Is the E36 M3 the best M3 made? E46ers Welcome

[m3f_suaveflooder]

Not trolling. Played with the idea of replacing the M3 with something newer and I looked at some newer M3's, but in the end, the E36 was hard to beat almost everywhere.


Here's my reasoning:


- Chassis is better than the engine (last M3 chassis to have this)

- "Easiest to live with" (I've seen many articles that use this line)

- Cheap to maintain

- Few catistrophic failure points (no vanos/subframe/rodbearing catistrophic failures)

- Pricepoint (both purchase price and part replacement)

- Gas mileage (I can consistently get 28-30 MPG on the freeway)

- Size (weight included)

- Better street manners (toque curve is better suited for street driving than the E46)


I know the E46 is considered to be king, and I've said it many time, I LOVED my E46, but I would never buy another one as an only car. Maintence costs are crazy high. Not sure if I read it here or not, but someone mentioned the cost to maintain as a possible downfall for the E46 in the future. Cars are getting better and better, so they are keeping up with the E46, but they don't cost as much to operate and maintain. I don't see this happening with the E36.

[m3f_LiquidElephant]

I had an E46 before the E36 I just picked up, and the only thing I miss is the engine. The M3 I bought happens to have a very strong S52 and is winning me over each time I drive it, the sensation of speed is almost the same as the E46. I prefer the way it feels on the road, I like the 90's interior that isn't trying too hard, and its looks like its going to be very easy to work on. Only thing to address right away is the lack of headroom, but I'm planning on buying a set of Recaro Sportsters to take care of that. Might also buy a set of Depo/DJ headlights and retrofit FXR projectors to increase the light output.



My other cars currently are a B7 RS4 and Mk6 GTI, both of which are slightly more comfortable but much less entertaining to drive. Will likely put both up for sale shortly as I get the M3 ready for full time duty(which isn't much, I walk to work).



Oddly enough I was planning on buying an E46 to play with alongside the E36, but after a few weeks of ownership I don't see the point. If I really want I can drop the S54 in if I end up wanting a little more power and sound.



Falling hard for the E36

[m3f_M3n00b]

Yes it is /thread


-ttalk

[m3f_propchef]

This has never been discussed.


Also, see below for logical conclusion.

Yes it is /thread


-ttalk

[m3f_Richardsperry]

Here are my thoughts.


The e30 is the most enjoyable to drive at IT'S limit. Which isn't all that high.


The E36 is almost as good, but IT'S limit is much higher. It's as easy to work on, and parts are cheaper. Plus you really don't have to be going to jail fast before it's fun.


The E46 just isn't as fun or entertaining, but it is more expensive and is faster.


The E9x are stupid fast, but stupid expensive and aren't all that fun unless you are at the limit.


So... Yes, the E36 is the sweet spot. At least for me, that why I've still got mine 20 years after I bought it. I could have replaced it but the newer cars, (though nice), just weren't as fun.. Plus mine has been paid for a long time

[m3f_falciott]

It probably is. None of the new M cars do it for me, plus I lost track of all the M denominations that BMW is giving their cars today, talk about diluting the meaning of it.

[m3f_Kong Sheng Han]

The only advantage over the E46 IMO is the size and weight. If I had to choose one car, I'd purchase an E46. I might buy a second vic in the near future, and I will definitely consider an E36.

[m3f_suaveflooder]

Here are my thoughts.



The e30 is the most enjoyable to drive at IT'S limit. Which isn't all that high.



The E36 is almost as good, but IT'S limit is much higher. It's as easy to work on, and parts are cheaper. Plus you really don't have to be going to jail fast before it's fun.



The E46 just isn't as fun or entertaining, but it is more expensive and is faster.



The E9x are stupid fast, but stupid expensive and aren't all that fun unless you are at the limit.





So... Yes, the E36 is the sweet spot. At least for me, that why I've still got mine 20 years after I bought it. I could have replaced it but the newer cars, (though nice), just weren't as fun.. Plus mine has been paid for a long time

Agreed!

The only advantage over the E46 IMO is the size and weight. If I had to choose one car, I'd purchase an E46. I might buy a second vic in the near future, and I will definitely consider an E36.

You daily yours? I think one of the things that bugged me was the power band. I had to get it up in the higher RPM's for it to really pull, but when it did, it was a freight train!! The powerband of the 36 is lower and more in the every day usage point. That, the gas mileage, and maintenance killed it for a DD for me.

