M3 (E36) Coupe - driving experience
Discussion
Hi
Just bought one of these ('88 Evo saloon)as a second/track car. Tracked it for the first time on Monday. (My comparisons of recent years - 911 3.2 and 964 C4, TVR Chimaera 450). Early impressions:
Blinding engine, revs willingly up to 7500 rpm redline, pulls from 2750 and really pulls from over 5000. Steering feels assisted but is very communicative. Car is well balanced, breaks traction progressively rather than suddenly. Brakes good, but they do tend to judder when they're hot - problem with number of pistons on the calipers I gather, mods available but full kit is £2k plus. Gearbox a bit notchy.
Overall a really nice car to drive fast. Doesn't quite give the same sense of occasion as my last cars, but does the job just as well or better. Nice feeling of quality engineering about the whole thing. Engine note is lovely, but not as loud as 911/TVR, so you don't hear it as much. Nice and easy for 100 dba limit track days though - tested at only 82 dba at 4500 revs.
Oh - bargain too! Nothing to touch it on the same budget IMHO.
It needs a clutch, so am having a lightweight flywheel fitted at the same time. Be interesting to see if it boosts the midrange response, as the garage promise me it will!
Hope of some help... Good luck
Just bought one of these ('88 Evo saloon)as a second/track car. Tracked it for the first time on Monday. (My comparisons of recent years - 911 3.2 and 964 C4, TVR Chimaera 450). Early impressions:
Blinding engine, revs willingly up to 7500 rpm redline, pulls from 2750 and really pulls from over 5000. Steering feels assisted but is very communicative. Car is well balanced, breaks traction progressively rather than suddenly. Brakes good, but they do tend to judder when they're hot - problem with number of pistons on the calipers I gather, mods available but full kit is £2k plus. Gearbox a bit notchy.
Overall a really nice car to drive fast. Doesn't quite give the same sense of occasion as my last cars, but does the job just as well or better. Nice feeling of quality engineering about the whole thing. Engine note is lovely, but not as loud as 911/TVR, so you don't hear it as much. Nice and easy for 100 dba limit track days though - tested at only 82 dba at 4500 revs.
Oh - bargain too! Nothing to touch it on the same budget IMHO.
It needs a clutch, so am having a lightweight flywheel fitted at the same time. Be interesting to see if it boosts the midrange response, as the garage promise me it will!
Hope of some help... Good luck
The standard brakes are shocking, especially on track. Get a set of decent pads (Pagid RS29's), Dot 4 fluid and braided hoses. Try and loose a bit of weight (from the car!) and get the suspension bushes replaced and any other suspension components replaced.
I bought an M3 GT about 7 months ago for track use and some daily use. Its had a fortune spent on it in the past month and I got to try the car at Cadwell last Wednesday and I must say I was very impressed. Everything from the brakes (as above) to the KW Coilovers and the Dunlop Formula R Tyres flattered my driving!
I bought an M3 GT about 7 months ago for track use and some daily use. Its had a fortune spent on it in the past month and I got to try the car at Cadwell last Wednesday and I must say I was very impressed. Everything from the brakes (as above) to the KW Coilovers and the Dunlop Formula R Tyres flattered my driving!
Interested to hear some more opinions as I'm considering a non-EVO as a drift car - something different to the usual drift choices of 200SX etc but a properly nice car when not drifting. Strikes me as something of a bargain at sub £6k for a decent <100k miler. How hardy are they? Thats what I'd really like to know....
Never thought of the stock e36 M3 as much of a drifter really, rear rubber too big & not enough power, my old e36v8 was glorious for it- most contolable rear end of anything ive owned or driven- inc all the 944s, but vs an m3 it had a lot more torque & available from far lower down, thus able to kick the rear out at ease.
However an e30 325i sport is perhaps even more lively, only hampered by the stupidly long standard steering rack.
However an e30 325i sport is perhaps even more lively, only hampered by the stupidly long standard steering rack.
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