M3 or M3 EVO

[ric p]

The choice is between a lower mileage but older E36 M3 or a higher mileage, newer E36 M3 EVO. The Evo has more bhp, an extra gear etc but is it a much better car? How do these cars handle high mileage and at what point do the get a bit tired. Obviously I'd only look at a full dealer history car but do they run on forever as my 323i has? Appreciate anyones views. Cheers.

[hughjayteens]

The Evo is certainly the 'better' car - slightly sharper handling, more grunt, slighlty better brakes and 6 speed box, which helps motorway cruising a lot.

The main issue with Evos is the double vanos unit on the engine which goes pop with worryingly frequncy - my car is on Vanos number 3 at 55k miles!

If you can get an evo with BMW warranty then go for it, but I would personally feel safer with a low mileage mint 3.0 car than a higher mileage, non warrantied Evo.

[MADNESS]

I would say best play it safe and get a non Evo M3, they are not quite as powerfull as the Evo model but if I had an Evo I would always be worried about it going wrong(vanos units=lots of £££).
Best thing to do is drive both cars and see if you think the Evo is worth the extra money and worry

I have a very nice M3 my self at the moment, full bmw history, low miles etc, yours for a very reasonable price


>> Edited by MADNESS on Saturday 2nd October 23:30

[vixpy1]

The vanos on the non M3 is just as likely to go wrong as the evo one. The six speed box in the evo does give better fuel economy and the car does benifit having the extra gear, but the five speeder in the non evo is a better box, much smoother.

Go for the evo, you won't regret it!

[darreni]

The evo is a stunning car & totally underrated.Sooo easy to live with & now so little money.
I still miss mine.

[JRSE]

I went for the Evo and it still isn't quick enough for my liking. Great car though and I'm pleased with it.

Lot's to choose from so take your time and get a BMW inspection done... I would increase budget and try to get an Evo with lower mileage and FBMWSH. I bought a '96 with 50k on the clock and a full history.

[hughjayteens]

vixpy1 said:

The vanos on the non M3 is just as likely to go wrong as the evo one.

No it isn't - the two units are completely different. My good mate is a BMW mechanic and has never had a 3.0 vanos unit go pop, ever. The double vanos units on the 3.2 engined cars go so frequently they always keep at least two in stock.
A poll on www.bm3w.co.uk has found that over 50% of all Evo owerns have had to change their vanos unit at least once.
My current car has doubel vanos and my last one had single - my last car had 80k on the clock when I sold it and never missed a beat, the current one has 55k on the clock and is on Vanos unit number 3 already (thank god for warranties!)

[ric p]

Aside of the engine, people seem to think that the evo is the better car but both appear to wear their miles well. Any other areas that are un-BMW-like and need an eye kept on them? Engine wise all seem to be split, what sort of milages do these engines, both 3.0 and 3.2, do before needing any serious work or losing their edge? Usually the 6 cylinder engine is good for 150k to 200k as my e36 proves.

[iguana]

hughjayteens said:

The Evo - slightly sharper handling.

Whats the diference chassis wise Evo vs 3.0 Chris? just different springs dampers? or bigger ARBs also? or is it more involved?

I've driven 'em both but years apart & didnt rememeber there being huge handling differences?

[Mustard]

Wheres chim_girl when you need her? Shes knows all about these!

[andygtt]

I asked the same questions, got the same answers and went for the higher mileage EVO car....

And I definatelly don't regret it, my car is fully spec'd up has just over 100k on it with FSH. The Vanos are fine as I had them checked out by specialist, and I've done 10k in it already.


the car is absolutelly fantastic eats the motorway miles up for breakfast and due to the 6 gear I'm getting quite fantastic fuel economy (tipping 30s including spirited driving!).

I am totaly smitten... and I was previously not a lover of BMW's and this is one of the slowest cars I've had for the past 8yrs, so I'm not blinded by the badge or performance.

[endeavour_uk]

I don't have a "proper" M3 but I do have a car which I use for trackdays which is now mostly M3. Speaking to the guys who prepare my car and run several Kuhmo championship cars, they prefer the 5 speed box as it is stronger and lighter. The six speed is good for cruising but fuel economy is still good even with a 3.0l given the performance of the car. There is also a feeling that BMW were more "optimistic" in stating the BHP for the Evo than they were for the 3.0l. On average, the real gap tends to be less than official 35BHP. The steering was changed between the two models after the variable rack on the 3.0l was critised. Not sure about suspension settings but the move to differential tyre sizes would suggest an EVO is more likely to favour understeer.

[MADNESS]

I get 28-30 mpg out of my M3, only got 5 gears as well

[vixpy1]

hughjayteens said:

vixpy1 said: The vanos on the non M3 is just as likely to go wrong as the evo one. No it isn't - the two units are completely different. My good mate is a BMW mechanic and has never had a 3.0 vanos unit go pop, ever. The double vanos units on the 3.2 engined cars go so frequently they always keep at least two in stock. A poll on www.bm3w.co.uk has found that over 50% of all Evo owerns have had to change their vanos unit at least once. My current car has doubel vanos and my last one had single - my last car had 80k on the clock when I sold it and never missed a beat, the current one has 55k on the clock and is on Vanos unit number 3 already (thank god for warranties!)

Did'nt say they were'nt different, I've seen a couple of single vanos units that have failed, they have both been at 120K though. My Vanos went at 40K and was replaced.

[RichardJB]

Evo = 31mpg (for me anyway)

Higher mileage Evo proved to be a safer bet in my mind than the non-evo option. As for VANOS, well you pay your money, you take your chance. As for many engine components. non-evo vanos IS as susceptible. Ask BMW GB, they will confirm regrettably. "Generally" an M thing is the VANOS problem... It can go sooner, or later. Just because it has been replaced recently, doesn't mean it won't go again. There is no way of guarding against it actually happening...

[MADNESS]

Sounds to me like both the M3 and M3 evo are a bit of a dodgy car to own