For several recent reasons im looking at having to get rid of the G8 and pick up something more affordable.

Looked at the above vehicle today and while it was fairly nice I was unimpressed. Comfortable and all but didnt seem very powerful (maybe im just used to the torgue of the g8). Any opinions of this version of the M3? I will be doing some research as I have never been a BMW guy.

11/2/2010 7:42:14 PM

Honestly, I think G8 will be more comfortable car and way more powerful car. E36 was revealed in '92 paris show...it is 20 years since its design. Vert will not be structurally rigid, safe or too practical. In a nice color combo (say estoril blue on black leather) it will be a nice summer cruising car, but that's about it. Not sure if M3 will be more affordable than G8. Insurance, parts will definitely be higher on M3. I'd look for something else ...

11/2/2010 8:02:13 PM

the affordability arguement is more from a payment sake. I can pretty much trade the g8 and have no payment on the m3. basically getting a divorce and need to cut some of the variable costs but dont want to drive a civic

maintenance is a big concern on a 125k bmw, most cars i can work on myself, this one worries me a bit

11/2/2010 8:08:21 PM

There is nothing wrong with old design..

But also e39 m5s tend to be decently affordable.

Or Shit a regular 540i 6 speed will keep up with the g8 and be a lot cheaper.
probably ride better, drive better etc...

11/2/2010 8:16:41 PM

I'd love to get my hands on a G8. Maybe if I ever get the new job.....

11/2/2010 10:26:21 PM

If you're going to get a convertible, why not save even more money and get a 328ic? M3s are awesome, but buying one as a convertible doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

11/2/2010 10:26:30 PM

First off, I would not trade-in anything. Sell it privately.
125k is nothing on E36. If clutch is good, at most you will have $1500 between suspension, cooling system and bushings to be in very good shape. Car does not have solid lifters like E46, so you will not need valve adjustments every 30k. Look to see that cooling system and suspension were overhauled. At that mileage it almost definitely was unless the car was really neglected. e36 verts are typically in much better shape than coupes since high school kids have not jumped on them.

Honestly look for E46 M3, as these cars are hitting the bottom of depreciation NOW. E36s fully depreciated in '06-08 and have been pretty much holding the same prices for last few years. You will get far better daily driver with E46 all year round and interior will not fall apart as easily.

11/2/2010 10:28:59 PM

Yeah, if you can swing the extra bucks, the E46 is a lot more car for the money, in my opinion. A nice E36 goes for kind of a crazy amount of money nowadays. E46s are damn near reasonably priced for what they are...I was looking at them before I found a screaming deal on that Z06.

Of course, I'd likewise go with a 330 instead of the M3 if you must have a convertible. That would really be a lot of car for the money.

11/2/2010 10:40:10 PM

^in a recent Car and Driver article an E46 M3 was only 0.9 seconds faster than an E36 on a 3.37 mile track (Ascari). From an overall performance point of view the E46 is not as big a leap as people think.

Why are you looking for a convertible? Seems to me like it's just more parts to worry about and its an inferior performer compared to the coupe.

11/2/2010 11:28:12 PM

yeah, but it's a much "nicer" car, too. If it's a track toy, then no, I'd say the E36 would be more bang for the buck...but for a fun car + DD, I'd take an E46.

also, a convertible is louder, and the top will have to be replaced periodically (big money).

Convertibles are all well and good--I've owned 4 of them. In a fairly focused performance car like an ///M, I don't really know why you'd get one, though (when a hard top is available, or a lesser, non-///M version is available as a convertible for a lot less money, but would be just as good unless you're a car nut who really intends to drive the shit out of it...in which case you should be getting a hardtop!)

11/2/2010 11:39:16 PM

Affordable e39 M5 does not compute... Cheap to buy yes, but that's where that ends...

As for e36 being <1 sec slower in a 3 mile circuit than an e46, that's gotta be European 300+hp e36 M3 evo vs. e46. An e46 M3 would slaughter a U.S. market e36 M3, and I say that as a huge fan of the latter. They're both great cars, but truth be told the e46 M is a pretty crazy machine. With some coil overs, real tires and a bit of a brake upgrade, they're staggeringly fast on track.

11/3/2010 1:58:08 AM

^ all very good points.

Although the real s52b32 is awesome.

11/3/2010 6:55:12 AM

im not stuck on anything, honestly would prefer not to have a vert. Just trying to get some basic info on which versions of bimmers are worth looking at. this particular one just happened to be sitting on a car lot i drove by so i checked it out.

11/3/2010 7:15:30 AM

You can probably get an e36 m3, I like the obd1 model (95) you could probably get a g35 too.
I was shooting for around 10k and ended up with a legacy gt 5mt.

