E36 3.0 M3, any owners?
Discussion
I had one a couple of years back. Kept it for 2 years / 50,000 miles (sold with 75k on the clock). Overall a really excellent car, next to nothing went wrong and I got an amazing 29mpg on longer trips. Servicing is expensive at main dealers and they eat tyres but the 3.0 doesn't suffer from the VANOS problems that affect the 3.2 evo so possibly a good bet if funds are limited.
Performance outstanding, really very little apparent shortfall over an evo. In the time I owned it the only cars that I couldn't keep up with were 911TT, Supra TT and a loony in an XKR (!).
Handling good up to a point but not a car to drive beyond the limit (not if you're me anyway) as the steering is a bit vague.
Probably not ideal for trackdays (brakes overheat apparently) and the five speed is rather noisy on the motorway bacause it's quite low geared. Other than that (and the drug dealer image) not a lot to grumble about.
Overall it was one of the best cars I've had, it just did everything well. I really shouldn't have sold it.
Performance outstanding, really very little apparent shortfall over an evo. In the time I owned it the only cars that I couldn't keep up with were 911TT, Supra TT and a loony in an XKR (!).
Handling good up to a point but not a car to drive beyond the limit (not if you're me anyway) as the steering is a bit vague.
Probably not ideal for trackdays (brakes overheat apparently) and the five speed is rather noisy on the motorway bacause it's quite low geared. Other than that (and the drug dealer image) not a lot to grumble about.
Overall it was one of the best cars I've had, it just did everything well. I really shouldn't have sold it.
I ran a 3.0 M3 saloon for 180,000 miles over 4 1/2 years, but mostly motorway driving. Fabulous car. The following were replaced during my ownership.
60,000 miles - front disc pads, VANOS pump
90,000 miles - front discs
120,000 miles - rear discs and pads
150,000 miles - front disc pads
160,000 miles - clutch
Front tyres did 20,000 miles per set, rears did 40,000.
Had a new radiator due to a stone. Also had one of the radiator fans fail.
Sold it for £9,700 in Sept 1999, still on the original exhaust, springs, dampers, etc. However it was sounding quite loud and was getting a bit soft.
At 120,000 I thought about trading it in for an EVO, but the 3.0 was quicker (looser engine?) and the 5 speed box was much better than the 6 speed.
Since then I have had a B3 3.3 Alpina and a 330i Sport. Neither were anywhere near as good as the 3.0 M3.
I cannot recommend them highly enough.
60,000 miles - front disc pads, VANOS pump
90,000 miles - front discs
120,000 miles - rear discs and pads
150,000 miles - front disc pads
160,000 miles - clutch
Front tyres did 20,000 miles per set, rears did 40,000.
Had a new radiator due to a stone. Also had one of the radiator fans fail.
Sold it for £9,700 in Sept 1999, still on the original exhaust, springs, dampers, etc. However it was sounding quite loud and was getting a bit soft.
At 120,000 I thought about trading it in for an EVO, but the 3.0 was quicker (looser engine?) and the 5 speed box was much better than the 6 speed.
Since then I have had a B3 3.3 Alpina and a 330i Sport. Neither were anywhere near as good as the 3.0 M3.
I cannot recommend them highly enough.
I have one (a 3.0 GT - basically a slightly juicier 3.0 lump with some homologation bits) and love it. Last car was a TVR Chimaera and in every area except noise, the M3 wins hands down.
I have done a track day in mine and was very impressed - brakes weren't as bad as I was told they would be, and my only real gripe is that the steering rack is a little slow at 3.2 turns lock to lock.
Nothing can touch them for the money, but main dealer servicing can be very expensive.
I have done a track day in mine and was very impressed - brakes weren't as bad as I was told they would be, and my only real gripe is that the steering rack is a little slow at 3.2 turns lock to lock.
Nothing can touch them for the money, but main dealer servicing can be very expensive.
I've had my '95 M3 convertible for 2 months now - it's fantastic! Just to change a couple of tyres for the MOT, which, if you shop around, aren't as pricey as need be (95UKP ea). Got good spec, including heated seats & wind deflector - ideal for top off cruising in the evenings. Also have a hard top which is going to be good for the impending British winter. Fortunately (?!?) it was raining when I bought the car which ensured the hard top is gong to be ideal in about another month's time. Splashed out on a new number plate, this being the second car I've "re-plated" - both times considerably cheaper direct from the DVLA website. Enjoying driving even more than previously - highly recommended!
adamt - I own one at the moment and after my last car (UK Scooby Turbo) it is a Godsend! They take a while to get used as I was used to changing down a couple of gears before going anywhere, other than that its great fun. Never tracked mine but alsd heard the same about the brakes and the steering takes an age to get lock2lock!
Look out for things like knackered suspension and odd wear on tyres. Normal consumables like pads, bits of trim and suspension components etc are surprisingly cheap but brake discs cost £175+
An all round car and is as happy cruising on the m'way as it is on a back road being driven 'spiritedly'!!!
Have a look in the classified section and you will see mine for sale, if you are looking for one, you could do a lot worse.
Ian
Look out for things like knackered suspension and odd wear on tyres. Normal consumables like pads, bits of trim and suspension components etc are surprisingly cheap but brake discs cost £175+
An all round car and is as happy cruising on the m'way as it is on a back road being driven 'spiritedly'!!!
Have a look in the classified section and you will see mine for sale, if you are looking for one, you could do a lot worse.
Ian
I had one, In Dakar Yellow! - just loved the colour. Mine went and handled very well, very pointy as they say. The VANOS on mine was a bit noisy, but overall excellent. The engine was extremely strong and loved revving. One of those that the more you push it, the more it wants to go!
Down side it was the ONLY bimmer I have ever had that showed signs of rusting. the wings and bodywork seemed a little flimsy compared to others I have had.
Down side it was the ONLY bimmer I have ever had that showed signs of rusting. the wings and bodywork seemed a little flimsy compared to others I have had.
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