[m3f_EricSMG]

I'd say it's the most "fun" M3 in the 30-80mph speed range. I think it "handles" the best subjectively speaking - it feels the best flinging it into corners which probably has a lot do to with its relaxed suspension and light-ish weight. It also gets decent gas mileage, requires relatively cheap tires, very low maint, etc. The one thing it lacks, though, is excitement an this is where the 46 blows it away.



And once the speeds increase the 46 is a much better tool for the job with its rock solid chassis and much higher output motor. But as you say - this car is maint. and consumables hungry so beware!



The E9X is in a different universe on all levels performance wise. I don't have much street time in one but from an AutoX standpoint it's telepathic. Amazing handling. It's just a little too big/heavy but the payoff is refinement, rigidity and comfort - none of which neither the 36 nor the 46 can match.



So yeah, if money matters the 36 is probably the best. If money doesn't matter probably not. I've not driven an E30 M3 but I'd have to think they pretty much suck for general street use and I haven't driven the M4 but I'm betting that thing is an animal.

[m3f_westopher]

e36 m3 evo? Yes.

Regular North American spec m3? nah.

If I had to classify I'd go e36 m3 (euro)>e46 M3>e30 m3>e36 m3>e90


F80 doesn't count because its a ****ing m5 with the numerical mistake on all the badges.

[m3f_Radmobile]

What's funny is that for motorcycles I love the high revving, keeping RPMs up, having to pin it to make a 2-stroke motor go, and maintaining momentum.



However in cars, it's exactly opposite. I love low to mid-range torque hit that you get in a motor like an e36. Granted, it's not massive and not a 1970 Chevelle SS 454, but it's a hit that is greater than you get in the e30, e46, or e9x M3.



Connecting corners and maintaining corner speed is really important to me and why I think driving is fun. However there are too many cyclists, pedestrians, and cars to be able to do this safely at modern cars' limits.



The e30 is probably the most you can wind out due to it's lack of power and high-revving nature. It's the classic debate - pushing a Miata to its limit can be just as fun, if not funner, than tip-toeing a Corvette C7 Stingray because it has too much power for 95% of situations you'll encounter.



For that reason, plus valve adjustments, dual vanos, chassis weakness, and too modern feeling of the e46 is why I prefer the e36.



Now, the debate then goes to e30 vs. e36.



If you only go based on the winding out a Miata comment, then the e30 wins because you can push it at its limit more than the e36. However, the maintenance, archaic nature of e30s, and the fact that you HAVE to push an e30 M3 to make it go and have fun is why I prefer the e36.



The e36 may not shine in any one particular area but it's best all-around. Last I checked, that is what BMW was supposed to be about. They aren't supposed to have break-neck speed, burning rubber in 3rd gear, or over-the-top looks. All-around performance, best handling in class, understatedness. That is what BMW is supposed to be. That is why the e36 is the ultimate driving machine, in my opinion. Unfortunately BMW seems to have gotten distracted by Mercedes and Audi, and even Lexus, and are sucked into the horsepower and 0-60 wars. 90% of driving lives outside of these two qualifiers. I just wish that the general public would understand. Then we could all forget about 700hp+ Hellcats, 400hp+ GTRs, and 600hp+ Corvettes and get back to balanced performance.

[m3f_Voss]

I like the driving experience of both cars. Both are raw feeling and fast enough to still give you an adrenaline rush.


However I like the design and lines of the e46 more. It has a timeless look to it.

[m3f_fiveightandten]

I just wish the E36 had a faster steering rack. Obviously a Euro E36, or an E36 loaded with an S54 would be fantastic. More power is always nice, and the chassis can handle a lot more power than the S52 puts out.



The E46 M3 is a hell of a car. It feels more sophisticated. It is. But I love the balance of refinement and raw feel that the E36 has. The E30 feels like a damned dinosaur. It's a rattle box, and the chassis feels like a wet noodle. The E46 feels quite modern despite its age. E9x + are just completely different cars. They're not even in the same league, and not even really designed to do the same thing.



The E36 kind of strikes that goldie locks balance with respect to the whole feel of the car. It doesn't have the loose, noisy, sloppy feel of older cars. But it doesn't feel over-engineer, or overly isolated. "Best" is subjective. But i've had mine for 9 years now, and I have yet to get tired of it, or want to get into something else for my 'fun' car.

[m3f_Pierre i am]

I haven't driven an E46 for long periods of time but i would agree as an overall car the E36 is better. I wish we got the euro version because then it would be a winner, no questions asked.

[m3f_Warehouse33]

I preferred the e36 to e46 when I used to autocross all the time, it just seemed to handle a little better in the tight courses.



-Jason