E36 M3 on Top Gear s15e02!

[m3f_M3n00b_e01f72a830]

Did Tiff say that F1 engine, 1.5 liters, 4 cylinder, turbocharged could produce 1200 HP? How is that possible?


http://www.gurneyflap.com/bmwturbof1engine.html


http://www.gurneyflap.com/Resources/engine-3.jpg

[m3f_adema24_dccc53569a]

It's a race engine that gets rebuilt after every event. The engine life is measured in hours not miles...



High output engines typically have lower life expectancies. Ferraris very typically need rebuilds at 50k miles and good luck getting more than 100k miles out of an air cooled Porsche.



My uncle has 134k miles on his 930 Turbo ('89 model) and has it hasn't required a rebuild (it's actually required very little engine maintenance, come to think of it).

[m3f_hammerfang_1e35be43cc]

great episode

[m3f_Ten Four_e8ce177050]

Have had R33 GTR and am wanting to get back into one

Just so planted, easy to drive and fast, even in stock form!


Watched the latest vid, love it. Would love a E36 M3 4door but can't seem to find and in Aus....

[m3f_cracky_88af6b7d5a]

Good show! I really enjoyed that... I stopped watching top gear a few seasons ago but being able to watch it in HD now, I think I'm going to start downloading the episodes again... very entertaining!



youve missed the best seasons :facepalm:

[m3f_HfAsianInv_73f2b69b9c]

Didn't get to finish my original post since I was on my way out the door...


I've been hoping for a long time that Top Gear would do a film about buying older, every day sport saloons and wringing them out on B roads, but taking them to an unrestricted autobahn and then to a track is the next best thing. Seeing the E36 M3 simply made my day (even though I only have a US version).


Season 15 is shaping up to be much better than Season 14.

[m3f_pauliannel_cd663887a0]

it was a bit disappointing that the m3 got put up against those two heaps. i have some respect for the cosworth cars but they were well and truly outclassed. the m3 would have had over 100hp on those things.

[m3f_Sammyzuko_f27405666b]

it was a bit disappointing that the m3 got put up against those two heaps. i have some respect for the cosworth cars but they were well and truly outclassed. the m3 would have had over 100hp on those things.



Heaps....lol. The E30 M3 is a good matchup performance wise for them, would you call the E30 M3 a heap? The E36 in this episode likely benefited from newer suspension parts and bushings since it's much newer than the other two.

I personally love the 190E.

[m3f_TomS2_a2fd8cbb3e]

it was a bit disappointing that the m3 got put up against those two heaps. i have some respect for the cosworth cars but they were well and truly outclassed. the m3 would have had over 100hp on those things.



those two heaps are what europeans were driving in the late 80s while we were getting ferocious rustbucket 300ZXs with hideous side flares so they look like squared off overpriced 944s.



I enjoyed the last minute the most when they discussed the purchase price. a good condition old ford is a collectible like an 88 fiero that today costs more than a slapped together M3. same on this side of the pond.

[m3f_M-thrizzle]

e36 m3 FTW! i would've like to see go head to head with a z32 300zx tt instead of the ford.

[m3f_pauliannel_cd663887a0]

Heaps....lol. The E30 M3 is a good matchup performance wise for them, would you call the E30 M3 a heap? The E36 in this episode likely benefited from newer suspension parts and bushings since it's much newer than the other two.

I personally love the 190E.



E30 would be a much better comparison agreed. Comparing the 190E to E36 M3 is chalk & cheese. Different era, different class etc etc.



I dont think suspension bushings were the defining factor there... the difference was mostly under the hood giving the E36 a dramatic advantage



I like the 190E and would take one anyday, but wouldn't compare it against my M3. Its not even on the same planet performance wise.

[m3f_BleedsBlue_d8ef7395de]

High output engines typically have lower life expectancies. Ferraris very typically need rebuilds at 50k miles and good luck getting more than 100k miles out of an air cooled Porsche.



Roger on the Ferrari, but very much disagree on the Porsche. I've seen 'em touch 200k+ w/o being touched internally. And read an article about one going 800k+ w/ a few top-end rebuilds and ONE full rebuild.

[m3f_HfAsianInv_73f2b69b9c]

E30 would be a much better comparison agreed. Comparing the 190E to E36 M3 is chalk & cheese. Different era, different class etc etc.



I think you're missing the point of the competition. They weren't comparing cars of the same era or class, per se (that was done when the cars were new), but modern cost: what 4-door sport touring car can you buy for 5000 pounds today, and how does it perform? The E30 M3 isn't available with 4-doors or for sub-5000 pounds. The 325is is closer in performance but not cost, and the goal was to get the most car for the least money. The E36 M3 fit the bill, that's why Hammond chose it.



Also, keep in mind that while the Top Gear point systems are almost entirely arbitrary, the e36 M3 still ultimately did not win the competition.

[m3f_cracky_88af6b7d5a]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6VaoZQG27A

[m3f_Richardspe_ff9fba485e]

Did most of you watch the show? It was about buying a car for TRACK DAYS, wasn't it?



Who in their right minds would take those heaps to a track day in their current condition? They wouldn't pass a BMW CCA safety inspection.





If you bought a M3/4 for $6K the purpose of doing track days, (like the one they bought) you are easily going to spend that much just making is safe. Not to mention the crash damage.



It was entertaining, but not very realistic.



I loved the Merc always reversing when taking off...lol Gotta love a dog leg tranny.