E36 vs E46

[lateapex911]

I just picked up a 2003 M3. Way more civilized than I expected. Lawton nailed the big picture....get an E36 M3, but be careful of high miles and questionable owners. These cars have been around for 10 years or more now, and they are cheap enough that guys who don't have the proper money can scratch and get one...then put aero crap on it instead of proper oil changes.

Ron, did you say the "Last of the great air cooled 911s"? Don't you REALLY mean the 73 911S or 911E??

[dj10]

Being a former Porsche and BMW driving school instructor I got to drive some very nice cars, from twin turbo Porsches to the lightweight E36 M3, and this was on the track. :~) I was actually looking for a E36 M3 when I came across my E46 M3. If the E46 M3 is not in your budget, have no fear about getting the E36 M3. The E36 M3 I drove at Nelson Ledges did everything you could ask and more. It was one hell of a car! If I remember correctly, I got yelled at for passing to many cars including vetts, porsches and numerous other cars and I was driving about 7/ 10's.

[Ron Earp]

Ron, did you say the "Last of the great air cooled 911s"? Don't you REALLY mean the 73 911S or 911E??

My buddy Ed has a 911S, can't remember exactly what year, but it is cool. Neat cars, and he just built a 2.7L motor for it and it'll keep all the mechanical injection and so on - that is the part I find a bit cantankerous! He still has the original 2.2L motor and all that good stuff, but he is wanting a bit more power out of it while he drives it. I'd opt for the later model 993s though as a driver.

[JeffYoung]

There is a reason why when you go to a BMW CCA event you see a ton of E36 M3s. Not as canterkous as the E30 M3, and more character than a E46. Perfect daily driver/track day car split I think.

BMW in the late 90s made some "stuff" didn't they? The "normal" 3 was a great sedan. The M Coupe and Roadster great raucous sports cars. The 540i 6 speed about the perfect sports sedan with the M5 just being more of the same.

It's funny. I have a Lotus Exige at the moment, great track car and not a bad daily. But if I got rid of it,the car I would want? An E39 M5.

By the way, Tom, that's another car to look at. You can get E39 540i 6 speeds now for $15 to 20k. A bit porky, but still a blast to drive, trackable if you wish, and cruise at 80 mph like no other manual sports sedan I know of.

Ah, the BMW love thread.......

[fairgentleman Z]

I was looking at the E36 and E46 as well for a DD, autocross, and track day car. My question is what is up with the rear sub frame issues? I've heard that the Ms are reinforced and Turner sells an extensive kit (welding, ect, required).

First, what to look for when buying?
Are the reinforcement kits Street Touring and IT legal?

[JeffYoung]

It will pull out of its mount to the body. Just needs some welding up to reinforce it. Not a huge issue if you take the preventative step.

[lateapex911]

Jeff, it's not just the 90s...
I just got a 2003 M3 cab, with 25K miles on it. neat car, for the price of a well equipped new Accord . I COULD have looked at the new 135i Cab for a little more money...that engine has gotten lots of raves, and would be nearly as quick. And the new 3 series body style is growing on me. The new M3 is sick, no doubt, but a bit spendy. (But hey, that's my gain, it puts a glut of old M3s on the market, LOL)

You're right on the 540. CHEAP car used! Definately the way to LOOK like you've got some bucks, when you don't, LOL.

The E36 is a great car....not TOO civilized or refined, but fine for the street, AND they are light enough that they track VERY well. Huge bargains, if you can find an unmolested example.

(Nows the time in the Northern states if you can find a clean one being sold by a guy who "HAS" to sell now.)

[JeffYoung]

I agree, the mechanicals on all late model BMWs, good stuff.

I just prefer the non-Bangle style from pre-2000. I don't much like the way the new 5s and 7s look, although they apparently drive great. The 3s, I still like a lot.

Just seems to me that the E36 M3 and 540i were two of the most perfect designs we've seen in a long time. Practical. Fast. Fun. Reliable. Relatively inexpensive (like you said, look good when you don't have $$!)......