rear tyres far quicker than the e36. Neither are really sporty in the way the e30 is. All have their issues with rust, albeit in different places.

The build quality has been slowly declining over the years...the e30 was, interior apart, better built in every way to the later 3 series cars. Lots of little things go wrong on the e46 compared to the e36...but then it has a lot more gadgets and systems. It is, though, a very competent, useable and modern car that can largely be maintained at home.

To the person who said an e30 m3 was slower than modern hatchbacks...maybe, in a straight line, but put it on some twisty roads or a track and the e30 is a different class! Even in it's day the e30 m3 wasn't particularly fast in acceleration or 1/4mile sprint times... but it has superb dynamics and handling that I've yet to find on any fwd hatchback!

[Gooly]

328i and 325i manuals in any spec or bodyshape are undoubtably modern classics now. In 2013 you could get a manual 328 for £500 and a Sport for a grand; now the cleanest sports are commanding 4/5k and people in drifting have moved on to 323s or 2.8 engine swaps as factory 328s and 325s have finally appreciated past the point of being cheap enough to build on. Imo a 328 sport for the right money is a great depreciation free way to have a nice all-rounder that will probs go up in value by £500 a year for a while

[iSore]

When you can buy this for £3500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

....I'm wondering who pays more for an E36? Whilst I'm not a fan of the E46 (I fking hate them - awful rusty stboxes) - the E92 in it's pure uncouncilled form free from 'improvements' is a very pretty car. It has its niggles of course, but it goes better, handles and rides better, doesn't rust like a bean can in a salt mine and, in short, isn't some fking dreadful old BMW that needs constant fettling/welding.

I respect the E36 as it was a very, very good car 20 years ago. Now it's just an old 26 mpg BMW to me. 328i's etc were great when nice ones were 1500 quid, but for 3/4/5 grand plus? Nah, sorry.

[Leins]

iSore said:

When you can buy this for £3500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

....I'm wondering who pays more for an E36? Whilst I'm not a fan of the E46 (I fking hate them - awful rusty stboxes) - the E92 in it's pure uncouncilled form free from 'improvements' is a very pretty car. It has its niggles of course, but it goes better, handles and rides better, doesn't rust like a bean can in a salt mine and, in short, isn't some fking dreadful old BMW that needs constant fettling/welding.

I respect the E36 as it was a very, very good car 20 years ago. Now it's just an old 26 mpg BMW to me. 328i's etc were great when nice ones were 1500 quid, but for 3/4/5 grand plus? Nah, sorry.

As a previous owner of both the E46 coupe and the E92, IMO the older car is near-infinitely better looking. Both have suffered from over-exposure, but I believe the E46 is a design classic. I recall Stephen Bayley saying likewise a number of years ago

[iSore]

They're both street furniture and nothing special. I always thought they were slightly bland tbh.

But I vastly prefer the pre HE XJ-S to the E Type!

[Leins]

iSore said:

They're both street furniture and nothing special. I always thought they were slightly bland tbh.

But I vastly prefer the pre HE XJ-S to the E Type!

Me too! In fact I think I prefer the E46 to the E Type

[njw1]

iSore said:

When you can buy this for £3500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

....I'm wondering who pays more for an E36? Whilst I'm not a fan of the E46 (I fking hate them - awful rusty stboxes) - the E92 in it's pure uncouncilled form free from 'improvements' is a very pretty car. It has its niggles of course, but it goes better, handles and rides better, doesn't rust like a bean can in a salt mine and, in short, isn't some fking dreadful old BMW that needs constant fettling/welding.

I respect the E36 as it was a very, very good car 20 years ago. Now it's just an old 26 mpg BMW to me. 328i's etc were great when nice ones were 1500 quid, but for 3/4/5 grand plus? Nah, sorry.

That's a bit like saying why would buy a mk2 Golf GTI over a mk5 GTI? It's horses for courses. However, I would buy that over an e36, e92's are lovely cars to drive, be in and look at.

[SidewaysSi]

iSore said:

When you can buy this for £3500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

....I'm wondering who pays more for an E36? Whilst I'm not a fan of the E46 (I fking hate them - awful rusty stboxes) - the E92 in it's pure uncouncilled form free from 'improvements' is a very pretty car. It has its niggles of course, but it goes better, handles and rides better, doesn't rust like a bean can in a salt mine and, in short, isn't some fking dreadful old BMW that needs constant fettling/welding.

I respect the E36 as it was a very, very good car 20 years ago. Now it's just an old 26 mpg BMW to me. 328i's etc were great when nice ones were 1500 quid, but for 3/4/5 grand plus? Nah, sorry.

The E90/92 is a good car - mum has one and it is an enjoyable steer, more so than the E46 IME. But it certainly feels it's weight and pretty full of electronics, which you either like or don't. It also lacks a cable throttle and of course, a back to basics feel. Good cars for what they are though.

[sim16v]

iSore said:

When you can buy this for £3500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

....I'm wondering who pays more for an E36? Whilst I'm not a fan of the E46 (I fking hate them - awful rusty stboxes) - the E92 in it's pure uncouncilled form free from 'improvements' is a very pretty car. It has its niggles of course, but it goes better, handles and rides better, doesn't rust like a bean can in a salt mine and, in short, isn't some fking dreadful old BMW that needs constant fettling/welding.

