Tempted to buy E36 M3

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by Guff

Not everyone has the ability to just give out HJ's like you, Longhorn...

Originally Posted by Zaku

Lol Longhorn will prolly go to vegas first to win and then go and buy those with lots of Hotel Juilets

Everything's better when you win it for free

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by iff2mastamatt

Hold out! Used 370Z prices are falling like a rock (I planned on buying one before I saw the FT-86 concepts) but I've waiting too long to pass up on the FR-S or BRZ. Just over five months to wait.

I'm also one of the 370z converts. I was planning on February, but then I figured I'd wait for this car. Same price or cheaper, better gas mileage, hopefully cheaper insurance, and likely just as fun!

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by DuMa

not really. just hear too many bad things about the build quality of the e36 compared to the e30/e46/e9x

So basically you have no first hand knowledge?

The E36 M3 is probably the BEST M3 to buy in that it's reasonable priced, extremely fun to drive and fairly cheap to maintain. E30s are absolute blasts, but they have a steep price of admission and parts sourcing can be an issue. E46s are.. bleh.. good highway cars, but no where near as fun as the E36. Most E46 guys I know have an E36 for fun driving (or some other vehicle like an ITR, etc), and use the E46 to drive to work.

E92s are pretty fun actually, but way too expensive right now.

[Mitch]

Do it.

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

E92s are pretty fun actually, but way too expensive right now.

My neighbor's son uses E92 as a fun car... Result? Tranny blew in less than 2 month of owning that car.

He learned his lesson & went w 911 GT3 for a fun car...

[rayman0690]

The E36 used market is really hit or miss. Although even some high mileage ones are still in phenomenal condition.

Have you driven one yet or have you just started looking?

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by DuMa

E36 is the worse 3 series BMW you can buy.

Just buy S50/S52 E30. or even the cheaper M50/M52 E30 are fun as well

Not what I have read. Sure the E36 is older and harder to find one in good condition with good maintanence records. From my reading M3 enthusiast consider the E36 the most fun to drive. Plus price wise you can get them for a good deal.

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

So basically you have no first hand knowledge?

The E36 M3 is probably the BEST M3 to buy in that it's reasonable priced, extremely fun to drive and fairly cheap to maintain. E30s are absolute blasts, but they have a steep price of admission and parts sourcing can be an issue. E46s are.. bleh.. good highway cars, but no where near as fun as the E36. Most E46 guys I know have an E36 for fun driving (or some other vehicle like an ITR, etc), and use the E46 to drive to work.

E92s are pretty fun actually, but way too expensive right now.

As you stated, this is what I have come to learn from reading BMW forums.

Originally Posted by rayman0690

The E36 used market is really hit or miss. Although even some high mileage ones are still in phenomenal condition.

Have you driven one yet or have you just started looking?

Just started looking. Nothing in my area and would need to travel out of state. My buddy has a E36 which I have driven and it is a blast to drive. Just not sure I want to put that time and effort in for finding a good used car.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

My neighbor's son uses E92 as a fun car... Result? Tranny blew in less than 2 month of owning that car.

He learned his lesson & went w 911 GT3 for a fun car...

I haven't researched the E92s (due to price, I have no interest in spending that kind of money on a car) but all the track guys I know with one haven't had any issues. Which trans was it? I only know guys with the manuals.. I'd suspect abuse or a defect there though unless it's a wide spread problem.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Not what I have read. Sure the E36 is older and harder to find one in good condition with good maintanence records. From my reading M3 enthusiast consider the E36 the most fun to drive. Plus price wise you can get them for a good deal.

As you stated, this is what I have come to learn from reading BMW forums.

Just started looking. Nothing in my area and would need to travel out of state. My buddy has a E36 which I have driven and it is a blast to drive. Just not sure I want to put that time and effort in for finding a good used car.

I had to buy a one-way plane ticket to Chicago to buy my car, then drove it back. The whole process took a couple of days (visited with old friends and family I'd never met along the way), but it was an adventure I'll never forget. Took me a while to find the car, but totally worth it.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Just started looking. Nothing in my area and would need to travel out of state. My buddy has a E36 which I have driven and it is a blast to drive. Just not sure I want to put that time and effort in for finding a good used car.

Wait and find a good condition with records 95 M3 IMO

My favorite E36 M3 is a 95 Avus Blue M3

If I were buying one right now I'd take a serious look at this car, even though it's about 4k higher than I'd be willing to spend. Avus blue, cloth interior (rare and seats would be swapped anyways) and most importantly (for me) it's a no sunroof car... the 42k miles don't hurt either..

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Mitch

I had to buy a one-way plane ticket to Chicago to buy my car, then drove it back. The whole process took a couple of days (visited with old friends and family I'd never met along the way), but it was an adventure I'll never forget. Took me a while to find the car, but totally worth it.

See, this guy owns a 95. Listen to him.

I flew to Omaha, NE for the last car I bought

[LSxJunkie]

I love e36s. However, it's so damned hard to find one I'd be willing to spend the money on and then to maintain.

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Wait and find a good condition with records 95 M3 IMO

My favorite E36 M3 is a 95 Avus Blue M3

If I were buying one right now I'd take a serious look at this car, even though it's about 4k higher than I'd be willing to spend. Avus blue, cloth interior (rare and seats would be swapped anyways) and most importantly (for me) it's a no sunroof car... the 42k miles don't hurt either..

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Thanks Dave. That is a great looking car. Just not sure I want to spend that much on a 12yr old BMW (I realize you have to spend to get one in good condition) but for a little more I can save up for a BRZ. If I could find a used one for $8-9k that would be ideal but would assume I would then need to put some money into it.

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by LSxJunkie

I love e36s. However, it's so damned hard to find one I'd be willing to spend the money on and then to maintain.

Exactly. Parts are expensive and will probably become harder to find as it gets older. Damn expensive to bring to a shop too. I can do basic stuff myself but would need the shop to do the rest.