BAT prices are crazy!

[m3f_Braymond141]

Agreed, the US specs are downright awful. However, most people buying cars from that site are looking for 100% original cars, candle powered headlights included :lol

When they are fresh they offer good low beam and superb high beam output. I live in the mountains and have no complaints with US lights.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

Then they must unfreshen pretty easily as every single US spec E36 owners want “Euro glasses”.

[m3f_Double E]

The Euro glass is much more durable. By the time I start scrutinizing how the light comes out of either kind, the trip is over.

[m3f_thirtysixnick]

There's a nice Dakar sedan at EAG for about 20k (with 100k miles, oof) and while that sounds too high, it's sounding more sane by the day.

If you plan on buying a car that you want to drive, I'd almost suggest looking for one that's just peaked 100k'ish and has been driven. Makes you feel not as bad about driving it.

[m3f_Pierre i am]

Give it 3-5 more years. I wouldn’t be shocked if clean low mileage examples were trading in the 30-50k range with beat up examples in the 10-20’s.


If I remember correctly, they only produced about 15k non-vert manual e36 m3’s. We always say that it’s “mass produced” and easily to find but that’s not the case anymore.


Compile that with the fact that these cars were so cheap for so long and were a common purchase for track cars and you see why the market is heating up.

[m3f_westopher]

I think those numbers are unbelievably off. 15k manual coupe and sedan? There were like 70k e36 m3 produced.

[m3f_Braymond141]

Then they must unfreshen pretty easily as every single US spec E36 owners want “Euro glasses”.

Coming from someone who has parabolic Euro lights, what's your complaint? The US lights are going to be very similar to your current lights.



The same people that complain about US lights are the same guys that go out and buy DJ Auto or DEPO. They don't know shit.

[m3f_cblock]

This is moving off subject but the worst thing about the US headlights are the looks. There is definitely an improvement with Euro vs. US but not drastic like going from halogen to HID (at least my ZKW'S were an improvement, never had Bosche) You can stick up for them but I also know you aren't running US headlights either.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

Coming from someone who has parabolic Euro lights, what's your complaint? The US lights are going to be very similar to your current lights.



The same people that complain about US lights are the same guys that go out and buy DJ Auto or DEPO. They don't know shit.

Think you misunderstood me.



And I never complained about mine. The H7 units are very good.

[m3f_frbz]

The US headlights are truly bad. I have had personal experience with a new 328is that had the US lights replaced with ZKW and it made a huge difference. My current M3 has Jap spec Bosch and the ZKW are better mostly due to the beam pattern.

[m3f_Braymond141]

This is moving off subject but the worst thing about the US headlights are the looks. There is definitely an improvement with Euro vs. US but not drastic like going from halogen to HID (at least my ZKW'S were an improvement, never had Bosche) You can stick up for them but I also know you aren't running US headlights either.

OEM options are all going to be very similar in Halogen form. Parabolic will appear to have more illumination due to being unfocused. Projector will appear brighter due to being focused. HID and LED are a whole other topic.


Of course Euro are nicer. If not for the looks but simply the glass longevity versus plastic. I would not choose US lights over Euro, but I also can see the US lights are better than the majority give them credit for. US lights are also extremely intake mod friendly.

[m3f_Braymond141]

And I never complained about mine. The H7 units are very good.

That’s what I just said. They are comparable to your H7 parabolic and not as bad as people make them out to be.

[m3f_cblock]

They do have size, weight, and simplicity to their advantage. And it's much easier to restore plastic (if you don't use lamin-x.)

[m3f_M_Parallel]

That’s what I just said. They are comparable to your H7 parabolic and not as bad as people make them out to be.

Gotcha.







70k M3's produced? That can't be right? The EU numbers are nowhere near that.

[m3f_wgknestrick]

I think those numbers are unbelievably off. 15k manual coupe and sedan? There were like 70k e36 m3 produced.

Its probably safe to say that most likely, neither of you are right. Does it really matter if they produced even 200K of them if there are only 10K left in drive-able condition?



It's all speculation at this point. We can all agree that great condition E36s are rare.