Thinking of buying an E36

[m3f_vincejm3]

I used to have a 97 M3. I loved it but it gave me problems. I have an E46 now and still love the E36. So I am toying with the idea of purchasing one. Before that I have a few questions:

1) anybody know what years are the most problem-free years? LIke I said, my 97 gave me a variety of problems. This might have been unique to just my car.

2) I had never driven my 97 in the snow before but I am wondering how competent the E36 would be if I put on a good set of winter tires?

3) I had the 5 speed coupe and am considering the sedan with automatic. Has anyone ever driven both? Would an Automatic M3 be too similar to a 330 and therefore not worth the premium?

Any opinions welcomed.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

I am not too fond of the automattics that came on the Ms.

[m3f_iambrettfa_57a6316e71]

1997 m3, 121000 miles



no problems what so ever.



I love you BMW.

[m3f_KUpolo]

All in all, these are pretty reliable cars. As far as the auto goes, I think you will be dissappointed.



For winter driving, I recommend getting a set of 16" wheels (there are only a few that will fit over the calipers) and running Nokian Hakkapeliitta tires. This setup in addition with the ASC did very well in the snow for me last winter. It's certainly not a Subaru, but I was able to get by.

[m3f_dboffa_1e4798cde8]

Nokians are absolutely outstanding snow tires.

I ran them last winter on my E46 323i and the car made it through all kinds of winter weather. I wasn't even using the most aggressive snows Nokian makes and my car still made it through several inches of snow.

As for an automatic, I wouldn't bother. We used to have an E36 328i auto, and i really wasn't a fan of the auto tranny. These cars are really meant to be manuals.

Just my .02

[m3f_Ty Vil_fe6451789c]

1) Most problem free years?



Isn't that sort of like asking, if I date a blonde girl is she going to be more crazy then a brunette (while the answer is probably yes there) the answer is it really depends on the car.

[m3f_NewtonM3/4]

Why not step up from the E46 to the E46 M3, or PP if you need 4 doors, but are worried about reliability? A newer car will usually beat an older car on that count.



I drove an automatic M3 before buying the M3/4 5 speed, and I would not have been happy with that car. Almost all slush-boxes have an annoying hesitation to kick down in mid-corner that drives me crazy, and the M3 was no exception. I haven’t driven the new generation SMG, so things may be better on the E46 front there as well. Still, I’d take the manual.

[m3f_vincejm3]

Why not step up from the E46 to the E46 M3, or PP if you need 4 doors, but are worried about reliability? A newer car will usually beat an older car on that count.





I meant to say that I have an E46 m3. I need a winter car. I have a prelude now that I drive for winter time but I just can't get used to the front wheel drive. It sounds like the E36 is a capable enough car with snow tires. My budget is no more than 25 G. That puts me in the 98-99 years. Any difference in the 2 model year M3's?

[m3f_Ty Vil_fe6451789c]

if it's a late 98 no, if it's an early 98 the steering wheel is it.

[m3f_NewtonM3/4]

Sedans were only available in '97 and '98, so '99 is out of the question if you want 4 doors.



Most people on this board will cry at the notion of an E36 M3 as your winter beater car!

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

Personally, I think it is kind of awesome that you'll use an M3 as a winter beater car. A summer and winter M3 is the coolest thing I've ever heard if you have the money for it.