11/3/2010 8:10:12 AM

Quote :

"As for e36 being <1 sec slower in a 3 mile circuit than an e46, that's gotta be European 300+hp e36 M3 evo vs. e46. An e46 M3 would slaughter a U.S. market e36 M3, and I say that as a huge fan of the latter."

I'm just reposting what was in a magazine, not defending one model over another. But in the article it is listed as the 240hp version. Not the version with the Euro engine.

11/3/2010 1:54:24 PM

Does not compute

11/3/2010 6:32:57 PM

i dont understand why you are getting this car on a whim.

but i do these things too.

just bc you are getting divorced doesnt mean you need to get the first car you see.
get a coupe. it seems to be what you're wanting. or if you have kids throw them in a sedan m3.

11/3/2010 6:47:23 PM

I am not sure how technical or was it a slow or fast track, but 1 sec could be a big difference of multiple car lengths in racing world

FWIW-Nurburgring Lap Time...according to google. Lot of discrepancies it seems:

7:50 --- 157.787 km/h -- BMW E46 M3 CSL, 360 PS/1421 kg (sport auto 08/03)
8:20 --- 148.320 km/h -- BMW M3 E36, 321 PS (Autocar magazine 1997)
8:22 --- 147.749 km/h -- BMW M3 E46, 343 PS/1584 kg (sport auto 12/00)
8:22 --- 147.749 km/h -- BMW M Coupe, 321 PS/1445 kg (sport auto 10/98)
8:26 --- 146.561 km/h – BMW 335i Coupé, 306 PS/1610 kg (sport auto 10/06),
8:28 --- 145.984 km/h -- BMW E39 M5, 400PS/1833 kg (sport auto 03/99)
8:35 --- 144.000 km/h -- BMW M3 SMG E36, 321 PS/1515 kg (sport auto 03/97)
8:36 --- 143.604 km/h -- BMW M3 EVO, 321hp (Top Gear magazine)

[Edited on November 3, 2010 at 6:58 PM. Reason : s]

11/3/2010 6:57:11 PM

he's never going to run this on a real track so who cares

11/3/2010 7:17:01 PM

Lol

11/3/2010 7:34:46 PM

I don't even see a 240hp version of the e36 on that list. The e46 is not a giant leap past the 320hp e36, but it's leaps and bou, it's a whole differen..

The e46 M3 is a FAST car on track, the e36 M3 (240hp) is... not. Lovely car, capable, but not comparable in sheer ability for low lap times to an e46 M3.

11/3/2010 7:56:33 PM

^ he should know... how many e36's have you owned?

11/3/2010 10:11:10 PM

all of them

11/3/2010 10:38:42 PM

I just rechecked the issue. It was the 240hp E36, not the 320 euro version.

regardless, you're much more likely to find an E46 in good shape than an E36 since they're newer.

11/3/2010 10:41:37 PM

Quote :

"regardless, you're much more likely to find an E46 in need of a valve job than an E36 since they have hydraulic litters."

Fixt!

No seriously get the e46 m3 and if it feels slow have the valves adjusted cause they probably haven't been.

11/3/2010 11:13:01 PM

Quote :

"I don't even see a 240hp version of the e36 on that list"

yea nothing on that list was US version. i do agree, performance difference is huge. i will admit e36 us version has nice low end torque over e46.

11/4/2010 12:00:10 AM

I've also raced them winning my class more than once, the class happened to be two below the e46 M3's. They're just not comparable, inaccurate magazine statements be damned.

11/4/2010 12:20:18 AM

^^ I'd really like to see them graphed together alot of times engines that choke out up top are given the reputation of being torquey when the other engine only gives up a couple foot pounds but pulls so hard up top it feels like it doesn't have shit for torque. I'm not saying this is the case buy I think the e46 m3 still has similar low end torque it just doesn't start to choke a 5000 rpm and the car weighs a little more so that makes it feel different too.

11/4/2010 7:13:24 AM

Is maintenance cost a worry for you?

11/4/2010 11:02:31 AM

maintenance certainly would be. I was just kinda throwing this particular car out there as a possibility, im in no hurry to do anything.

right now im thinking i will prob just sell the g8 private party and drive the pickup for a while. not a tremendously reliable vehicle but i can fix it and it would prob do for now

11/4/2010 11:58:27 AM

since it is, that probably will factor into your decision of an e46 or e36 M as well. The e46 will be higher. I am looking to spend ~$1k in tires soon on mine.

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 12:02 PM. Reason : .]

