Favorite M3

[the Teuton]

Lightweight pictured





So which would be your pick of the litter?

[Eye of the Tiger]

E30... not like I'd be too picky about any of them, though

[the Teuton]

I went 46.  I think it's the perfect combination of sport and comfort without being a boat like the E92.  That and it's a hoot to drive.

I haven't driven a 30 yet.

[Secret Chimp]

Something about the E36 has always seemed kind of flimsy to me.

[the Teuton]

Something about the E36 has always seemed kind of flimsy to me.

It's not a flimsy car.  I just rode in one tonight.  But it does feel like something just wasn't...finished.  I think the Euro 321 hp model with the 6-speed would have fixed all the problems anyone ever had with that car...almost...the styling is still really conservative.

[TBR]

E36 Sedan in Estoril Blue and the white leather:



What exactly does the lightweight version entail? Just wondering as a student here as a white E36 coupe with those checkers on the left front corner.

[Eye of the Tiger]

radio delete and checkers on the hood

[TBR]

radio delete and checkers on the hood

http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/models/m3_ltw.htm

I'll check for a sunroof next time I see it.

[Rupert]

E30. For sure.

[hotrodalex]

E46, with the E30 coming in a close second.

[The Pirate]

I'm infatuated with any variant of the E36.  Naturally, the M3 induces a high level of turgidity.

Never driven any of 'em, though I have driven a few lesser E36 sedans.

[TBR]

I'm infatuated with any variant of the E36.  Naturally, the M3 induces a high level of turgidity.

Never driven any of 'em, though I have driven a few lesser E36 sedans.

Yeah, the E36 325i I testdrove (and should have bought ) was fantastic. I can't get the exhaust note or the steering feel out of my head.

[the Teuton]

I have to say this:  I loved the Boston Green E36 M3 cabrio I drove to the point where I really wanted to steal it. 

But the E46 is like the E36 on meth with the same intoxicating exhaust note turned up to 11.

[The Pirate]

Yeah, the E36 325i I testdrove (and should have bought ) was fantastic. I can't get the exhaust note or the steering feel out of my head.

Same.  My buddy had a 325i that was automatic, even with the slushbox, it was a really, really fun car. 

[TBR]

Same.  My buddy had a 325i that was automatic, even with the slushbox, it was a really, really fun car. 

This one was Alpine white with Beige something (leather or leatherette I don't know). 5-spd of course. It was in great condition, though there was some rust bubbling right in front of the rear wheel wells. All for $2500. I could have bought it, but I was too concerned with parental permission and knew that by the time I worked through all that red tape it would be sold. If I had to do it again I might have just bought it and dealt with my parents later.

Every time I think about it I start looking at E36s on autotrader.

[the Teuton]

Here are my preferences based on what I've seen (a tech at the BMW dealership owns an E30 M3.  He's probably 22 or 23.):

1) 46
2) 36
3) 92
4) 30

I like the E30, but not driving one really puts it a rung lower for me. 

[The Pirate]

This one was Alpine white with Beige something (leather or leatherette I don't know). 5-spd of course. It was in great condition, though there was some rust bubbling right in front of the rear wheel wells. All for $2500. I could have bought it, but I was too concerned with parental permission and knew that by the time I worked through all that red tape it would be sold. If I had to do it again I might have just bought it and dealt with my parents later.

Every time I think about it I start looking at E36s on autotrader.

Yeah, you should have bought it.  It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission.  If a good one popped here for a fair price, I'd jump on it in a second.  Everything I read says that the E36 is a very DIY friendly car.

[565]

Well I've only driven the E46, and I didn't like it much.  I felt like M division took a sports luxury sedan(which is what BMW does best) and then proceded to tune all the luxury out of it until they were just left with sport.  If I wanted something like that, I'd just have gotten a dedicated sports car, and frankly BMW forged their brand making luxury sports sedans and not sports cars (drove a Z4 and didn't like it either).  Thus all the even more "hardcore" M3's that came before it probably wouldn't float my boat.  I'd probably pick the E90 sedan M3.

[TBR]

Well I've only driven the E46, and I didn't like it much.  I felt like M division took a sports luxury sedan(which is what BMW does best) and then proceded to tune all the luxury out of it until they were just left with sport.  If I wanted something like that, I'd just have gotten a dedicated sports car, and frankly BMW forged their brand making luxury sports sedans and not sports cars (drove a Z4 and didn't like it either).  Thus all the even more "hardcore" M3's that came before it probably wouldn't float my boat.  I'd probably pick the E90 sedan M3.

I believe the E36 was significantly softer than both the E30 and the E46.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I voted for 414 hp. 

[MexicoCityM3]

I've driven an E36 for a short test and extensively both the (road & track) E46 & E90.

I'd love to try an E30 b/c of all the great things I have read about it.

I guess it depends on what one thinks the M3s "mission" is. I see it as a practical car that should be able to go get groceries with 4 passengers and later run with (or very close) to the big dogs (911, Vette, etc) in a track delivering a similar level of fun in the process.

