Do any 911 owners have an E36 M3?

[samsnead]

Looking to pick up another vehicle, considering a 1995 E36, does anyone have any experience with these vehicles?

Thanks

[3.2 CAB]

I have a 750iL V12. It is a super nice ride. Sorry, but that is the only BMW that I could give any reference to. Good luck!!

[jorian]

Quite a few Pelicans own that generation M3. You might want to check out the BMW side of this site.

[nut11]

An absolute fantastic car. I have a 98 but do make sure the HVAC electronics are vetted (blower motor). Our host has mucho threads on this PITA. Mechanically, it's bullet proof.

87 blk coupe

[Emission]

E36 M3 is great car. Of course, you can run into some issues (like all older cars).

There are plenty of aftermarket and replacement parts - so not to worry.

'95 cars are OBD I
'96-99 are OBD II

Some people prefer one or the other.

[01sport]

I've wanted to post my opinion on this subject and I have finally found the appropriate venue.

I believe I have found the perfect combo of cars. 87 911 cab and 2001 740i Sport (E38).

The 2001 E38 is great looking, large, luxurious and chock full of cool options and features. It's fast and it feels and handles fabulous. The closest your going to get to a sports car in a sedan of it's size. IMHO.

2001 is the last year of it's body style so most all of the bugs have been worked out. The Sport edition gives you tranny, suspension, seat, etc. options that any pcar driver will appreciate. Best of all is that these cars, mind you some of the best made cars of all time, IMHO, can be had for a song. You can pick up a low mileage 01 for 15 to 20k! How can this be you ask? I'll tell you.

Supply and demand. There's a ton of these cars out there. Wealthy people purchase or lease these cars with every intention of replacing them in 3 or 4 years. These cars have a reputation of costing a small fortune to maintain after 50 or 60k miles. Yep, it's the truth, if you take it to the dealer to be serviced. I think BMW builds them this way intentionally. It's good business because it's great for new car sales and the service dept. However, if your a DIYer like me, and I know you are. You can own one of the finest sedans ever built. Just replace the radiator at 50k, alternator and suspension at 70k, OSV and various gaskets at 100k some sensors at 120k etc. etc. These cars break down like clockwork and there's tons of help on forums to tell you what's going to break down next. I mean, what car doesn't break down, aside from Toyotas. At least these are predictable.

I enjoy working on my cars. My problem is which to drive. They are both very enjoyable. There is no Substitute but the Ultimate Driving Machine.

Happy New Year

Jeff

[signature65]

My roommate has an E36 M3 and so does one of my best buds. They are both exotic car mechanics. So the thought being 2 Lambo mechanics cant be too wrong! Great cars. You wont be disapointed. 1995 E36's can be modified more easily but the next gen 96 and up have a better power curve and larger displacement, 3.2 vs 3.0. The ability to modify comes directly from what Emission says. OBD I is much easier to "get around" than OBD II.

[calling911]

Ya know I owned a E30 M3 for a few years.. I think when the E36 came out it was sad.. the E30 had character.. the E36 looked like, well, an e36. I would never own one because M3 is just no longer special.. the E30 had the big bulging fenders, an aluminum trunk lid, 5 lug wheels... you turn your head when you see an E30.. not so much with a E36.. but it is damn fast and shifts like butter.. I went head to head with one in my E30 at Grattan Raceway in Michigan.. I was all over him in the twisties and he just embarrased me down the straights..

My next BMW will be a 1991 M5. I believe those were hand built.. they dont have the character of the E30 but man, what a car.

All of that being said, and the E36 M3 is a screaming deal.. I've seen nice examples for 10k.. You pay more for a real nice E30 now..

Ahhh.. the BMW days.. only problem, you CAN'T avoid the "yuppie" look of one..

[CT944]

I had a 98 M3 and modified it over about a 3 year time period. Ask me anything about those cars and I will tell you what you need to know. Bullet-proof mechanically.

The HVAC digital unit goes out at about 100K miles, but rebuilt units can be had for under $300. No big deal and simple to replace (plug and play).

If you are getting a 95, get one with the manual HVAC controls. Less to break electronics wise.

[crashmy911]

E36 is a nice sedan. It isn't a porsche. It handles almost as well but dosen't give you that direct feel that a 911sc does. At autocrosses I run about the same time in either one but the 911 is modified and has less power.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by 01sport

These cars have a reputation of costing a small fortune to maintain after 50 or 60k miles . . . These cars break down like clockwork and there's tons of help on forums to tell you what's going to break down next.

So true. I have a 00 E46 that dealers are slowly rebuilding for me. Well, I pay 1/2 of the service in a deal with my stepson (the one that won't leave home). The Bavarian Money Wacuum seems to go in spurts of cash ingestions. $2500 one year. $600 the next. But not too crazy. Sensors are the hardest expense to swallow.

Ian

[88911coupe]

I've owned a 320i, 3181, and finally an E28 535i and I REALLY miss the 535i. Built like a tank and drove great...never had a serious problem at all and sold it with 186,000 miles on it. I was VERY close to getting an E39 5 series as a daily driver but ended up getting a new A4 which has turned out great. A good friend who has a 911 track car and a 993 just got an E39 M5 which is a stunning car. He also used to have an E30 M3 which I'd love to own as well.

