[MicahPA]

Hi all,

I thought this question might generate some fun discussion. I currently have an LCI M2. One of my neighbors has a 98 or 99 E36 M3 convertible. His car is absolutely beautiful. Always garage kept and well cared for. The gentleman is 87 years old and one of the coolest guys I've ever met. I've made it a point to let him know he better not ever sell the car without letting me know first.

So…. Given the chance, would you ever consider swapping your M2 for an E36 M3? I'm fully aware they are completely different breeds (or at least vastly evolved in many aspects) and, if given the opportunity, I would likely hold onto my M2 and purchase the E36 as an additional vehicle. Just something I think about at times. What do you all think? Any love for a well kept E36?

[Stvee]

I've owned a E36 M3 and have driven an M2 but not owned one. I definitely wouldn't ever make that swap. The S50/S52 motors that we got in the US just aren't special at all. The E36 handled really well for it's time and looks great but that's about all it has going for it.

[W///]

Originally Posted by MicahPA

Hi all,

I thought this question might generate some fun discussion. I currently have an LCI M2. One of my neighbors has a 98 or 99 E36 M3 convertible. His car is absolutely beautiful. Always garage kept and well cared for. The gentleman is 87 years old and one of the coolest guys I've ever met. I've made it a point to let him know he better not ever sell the car without letting me know first.

So…. Given the chance, would you ever consider swapping your M2 for an E36 M3? I'm fully aware they are completely different breeds (or at least vastly evolved in many aspects) and, if given the opportunity, I would likely hold onto my M2 and purchase the E36 as an additional vehicle. Just something I think about at times. What do you all think? Any love for a well kept E36?

I've got both and they are very different cars to each other. If I could only pick one, the M2 stays. What I found surprising is that the E36 is still quite a bit more compact than the M2 and has a ton of character. This is definitely one of those cars that is much more than a sum of its part, which in a way, also reminds me of the M2.

Do I think they compliment each other well? Debatable. For example, I think my Z4M Roadster and M2 are a better pair than E36 and M2 just because those are so much more different in what they do.

I've gone back and forth recently about selling my E36, but everytime I've gotten close to pulling the trigger, I drive it and back off.

[MicahPA]

Originally Posted by W///

I've got both and they are very different cars to each other. If I could only pick one, the M2 stays. What I found surprising is that the E36 is still quite a bit more compact than the M2 and has a ton of character. This is definitely one of those cars that is much more than a sum of its part, which in a way, also reminds me of the M2.

Do I think they compliment each other well? Debatable. For example, I think my Z4M Roadster and M2 are a better pair than E36 and M2 just because those are so much more different in what they do.

I've gone back and forth recently about selling my E36, but everytime I've gotten close to pulling the trigger, I drive it and back off.

[IMG]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...29bd7aa9_b.jpg[/IMG]

I appreciate the conversation. I have never driven an E36, so I'll take your word on it regarding the car being greater than the sum of its parts. Based on the reviews I've watched, it sounds like it was top class back in the 90s. And I think the nostalgic feeling I get when looking at performance cars of the 90s is why I'm so interested in this E36. I know performance wise it won't come close to touching the F87, but I wouldn't purchase an E36 to be the fastest in any setting. It's more of an appreciate for a well maintained car that takes me back to being a middle school aged kid again.

[SEAT TIME RULES]

Originally Posted by W///

I've got both and they are very different cars to each other. If I could only pick one, the M2 stays. What I found surprising is that the E36 is still quite a bit more compact than the M2 and has a ton of character. This is definitely one of those cars that is much more than a sum of its part, which in a way, also reminds me of the M2.

Do I think they compliment each other well? Debatable. For example, I think my Z4M Roadster and M2 are a better pair than E36 and M2 just because those are so much more different in what they do.

I've gone back and forth recently about selling my E36, but everytime I've gotten close to pulling the trigger, I drive it and back off.

Techno Violet! Awesome color.

I had a rare 4 door Dakar Yellow E36M3 with 285/30 HOHO's on it. That car was a monster SCCA BSP car.
I agree that the S52 motor was just ok, but to keep the costs down in the states we didn't get the 321HP Euro motor with Double Vanos. It was a great move on BMW's part and they sold a ton of E36M3's.

I still think the balance and feedback from the Chassis and rack is one of the best I've ever driven.

I truly believe that the 2019-2021 M2C , or CS will be collector cars down the road. I'm not a fan of the G87's looks, interior and digital dash.
As much as I loved my E36 I would never pick it over the M2C...

[chris719]

Originally Posted by MicahPA

Hi all,

I thought this question might generate some fun discussion. I currently have an LCI M2. One of my neighbors has a 98 or 99 E36 M3 convertible. His car is absolutely beautiful. Always garage kept and well cared for. The gentleman is 87 years old and one of the coolest guys I've ever met. I've made it a point to let him know he better not ever sell the car without letting me know first.

So…. Given the chance, would you ever consider swapping your M2 for an E36 M3? I'm fully aware they are completely different breeds (or at least vastly evolved in many aspects) and, if given the opportunity, I would likely hold onto my M2 and purchase the E36 as an additional vehicle. Just something I think about at times. What do you all think? Any love for a well kept E36?