11/4/2010 12:00:34 PM

Oh, wow, I didn't know that about the e46 m3. I drove one about a year ago and was deeply unimpressed. It seemed very empty at the low rev range, only really taking off once spinning pretty hard. I'll have to look into driving another one soon, and I'll definitely ask about the valve adjustment this time. That'd definitely be an interesting back to back against my most recent drive of a 135i. That seemed like a damn freight train compared to the e46 m3.

11/4/2010 1:40:33 PM

One thing I never liked abou the E46 M3 is the exhaust note. So raspy and full of resonance. Is that easily fixed with aftermarket products?

11/4/2010 2:34:30 PM

I would believe ahmet over any magazine in regards to an E36 M3.

The @*)#er will be buried in one. I actually borrowed Azaka's e36 m3 sedan for a day and its the only sporty car Ive wanted to own outside of my s2000. It wasnt blazing fast but it felt...right. Whatever that means.

Sorry to hear about your divorce.

11/4/2010 2:34:49 PM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/2039346585.html

Here you go.

11/4/2010 2:36:44 PM

I wonder which part is converted to an M3, especially considering that the headlights are from a regular 3 series.

11/4/2010 2:39:05 PM

the ricer gills

11/4/2010 3:30:23 PM

I flagged it.

for sucking THAT badly.

11/4/2010 4:37:24 PM

most car n00bs and general public would find e46 m3 anemic, simply because they associate down low torque with power. car needs to be revved up to extract power. it is not for everyone, thats for sure.

rasp can be fixed easily with aftermarket, i happen to like the metallic rasp and resonance. i have 30k on current re050s with another 40% tread left with mostly highway driving.

11/4/2010 4:55:16 PM

Quote :

"also, a convertible is louder, and the top will have to be replaced periodically (big money)."

define periodically...I have a 2003 M3 vert and the original top is as good as new.

and the e46 is not loud at all compared to the other verts I've owned (RX-7, Alfa Romeo Spider). the top has a layer of insulation between the top and the inside lining. with the top up and doing 80 on the interstate I can hear the radio at nearly it's lowest volume setting.

11/4/2010 6:10:19 PM

I like the rasp. I find it unique

11/4/2010 6:26:59 PM

Also, screw the convertible, I present to you the PROPER e36 M3:

and


I will post more pictures until there is no desire for a convertible!

11/4/2010 6:47:52 PM

awesome cars! so proportionate!! estoril is gorgeous.

11/4/2010 6:54:54 PM

^^are they finally going under

Quote :

"I am not sure how technical or was it a slow or fast track, but 1 sec could be a big difference of multiple car lengths in racing world FWIW-Nurburgring Lap Time...according to google. Lot of discrepancies it seems: 7:50 --- 157.787 km/h -- BMW E46 M3 CSL, 360 PS/1421 kg (sport auto 08/03) 8:20 --- 148.320 km/h -- BMW M3 E36, 321 PS (Autocar magazine 1997) 8:22 --- 147.749 km/h -- BMW M3 E46, 343 PS/1584 kg (sport auto 12/00) 8:22 --- 147.749 km/h -- BMW M Coupe, 321 PS/1445 kg (sport auto 10/98) 8:26 --- 146.561 km/h – BMW 335i Coupé, 306 PS/1610 kg (sport auto 10/06), 8:28 --- 145.984 km/h -- BMW E39 M5, 400PS/1833 kg (sport auto 03/99) 8:35 --- 144.000 km/h -- BMW M3 SMG E36, 321 PS/1515 kg (sport auto 03/97) 8:36 --- 143.604 km/h -- BMW M3 EVO, 321hp (Top Gear magazine) "

why on earth would anyone throw out those useless stats

11/4/2010 6:59:43 PM

^^^ The beatings will continue until morale improves!

11/4/2010 8:01:50 PM

I like the rasp!!!! But my civic has lose bolts in the exhaust and makes the same sound!!!!!!!!11111111111

11/4/2010 8:05:23 PM

I love the 4 doors if only they were obd1 and had the good intake manifold

11/4/2010 10:33:22 PM

Quote :

"I love the 4 doors if only they were obd1 and had the good intake manifold"

HOW DARE YOU!
Taking another instructor out around the skidpad;

and a Chin event;


I mean, I don't see why anybody would argue this.
PS: The manifold is an easy swap, but the OBDII cars are faster, motors are stronger, diffs are stronger, etc. It's a better car.

11/4/2010 11:17:31 PM

Yeah I know ... I guess I always wanted a turbo m3 thus obd1 meant stand alone was possible w/o inspection issues. I know the 4 door is a better car. I think it's even lighter or something . I know the chassis is more rigid.

11/5/2010 6:12:11 AM

on a semi-related subject, if you all were shopping for a 2007/8 335i, would you opt for the 2 or 4 door?

11/5/2010 8:38:39 AM