E36 M3 Experience?
Discussion
It will, in the not too distant future, be new car time for me and I'm seriously considering an E36 M3.
My main worry is that if I do go for one of these beauties, will I regret not buying an old Chimaera?
I've not driven (or even passengered in) an M3 and I'm curious as to how quick/special they feel (if there's anyone not too far from Farnham who would take me down the road in one, I'd love to hear from you).
I'll be coming from an E30 325 touring with LSD which = a hugely entertaining car.
Comments welcome.
Ben
My main worry is that if I do go for one of these beauties, will I regret not buying an old Chimaera?
I've not driven (or even passengered in) an M3 and I'm curious as to how quick/special they feel (if there's anyone not too far from Farnham who would take me down the road in one, I'd love to hear from you).
I'll be coming from an E30 325 touring with LSD which = a hugely entertaining car.
Comments welcome.
Ben
Hi mate,
I came from a Chimaera 400 into M3s, and have never regretted it for a nanosecond!!
I suspect a standard M3 would leave you feeling a little cold, as they are rather soft as standard, and more of a fast motorway car than an out and out sports saloon, but with some very quick and easy suspension and brake upgrades, they can become very potent cars indeed.
Coming from an E30, I suspect you will find it a massive improvement in all areas - they all come with LSDs, so fun is always available.
If you can get a car with a warranty, then go for the 3.2 Evo as they are nicer to drive than the 3.0s as a rule, but the Vanos (variable valve timing) issue cannot be ignored, as they go pop very regularly on the 3.2s and cost £2k or so to replace - my new car has 53k miles on it and is on Vanos number 3!!
The 3.0s have no such issues, so a nice 3.0 with upgraded front brakes and suspension would be my choice.
I came from a Chimaera 400 into M3s, and have never regretted it for a nanosecond!!
I suspect a standard M3 would leave you feeling a little cold, as they are rather soft as standard, and more of a fast motorway car than an out and out sports saloon, but with some very quick and easy suspension and brake upgrades, they can become very potent cars indeed.
Coming from an E30, I suspect you will find it a massive improvement in all areas - they all come with LSDs, so fun is always available.
If you can get a car with a warranty, then go for the 3.2 Evo as they are nicer to drive than the 3.0s as a rule, but the Vanos (variable valve timing) issue cannot be ignored, as they go pop very regularly on the 3.2s and cost £2k or so to replace - my new car has 53k miles on it and is on Vanos number 3!!
The 3.0s have no such issues, so a nice 3.0 with upgraded front brakes and suspension would be my choice.
Its horse for courses really.
I've owned both cars and both had their strengths / weaknesses :
TVR Chimaera (i had the 4.5)- very fast straight line, masses of low down torque, great sound, look great without the 'drug dealer' look, guaranteed to make you smile every time you drive it BUT not that reliable, short service interval (6k miles) so expensive main dealer services, not really a medium / high miler every day car if service cost is an issue.
BMW M3 Evo - practical 4 seat performance, very fast also, very reliable German engineering (provided you getthe VANOS looked at), independant serviceing affordable, longerservice interval (10k miles approx), BUT not as exciting as a TVR, not the same punch / low down torque / wont make you smile every time you drive it.
I've owned both cars and both had their strengths / weaknesses :
TVR Chimaera (i had the 4.5)- very fast straight line, masses of low down torque, great sound, look great without the 'drug dealer' look, guaranteed to make you smile every time you drive it BUT not that reliable, short service interval (6k miles) so expensive main dealer services, not really a medium / high miler every day car if service cost is an issue.
BMW M3 Evo - practical 4 seat performance, very fast also, very reliable German engineering (provided you getthe VANOS looked at), independant serviceing affordable, longerservice interval (10k miles approx), BUT not as exciting as a TVR, not the same punch / low down torque / wont make you smile every time you drive it.
Hi,
I went from a 4x4 Calibra Turbo to an M3 Evo Convertible (both 1996 "P"). Two very different cars (turbocharged 4WD v's normally aspirated RWD) and the M3 feels slower with it's smoother power delivery. That is until I look down at the speedo and then realise the BMW makes 100mph+ seem less than half that!
I find the stock handling perfectly fine. Styling wise I think BMW got the E36 M3 spot on. The noise from the engine under acceleration is decent.
