e36 m3

[Dahtone Racing]

hey guy i know its a bit off the skyline topic

but how do you guys rate the BMW e36 m3 the 3.2 L 6 speed version

how do they go compared to a GTR

any opinions/experiences would be much appreciated

thanks

anf

[SS8_Gohan]

I think the E36 started off just as 3ltr, with 286hp, bout that. Then went to 3.2 ltr, making about 321hp. The yanks got some 240hp M3's, heheh

I think 2001 was the last year of E36, then the kick ass E46 took over.

Beautiful cars, no doubt about it. Not GTR standard in terms of speed/power. But are very nimble on their feet, so do handle really well but i guess the GTR would still have it with the 4WD, maybe if both were constant RWD, the M3 and GTR would be pretty neck and neck in the twisty deparment i would imagine. Maybe even an advantage to the M3.

No M3 will match with the GTR but not really designed to. More a luxury sports car. Full leather/electric goodies etc.

And modifying not as good as a GTR because they are pushing out about 235kw's (E36) from a 3.2 ltr Straight 6 N/A, they are pretty highly strung engines.

cheers.

[Dahtone Racing]

thanks alot man

[SS8_Gohan]

u looking at buying one? i'm sure there is more accurate info from the ppl on these forums, i've never driven either! just known ppl with E36/46 M3's, read lots of articles, watch Car shows etc, big BMW fan, M3 is known for it's handling ability

And of course ppl here have GTR's.

anyone driven both? E36 M3 and GTR (32, 33, 34)

[Dahtone Racing]

yea im lookin at buying one

ive always luved em and i saw this one at a dealer and that was it game over i had to have it

[Ronin 09]

My mate has an E46 M3, and believe me it is a crazy machine. I would not say it is a lesser car than a GTR, simply a different car. What you say about it being luxo may be true, but underneath it there is still a very hard sports car. Consider that both the E36 and E46 M3s were PCOTY at Motor.

In terms of driving, the M3 is exactly as people describe - instant throttle response, feelsome and talkative steering etc etc, and boy do they drift well in standard form! There may be nothing like the sound of a turbo spooling, wastegate opening and bellow of an RB26, but once you hear a 3.2 BMW M52 engine at 7000RPM the hairs on your back will stand up. Remember it is one of the most celebrated straight six engines in the world.

The E36 is a bit of the unloved child of the M3 family; it didn't have the fat guards of the E30 or E46, and was a bit of a sleeper in comparison. But the underlying mechanicals are basically the same as the E46 less the tricky diff and SMG update. OK, the motor is supposedly all new, but the basic architecture and design remain. I like the more Q-car look of the E36. And yes i would give my right leg to have either a GTR or M3 in my driveway.

Hope that dribble helps.

[Dahtone Racing]

thanks brother

im so anxious now just waiting on the bank to gimme my money bastards they luv to drag things on

cant wait

[franks]

two totally different cars...

i'd get bored of the M3. its too heavy and it costs big dollars to make it move.

[T0nyGTSt]

The M3 is IMO a bit too highly strung for a 3.2 litre six - the RB26 is generally less stressed than the M motor.

T.

[sewid]

I've driven the US Spec e36 M3 and while the exhaust note was amazing the car didnt have any balls. The auto that was in it was crap too. Luckily the aussie M3 isn't anything like that I've heard.

[Dahtone Racing]

yea the US one is only 3L 5 speed the aussie from 96 onwards are 3.2L 6 speed

the one im looking at is an evo spec ne1 know wats the difference between the evo and the normal one?

[Ronin 09]

i think the evo is the 3.2. The difference between the US M3 and ours was we got the 6 throttle top-model and they got a single throttled detuned version, more like the 328i overbored to 3L... similar to the current 3.0 in the 330Ci and alike.