Is the E36 M3 the best M3 made? E46ers Welcome

[m3f_Braymond141]

Pics? I'm actually interested. I've never seen pics of your other M3's. Just that beautiful e36





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http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=366219



http://photos.msportparts.com/Galler...allery=4114290

[m3f_suaveflooder]

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=366219


http://photos.msportparts.com/Galler...allery=4114290

Dat blue!! do you own an ugly car!?


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[m3f_fge36m3]

I currently own both e36 m3 and e46 m3 zcp. The other day I was driving a friend around and he says just by sitting in the passenger seat it feels like a very well balanced car. I like the boxy shape, sitting in the cockpit is joyful, another passenger told me that it looks very driver oriented. In comparison to the e46 m3, I feel the driving experience is more pure in the e36 m3 which could also be due to the fact that my e46 is an SMG. However at times I do feel that both these cars are world apart. Really tough one to call for me, I like them equally

[m3f_warez]

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.

This is by far the best and most neutral statement I've read. I totally agree with you!!

[m3f_tectonic]

I've seen more people become unhappy with their cars after mods than happy with them. They spend more and more money, only to sell it at the end because the original character has been destroyed.

Thats because these people put on sh!t quality parts. A decent set of coilovers, refresh on all the suspension bushings, some lightweight wheels (16-18lbs) and a proper alignment and the car is tits. You'll sacrifice ride quality on harsher roads but the fun factor goes way up.

[m3f_propchef]

Thats because these people put on sh!t quality parts. A decent set of coilovers, refresh on all the suspension bushings, some lightweight wheels (16-18lbs) and a proper alignment and the car is tits. You'll sacrifice ride quality on harsher roads but the fun factor goes way up.

I'll mostly agree about the first bit but the bold part is debatable. A fully refreshed stock suspension, installed and set up correctly is spectacular*. Yes, you'll lose some unsprung weight with the lightweight wheels, but this car can only be pushed so far safely on public roads and most people can't even see the limits on a track.


*with the right tires.


Most mods are done for:

A. esthetics (misplaced though they may be) or

2. they read/saw/buddy said buy X coilovers/exhaust/wheels.


The best advice I got when I first came here was "learn to take the car to it's limits in stock form, then decide where you want to go." Nick or Richard, or maybe Cal, I forget.


Earlier in the thread someone said something along the lines of buy or own the one you want. They're all different. I've been driving an F30 335 and last weekend I got out the E36. It's so completely different but I love them both. I'd never daily the M.


Buy one of each, then decide.


edit: truly, the best was the e36 sedan. Truth.

[m3f_suaveflooder]

All that said... If anyone doesn't think the m3 they own is the best M3... They bought the wrong car

BEST post on this thread so far! I agree! It is true.


I still want an E9X, though. That is my dream M3. Soft, I know, but that V8

I like the E36 with the S54


Can we call a truce...maybe..?

AMEN! S54 swapped E36 is just insane in so many ways!

Thats because these people put on sh!t quality parts. A decent set of coilovers, refresh on all the suspension bushings, some lightweight wheels (16-18lbs) and a proper alignment and the car is tits. You'll sacrifice ride quality on harsher roads but the fun factor goes way up.

This hasn't always been the case, interestingly enough. Hearing it enough from numerous E36 people is the reason why my suspension will remain close to stock and fairly soft. EricSMG has mentioned this before, but the E36 just has a character in near stock form that causes you to be very fond of it…changing that character kills the car IMO.


E46 is exactly the opposite in my eyes, the car THRIVES on suspension mods ( as you mentioned, when done with qualitiy parts). Once again, I'm going to brag on EricSMG a bit because the guy has a good head on his shoulders when it comes to modding cars! He doesn't go stiff, but complimentary! It's actually cool to hear his reason for suspension, his compliments and complaints about it and how he plans to fix it.


There are a few E46's on this forum I would buy without a second thought, just because I know they were sorted and it wouldn't be something I would have to worry about. Top 3 would be EricSMG's, Kaiv's, and Obioban. There are a handful of others as well, but these three stand out in my mind. I like to poke at Obioban a bit, but I have nothing but respect for what he's done with his car.

I'll mostly agree about the first bit but the bold part is debatable. A fully refreshed stock suspension, installed and set up correctly is spectacular*. Yes, you'll lose some unsprung weight with the lightweight wheels, but this car can only be pushed so far safely on public roads and most people can't even see the limits on a track.


*with the right tires.


Most mods are done for:

A. esthetics (misplaced though they may be) or

2. they read/saw/buddy said buy X coilovers/exhaust/wheels.


The best advice I got when I first came here was "learn to take the car to it's limits in stock form, then decide where you want to go." Nick or Richard, or maybe Cal, I forget.