Before you go and buy one I think you should test drive both the M3 and the TVR. I first had a passenger ride in an M3 for sale and it seemed very fast. From the drivers seat it didn't seem to be as quick under my control and was very different to what I imagined. From a driving experience I'm sure this is a marmite car that some people will love or hate. I like it but I got used to the power increase far too soon...
I went from a 4x4 Calibra Turbo to an M3 Evo Convertible (both 1996 "P"). Two very different cars (turbocharged 4WD v's normally aspirated RWD) and the M3 feels slower with it's smoother power delivery. That is until I look down at the speedo and then realise the BMW makes 100mph+ seem less than half that!
I find the stock handling perfectly fine. Styling wise I think BMW got the E36 M3 spot on. The noise from the engine under acceleration is decent.
Before you go and buy one I think you should test drive both the M3 and the TVR. I first had a passenger ride in an M3 for sale and it seemed very fast. From the drivers seat it didn't seem to be as quick under my control and was very different to what I imagined. From a driving experience I'm sure this is a marmite car that some people will love or hate. I like it but I got used to the power increase far too soon...
JRSE said:This worries me a little as I think I get used to more power quite quickly too.
I like it but I got used to the power increase far too soon...
I recently test drove a Griffith 4.0l. It had the sound, the look and some proper low down grunt, but when flat out, it didn't seem to be all that quick which was a little disappointing really. Considering all of the compromises that it makes when compared to the M3 I was put off slightly.
I want a car that I can abuse a little and I think the Griff would have an issue with that.
At the other end of the reliability scale, I recently drove a BMW 330 sport and found it to be somewhat lacking in driver satisfaction. I'm hoping that a slightly older E36 M3 can provide more smiles per mile than the newer stuff.
Decisions, decisions.
I was expecting the M3 to be a car that was fast everytime you were in it. It's a pleasure to drive and I thought my speed needs would be satisfied! Sadly they aren't. The passengers seem to think it goes quickly tho!
My other options at the time were - Lotus Esprit S4, Porsche 911 (964) C2. I think I went for the right car out of them.
The Lotus seemed fragile after having one inspected. I couldn't find a decent 911 within my budget with decent mileage. I did have a quick look at the TVR's but didn't progress further.
In the end reliability became important to me and I think the BMW was the sensible choice. Out of them all though this was the most expensive car to insure.
My other options at the time were - Lotus Esprit S4, Porsche 911 (964) C2. I think I went for the right car out of them.
The Lotus seemed fragile after having one inspected. I couldn't find a decent 911 within my budget with decent mileage. I did have a quick look at the TVR's but didn't progress further.
In the end reliability became important to me and I think the BMW was the sensible choice. Out of them all though this was the most expensive car to insure.
Smartie said:That'll still work fine though. My weekend toy is a GSXR600 which is quick enough for the roads. I wouldn't keep my licence with an R1.
I only use the M3 at weekends etc and let my wife go to work in it. I have a 530d as a daily driver so the M3 still feels quick when I do get in it!
JRSE said:
My other options at the time were - Lotus Esprit S4, Porsche 911 (964) C2. I think I went for the right car out of them.
I think I've made pretty much the same list and am rapidly coming to the same conclusion. I think I had Porsche 968 CS on there too or was it a 944? Anyhow, I then excluded them as they only had 4 pot engines. Same goes for the Lotus too. The sweet noise of the 6 is something I can't live without.
>> Edited by bennyboysvuk on Wednesday 11th August 13:29
Hi
Dont know wether I am too late but I live in Farnham and have just bought an AC Schnitzer Z3M Roadster which I will gladly take you out in. I have had an E36 M3 previously which I absolutely adored - but then swopped for an E55.
Just to whet your appetite my E36 M3 did an indicated 163MPH down to Le Mans - with the roof down and two up! Great cars. Let me know if you still want a ride
Dont know wether I am too late but I live in Farnham and have just bought an AC Schnitzer Z3M Roadster which I will gladly take you out in. I have had an E36 M3 previously which I absolutely adored - but then swopped for an E55.
Just to whet your appetite my E36 M3 did an indicated 163MPH down to Le Mans - with the roof down and two up! Great cars. Let me know if you still want a ride
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