Looking at getting an E36 M3

VerbalKint · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 10:17 AM

Hey guys, I just joined up here (first post, yay), and I have a couple of questions. More like a lot of questions. First, some background info. Right now I drive a 2000 Honda Civic Si, turbo'd, and tuned VERY nicely. And it's not all ricey, the IC is black, not noticable, and it has a very mild drop on Ground Control coils and Koni sport shocks. Right now I'm running about 225 hp to the wheels. So it's a pretty quick car, and I like it a lot.

But I'm looking about moving up in the world. I was thinking about getting a 1991-1993 Nissan 300ZX TT, but those are only 2-seaters, and that doesn't really do it for me. So I was looking about possibly getting an E36 M3. I love these cars, always have. Here are my questions:

1. What are the differences between the 1995 to the 1997 models?
2. How much power do they make to the wheels? About what 1/4 mile times do they run (to get a comparison to my car right now)
3. Are the sedans much different that the coupes, besides of course having more doors?
4. Do m3's have any major known problems, and at what mileage do they generally occur at?
5. What are some basic mods to m3's, and what do they cost, how much power, etc. (example: 300ZX basics are JWT ECU and intake, costs ~1200, adds about 45-50 hp)

Probably a lot of these questions are answered in detail somewhere else, so if someone has a link or two that will help me out, just throw em up there, I'll read anything. I'll print it out and take it into the crapper if need be.

Thanks for your help guys.

Matthew C Smith · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by VerbalKint
Probably a lot of these questions are answered in detail somewhere else, so if someone has a link or two that will help me out, just throw em up there, I'll read anything. I'll print it out and take it into the crapper if need be.

Thanks for your help guys.

First off, Welcome to DTM Power!

Yep, you're right. They have been answered before. Try a search and I guarantee you'll find loads of info.

VerbalKint · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 11:02 AM

AHH! The first "use the search" reply has been posted. Ok, I've been told, so I don't need to hear it from another dozen or so people.

I have another question to ask, and then I'm going searchin: How reliable are these cars? And yes, reliability is a big issue for me, being a poor college student.

On to the search button.

Matthew C Smith · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 11:08 AM

reliability all depends on how well you maintain the vehicle.

Problem areas can be found in the archives too, but here's a VERY quick run down of specific problems

-RSM (rear shock mount)
-RTAB (rear trailing arm bushings)
-water pumps (usually go about 60k for plastic models, search for more info)
-radiator necks crack at about 100k

outside of that, they're pretty reliable

you might also check out www.unofficialbmw.com

BayBimmerM3 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 12:05 PM

The cars are very reliable if you treat them well. If you don't treat them well then you are goign to spending a lot of money on the car to get it running well again.

///M3Driver · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 03:16 PM

I am actually looking to buy a 95 E36 M3, so I thank you for the info as well.

J Clark · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 04:00 PM

DSrugis · #8 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 06:39 PM

Same here. I also need to sell my 2000 Civic Si before I buy my car or save the difference and buy the M3 and sell the civic shortly after that. I am going to wait till after winter. How are the E36 M3s in the winter with snow rubber on?

Dave

Xierro · #9 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 06:46 PM

the switching civic to m3 ratio is overpowering my computer...

CMT · #10 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DSrugis
Same here. I also need to sell my 2000 Civic Si before I buy my car or save the difference and buy the M3 and sell the civic shortly after that. I am going to wait till after winter. How are the E36 M3s in the winter with snow rubber on?

Dave

They are awesome. Mine is all the way down on coilovers, and easily braves the worst weather that New Englad throws at me.

Matthew C Smith · #11 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 07:23 PM

Although I don't drive an M car, I do drive mine in the winter. With snow tires it's a dream. I've never had any problems or even thought about getting stuck.

it's all about the MB hubcaps

VerbalKint · #12 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 09:46 AM

Hey guys, thanks for the info so far. From what you've told me, the maintenance problems aren't too much of a biggy. Unless the guys who designed the car were sadistic sons of bitches, all of those problems are pretty easy ones to fix. I was just hoping they weren't anything like an rx7 (replace apex seals at ~60000... that's a bitch to do). Also, you don't have to worry about whether or not your turbos are working well or not after 100,000 miles or so like you would in a 300zx.

Yeah, that is strange... a lot of people switching out their Civic Si's for m3's. But before I make any kind of decision, I gotta give my insurance company a call and see what kind of rates they can give me.

DSrugis · #13 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 10:24 AM

my insurance is about 600 dollars more a year...something I think I can live with.

Dave

3ZTT · #14 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 02:03 PM

i need to know how much its gonna run me to get an engine transplant, minus the engine

VerbalKint · #15 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 03:00 PM

Right now the insurance on my Si is pretty high already, but I plan on getting a good student discount this semester, so that should go down.

Another concern has reared its ugly head: 1/4 mile times. I read somewhere on that unofficialbmw page that they got a baseline run of 15.0 or so in the 1/4. Is this number accurate? I only ask because right now I run at least a 14.3 or so, and I don't really want to get a slower car...