E36 M3 - 3.0 vs Evo 3.2

[GilesAMorse]

Hello all,

Thanks for looking at the post.

I'm in need of advice as to the difference between the 3.0 and 3.2 in terms of performance, reliability and general benefits/problems of ownership.

I'm going to buy one of either as a convertible so any for sale would also be of interest.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Giles

[G-Rich]

My personal opinion is that both lumps are in practical terms about the same. There is so little ACTUAL performance differential to worry about it. The other note to be made is that the 3.2 suffers a common problem with the VANOS (valve timing gear) which if broken will cost both arms and legs to fix. Get a 3.2 with a warranty if you can!!

Personally, E36 M3 cab 3.0 is the one to go for... my colour preference in order; Estoril, Black, Purple.


There are quite a lot of ropey E36 Ms about now, best take a while and go and see a few to get the feel for how abused they might be. Definitly don't go near one thats been modified.

Cheers
G-Rich (E39 M5)

[RobbieM-Evo]

Hi and welcome,

first off i've had both and can say that unless your tracking it you will not see much differance between the two.

I would try to find a 3.0 vert with low mileage as less goes wrong with them.

However the evo has an extra gear and can come with more toys plus some upgraded parts and smg if you want it.

Read up on the vanos issue related to the evo - can't be bothered to go into it - loads of info on the net.

Should be loads about for sale.

Go and see as many as you can and after a while it's easy to spot a good one.

Look for FBMWSH if pos, then check it out.

Try
piston heads: classifieds
e36coupe.com
bm3w.co.uk
autotrader
BMW Power Mag
Porformance BMW Mag
etc

Good luck and enjoy your ///M

Rob

[GilesAMorse]

Thanks G-Rich - very useful.

What you're saying seems to be the general consensus and I've heard that the 3.0 cars tend to produce all or nearly all of the quoted 286bhp whilst the Evos often fall short of 321bhp.

Giles

[GilesAMorse]

Thanks to you too Rob.

I've read quite a bit about the Vanos unit and it seems as though as long as the SH is good and it's been replaced it shouldn't be too much of an issue - it's the gearing and power that I'd be interested to know more about.

I think I need to do some test driving!

Giles

PS Have found one with 59k miles and FBMWSH but 11 owners - a bit dodge?

[RobbieM-Evo]

GilesAMorse said:

PS Have found one with 59k miles and FBMWSH but 11 owners - a bit dodge?

Go and have a look, best way to see.

The E36 M3 is like TVR's/Porkers they change owners alot! People buy them, hack around for a year then sell them.

What year is it?

Evo or 3.0?

[GilesAMorse]

It's a '95 3.0 in Avus Blue. He wants £8k for it.

Sounds cheap but that many owners frightens me a bit!

[RobbieM-Evo]

It's a nice colour Avus Blue! Not as nice as estoril though.

I would offer 7k then it will be on 12 previous owners.

You keep it for 1-2 years and it will be worth 5/6k and at that price who will really care about amount of owners?

My last one the 3.0 vert I found (after alot of looking) had 2 previous owners (same family) £10,999

Ive got it for 9.5k came with the hard top, wind deflector, arm rest, 2 x airbags etc 39700miles!!!!!!!!!!!! FBMWSH

That was just over a year ago, so you just need to keep your eye open.

Personaly I would wait for the low mileage, 3 odd owner car to come up - It will!

[G-Rich]

Total agreement with Robbie, there are so many about you should wait and see a load. Its so easy to jump the gun, but a 3 owner, lower mileage model will be a much tighter car. Note, these things are easily clocked also, might be worth an HPI check if the history has gaps or years with apparent very low mileage.

Go for Estoril; you know its the best colour. Avus is not unique to M cars, Estoril is, and will be a more popular car come selling in the future.

Cheers
Rich

[m3john]

G-Rich said:

There are quite a lot of ropey E36 Ms about now, best take a while and go and see a few to get the feel for how abused they might be. Definitly don't go near one thats been modified.
(E39 M5)

All i suggest mate is take your time and don't rush in and buy the first one you see (unless it's absolutly fantastic!!!) Drive a couple and speak to a indipendent specialst. Highams Park Motor Co. 0208-523-3443 are very good and all ex-BM master technicans who look after mine, give these guys a call and see what they've got to say.

Not a convertable but take a look at the pictures on my profile, thats what a nice one should look like.

Hope this can be of any help.

M3John.

[turbo tim]

clicky

HTH

[oola]

As per the link to the post above which I responded to, the GT is the way forward. Most people don't know what they are, so the market for them is quite niche. There are a heap of really really badly looked after cars out there .... make sure you see plenty cos if you look hard enough there are some gems.

Most people are put off the GT because of the colour which probably gives you an idea of the sorts of people who are buying E36 M3's .... aethetics only. Granted, BRG isnt to everyones taste but when clean, it looks amazing.

Its nice to have something a little different, the only real E36 M3 homologated for motorsport purposes!

[m3john]

Don't know what you budget is mate but have a look at these guys, they specialise in M3's, this is where my one was sourced from and they only deal in the VERY best second hand cars.

www.imc-online.co.uk/home.html

Edited by m3john on Tuesday 4th July 22:05

[GilesAMorse]

Thanks for the info. - all very much appreciated.

I love GTs but definitely want a convertible so they're ruled out. I really like the colour of the GTs - looks like a serious drivers' car.

Giles

PS Any other recommended dealers with stock would be great!

[G-Rich]

m3john said:

Don't know what you budget is mate but have a look at these guys, they specialise in M3's, this is where my one was sourced from and they only deal in the VERY best second hand cars.

www.imc-online.co.uk/home.html

Edited by m3john on Tuesday 4th July 22:05

Definitly have a look at these guys, I know the owners brother very well - they are top blokes and seriously know their Ms.

[cosmos_steve]

Giles, how much are you looking to spend?

[RobbieM-Evo]

cosmos_steve said:

Giles, how much are you looking to spend?

The question is Steve - how much you selling yours for???

Nice colour BTW

Wish I still had an ///M

[GilesAMorse]

Quite!

Not a massive fan of black - what do you want for it? What's the SH like etc.?

E-mail me at [e-mail] if you'd rather.

Giles

[cosmos_steve]

Hi Giles, this is one of the best specced (every factory option apart from Harmen Kardon Hifi) M3s you will ever find with an immaculate FBMWSH. The BMW extended warranty expired at the end of April this year, which I did not renew due to exorbitant cost. BUT before it expired I had the Climate Control unit replaced, Oil leaks repaired in April (Engine out job at BMW). I also had a new clutch fitted (did it when they repaired oil leaks), Brand new discs and pads all round (June) and 2 new rear tyres (June).
The car is a (face-lift) 6-speed manual 97 evo cosmos black convertible.
Factory options are:
Automatic Air Conditioning (with air recirculation)
Auto Dim Mirror
Cargo Nets
Cruise Control
Driver Airbag
Electric Seats
Front Centre Armrest
Full Closure Roof
Hard Top Roof
Head Light Washer Jets
Heated Electric Mirrors
Heated Seats
Heated Washer Jets
Hi-fi Upgrade
Leather Upholstery
Park Distance Control (PDC)
Passenger Airbag
Thatcham Cat 1 Alarm.
Other extras added include:
AC schnitzer strut brace and short shift
Nokia bluetooth hands free
Alpine 9855 head unit with Ipod adaptor
Top of the range DLS amp + Sub.
I am open to offers

[cosmos_steve]

And the mileage is 74,000 miles (low mileage for a P97 car)