I respect the E36 as it was a very, very good car 20 years ago. Now it's just an old 26 mpg BMW to me. 328i's etc were great when nice ones were 1500 quid, but for 3/4/5 grand plus? Nah, sorry.

I actually think that is a bit sh*t.

Auto, ugly wheels and comfort seats, pensioner spec.

I like the E9x, but if I was choosing, i'd be after a 3.0L manual saloon, petrol or diesel, for the Super Touring influence.

[SebringMan]

I used to own an E36 323i Manual and have driven quite often a mate's E46 328i Manual Touring and now own an E46 M3 SMG.

Personally there is very little I'd want to bring across from the 323i. There wasn't much I loved. If I am honest it felt a little unispiring. I do like the looks of the E36 mind you ; it has aged better than the E46 IMO.

[iSore]

SebringMan said:

I used to own an E36 323i Manual and have driven quite often a mate's E46 328i Manual Touring and now own an E46 M3 SMG.

Personally there is very little I'd want to bring across from the 323i. There wasn't much I loved. If I am honest it felt a little unispiring. I do like the looks of the E36 mind you ; it has aged better than the E46 IMO.

That's the thing; they were a good car but not something you could get passionate about. Ditto the E46..........and most 3 Series BMW's if we're honest.

[Bradley1500]

Fantastic cars in my experience and sure to become a classic in the future; you’ve only got to look at E30 prices to see that.

The last E36 I ruined is one of my favourite cars I have owned to date, and was the most reliable car I have ever owned! I drove it anywhere and everywhere, including a European road trip and it never let me down. I wish I had never sold it truth to be told.

[161BMW]

s m said:

Ah gotcha - yes ''tis harder with the lenses to see the 4 lights and grille with the E36 - the E30 has the "classic face"

The sharknose group would make you park your E30 away from the display though!

I sold my E36 328 saloon about 4 years back for a grand - they were really at the bottom back then but I'd had it 7 years, it had just touched 200k, so I felt I'd had my money's worth out of it. Would have probably gone for more now as it had LSD, Z3 rack, Xbrace, leather, climate, sunroof, folding rears etc
Was a great car but I prefer my E46 overall to any of the 3s I've had except my old E21 323i

What was the E21 323i like ?

[RobM77]

I've had two and absolutely loved them. My first was a 1994 325i four door saloon, and my second was a 328i Sport Coupé, which I spent £4k on getting back to 'as new' standard. I narrowly prefer my E90 (I'm on my second) because of the greater refinement and comfort, but for everything else, the E36 had it trumped imho. It was also the last BMW 3 series with a cable throttle, so none of the hideous lag that ruined most petrol powered BMWs from the E46 onwards. I never tried an E36 M3, which is a shame.

[Colonial]

I had a e36 318i and a 318is (and a Audi s3) at the same time.

The 318i was competent and solid. I wouldn't bother with one now.

The 318is was one of the most fun cars I've driven. Slow as hell but just planted and super enjoyable.

The former will not be a vlassic. The 318is, 328i and m3 will be imo.

[161BMW]

2thumbs said:

With enough age behind them, all cars eventually become a classic of sorts. I don't feel the e36 is there yet. It's just not old enough to be a classic in the true sense of the word, whatever that is!

Personally I love the shape of the e36, they are a clean and quite elegant looking car. I particularly like the silky smooth, quiet 328 engine. The M styling is a must for me though, without it they can look extremely dated in my humble opinion.

If you mean by Classic = old then YES.
If you mean the E36 being sought after. Apart from M3, 328i SPORT, 328 Convertible I don't think they will do although could be wrong.
The E36 is still in the council cheap stage. And even though when they were new they were a bit of a status symbol there are so many cheap and nasty ones about. The ones that make me take a second glance are a nice well presented OEM E36 M3, 328i SPORT or 328i Convertible.

As for the poster earlier who thinks his 328 is a five figure sum and can't think of a car more fun and practical etc. I CAN. It's the E30 325i SPORT. Which looks better to me, has a nicer interior to me and more fun to drive thanks to semi trailing rear suspension etc. And gets you more cool points than the E36 ever will (E36 M3 aside).

[Carlton Banks]

Late to the party but I own an e36 m3 in estoril blue.

It is a decent condition, has uprated suspension and bushes and drives very well.

Great cars and potentially a future classic.

Here she is out with some friends



However I have now come to realisation that I don't need this many cars so sadly for sale!

R

Edited by Carlton Banks on Tuesday 3rd October 13:56

[raceboy]

Had a couple in the past, one when the E36 was the current shape 3 Series
A 320i Coupe that had crashed through the Alpina styling catalogue, only actually sold the alloys a few months ago, and I've still got the M3 Mirrors in a box in the garage.



Then another more recently when insurance wasn't an issue, a 328i Sport although dressed up as an M3



Have a bit of a soft spot for them, and not a fan of seeing so many deteriorate into the 'drift' world although this must be good for prices of good, sound, standard cars, really only see stock M3's and 328i Sports, and maybe 318iS's becoming 'collectable'.