[einreb]

I went from a 3.6 transplant '88 911 to a '95 M3. I love it.

I go by at about 7:10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IejiFMP82TQ

The only thing I would love more is God's Chariot... the E30. I keep debating on selling the M3 and building up a spec E30 car. Its a tough decision.

[samsnead]

I'll be keeping the p car, so I'm looking for something that will be driven a bit more frequent.

I'll check on the BMW forum, I think that I'll try for a 95 seems to be more basic.

Thanks for the comments

[yelcab1]

My signature says it: 1998 M3 and 911SC. I used to own an 1988 E30 M3 as well but foolishly sold it many years ago now, and I can't get it back anymore.

Bulletproof, low maintenance, very fun, and also very practical with 4 doors. There are very few issues with the car. If it has 100k miles or more, you MUST change radiator, water pump, thermostat, hoses, and fan (do it or it will do you). The VANOS unit will last well beyond 100Kmiles IF you use the right synthetic 5-30 oil all its life, or else it is $1000 at 100K miles. Transmission mounts need to be replaced at 60K miles (UUC after market mouints solve that problem). Batteries are gone every 5 years, and DO NOT EVER buy a BMW replacement battery POS. Get an Interstate one. Other than those, everything else just works.

I recently consider getting into a Cayman (not an S, that is too much money) and changed my mind after I test drove it just to find that my M3 still accelerates just about the same as the Cayman and handles just the same with its 50/50 distribution. Although, at 118K miles, now I am due for suspension work, and shift knob replacement.

For $10K, and if it is very well kept up, you will never regret it. Get one.

[samsnead]

Are there huge differences between 95 and 96-98?

I just love the Dakar Yellow, reminds me of the speed yellows.

[calling911]

Originally Posted by einreb

I went from a 3.6 transplant '88 911 to a '95 M3. I love it.

I go by at about 7:10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IejiFMP82TQ

The only thing I would love more is God's Chariot... the E30. I keep debating on selling the M3 and building up a spec E30 car. Its a tough decision.

It would be tough to get an E30 to outhandle an E36.. but damn those cars a cheap.. I've owned several 325is.. and a 318is. Nice cars.. You can take a stock version and just scream it around road america and it handles like a dream.. incredible.. an amateur trying to do that in a 911 would have his or her hands full...

[Malaz]

Originally Posted by samsnead

Are there huge differences between 95 and 96-98?

I just love the Dakar Yellow, reminds me of the speed yellows.

Besides OBD-I vs OBD-II, 96-99 have dual automatic climate controls (95 has manual) and different rims. I think those are the only differences but it's been awhile. I would suggest bimmerforums.com; it has a big e36 forum.

I had a '97 M3 and absolutely loved it. Never gave me any problems. There are some things that need to be checked for like plastic vs metal water impeller (make sure it's metal). And rear strut mounts need to be checked I think. I traded it in 2 years ago for a 4Runner so I could carry snowboards and camping stuff.

I'm trying to find a 911 now for a weekend car because I miss having a sports car and a 911 has always been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Lurking here has really expanded my knowledge and helped me narrow down exactly what I want.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by calling911

Ya know I owned a E30 M3 for a few years.. I think when the E36 came out it was sad.. the E30 had character.. the E36 looked like, well, an e36. I would never own one because M3 is just no longer special.. the E30 had the big bulging fenders, an aluminum trunk lid, 5 lug wheels... you turn your head when you see an E30.. not so much with a E36.. but it is damn fast and shifts like butter.. I went head to head with one in my E30 at Grattan Raceway in Michigan.. I was all over him in the twisties and he just embarrased me down the straights..

My next BMW will be a 1991 M5. I believe those were hand built.. they dont have the character of the E30 but man, what a car.

All of that being said, and the E36 M3 is a screaming deal.. I've seen nice examples for 10k.. You pay more for a real nice E30 now..

Ahhh.. the BMW days.. only problem, you CAN'T avoid the "yuppie" look of one..

I've had lots of BMWs and I traded my E30 M3 for a E34 M5. The M5 was sold after I bought my 85 Carrera Cab as I had no more parking at my house. I preferred my E34 M5 to my E30 M3 as it has a lot more torque and the power is much more useable in daily driving.

As for a E36 M3, those cars are great as they have wonderful torque and precise handling. Get a M3/4 and you have the best of both worlds, a sports car that can carry 3 passengers.

[einreb]

Originally Posted by samsnead

Are there huge differences between 95 and 96-98?

I just love the Dakar Yellow, reminds me of the speed yellows.

Nothing huge. The hp is the same, but more torque on the 96+ cars. the 95's can easily be tuned for a bit more HP/torque. I've had my doors blown off on the track by a guy with a Dinan SC setup, but thats a different cup of tea. These are not high HP cars in stock form, just great handling, balanced, and reliable. I drive mine more than I drove the 911 because its such a pleasant street car, even with my slightly stiffer than stock suspension.

There are some concerns with build dates prior to a certain month on 95 cars that have to do with a later style valve spring retainer, but IMO unless you are bumping off the rev limiter a lot.... its not an issue to be concerned with. Its a cheap fix for a DIY.

95's also had the forged lightweight motorsport wheels as an option. They are worth decent bucks and look nice to my eye.