E36 M3 outdated or classic?

[m3f_RitC3-M3]

I've only owned my '97 M3 (4dr.) for one month but am so into this car that I feel my head has been in the sand for the last several years. I also own an L82 C3 Corvette (for eighteen years) that goes like hell but compared to the M3, it's a dinosaur. My nephew has an '01 Z06 Vette and that even doesn't come close to the sophistication of the M3, even though it has more horsepower. I'll never give up my Vette, but my garage has a new and permanent tenent.

[m3f_HarvesterUT]

being just outdated is one thing. do you consider the e36 to be classic? well if so...classic means outdated since something newer wouldnt be classic. personally i like the hard edges of the e36 more than the e46. the smaller body and long nose go long way. too bad BMW has the tendancy to totally blow away their older models by sticking in monstrous V8 and V10s into everything.....making those old 6's seem rather inadeqaute...

[m3f_///sleeper_f29d08a5a4]

Our E36's are deffinently timeless. I still get looks in my car from anyone who knows anything about them. The girls would deffinently be more ahh-struck by an e46 M3, but honestly, I didn't buy this car to go big-pimpin. I bought it to drive, and (I've never driven an e46 m3, but plenty of e46 3-series') our cars are on rails compared to new 3 series rides. Our cars are badass!

[m3f_TRUE///M3]

I think we might start feeling super outdated when the new 3 hits, but for now...it doesn't bother me too much.



The only thing outdated is our interior.



i think i'd feel the same way....

[m3f_NeilM]

In a couple of years, our M's will be old hat. No need to worry because in 5 they will be classics. Cars are getting overstyled. Our's looks like a tailored suit. I am getting nauxious when I sit in an overstyled interior with a bunch of cheap plastic switches and assorted doodads. Our cars are about balance and striking an incredibly sharp compromise between sport and luxury. I think the car is a high water mark for BMW

Absolutely. I recall the E30 looking a bit old and knackered ten years ago, and it's 100% classic now isn't it?

[m3f_romh_9db5ad5d95]

Actually, I used to have a 2001 330CI with sport package, xenon headlights, HK stereo, wood trim, etc.... for a few years while I had the M.

1 year ago I was faced with the decision of getting rid of one of them. I couldn't get rid of my M. It was far superior than the E46 in every way except quiteness. So I kept my 100k mile M3 instead of keeping a 30k mile 330ci. That says alot.

I do feel that the new M3's are super sexy looking, and the wider body is very impressive from the outside. But I have also heard that our cars are stronger and more durable than E46's.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

I think that the E30 is hideous to be completely honest with you. I understand that it is an amazing part of BMW history and yada yada, but seriously, that is the boxiest thing short of a volvo there ever was. (obviously that's not true with Scions and Elements rolling around).



You guys really think that the E30 M3 looks cool still? There was one parked on the street the other day, and I went, oh cool, a super old M3. Everyone in the car went, "That thing is hideous!"



I think for it to be a classic, it needs some classic lines, pretty much it can't look straight out of the 80's. Who the heck runs around going, "Man, that 1990 5.0 Mustang is a looker".

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Astan, you gotta remember what the other cars looked like back in the 80's....

[m3f_bmw4life13_0098c1d2b1]

I think for it to be a classic, it needs some classic lines, pretty much it can't look straight out of the 80's. Who the heck runs around going, "Man, that 1990 5.0 Mustang is a looker".[/QUOTE]

LOL=) Unfortunately many people think the same way when they look at our rides.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

Our rides are pushing it with the boxy look, I do admit that, but they still look like a modernish car. I just think that the 80's were an awkward period for cars...like being a young teen. Everyone has their awkward years.



I think that it's because I'm a younger guy, so I have a harder time appreciating classic things like the E30 etc.



Our generation is all about the newer the better (I'm 22). People love leasing cars and dumping them to buy the newest thing on the road.



I dodged that a little I guess because I bought this car.



I've met numerous people thought who prefer our cars to the E46's becuase they are rounded and cute. I've yet to hear a non car enthuasiast call any E30 attractive.

[m3f_Drifter_23d8df4bc6]

well it was funny when i was planning on buying a car my dad said "try to get something like 5 years old." I was like I am trying to get a 95. thats almost 9 years old.



so yeah isn't outsated because our car has more stuff then many other cars have. but again 9 years old it sorta a long time.



but I will always think of my car as being a classic because well it will be.

[m3f_///sleeper_f29d08a5a4]

Our cars are boxy but not like 90's Volvo boxy...BMW put some round lines and stuff on there that I could almost see beeing put out right now. Take the mirrors for example...these mirrors are almost my favorite exterior part of our cars...half the r!ce-rockets I see have put on M3 replica mirrors too...timeless :hmm: , yup

[m3f_Black328iS_4f40b49a23]

i think the e36 M3 is a classic as BMW's are concerned. It only looks outdated when next to new BMW's ive noticed

[m3f_M3-278]

I Definetly Think Our Cars Are Classics. I Own A 99 M3 And This Is My 3rd E36 M3!!. I Was A Retard With My Last Ones, 1 95 Then A 98 But I Have Now Come To My Senses That Nothing Can Come Close To This. SUFFICE TO SAY I PLAN ON KEEPIING MY CAR AS LONG AS I POSSIBLY CAN.

[m3f_Predator_7d824d33ea]

THe E36 M3's definatly a classic, its lines are so elegant yet so aggressive at the same time. From the front it looks like the the thing wants to kill you, big ass central airdam, foglights with airducts and the headlights, DAMN !



Over in america you guys are lucky because theres not many "wannabe M3'z", you know they own a 316i/318i/320i etc and think that by adding 17inch replica m3 rims that the car has transformed into an M3



over here in England every man and his dog has a 3 series wanting to be an M3.



Also don't forget that the E36 M3 Evolution was the first ever BMW to achieve 100BHP per litre.



Personally i love the E30 M3 Evolution sport 3, it looks so aggressive with its full battledress on, ie spoiler, lips, widebody e.t.c.



I reckon the E46 is a beautiful machine aswell, its just that to many execs buy them for the image rather than the drive.