Not an M3, but I drove an E36 328i with some mods several times. Really great handling and honest steering. I wouldn't want it as a daily, but since it's a vert it could be fun. If you want a second car though, I'm with W/// and recommend a Z4M or other roadster.

[carchrism5]

Would never swap, I love the E36 and a clean one does catch my eye (although not the convertible as much) but not enough to even consider the swap.

[MicahPA]

I think the main reason I'm so interested in this car is because I know for certain it has been meticulously taken care. And since I don't need a daily, this would be such a great summer time cruiser with the top down.

[Moflow]

I love how the e36 looks. I don’t think you’re crazy for considering it, sometimes cars just speak to us, you know? Drive and see if you like it!

[Mr Pete]

I love the E36. Would love to own one some day. Having said that, and having owned a M2C, I choose the F87.

I replaced my F87 with a 997.1 GT3. Absolutely love the NA power, noises, handling and all things Porsche mechanical stuff. But I miss my F87 more than I miss my F80 and F82. For a modern car, F87 is a f'ing fantastic car

[stefan]

I've had 3. They are hateful vehicles. Everything will break on it. If you want to work on your car every weekend then you may find it fun. Certainly the steering, pedals feel much better, incredibly connected. The S52 USDM is garbage but supercharged it's quite good if you don't mind the pain and suffering involved. I miss mine but not the work.

[W///]

Originally Posted by stefan

I've had 3. They are hateful vehicles. Everything will break on it. If you want to work on your car every weekend then you may find it fun. Certainly the steering, pedals feel much better, incredibly connected. The S52 USDM is garbage but supercharged it's quite good if you don't mind the pain and suffering involved. I miss mine but not the work.

Funny you say that, because the E36 M3 is the only car that's left me stranded (twice at that). But overall, I think mechanically, it's a stout car, much more so than say the S54. I personally view the S52 like the B58, it's not as special as a "real" S engine, but I think they're still great. S52 is more or less bulletproof if you take care of cooling system, sounds good, has great torque.... I'd never call it garbage personally.

Now the interior? That's a completely different story. Debating either selling mine, or start to strip interior

[Rk-d]

Not an M3, but I had an e36 328i back in the day. Great steering and feel, but the most unreliable car I’ve ever owned. Never ending cooling issues and the engine basically trashed itself.

[bimmerdriver2]

My first BMW was this:

1997 328is 5MT Coupe Madeira Violet on Black - M Sport Suspension, Staggered M Forged Double Spoke Rims, Bilstein Sport Shock Absorbers, H&R Sport Springs, M Tech Rear Spoiler

I bought this car with around 75k kms and drove it until around 185k kms. It was in excellent condition when I bought it and it was just as nice when I sold it. Admittedly it wasn't an M3, but as everyone knows, the NA market E36 M3 was not as different from the base model as the RoW version or subsequent M3 generations.

Back in the day, it was a notably nice car and I enjoyed it a lot. However, the build quality and materials on these cars weren't the greatest and it was already getting harder to find parts for them when I sold mine 10 years ago. At the time, they were well known for good handling, but compared to vehicles today, they aren't that special and with only 240 HP, the E36 M3 has anemic performance compared to modern vehicles.

My second BMW was this:

2002 M3 6MT Coupe Carbon Black on Black - OE ZCP/CSL Wheels, 245/35/19 & 285/30/19, H&R 15 mm Front Spacers, OE CSL F/R Brakes, EBC Redstuff, TMS SS F/R Brake Lines, PSS9, TMS F/R Sway Bars, TMS Rear Control Arms, TMS Underdrive Pulleys, TMS/Carbonio Intake, Beisan, Eisenmann Exhaust, AutoSolutions 30% SSK, BMW Illuminated Shift Knob, BMW Performance Pedals, CDV Delete, BMW Performance 4.10 R&P, Flossmann GTR CF Hood/Trunk, CF Rear Diffuser, Euro F/R Signal/Tail Lights, Umnitza Orion V4 LED Angel Eyes, HomeLink

I bought this with 11,600 kms and the original owner added most of the extras. Today, it has 35k kms. In my opinion, the E46 M3 is a much more preferable car to own than an E36 M3. However, I enjoy driving my M2C much more than my M3. Even with the modifications on my M3, the M2C easily out-handles and out-performs it.

It's debatable whether the leap from an E36 M3 to an E46 M3 is greater or lesser than the leap from an E46 M3 to an M2C, but regardless, it's a big leap. Unless you are really looking for the old school "E36 feeling", I think you will get bored with it quickly compared to an M2.

PS. The M3 is for sale.

[sdhotwn]

Owned my M2 CS and E36 M3/4/5 simultaneously. Sold the E36 to get a Cayman track car, and don't miss the E36 because the M2 is all the best bits of the M experience. I loved the E36 so much I bought the same car twice, so it's not that it wasn't enjoyable, it just pales in the same garage as the CS.