Trade for an e36 M3 Coupe?

[jpy1980]

Nothing is set in stone and this is just a thought, but while on my search for an e46 M3 earlier this year, I briefly considered the e36 M3 coupe as an option.

In the end I went with an e46 m3 vert, but now I’m starting to have second thoughts as the boxy shape of the e36 m3 coupe is appealing.

What are your guys opinion on a trade of a mint e46m3 vert to a e36m3 coupe? Would it be a downgrade, lateral move or silly? I’m not sure if it’s even possible but just a thought I had. I’m pining over the boxy look and the option to have that big squarish high spoiler haha. Looks so cool. Wish I could have both but wife and my garage space won’t allow.

I mainly cruise, take my kids in the back and go on canyon drives.

[maw1124]

The only options I considered (to my E46M Cabrio) were both "that old school boxy German look" cars -- E36M Cabrio and the Benz W124 Cabrio. So I feel your pain, although my solution may not work for you. This car was also always going to be a Cabrio, for the reasons described below.

I decided the E36M wasn't powerful enough for me. I already had an S55 AMG and an Audi Allroad 4.2, so this car needed to punch at least to that weight. I got the E46M for all the obvious reasons, then bought the Porsche Collabo Benz W124 (500E) to scratch that old school boxy itch. And I haven't thought about owning an E36M since.

For me, if you're thinking about an E36M, you really want an E46M, but people will debate that (in addition to telling you Cabrios suck) -- sample bias. It really does depend upon who you ask.

maw

EDIT... both the E46M and W124 500E have that old school German look to me, even though they're over a decade apart ('05 v '92)... I also have a weakness for flared hips.

[Slideways]

It sounds like you need an E36 with an S54 swap

[slavik1988]

I owned a E36 sedan. What really bothers me about the E36 platform is the quality of interior. Everything is plastic and takes a lot of soft tape to get the rattles go away. Didn't mind the lack of power, but the balance of the chassis was great. Another cruise car that you may enjoy is a ZHP. It was a very fun car but needs a LSD.

[jpy1980]

The only options I considered (to my E46M Cabrio) were both "that old school boxy German look" cars -- E36M Cabrio and the Benz W124 Cabrio. So I feel your pain, although my solution may not work for you. This car was also always going to be a Cabrio, for the reasons described below.

I decided the E36M wasn't powerful enough for me. I already had an S55 AMG and an Audi Allroad 4.2, so this car needed to punch at least to that weight. I got the E46M for all the obvious reasons, then bought the Porsche Collabo Benz W124 (500E) to scratch that old school boxy itch. And I haven't thought about owning an E36M since.

For me, if you're thinking about an E36M, you really want an E46M, but people will debate that (in addition to telling you Cabrios suck) -- sample bias. It really does depend upon who you ask.

maw

EDIT... both the E46M and W124 500E have that old school German look to me, even though they're over a decade apart ('05 v '92)... I also have a weakness for flared hips.

Thanks for the response!

Best of both worlds for you! And those boxy flared hips are so nice.

things to consider

[jpy1980]

It sounds like you need an E36 with an S54 swap

Honestly, although I love the S54, I’m not too concerned about having too much power now.

I’ve toned countless cars in my life and although when I was young, that’s all I chased, but I’m finding the joy of ringing out a slower car. My e46m3 is my slow car. Wish it were slower haha. I have a Tesla MYP as my daily and had a tuned F80 prior to my e46m3. I picked the e46m3 vert because I think it’s the best looking M3 vert there is. If I were to pick the next best looking M3, I’d say a boxy e36m3 with Apex Arc8s in Laguna blue like this YouTuber : https://youtu.be/S-PqGyxt0MM?si=cvD9CfGL8yJF3OoN

[jpy1980]

I owned a E36 sedan. What really bothers me about the E36 platform is the quality of interior. Everything is plastic and takes a lot of soft tape to get the rattles go away. Didn't mind the lack of power, but the balance of the chassis was great. Another cruise car that you may enjoy is a ZHP. It was a very fun car but needs a LSD.

hmm the interior issues may bug me! Haha I saw that Camissa review on the e36m3-4-5 review and the ending bloopers of the glove box opening was hilarious.

Also Didn’t know they made an e36 ZHP!

[Nate047]

I own one of each. You should go drive the e36 and see if it works for you. That’s really the only way to know. In general they are cheaper to own and operate, just try to get the cleanest one you can afford because they can and will snowball just as much as an e46 cost wise.

[jpy1980]

I own one of each. You should go drive the e36 and see if it works for you. That’s really the only way to know. In general they are cheaper to own and operate, just try to get the cleanest one you can afford because they can and will snowball just as much as an e46 cost wise.

I think I saw your red one in a post and that kind of planted the seed.

[EthanolTurbo]

I have a friend with an E36 M3 4 door 5MT with 80k miles he might be willing to sell.

[Nate047]

I think I saw your red one in a post and that kind of planted the seed.

Yea mine is a 99’ Hellrot coupe. It’s a great car, and if I had to pick one over the other, the e36 wins. But again that’s highly subjective, there are a lot of guys like me out there who own (or have owned) both, and the camp seems pretty much split. For me, honestly it’s based like 50% just on how the e36 looks, vibes and nostalgia, etc… The e46 is better in some ways, depending on what you want the car to do, but also obv has drawbacks.

[slavik1988]

hmm the interior issues may bug me! Haha I saw that Camissa review on the e36m3-4-5 review and the ending bloopers of the glove box opening was hilarious.

Also Didn’t know they made an e36 ZHP!

Sorry, should have clarified, I had a 2004 E46 ZHP. They didn't make a E36 ZHP.