Is there a difference between an M3 and an M3 Evo

[steviejay01]

Am looking at a 1997 car.

What is the difference between the old shape M3 (upto year 2000) and the M3 Evo or are they the same car?
I keep seeing the cars advertised as some 5 speed and some 6??

Can you please let me know about bhp, and 0-60 times as I am looking to get one soon but this little difference is bugging me.

Thanks

[marki]

I think the Evo has 326bhp against 286bhp ,,,,, and some suspension mods and i guess some cosmetic changes

[markda]

I don't have any figures, but the EVO is the one to go for. I *think* (someone correct me if I am wrong) most of the non-EVO cars are early L, M and N cars.

Generally speaking N/registered onward are EVO cars, so check. But the 1997 model your looking at should be an EVO

>> Edited by markda on Tuesday 28th January 09:25

[DanL]

The pre-Evo M3 was a 3.0l with a five speed box. The Evo version had a 3.2l engine and a six speed box. I'm not sure if there were any other changes made (there might have been some slight suspension changes or something). IIRC, the M3 Evo came in three flavours - four door, two door coupe and convertible. I think the non-Evo version was only a coupe or convertible.

Dan

[dougt]

I think the evo is a 6 speed, 321bhp (3.2 litre engine) + includes aircon, non evo is 5 speed 286bhp (3.0 engine) + aircon was extra. No difference in top speed 'cos they are both limited to 155, 3.2 is meant to have more low down power + slight tweaks to the handling.

I used to have a 3.0 which was a really great car, but I'm sure the evo would be that bit better.

[pdavison]

The Evo also gets the clear light kit & different alloys.

Acceleration is very similar because of the different gearboxes. You have to make an additional shift I believe to hit 60 in the Evo.

I also think the interior was improved in the Evo as well.

Both great cars though, just watch out for main dealer servicing costs !

[Keifer]

Re Service Costs - watch for 200% mark-up on Oil - and unwillingness to produce receipts for warranty-covered costs...

[M3EVO]

M3 Evo was introduced as a replacement to the standard 3.0l M3 in 1996. The capacity was upped to 3201cc and it was given the 6-speed Getrag box first seen on the E34 M5 3.8l. Changes to the engine include stronger conrods and reworked pistons, larger inlet valves, double VANOS overlapping inlet and exhaust times, an extra oil pump for hard cornering. The engine bore was increased but so was the stoke (longer than the bore) made the engine under-square apparently strange for a Beemer. The fuel mapping was upgraded within the ECU all this gave 321bhp over the original 286bhp of the old car. Torque was up to 286lb ft. Chassis wise, the Evo had the floating disc setup from the M5 315mm front and 310mm at the rear, suspension camber rates were revised along with new dampers, springs and thicker anti roll bars. Interior remains much the same but I believe that climate control wasnt available on earlier cars. Exterior, the Evo had clear front and rear indicator lenses and the choice of Coupe Conv or Saloon body. Two wheel options were available, M-double spoke II which are 10 spoke similar to the non evo (without motorsport lettering) or M-double Spokes which were a five double spoke seen on most convertibles. The saloon had M-contour 5 spokes.
The saloon Evo is rumoured to have slightly softer suspension. The saloon doesnt have the front lower lip spoiler. SMG on coupes and conv was available after March 1998 which was fitted to 70% of all orders.

Evo colours are Estoril Blue, Daytona Violet, Cosmos Black, Fern Green, Imola Red (GT2), Dakar Yellow, Silver and White

Hope this is all accurate,
somebody let me know if Ive missed sumthink.

Oh yeah performance figures
Evo Coupe 155mph limited (176 unlimited not proven)
0-60 5.3 secs
0-100 12.8 secs
average 32.5mpg

3.0l
160mph limited (not very well limited, 170 unlimited not proven)
0-60 5.8 secs
not sure of 0-100 maybe someone can clarify.
average 26mpg


>> Edited by M3EVO on Tuesday 28th January 17:08

[steviejay01]

Nice one lads thanks very much for all the info, this gives me summut to think about will be parting with my car soon and hope to replace her for an M3 Evo seeing as we are starting a family my old motor is a little on the impractical side

Thanks again people.

Steve

[domster]

All you ever wanted to know about the E36 M3 variants...

www.m3supercar.com/faq.html