Earlier in the thread someone said something along the lines of buy or own the one you want. They're all different. I've been driving an F30 335 and last weekend I got out the E36. It's so completely different but I love them both. I'd never daily the M.


Buy one of each, then decide.


edit: truly, the best was the e36 sedan. Truth.

AGREED. I've heard the same from many great open trackers! Don't mod, then track. Track, then mod.


Great post!

[m3f_Tock172]

10 pages later and the conclusion is: to each his own.

[m3f_tectonic]

aren't they both good looking

Someone around me has an interlagos e46 that I see on the highway always heading the opposite direction. Damn beautiful color.

[m3f_fge36m3]

Someone around me has an interlagos e46 that I see on the highway always heading the opposite direction. Damn beautiful color.

Nice. Must be a clubsport. INT blue came with the Clubsport package in Europe I think. In the US it was under ZCP-Comp package.

[m3f_Richardsperry]

Going back to the original post.



I think he hit it. Rather than hash the merits of track cars. He was talking about a basic daily driver. From a cost , ease of maintenance , fun to drive daily point of view I think the E36 is better.



Yes the E46, 9X is a better, far more capable car, but it's a lot more work, and when you are using the car to it's potential, you are REALLY hauling ass.



For the way most people use their cars, I think the E36 is more fun and engaging to drive. It will be a lot cheaper to own and maintain too.

[Obioban]

Going back to the original post.



I think he hit it. Rather than hash the merits of track cars. He was talking about a basic daily driver. From a cost , ease of maintenance , fun to drive daily point of view I think the E36 is better.



Yes the E46, 9X is a better, far more capable car, but it's a lot more work, and when you are using the car to it's potential, you are REALLY hauling ass.



For the way most people use their cars, I think the E36 is more fun and engaging to drive. It will be a lot cheaper to own and maintain too.

The problem with that argument is that by that definition the e30 is the best M3-- so still a no to the thread title.

[m3f_Bimma360]

The problem with that argument is that by that definition the e30 is the best M3-- so still a no to the thread title.

I touched on this on page 1, so I will just quote the applicable part to my original post.

The e30 chassis (with the M3 being king), has all of the chassis and driving feel qualities e36 M3 owners talk about but to a greater extent. The car is much more spartan, and feels even more so connected. An e30 (even the plain jane m20 one) with minor suspension upgrades is one of the most satisfying cars to drive at the limit (which ends up being rather slowly). But here is the kicker...



Although I stated that the e30 was the most fun, the e36 M3 is the best overall. It provides 8/10's of the e30 fun, but it is faster, performs better, is more refined, it is still very much a chassis car and it does all that only loosing that 2/10's compared to the e30. You gain a lot more for what you loose in driver feel. It took me no more than a few days in the e36 M3 before I realized that it is THE modern day e30. And seeing that I have been driving nothing but e30's for practically a decade, it would explain why I appreciate the e36 M3 so much.

BTW... you have had your e46 for a while now right? I swear I used to see you around 252/rt-30 all the time a few years ago.

[m3f_EricSMG]

The problem with that argument is that by that definition the e30 is the best M3-- so still a no to the thread title.

Yes, but it seems, from all the E30 owners in this thread, that the 36 is a better "street" car in that it strikes the perfect balance between refinement and power and handling and simplicity. The 30 lacks refinement and power. The 46 lacks simplicity and is a tad bit too hardcore (it's like driving a race car on the street even bone stock) and slightly less natural feeling even though it's way better objectively.



And I know you and I always debate (friendly) about what level of refinement is 'ideal' in these cars with you wanting less than myself.... BUT..... I think you'd agree that some amount of refinement is what defines the BMW M3 - it's refined performance that makes the M3 so unique.



From this, it's easy to see why the E30 falls a little short and the E36 M3 strikes that sweet spot. I think the E46 M3 falls a little short and the E9X M3 goes maybe a tiny bit too far.



You like a little less (refinement) which is why the 46 is perfect for you. I like a tiny bit more which is why I find it tiring and the 36 less tiring as a 'street' car. I LOVE them both but from an every day standpoint I've got to give the 36M the nod.

[m3f_Mr. Wolfe]

For some reason, I keep coming back to this thread - good debate. Let's just be happy that we can all find models in the ///M line up that fit our needs and wants!


First, I have a love for the e30 for many reasons that I will not get into. With that being said, it is easily the worse street car.


I also love the e36. It's very understated and I actually find it a joy to drive on the street. My only issue with the e36 (which isn't really an issue TO the e36) is, everything I love about the e36 was made even better with the e46 IMO. I totally get the love for the car and if I wasn't such an e46 fanboi, an e36 may be my car.


No reason to talk about the e46M as everyone knows it is my favorite car of all time, at almost any price.


Everything past the e46 is not really for me. Anyways, great thread!


Mr. Wolfe