By that measure, the E90 (even more so than the E92) is superb. It can be as soft as a 5 series with all the settings on "soft" and as raw as an E46 M3 when driven to the limit on the track with all the settings on "showoff/Fast". It is definitely faster than the E46. I did a 2:04 at the track I usually attend on my first time out in the E90 about two months ago. Last Sunday I went back on the E46 and did a 2:07 and I am much more familiar with it. The E90 is more fun at the track than the E46 since it understeers a lot less.

However, on the street you definitely feel much more of a "race car" experience on the E46. It is more fun on the street (when you can push it) because its rawer and also has lower limits. The E90 is much more comfortable in traffic.

The E36 didn't impress me that much, frankly (and I tried an Euro version w/321hp).  I didn't feel the famous "best handling car" reputation.

So I'd say:

Overall: E90
Most fun at the track: E30 (guessing) & E90/92
Most fun on the street: E46
Most practical/Comfortable: E9x

[cawimmer430]

The E30 is not a true BMW because it was powered by a 4-cylinder engine. What a joke! Real BMWs have 6-cylinders! FACT!

[iconoclast]

What exactly does the lightweight version entail? Just wondering as a student here as a white E36 coupe with those checkers on the left front corner.

Whoever just said radio delete is wrong.

The light weight had these features deleted
air conditioning
leather seats
sunroof
radio
took kit
interior noise reduction mats
underhood insulation
trunk panel insulation
forged wheels
spare tire and jack

and Had
aluminum doors
special carpeting
carbon fiber trim
sport suspension
revised rear axle ratio of 3.23:1
a large strut brace connecting the front shock towers
an X-brace assembly to hold the entire front end together

On top of that the obvious, The LTW wing, The front lip splitters and the badges.

As for the guy that you saw with the same checkered flag, probably a rep. or a poser. These units are so hard to find, But You can tell if it is a ltw, if you put a magnet up against the door.

[iconoclast]

The E30 is not a true BMW because it was powered by a 4-cylinder engine. What a joke! Real BMWs have 6-cylinders! FACT!

You would be wrong there, If there is any M3 that is supposed to be considered NON M, it would have to be the e36, it was the only M car in history that did not come with a real M engine.

The us S50 and s52(us only motor), were modified versions of the m50 and the m52 which are 325 motors. With primitive single stepping vanos units, and No ITBS

The real M motors all had ITBS and produced almost 100hp per litre, the s50b30 made 286hp, the s50b32 made 321
While the S50b30us only made 240 same with the s52b32, with only a few ft lb increase in torque

[cawimmer430]

You would be wrong there, If there is any M3 that is supposed to be considered NON M, it would have to be the e36, it was the only M car in history that did not come with a real M engine.

The us S50 and s52(us only motor), were modified versions of the m50 and the m52 which are 325 motors. With primitive single stepping vanos units, and No ITBS

The real M motors all had ITBS and produced almost 100hp per litre, the s50b30 made 286hp, the s50b32 made 321
While the S50b30us only made 240 same with the s52b32, with only a few ft lb increase in torque

Dude, I WAS KIDDING. 

I know some "hardcore BMW FANS" who make such silly statements. I was performing a parody of them. I see that you're new here, once you get to know me you will see that I am a very sarcastic fellow.

There are also some "fans of Porsche" who talk smack about 4-cylinder engines never knowing that Porsche has a rich racing heritage with 4-cylinder engines.

[MexicoCityM3]

Dude, I WAS KIDDING. 

I know some "hardcore BMW FANS" who make such silly statements. I was performing a parody of them. I see that you're new here, once you get to know me you will see that I am a very sarcastic fellow.

Iconoclast, please ask wimmer about "heritage". Best way to get to know him fast.

[MexicoCityM3]

You would be wrong there, If there is any M3 that is supposed to be considered NON M, it would have to be the e36, it was the only M car in history that did not come with a real M engine.

The us S50 and s52(us only motor), were modified versions of the m50 and the m52 which are 325 motors. With primitive single stepping vanos units, and No ITBS

The real M motors all had ITBS and produced almost 100hp per litre, the s50b30 made 286hp, the s50b32 made 321
While the S50b30us only made 240 same with the s52b32, with only a few ft lb increase in torque

That is true, although the U.S. M3 wasn't that much slower than the Euro even while down by 60hp.

[SVT_Power]

30 or 46 for me...

I chose 46

[nickdrinkwater]

Yeah, the E36 325i I testdrove (and should have bought ) was fantastic. I can't get the exhaust note or the steering feel out of my head.

Friend has an E36 323i coupe, decatted.  It does sound great.  The only thing I don't like is that the dash has dated badly.  (323i engine is v similar to the 325i by the way, 2.5 6cyl but I think a different manifold?)

How come you didn't buy the bimmer?

[Vinsanity]

I'd like an E30 as a track-only car. For everything else, I'll take an E93.