Please Educate Me: E36 M3s

[lawdogg]

Thanks man. Much appreciated. (I know I could look this up but I'll ask anyway) The only things that make the E36 M3 special compared to a 325 would be the LSD and the bigger engine? I know from the Audi world that the B5 S4 got some other fancy stuff compared to the A4 like unique front uprights and different rear suspension geometry, does the M3 have anything like that too compared to a 325?

The one that I'm looking at tomorrow won't shift into 4th, has the CEL (code p0733) and ASC/ABS lights on, owner thinks it's just a wheel sensor that needs replacing. This is the ad: **1997 BMW M3 CLEAN TITLE great deal!!**

For $3k, would you consider it or keep looking?

[NOMIEZVR4]

Spend another 3k and get yourself a s2k. WORLDS better than a miata and a REAL handler! My younger brother picked up his 29k ap1 s2000 for 8000...I've been occasionally looking around and I've found a few examples near 100k for 5-6kish....plus if you ever want to boost...STOCK LONGBLOCKS make 600whp ALL DAY...no need to build them because they come forged from the factory.

Skip the bmw's, forget the DSM's and get yourself a Honduh!! s2000's are the shit...TBH...only a fully built to the hilt 3/s can even attempt to beat a stock motor turbo s2k..when my younger brother boosts his s2k he's gonna wipe my the floor with my 16g 3/s..



look at the video description...unopened longblock...this guy is in chicago too!! 600whp for 4 years..

[bridge]

It needs to be AUTOMATIC for the woman!!!!!

[donniekak]

The us didn't get the e36 m3, we got a 325i with boltons. The real e36 m3 came with 320hp.

[donniekak]

Spend another 3k and get yourself a s2k. WORLDS better than a miata and a REAL handler! My younger brother picked up his 29k ap1 s2000 for 8000...I've been occasionally looking around and I've found a few examples near 100k for 5-6kish....plus if you ever want to boost...STOCK LONGBLOCKS make 600whp ALL DAY...no need to build them because they come forged from the factory.

Skip the bmw's, forget the DSM's and get yourself a Honduh!! s2000's are the shit...TBH...only a fully built to the hilt 3/s can even attempt to beat a stock motor turbo s2k..when my younger brother boosts his s2k he's gonna wipe my the floor with my 16g 3/s..



look at the video description...unopened longblock...this guy is in chicago too!! 600whp for 4 years..

I was debating coming up your way on my journey across America. I should have. I bet one Saturday night could have paid for my entire trip. Turbo Hondas, lololololololol.

[lawdogg]

Ok I passed on M3. Setting out to find a clean manual 325 / 328. She's gotta learn to drive stick sometime. Now is the time. And I like the boost idea. Might try to find a drop top.

[familyMAN]

I was debating coming up your way on my journey across America. I should have. I bet one Saturday night could have paid for my entire trip. Turbo Hondas, lololololololol.

Nomie could have found a lot better to race than turbo diesels like in my neck of the woods.

[anyonebutme]

To answer your question, E36 M3 got a different engine, DME, front lollipop bushings on the 95 and different LCA's on 96+, rear subframe is slightly different, rear trailing arms are different, rear diff ratio, and they got a ZF instead of a Getrag transmission, different springs and damper, and some small stuff. In reality, none of it really is that different, and the things that are you usually change anyways to aftermarket or to replace old stuff with anyways.

You should be able to pick up a 325/328 for 2K or less in decent condition. I passed on like 5 locally, including some nice E46's for 5-7K.

Also on all BMW's, cooling system replacement is preventive maint. About $500 in parts and a weekend or less every 60-100K miles depending on how brave you are. DO NOT overheat the I6 engine, iron block and aluminum head I6 is a recipe for warped head and blown gaskets.

[bridge]

Dave can tell you about changing the water pump in the parking lot at UMG. However I believe the replacement was "cheaper"/plastic so they (Dan and Dave) put the old one back in after inspection. That or they were swapping parts between the two. At least you don't have to deal with salt unless you go skiing?

[familyMAN]

Here's some e36 turbo motivation for you....(from bimmerforums.)

Thought I would post up some vids, pics and info of the 1/2 mile wannagofast event we ran in this past weekend at Heavens Landing airstrip in Clayton, Georgia. Myself and SM3 both first timers in the 1/2 mile...

Best time for SM3 165.5mph in his CES 4094r Turbo M3 running only 16.5psi and 625whp, and 168.5mph best time in the CES GTX35r car running the same power at 25psi. I'm sure we could have hit 170's, but weather came in and we decided to call it a day...

Special thanks to Nick @ Technique Tuning for getting the GTX Turbo M3 up and running with some last minute tuning to make the event, Tony Parrish for the outstanding photos, and SOHO Motorsports who provided transportation and event help!



Video: First pass SM3 clocks in at 163mph, and the GTX M3 blows off a pipe and runs 116mph.. Quick fix and she's up and running again.




The GTX35R M3 ran on 25psi of boost 100 octane no meth injection for the event. Blue line on dyno graph below is the new power. Red line was the older AA tune. Picked up quite a bit of power across the entire range especially at spool and up top where power used to fall off before.
















On our second pass of the day... GTX35R runs 166.7 left lane... GT4094R runs 165.5 right lane...












The CES Motorsport Team