BRZ vs e36 m3 (USDM version)
 

I think this is one of the closest comparisons out there.

The major differences are:
flat 4 vs inline 6 - power delivery is different with the m3 having a slight advantage
older car vs new car - warranty, interior, etc.

close enough:
internal room
handling - arguable, I need to drive a brz. The brz should behave like lighter car.
FR layout
power to weight

Full disclosure: I really want to sell my e36 m3 to get a BRZ. In fact I'd rather have my old NA miata back than have the e36 m3.

Isn't it a closer comparison to the E30 M3? Size, weight, and power wise?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVaWvXxtAps&feature=share&list=UU5rBpVgv83 gYPZ593XwQUsA"]Should I Buy A Subaru BRZ or a BMW E46? - ROAD TESTAMENT - YouTube[/ame]
Drive just posted this video

No way. The e36 is a dinosaur. You couldn't even compare them when they were new. I owned a 98 m3 a couple years ago, and it was okay.. but it didn't even make my top 10 favorite cars that I've owned. It falls behind some things like my BRZ, NA miata, and b16 swapped EF civic sedan for a lot of reasons. It was marginally better than my c4 chassis S4, but what wasn't.

The BRZ is newer and better in a lot of ways. The m3 is like a limo compared to the BRZ tho.

i definitely miss the smoothness of an inline 6 compared to this flat 4. not even close.

BRZ is going to be WAY smaller inside, and the trunk in ridiculously small.

but if you liked your miata better you're going to love a BRZ

Your closest Toyota competitor for the e36 m3 year for year, trim for trim:

http://img2.netcarshow.com/Toyota-Su...llpaper_03.jpg

We are all entitled to our opinions...

The E36M3 chassis is still considered one of the finest on the planet. I've got 25 years of racing experience and instructing and I 100% disagree with your statement. In fact the only car you mention thats even on my radar screen is the Miata. I owned and campaigned a M3/4 for several years and it still shines. I've instructing in and driven just about every sports car produced in the last 15 years except a few of the rarest exotics.

The FT86 is a benchmark car, like the Miata was when it came out and the E36M3 as well. Leaveit at that.



The S4 is a POS, on a track a M3 would eat it for breakfast. A Civic? WTF? A Civic! LOL

When I go to instruct at the 25-30 HPDE's per year their ain't any Civic's or S4's there. I see E30 & E36 M3's, some but not many later year M3's, Vettes, PCars, some big block american, EVO's, STI's, 350/370Z's etc..oh and Spec Miata's...



YMMV
HAZMAT

I've driven both (I used to own a BRZ), and they do drive very similarly. I was actually quite surprised how alike, actually. Power to weight is very close between the two (or was, obviously any stock E36 is going to be down on HP at this point). Shifter is nicer in the BRZ, but that may just be newness...

The biggest differences are: amenities & cost of ownership. Even a Premium BRZ has nicer features than any 15 year old car, and a Limited has tons more. Repair cost is a huge difference as the BRZ is under warranty and the E36 will cost you $500 minimum for just about any repair (unless you do the work yourself).

My $0.02

I'm in the same boat, sorta. Own both a 95 e36 m3 and an frs. e36 maintenance is a killer, I'm using the frs as my dd, just because the e36 needs some fixing. Would love to keep both long term, but my bank account may say otherwise.

So do it! Best to order one now than to wait until Spring when availability will be between nil and zero. If you order one now you could see it in a couple months' time. The E36 is a fun car, but you'll definitely like the BRZ better.

I traded in my e46 convertible for my FRS and I don't miss it much.

If anything, I guess I could say I miss the linear torque and howl of that inline 6 but that's about it.

Don't get me wrong. I really did love driving my Bimmer but the maintenance costs were eating me alive. Once those things start breaking, its a rapid downhill slope to bankruptcy. Add autocrossing to the mix and my 100k mile e46 just couldn't handle the abuse anymore. The last straw was when my top started leaking.

It wouldn't be fair for me to tell you or anyone else what you would enjoy better but from my experience, the FRS is more fun and satisfying in the corners to me. Also, now that I have a more reliable car again, I'm gearing up for racing season!

Scott

couldnt agree more with you. i just sold my E36 95 M3 which basically had every modd , minus cams and a camber plates and BBK. that car was fantastic and dominates on and off track to even a lot of new sports cars. that chassis was something special. but like a lot have stated the repair cost was hurting me. i restored her as best i could minus a few things like paint and headliner. but i drove this and felt it was soo good and has such a great chassis i couldnt pass it up. i used to work at my cousins Euro shop in NJ and did most work myself but alas. i have had bad back problems a long time and just had surgery and can no longer do BMW repairs since it is a bit of a pain but not to bad .


any one who thinks the E36 M3 doesnt compare is sadly mistaken and needs to learn how to drive a car properly. the limits of the E36 are very high it takes a lot of driver skill to max out its potential on the track. the balance is amazing and its not the fastest thing but it got up and moved. :burnrubber: